The regulators have added 10 new products to the 'Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted' (DND) list from Thursday (01 June).
Community Pharmacy England on behalf of its members had made further applications to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS Business Services
Authority (NHSBSA), resulting in the inclusion of 10 new products in the DND.
More than 610 products are granted DND status following checks made by Community Pharmacy England's dispensing & supply team over the past 3 years to ensure fair
reimbursement for our members.
The DND list is updated monthly by the DHSC and includes grouped and individual items. Individual items are separately listed in Part II of the Drug Tariff. Any
items covered by the 'Group Items' heading are not listed again individually in Part II.
"We will continue our work to assess whether other drugs and appliances fulfil the current DND entry requirements under either the 'Group' and 'Individual item'
criteria and make applications to NHSBSA and DHSC, on behalf of our members accordingly," said Community Pharmacy England.
Nine more new products have been classed as 'Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted' (DND) from 1 July 2022, announced Department of Health and Social
Care (DHSC).
This takes the total number of products granted DND status over the past 2 years to over 500 following checks made by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating
Committee.
The Committee had made an application to DHSC and NHSBSA for the following 9 products to be added to the DND list of Individual items to which the discount
deduction scale will no longer apply from July 2022:
Fludrocortisone 50micrograms/5ml oral suspension (Group)
Lorazepam 1mg/5ml oral suspension (Group)
Lorazepam 500micrograms/5ml oral suspension (Group)
Zopiclone 3.75mg/5ml oral solution (Group)
Zopiclone 7.5mg/5ml oral solution (Group)
GA explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
HCU explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
MSUD explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
TYR explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
The DND list is updated monthly by the DHSC and includes grouped and individual items. Individual items are separately listed in Part II of the Drug Tariff.
The NHS has made major improvements across long waits, urgent and emergency services, and cancer care, latest performance figures published on Thursday (11)
have shown.
The number of patients waiting more than 18 months fell to 10,737 by April - down by more than 90 per cent from 124,911 in September 2021 and by more than four-fifths
since the start of January when there were 54,882.
Around half of NHS trusts in England have no patients on their elective care waiting lists apart from those who have chosen to wait longer. More than one in
five (21%) trusts had completely eliminated 18-month waits.
However, the overall waiting list has risen to over 7.3 million entries in England.
"I promised I would cut NHS waiting lists and we are delivering," Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. "Reducing 18-month waits by over 90 per cent is huge progress,
and it is testament to the hard work of NHS staff who have achieved this despite one of the busiest winters on record.
"We still have work to do, but backed by record government investment and the ongoing efforts of the NHS, I am confident we will get patients the care they need
more quickly."
Ambulance response rates have improved to their fastest in two years, with average category two response times now at 28.5 minutes and category one at 8 mins.
The 62-day cancer backlog has fallen for the first time since before the pandemic, with those waiting two months or more down from 21,823 at the end of the last
financial year (March 2022) to 19,248 at the end of this March (2023). This is down almost 15,000 from a peak of 34,000 in July 2022.
Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has notified pharmacy teams that starting 1 August 2024, three Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) medicines will be
discontinued and will no longer be covered under the NHS HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate (HRT PPC) scheme.
These are Bedol® 2mg tablets, Climanor® 5mg tablets and Clinorette® tablets.
Since Climanor® 5mg tablets have been discontinued, Medroxyprogesterone 5mg tablets will also be removed from the HRT PPC list, as this generic product is no
longer available as a licensed HRT medicine.
The CPE also noted that Provera® 5mg tablets, being an unlicensed HRT medicine, are not covered by the HRT PPC.
Pharmacy staff are advised to check the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website for the most current list of HRT medicines covered by the HRT PPC.
The CPE has updated its HRT PPC medicines list to reflect these changes, which will also be updated in Part XVI of the August 2024 Drug Tariff.
Professor Michael Gordon Scott and Professor Charlotte Anne Skitterall have been recognised in the New Year Honours list 2023 for their 'service to pharmacy'.
Professor Scott Director, Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre was one among the 1,107 people to received MBE for his 'service to pharmacy' in Northern Ireland.
In 1994 he established the first academic practice unit in the province in conjunction with the Queens University of Belfast. In 2004 he was made a fellow of the
Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. In June 2009 he was made an honorary Professor of Pharmacy Practice at QUB.
