Drug Tariff News

31st July 2023 - Source: Amanda Chell

NHS BSA has published the July (Q2) Category M adjustments. These reflect:

• an adjustment of -£23.8m, in light of the results of the margin survey (latest result up until end of December 2022), and the phasing down of the additional £100m agreed across years 4 and 5 as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.
• uplifts for underlying market prices

In summary, there are:

• 14 additions
• One deletion: Alfacalcidol 1microgram capsules x 30
• 154 prices are increased, with 20 by at least 50 per cent
• 471 prices are down in price, with only one down by at least 50 per cent

Additions to Part 2

There has been no additions to Part 2 in the July Drug Tariff.

Generally, items which fall into Part 2 of the Drug Tariff have no wholesaler discount, you are potentially dispensing at a loss. You may consider sending the prescription away to a local Pharmacy to be dispensed.

Additions to Part 8a

 12 items have been added to the July Drug Tariff- ones which I think you will find of interest are:

• Benzydamine 3mg lozenges sugar free have been added to the July Newsletter with the reimbursement price based on Difflam. Currently Alliance appears to be offering an 11% discount
• Buprenorphine / Naloxone sublingual tablets sugar free (various strengths) have gone into the Drug tariff with the reimbursement price based on Zubsolv. As a reminder these are Schedule 3 Controlled Drugs however they do not need to be kept in the locked receptacle.
• Hydrocortisone 5mg/10mg and 20mg dispersible tablets sugar free have gone into the July Drug Tariff with the reimbursement price based on Morningside Healthcare Ltd.

Deletions to Part 8a

 11 items have been deleted from Part 8a of the July Drug Tariff- ones which I think you will find of interest are:

• Hydrocortisone 1% / Miconazole 2% ointment (more commonly known as Daktacort ointment) has been deleted from the July Drug Tariff. This was discontinued in January 2023. Daktacort cream is still available – just a reminder Daktacort cream attracts no wholesaler discount.
• Prochlorperazine 5mg/5ml oral solution – more commonly known as Stemetil liquid has been removed from the July Drug Tariff. This was discontinued in December 2022.
• Vancomycin 500mg + 1g powder for solution for infusion vials, packs of 1 and 10 have all been removed from the July Drug Tariff. Most of the manufacturers available have been discontinued.

Items which have been removed from the Drug Tariff part 8A can still be prescribed and dispensed but you will need to endorse the prescription with manufacturer, pack size and price paid.

Other Changes to Part 8a

39 items are listed in ‘Other Changes. DDS would strongly advise each dispensing team to check the July Drug Tariff however below are a few items which you may find of interest:

• Apixaban 2.5mg tablets and 5mg tablets have dropped from a Category C with the reimbursement price based on Eliquis to a Category M.

The reimbursement price for Apixaban 2.5mg currently sits at £49.96 and the 5mg is sitting at £43.12.  Both strengths of generics can be purchased under £20.00 so a healthy profit. Any dispensing now of Eliquis needs to be on a branded prescription.

• Sitagliptin 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets have dropped from a Category C with the reimbursement price based on Januvia to a Category M. Sitagliptin 100mg reimbursement price is £19.49 – you can purchase this for as little as £15.00 but as high as £30.00 so take care when purchasing. Sitagliptin 50mg reimbursement price is £13.62 – you can purchase for as little as £12.00 but again as high as £17.00 and the 25mg has a reimbursement price of £4.83 – purchase cost is around £6.50 so this is a generic over tariff- please take care when purchasing all strengths.
• Venlafaxine 225mg modified release capsules has gone from a Category C with the reimbursement based on Efexor to a Category M. The reimbursement price is now sitting at £13.71. Take care when purchasing as the generic purchase price is sitting above Drug Tarif price.

Just as a reminder the items listed above are all Category M items so the reimbursement price should be fixed until end of September 2023. However, the purchase price can vary.