The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a medicines supply notification for Ibandronic acid 150mg tablets, which are in limited supply until March 2026. 

Alendronic acid 70mg tablets and risedronate sodium 35mg tablets (once weekly bisphosphonate presentations) remain available and can support increased demand.

Actions for clinicians

Do not initiate ibandronate 150mg once monthly (NCL Red-listed, not for primary care prescribing). 

Where patients have insufficient supply to last until the resupply date, clinicians should review patients and consider: 

• the duration they have been on treatment and appropriateness of pausing treatment until either ibandronic acid 150mg tablets are available or for a longer period off treatment to restore the benefit/risk balance (see supporting information) or 
• switching to a once weekly bisphosphonate if ongoing treatment is required, ensuring patients are counselled on a change in dose regimen, and to seek advice if they experience side effects
• for patients requiring continued treatment, advice should be sought from specialists on alternative management options.

For detailed information on the shortage, clinicians should refer to the Specialist Pharmacy Service Medicines Shortage Tool MSN 2025/060 for actions required and supporting information.

ScriptSwitch® messages have been enabled to provide information on this shortage to support primary care.