Professor Skitterall, Group Chief Pharmacist, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust received MBE for 'services to Pharmacy'. Last year, she was appointed as a
Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. "I think it was awarded in recognition of the work I have done as chair of the National Medicines Optimisation Clinical
Reference Group. I also supported the National Pharmacy Task and Finish Group for Covid Vaccine deployment," she commented.
This year, dozens of NHS staff have been recognised in the New Year Honours list ahead of the health service's 75th birthday.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting reiterated his commitment to reducing NHS waiting lists during his visit to Frimley Health NHS Foundation
Trust's Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot on Friday.
Streeting toured the Berkshire hospital, which is helping tackle backlogs of planned operations with dedicated surgical services, thereby cutting local waiting lists.
The health secretary spoke to staff and patients at the hospital before meeting regional health representatives to discuss the issues facing services at a town
hall event.
His visit follows his recent call for an independent investigation into the NHS, pledging to be honest about the state of the health service and serious about
fixing it.
"The NHS is broken. Millions of patients are waiting too long for treatment, often in pain and discomfort," Streeting said.
Challenges in accessing the NHS waiting list are pushing more and more people toward private-funded alternatives for access, diagnosis and treatment,
thereby increasing the demand for private health cover.
According to a report published by health data provider LaingBuisson, the demand for private health cover, including medical and dental insurance and cash plans,
has surged to its highest levels since 2008.
The UK's overall health cover market reached £6.7 billion in 2022, an increase of £385 million from the previous year.
During the period from 2020 to 2022, the market experienced annual growth rate of 6.1 per cent, a significant increase compared to the average annual growth rate
of 1.7 per cent observed between 2008 and 2019, the research found.
A total of 4.2 million people were subscribed to medical cover schemes in 2022. When dependents covered by these policies were included, the number reached
7.3 million - the highest count since 2008.
LaingBuisson's analysis showed that medical cover volumes were steady through most of the 2010s, but began to increase alongside rises in the NHS waiting list
from 2018.
Three leading pharmacists - professor Mahendra Patel, Asif Aziz and Ade Williams - have been recognised in Queen Elizabeth's annual New Year's honours list.
Professor Patel, an academic pharmacist from West Yorkshire, was awarded an OBE for his "services to pharmacy." He told Pharmacy Business: "I am truly honoured and deeply humbled by this highly prestigious award that I have always believed was more deserving for others.
"That's not to say I'm not proud of it - far from it, although for me it's not necessarily about rewards and recognition but more the intricacies of the journey I embark on and the learning and joy that those encounters bring with it.
Most recently, Professor Patel - who has had a broad ranging portfolio career spanning community pharmacy, health education and health promotion, academia, and research - has been involved in promoting clinical trials across community pharmacies in the UK.
His latest work has seen him act as one of the national leads for the PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC trials, run by Oxford University - both trials seek to pioneer repurposed and new drug treatments in the community to prevent hospitalisation due to Covid-19.
Dental procedures are a necessary evil for most people. We all know that we need to go in for a cleaning and check-up at least once a year, but sometimes
the cost of these procedures can be prohibitive. It's hard to know which procedures are worth the money and which ones aren't. Here is an essential list of dental
procedures that are worth the money.
CAVITY FILLINGS
Cavities are caused by tooth decay. If left untreated, cavities can cause severe damage to your teeth. They can also lead to pain and infection. The best way to
treat a cavity is to have it filled by a dentist.
During the procedure, your dentist will remove the decay from your tooth and then fill the cavity with a composite material. This material is solid and durable and
can help restore your tooth to its original shape and function. Modern materials and techniques have made cavity fillings much more effective than they used to be.
Most fillings last for many years with proper care.
ROOT CANALS
It's a dental procedure that is used to treat an infected tooth. During the procedure, the dentist will remove the infected tissue from the tooth and then fill the
space with a particular material.
The procedures are very effective in treating infected teeth. They can also help to prevent the spread of infection to other teeth.
Root canals are usually very successful, and most teeth with a root canal can last for many years. Generally, the cost of the procedure will depend on the severity
of the infection and the number of teeth that need to be treated. If you are considering treatment for a root canal, it is crucial to find a qualified and
experienced dentist who has experience. You want a team that assures you of world-class standards in all their procedures. This is what brings you value for your
money.
The NHS catch up plan to bring down the number of waiters in the diagnostic list has helped in witnessing a drop of 6,500 people waiting more than two years
for elective treatment between February and March.
