Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the supply of liquid potassium chloride.

The Department is aware of supply issues affecting potassium chloride 375mg/5ml syrup (Kay-Cee-L^® syrup). We issued comprehensive communications to healthcare professionals which includes guidance on how to manage affected patients during the shortage.

Alternative formulations of potassium effervescent tablets remain available, and the Department has reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed potassium chloride oral solution for patients.

The Department is aware that this product has been divested to another manufacturer. We are working closely with the new manufacturer and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to expedite regulatory procedures where possible to ensure that supplies of licensed potassium chloride syrup are made available as soon as possible.