Hi Amanda,

We have just had a patient come to us that has recently been started on Sustanon 250mg/1ml injection amps, do you know if that’s something we should be buying through Dispensary/ where from? Any discounts that we should be on, or anything about this drug at all? I’m lost with it.. 

Hi there

Lovely to hear from you- hope you are well?

So Sustanon – is a Schedule 4 Controlled Drug – the prescription is only valid for 28 days.

Its also classed as PA so no levy due to the patient – as long as its submitted through the Dispensing Doctors

Its cheap

And only AAH stock it – no discount.

Hi Amanda, 

Hope you are well?

A quick question which I am sure you are asked all the time……

Steri-strips on a PA prescription, does the patient pay for this if under 60 over 16 etc or is it because it is a PA item then the patient does not pay for PA items. I have seen mixed messages on this. Thanks.

Hi

With regard to Steri-strip – Yes they are PA but only If submitted down the dispensing doctor route so no levy would be due from the patient.

If you put it down Pharmacy route, then a levy will incur.

Hi Amanda

Hope you are well?

Can you advise if I should still be outsourcing the Mirena and Nexplanon to the local pharmacy?

I’m wondering if there is any profit in these now if they are dispensed in house?

Many thanks

😊

Hi there,

At the moment Nexplanon is a definite send to Pharmacy, however from January 25, it will be given PA status which will be a game changer due to the VAT.

Mirena is already classed as PA but also as contraception. Not to overcomplicate this but due to the differences in the VAT, the fact that’s its Contraception so only has a 5% VAT but when the VAT is claimed back as a PA item via PCSE statement – its calculated at 20%.

Currently, that calculation doesn’t apply to Nexplanon but will do from January 25 as Nexplanon is being given PA status from January 2025. So the answer is outsource Nexplanon at the moment and keep Mirena in house.