While those waiting more than 78 weeks - a year and a half - dropped by 5,700 over the same period.
According to latest month data published today (May 12) more than two million diagnostic tests were carried out - the highest total for March on record - and an
increase of 217,000 on the previous month (Feb 2022).
The data revealed that it was also the highest month on record for cancer referrals, with 253,796 people checked in March alone - an almost 40 per cent increase
on the number of checks made in March 2020.
Alongside this, almost 30,000 people started treatment for cancer (28,378) - the second highest number on record. This is second only to March 2020, with 28,881
people starting treatment.
The chief pharmaceutical officer (CPhO) for Wales and chief pharmacists at Boots and the Ministry of Defence are among a total of 1,134 people who received
an award in the Queen's Birthday Honours list to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
All three pharmacists were appointed officers of the Order of the British Empire or OBE.
Andrew Evans, CPhO for Wales, was honoured "for services to the Covid-19 Response", Marc Donovan, chief pharmacist at Boots UK, "for services to pharmacy" and Sumeet
Kaur Matharu, chief pharmacist at the Ministry of Defence, "for services to Armed Forces Healthcare".
Giving his reaction to Pharmacy Business, Donovan said: I'm honoured to accept this recognition on behalf of the many dedicated and hard-working pharmacists and
pharmacy teams that I have had the privilege to work alongside over the years.
Adding to the growing evidence of global medicine shortages, a new study has revealed that the European generic medicines market is "not in shape" to help
Europe meet its public health priorities.
In the past decade, the rate of generic medicines withdrawals has risen by 12 per cent, while there has been a three per cent decrease in the launch of generic
products, as per Teva Pharmaceuticals' recent analysis of IQVIA data.
Within the mental therapeutic area, seven per cent of generic products disappeared between 2013 and 2023, while there was a seven per cent decrease in the
availability of generic cancer medicines in just six years (2017-2022).
These medicines were listed on the Union List of Critical Medicines to help avoid potential shortages, as the European Commission (EC) said this could cause
"significant harm to patients and pose important challenges to health systems."
While mature generic products constitute the majority of the List, they remain susceptible to withdrawals, despite containing products crucial for safeguarding
Europe's public health, the Teva analysis report noted.
Since 2013, the number of generic products for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder has declined by 25 per cent, with Hungary and Bulgaria
experiencing the biggest loss at 83 per cent and 58 per cent respectively.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has published the Drug Tariff Category M price list for July which reflects an increase in reimbursement
level of approximately £5m per quarter.
An adjustment of -£23.8m was announced, in light of the results of the margin survey (latest result up until end of December 2022), and the phasing down of the
additional £100m agreed across years 4 and 5 as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework and uplifts for underlying market prices
(between January - March 2023).
Community Pharmacy England has agreed the adjustments based on the analysis of margin delivery and on current projections for 2023/24.
It said: "The objectives are to ensure full delivery of agreed margin and smooth delivery as much as possible. As always, the impact on individual pharmacies
will vary depending on dispensing mix."
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has included Tibolone 2.5mg tablets (Livial) and Prasterone 6.5mg pessaries (Intrarosa) to the list of Hormone
Replacement Therapy (HRT).
It has updated the June 2023 Drug Tariff (Part XVI) to include these additional HRT medicines for which patients will be able to purchase an HRT PPC.
"HRT is the replacement of female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone in women to control symptoms of the menopause. Some medicines that are converted or break
down into oestrogen, progestogen or androgen hormones are prescribed for relief of menopausal symptoms. For the purposes of the HRT PPC these are included within
this definition of HRT," said DHSC.
FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensors and Budesonide 500microgram orodispersible tablets sugar free have been included in the Drugs for which Discount is Not
Deducted (DND) list (Part II of the Drug Tariff) from January 2024, according to Community Pharmacy England (CPE).
Following applications made by CPE on behalf of pharmacy contractors, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) agreed to give DND status to these
products to ensure that "pharmacies are not faced with dispensing these sensors at a loss."
Updated monthly by the DHSC, Part II of the Drug Tariff includes grouped and individual items.
Recently launched by Abbott Diabetes Care Ltd, FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensors have also been added to the Appliances section in Part IXA of the January 2024 Drug Tariff.
As the sensors can only be ordered by pharmacies directly from the manufacturer without any discount, CPE requested the DHSC to exempt this appliance from any
discount deduction.
As the Easter holiday draws near, pharmacies across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are readying themselves to provide essential healthcare services
to residents.
