Product Update Multiple Suppliers Flowable Haemostats Products (ICN 3245)

Situation Overview:

We have been made aware that a small number of products that we supply are classified as ‘cold chain medicinal’ and as such, require a specific extension to our existing Wholesale Dealer’s Authorisation (WDA).

To date, NHS Supply Chain has procured several specialist flowable haemostat products, which have been exclusively supplied via the eDirect route, so have not been handled within our network. As these haemostats are derived from human blood products, the procurement of such products requires an extension to meet the terms of the human medicines licence.

To ensure NHS Supply Chain adheres to the terms of our licence, all cold chain medicinal products were promptly suspended and will be delisted from our catalogue by the end of January 2026. There is an immediate requirement for customers to establish direct purchasing arrangements with suppliers or purchase indirect, non-human blood alternatives from our online catalogue.

Our suppliers have provided us with assurance that the products have been maintained and supplied within all required conditions via the eDirect route and there is no risk to the product.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will support customers wherever we can.

Impact:

• 64 trusts currently purchase these products, with a total spend of £1.4m.
• Eight product codes are affected:
  • ELS981, ELS997 and ELS1000 – Tisseel Brand (Baxter Healthcare Ltd)
  • ELS85085 and ELS85086 – VeraSeal Brand (Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd)
  • ELS85028, ELS852029 and ELS85030 – Artiss Brand (Baxter Healthcare Ltd).
• The affected codes are currently suspended and no longer available to order through our online catalogue.
• The affected product codes will be delisted from our online catalogue by the end of January 2026.
• Potential indirect alternative products are available to order through our online catalogue.
• Baxter Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson Medical are aware of the situation. Their products have been maintained and supplied within all required conditions and there is no clinical risk.
• We will continue to work closely with both suppliers to support a smooth transition from NHS Supply Chain to direct purchasing, while minimising any potential impact.

Next Steps:

• There is an immediate requirement for customers to move product purchasing to direct arrangements with suppliers for any direct alternatives NHS Supply Chain is unable to supply.
• See our Downloads ▼ section for supplier contact details.
• Indirect alternatives can be purchased from our online catalogue, however, as haemostats are very driven by clinical need, moving to indirect alternatives is a complex process.
• Further support on haemostat options can be accessed via your ICS manager, supported by the Category team with clinical input.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential indirect alternatives.
• If you have any further questions, please contact your local NHS Supply Chain Customer Services Advisor.

Please note that due to the clinical nature of these alternative products, we advise you to consult your organisation’s clinical experts to determine suitability prior to use.