Quick question, should the G.Ps be issuing prescriptions if they are using sutures?

Yes, sutures are available on FP10, see page 633 of the June tariff and also, they are Personally administered so no prescription charge.

Hi Amanda

Hope you are well

We have started to have prescriptions for   Pneumococcal disallowed – why is this happening?

The rules for the purchasing and reimbursement of Pneumococcal has changed – please see the information below taken from NHSBSA portal

In a letter published on 30 April 2021 , NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) and Public Health England, advised GP practices:

·         of the move to central supply of the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPV23) vaccine from 1 June 2021.

·         That after 1 June 2021, practices should prioritise use of any remaining locally procured PPV23 vaccine to use up this stock and further information would be provided on the transition arrangements.

Further communication was sent out in January 2022 via the Primary Care Bulletin as a reminder to GP practices that:

·         from 1 April 2022 they would no longer be able to submit claims for PPV23 vaccines that are administered, and practices should only be using centrally procured PPV23 vaccine for immunising their eligible population.

·         from 1 April 2022 pneumococcal vaccines, both PPV23 and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, will be removed from the bulk vaccine list. Items on this list are claimed via the FP34D/PD appendix form.

·         they will be able to claim reimbursement for any historical claims for PPV23 in accordance with the Statement of Financial Entitlements, and for any occasion where a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is administered to an adult for clinical reasons.

·         All valid claims must be submitted for reimbursement via an FP10 prescription form.

o   PPV23 – to be valid, vaccines must have been administered on or before 31 March 2022. The prescription form must be dated with the date of the vaccination event. Any submissions dated post 1 April 2022 will be disallowed

o   Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugated – a valid claim must include either the age of the patient or the date of birth of the patient in order to verify that the vaccine has been administered to an adult for clinical reasons. Any submissions with the information missing or for an individual under 16 will be disallowed.

Any claim for pneumococcal vaccines will be disallowed if submitted on an FP34D/PD appendix or if the prescription form does not comply with the information required for a valid claim.

HI Amanda,

Hypromellose 0.3% eye drops 10ml were deleted from Part 8A of the June Drug Tariff, is this item still allowed on NHS prescriptions?

Yes Hypromellose 0.3% eye drops are available as a medical device and can be dispensed on a NHS prescription as the product is still listed in the Appliance section (Part 9).

However, as it’s a part 9 product, if it’s  a generically written prescription then the following preparations can be dispensed.

·         AaproMel

·         Lumecare Hypromellose 0.3% eye drops

·         Mandanol

·         Ocufresh

·         Teardew 0.3%

Against a generically written prescription, the dispenser must endorse the brand name, pack size and price paid.