Operational throughout Good Friday (March 29), Easter Sunday (March 31), and Easter Monday (April 1), these pharmacies stand poised to offer vital support to
those in need.
NHS England has raised awareness by releasing a comprehensive list of pharmacies scheduled to operate during the holiday period. Hampshire residents, including
those in Southampton and Portsmouth, can access detailed information about open pharmacies on the NHS England website, along with separate listings for the Isle
of Wight.
However, it's important to note that opening times may vary, prompting individuals to confirm details before visiting, as schedules are subject to change.
Beyond merely dispensing prescriptions, pharmacies are equipped to provide expert advice on minor illnesses and administer treatments for common conditions. This
includes addressing issues such as shingles, sore throats, infected insect bites, earaches, sinusitis, impetigo, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections
(UTI) under the Pharmacy First scheme.
In partnership with the Prescription Charges Coalition (PCC), the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has taken a significant step by urging political
leaders to abolish prescription charges for individuals with long-term conditions.
Tase Oputu, Chair of the RPS England Pharmacy Board, signed an open letter on Thursday, calling on party leaders to address this pressing issue.
The letter emphasises the outdated nature of the current exemption list, which forces individuals with chronic conditions like Parkinson's, cystic fibrosis,
and HIV to bear the cost of their essential medications.
It urges party leaders to urgently review and update the exemption list to ensure equitable access to necessary medicines.
"Nobody should face a financial barrier to accessing the medicines they need," Oputu stated.
Britain plans to launch a pilot programme exploring how new weekly weight-loss shots such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy can be given to obese patients by general
practitioners even as the drug's market launch remains unclear.
The government's announcement on the £40 million pilot programme comes after drug cost-effectiveness watchdog NICE in March recommended the use of Wegovy in adults
with at least one weight-related condition and a body mass index of 35, but only within the NHS specialist weight management scheme.
The timing of Wegovy's launch in Britain - which would be only the fourth country to use it - is uncertain, however, after Novo last month rationed starter doses
to secure supply to U.S. patients already on the regimen, after it was overwhelmed by demand there.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday (May 7) the pilot and fighting obesity-related diseases could reduce pressure on hospitals.
It would also support "people to live healthier and longer lives, and helping to deliver on my priority to cut NHS waiting lists".
The NHS endured a tough winter in England in particular, with waiting lists hitting record highs and staff striking for higher pay amid double-digit inflation.
The government has earmarked £200 million to enhance NHS resilience and expedite patient care during the upcoming winter season. This extra amount will
bolster the health service during its busiest period, while protecting elective care so we can keep cutting waiting lists, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said.
On August 13, the Prime Minister and Health and Social Care Secretary met with clinical leaders and NHS Chiefs to strategise and refine planning for urgent and
emergency care, while prioritising the preservation of waiting list targets for the upcoming winter season.
"Patients can be reassured that I will always back the NHS, so that those who most need help and support will get the care they need," Sunak said. "Winter is
the most challenging time for the health service, which is why we've been planning for it all year - with huge government investment to fund new ambulances, beds
and virtual wards."
"This £200 million investment, assured by the Department of Health and Social Care as new and additional funding, should aid NHS leaders in their preparations and
mitigation for what will be a seriously difficult winter period," said Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of NHS Confederation. "The priority now is swift allocation
of funding to local systems for optimal utilisation."
The University of Lincoln has clinched the top spot on The Guardian's 2024 list for pharmacy and pharmacology studies. This marks a significant advancement
from its second-place position in the 2023 rankings, where Ulster University had secured the leading position. Interestingly, Ulster has moved down to claim the
second spot this year.
Forty universities were assessed using eight criteria, which encompass student satisfaction with teaching, the effectiveness of feedback from instructors,
student-to-staff ratio, expenditure per student (excluding academic staff costs), and the average UCAS scores of entrants under 21.
Also included were the effectiveness of teaching methods, the proportion of students securing graduate-level employment or pursuing further studies within
15 months of graduation, and the percentage of first-year students progressing into their second year.
Among the 40 universities in the ranking list, the University of Lincoln achieved a perfect score of 100 out of 100, followed by Ulster (96.2), Portsmouth (87.9),
Leeds (86.3), Glasgow (85.7), Sunderland (84.3), St George's (84.3), Aberdeen (81.3), UCL (81), and Queen's, Belfast (80.1).