Drug Tariff News
2nd August 2024 - Source: Amanda Chell
July Drug Tariff News
Department of Health and Social Care has published the Category M adjustment for Q2 (July) 2024.
In this adjustment there are two additions and seven deletions.
The additions are:
- Bimatoprost 300micrograms/ml eye drops 0.4ml unit dose preservative free x30: £12.16
- Glycerol 4g suppositories x12: £2.11
The deletions are:
- Bumetanide 1mg tablets x28
- Calcipotriol 0.005% / Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointment x 30
- Lamotrigine 5mg dispersible tablets sugar free x 28
- Olopatadine 1mg/ml eye drops x 5
- Paracetamol 250mg/5ml oral suspension x 100
- Sulfasalazine 500mg gastro-resistant tablets x 112
- Zolmitriptan 2.5mg tablets x 6 &12
In this adjustment:
- 242 lines are down in price, 30 by more than 20 per cent
- 368 lines are up in price, 20 by more than 50 per cent
Reference DDA website
DDS would also like to make you aware that from 1st April 24, Category A items will change quarterly – there has been a number of Category A price changes in July 2024
Additions to Part 2
2 items have been added to Part 2 in the July Drug Tariff. The two items are:
- Epilim Chronosphere MR 750mg granules sachets
- Sodium valproate 750mg modified-release granules sachets sugar free (the above being the brand of Sodium Valproate)
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
11 items have been added to Part 8a of the July Drug Tariff. Ones which I think you will find of interest are:
- Dabigatran etexilate 110mg, 150mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg and 50mg granules sachets sugar free have been added to the July Drug Tariff as a Category C item with the reimbursement price based on Pradaxa. Currently only available through PSUK and most strengths appear to be out of stock.
- Ipratropium bromide 21micrograms/dose nasal spray- 240 doses has been added to the July Drug Tariff. The 180 does was already in the Drug Tariff.
- Tirzepatide 10mg/0.6ml + 7.5mg/0,6ml solution for injection 2.4ml pre-filled disposable devices have both gone into the Drug Tariff again as a Category C item with the reimbursement based on Mounjaro Kwikpen. This product appears to be available through AAH and PSUK.
Deletions to Part 8a
There have been 6 deletions to Part 8a in the July Drug Tariff.
Ones which I think you may find of interest are:
- Calcium carbonate 500mg chewable tablets, more commonly known as Rennie Orange has been removed from the July Drug Tariff.
- Chlorhexidine acetate 0.02% catheter maintenance solution – Uro-tainer has been removed from the Drug Tariff, this was discontinued in December 2023.
- Insulin isophane biphasic human 25/75 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml pre-filled disposable devices, more commonly known as Insuman Comb 25 SoloStar. This product was discontinued in December 2023.
As a reminder 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
42 items are listed in ‘Other Changes, DDS would strongly advise you check each change yourself however ones which you may find of interest are:
- Bimatoprost 300micrograms/ml eye drops 0.4ml unit dose preservative free have gone from a Category C item with the reimbursement price based on Lumigan to a Category M. The reimbursement price has dropped from £13.75 to £12.16.
- Calcipotriol 0.005% / Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointment – 30g has moved from Category M to Category C. This is a very welcome move as this product has been a ‘generic over tariff’ for at least 6 months. The reimbursement price is now based on Dovobet at £19.84!
- Venlafaxine 150mg modified release capsules has been sitting as a category C with the reimbursement price based on Vensir at £4.72. The list price of Vensir has risen to £9.95 and so the tariff has to reflect that list price change.
The biggest change which you all need to be aware of is the addition of “gonadotrophin releasing hormone (“GnRH”) analogue” to the SLS Scheme!
As from 1st July all prescriptions for Zoladex, Prostap, Staladex and Decapeptyl (whether written branded or generically) need to have SLS endorsed in the main body of the prescription.
From 1st July, any prescriptions for the above without the SLS endorsement will be disallowed.
SystmOne and Emis Web should activate this endorsement for you but you each need to check.
Also any prescriptions dated pre July for the GnRH but submitted for payment after 1st July, will need to have SLS endorsed in main body of the prescription.
