Drug Tariff News

7th March 2025 - Source: Amanda Chell

March Drug Tariff News

Additions to Part 2

Only 2 items have been added to Part 2 in the March Drug Tariff, and those two are:

• Leuprorelin 1.88mg powder and solvent for prolonged-release suspension for injection pre-filled syringes
• Urospir 50mg/5ml oral solution

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

10 items have been added to Part 8a of the March Drug Tariff. Ones which I think you will find of interest are:

• Leuprorelin 1.88mg powder and solvent for prolonged-release suspension for injection prefilled syringes has gone into the March Drug Tariff as a Category C with the reimbursement price based on Prostap PD DCS. Currently none of the mainline wholesalers appear to be stocking it.
• Nefopam 60mg tablets have also gone into the Drug Tariff as a Category C with a reimbursement price of £19.90 based on Brown and Burk. Take care when purchasing this one as some prices are significantly over Tariff.
• Quetiapine 50mg tablets has gone into the tariff as a Category C with the reimbursement price based on Accord UK Ltd. There appears to be some stock issues with this one!

Deletions to Part 8a

9 items have been deleted from the March Drug Tariff, ones which I think you may find of interest are:

• Guaifenesin 100mg/5ml / Pseudoephedrine 30mg/5ml oral solution, more commonly known as Benylin Mucus Cough Plus Decongestant syrup. This product was discontinued in September 24.
• Hydrocortisone 0.1% cream has been removed from the March Drug Tariff. This was more commonly known as Dermacort. This product was also discontinued in September 2024.
• Diclofenac 0.074% mouthwash sugar free has been removed from the March Drug Tariff – again this was discontinued in September 2024.

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

10 items are listed in ‘Other Changes, the ones which I think you will find of interest are:

• Fentanyl 1.2mg lozenges has remained as a Category C but where the reimbursement price was based on Actiq at £21.05 is now based on Cynril and has dropped to £16.80.
• Dexamethasone 4mg soluble tablets sugar free has remained as a Category C but the reimbursement price is now based on Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd. However the reimbursement price has remained the same at £60.00.
• White soft paraffin 15% / Liquid paraffin light 6% cream has remained as a Category C but the reimbursement price is now based on Oilatum and has increased slightly to £4.18.