Pharmaceutical Specials
Meeting the unique clinical needs of individual patients through our trusted partners
Bespoke Medicines for Individual Patient Needs
Pharmaceutical Specials are unlicensed medicines that are specially manufactured or imported to meet the unique clinical needs of an individual patient when no suitable licensed medicine is available.
Unlike commercially available medicines, Specials are made to order in response to a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional. They provide patients with access to treatments that cannot be met by standard licensed products, helping to ensure continuity of care when conventional medicines are unsuitable.
Why Are Pharmaceutical Specials Needed?
Licensed medicines are designed to meet the needs of the majority of patients. However, some individuals require a medicine that has been tailored specifically for them.
Bespoke Strengths and Dosages
Some patients require a strength that is not commercially available. This is particularly common in paediatrics, geriatrics, and specialist clinical settings where precise dosing is essential.
Alternative Formulations
Patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules (dysphagia) may require a medicine in a different form, such as:
- Oral liquids
- Suspensions
- Creams or ointments
- Gels
- Topical solutions
- Suppositories
Allergies and Intolerances
A Special can be manufactured without certain excipients, including:
- Artificial colours
- Preservatives
- Sugar
- Gluten
- Lactose
- Specific allergens where clinically appropriate
Medicine Shortages
In some cases, a Pharmaceutical Special may help maintain treatment when a licensed medicine is unavailable or has been discontinued, subject to clinical judgement and prescribing requirements.
Our Commitment to Quality
Every Pharmaceutical Special is prepared with patient safety, quality and compliance at the forefront.
We work closely with healthcare professionals to provide reliable access to bespoke medicines manufactured to the highest quality standards, helping patients receive the treatment they need when licensed alternatives are not suitable.
How Pharmaceutical Specials Are Made
Each Pharmaceutical Special is manufactured specifically to fulfill an individual prescription. Unlike licensed medicines, Specials are not mass-produced and are only supplied where there is a genuine clinical need identified by the prescriber.
Every product is manufactured under stringent quality standards to ensure consistency, safety and traceability throughout the production process.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Pharmaceutical Specials are unlicensed medicines supplied to meet the specific clinical needs of an individual patient when no appropriate licensed alternative exists.
Yes. While they are unlicensed, Pharmaceutical Specials are manufactured under strict regulatory controls by licensed manufacturers and supplied only when clinically justified.
No. Specials are only prescribed when a healthcare professional determines that a patient's needs cannot be met by a licensed medicine.
Specials can only be prescribed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional who has assessed the patient's individual clinical needs.
Related Services
Find Out About Our Pharmaceutical Specials
Our Passion Creates the Difference
Speak to our team about specials, named patient imports and urgent sourcing requirements.