October 24 Drug Tariff News
6th November 2024 - Source: Amanda Chell
October Drug Tariff News
Category M October adjustment published
NHS BSA has published the Category M reimbursement prices for October 2024.
In summary, the price changes deliver the following:
Adjustments for underlying market prices (between April – June 2024).
Adjustment as indicated by the latest results of the Medicine Margin Survey (up until end of March 2024).
Adjustment to correct the error made in July’s Category M reimbursement prices.
The combination of the last two is a downward adjustment of £9 million per quarter through Category M reimbursement prices.
In detail:
Three lines have been added to Category M from October:
| Drug |
Pack |
Price |
| Levothyroxine sodium 12.5microgram tablets |
28 |
£11.31 |
| Levothyroxine sodium 75microgram tablets |
28 |
£2.63 |
| Permethrin 5% cream
|
30g |
£8.65 |
Additions to Part 2
15 items have been added to Part 2 in the October Drug Tariff. Ones which I think you may find of interest are:
- Peptamen Junior 0.6 liquid
- Flo liquid
- Vita liquid
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
7 items have been added to Part 8a of the October Drug Tariff. Ones which I think you will find of interest are:
- Buprenorphine 40micrograms/ hour transdermal patches have gone into the October Drug Tariff with the reimbursement price based on Reletrans. Currently this items only seems available through Alliance.
- Co-amoxiclav 125mg/31mg/5ml oral suspension, 250mg/62mg/5ml oral suspension and the 400mg/57mg/5ml oral suspension have all gone into the Drug Tariff as Category C items with the reimbursement price based on Augmentin and Augmentin Duo. Supplies between all 3 wholesalers are sporadic but if any discounts is offered, it will be through PSUK.
- Memantine 5mg Oro dispersible tablets sugar free have gone into the October Drug Tariff as a Category C item with the reimbursement price based on Valios. Currently only AAH appear to stock it.
Deletions to Part 8a
10 items have been deleted from the October Drug Tariff.
Ones which I think you may find of interest are:
- Co-amoxiclav 125mg/31mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free and Co-amoxiclav 400mg/57mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free have both been removed from the October Drug Tariff. Please note – this is the Sugar free version- item containing sugar has been added to Part 8a.
- Cyanocobalamin 1mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules, more commonly known as Cytamen has been removed from the October Drug Tariff. This product was discontinued in April 2024.
- Hydromorphone 16mg +24mg modified release capsules have been removed from the October Drug Tariff. These are more commonly known as Palladone SR. Both strengths were discontinued in May 24.
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
41 items are listed in ‘Other Changes, DDs would strongly advise you check ‘Other Changes’ for October 24. However, ones which we think you may find of interest are:
- Cinacalcet 90mg tablets has moved from a Category A item with a reimbursement price of £42.73 – has moved back up to a Category C item with the reimbursement price based on Mimpara at £347.96. You can still purchase this generically for as little as £16 – hence making a healthy profit.
- Dabigatran etexilate 110mg capsules, 150mg and 75mg have all remained as a Category C item and the reimbursement price hasn’t changed however Pradaxa has been removed from the Manufacturer who the price is based on – this is one to watch!!
- Isosorbide mononitrate 60mg modified-release tablets has remained as a Category C item with the reimbursement price based on Imdur. The reimbursement has not changed however Imdur has been removed at the Manufacturer who the price is based on – again this is one to watch!
