DHPCs serve to inform healthcare professionals of, for example:
In cases where a shortage is not linked to a quality, safety or efficacy issue, marketing authorisation holders can send medicine shortage communications (MSCs) instead of DHCPs. For example, this applies to withdrawals due to commercial decisions or to unexpected increases in demand for certain medicines.
DHPCs agreed at EU level include a communication plan specifying the intended recipients and the dissemination date.
National competent authorities may adapt the text agreed at EU level to their specific situation, so the final letter a healthcare professional receives may differ slightly from the version published on the EMA website.
For more information, regulatory guidance and templates, see:
For more information, see:
For a list of DHPCs agreed at EU level and published by EMA, see our Medicine search: DHPCs.
National competent authorities publish DHPCs in their official languages.
Please note that the information in these national registers may not be available in English.
