The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has added further 28 new products to the list of 'Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted' (DND) in Part II
of the Drug Tariff from 1 August 2022.
PSNC said, "It will continue its 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, accordingly."
A total of 529 products have been granted DND status following checks made by PSNC within the past 26 months.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has announced that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has granted final price concessions to
further items for the month of October 2021. This is the fourth list of price concessions for the month.
Contractors can find information on the first two batches of price concessions here, and learn about the process involved on PSNC's website.
A price concession only applies for the month in which it is granted. No additional prescription endorsement are required as the new price is automatically applied
by the NHS BSA to all items submitted for payment in the same month for which a price concession is granted.
PSNC is still working with the DHSC to agree further concessionary prices on other drugs reported to be unavailable at the stated October 2021 Drug Tariff price.
Check Pharmacy business website for the price concession lists.
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, the nation's figurehead and a towering presence on the world stage for seven decades, died peacefully
at her home in Scotland on Thursday aged 96.
"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," the new king, her eldest son Charles,
said.
"I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world," the 73-year-old said in a
statement.
The news has stunned and deeply saddened community pharmacy in Britain.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) issued a statement to say it "has been very saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
"At this time of national mourning, we join the rest of the country in sending our thoughts and condolences to the royal family."
The new Smoking Cessation Service (SCS) will commence on March 10, 2022, allowing community pharmacy contractors to register to provide the service on the NHS Business Services Authority's (NHSBSA) Manage Your Service (MYS) portal from March 1, 2022.
This is the second of the two new Advanced services to be introduced this financial year, after the Hypertension case-finding service, which were agreed outcomes from negotiations for Year 3 of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.
Since the service is an Advanced service, contractors are free to decide if they wish to provide it, as most would be busy completing work for the Pharmacy Quality Scheme 2021/22 alongside winter-related workload, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee said.
Therefore, those who decide to start this service should consider the likelihood of receiving sufficient referrals to make provision of the service worthwhile, the PSNC said.
As an unprecedented demand for Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits continues through the Pharmacy Collect service, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is planning to distribute 10.5 million tests per week via Alliance Healthcare this month.
By the end of this week (January 8), the UKHSA aims to distribute more than 8 million tests to Alliance Healthcare - sole distributor to pharmacies.
The announcement comes after many in the pharmacy sector voiced concerns over shortage of test kits. Earlier this week, it emerged that Alliance Healthcare closed for four days shortly after receiving around 2.5 million tests on Christmas Eve.
Meanwhile, the UKHSA indicated that Alliance Healthcare has been delivering 86 per cent of its orders within 24 hours of the pharmacy order, nearly half of that on the same day.
Besides, a plan to switch on a Parcel Force delivery contingency is being finalised by UKHSA, which would enable supply of a further 3.5 million test kits.
New legislative orders approved by the Privy Council will give the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
powers to set professional standards for Responsible Pharmacists, Superintendent Pharmacists and Chief Pharmacists.
The Pharmacy (Preparation and Dispensing Errors - Hospital (and Other Pharmacy Services) Order 2022 and the Pharmacy (Responsible Pharmacists, Superintendent
Pharmacists etc.) Order 2022 have been published and are expected to come into force in December 2022.
Trevor Patterson, Chief Executive of the Pharmaceutical Society NI said: "We have been working with our colleagues in the GPhC and Government for some time on these
two pieces of important legislation and we are delighted they have now reached the statute books.
"Both Orders enable and enhance the powers we, and the GPhC, have to define the roles and responsibilities of Responsible, Superintendent and Chief Pharmacists,
respectively. They also create protections against criminal prosecution for hospital pharmacists where an inadvertent error is made either in dispensing or assembly,
in certain defined circumstances, similar to the protections available to colleagues working in community/registered pharmacy settings. Provisions that allow the
appointment of a Deputy Registrar for our organisation will also be introduced.
Healthcare workers, including community pharmacy staff, can book their Covid-19 booster vaccination through the National Booking Service from Wednesday
(September 7) onwards.
NHS England has announced that around seven million people, including those aged 75 and over, people who are immunosuppressed and health and care workers will be
able to book an appointment for their Covid-19 booster vaccinations online or by calling 119.
Eligible staff are encouraged to book an appointment for a booster dose as soon as possible, provided it has been at least three months since their last dose of the
vaccine.
"For other eligible patients (not health and care workers), invitations are being sent out and will be landing on their doormats from Wednesday 7th September
inviting people to book their appointment for the following week without delay. The NHS will contact people when it is their turn to book in for the vaccine -
there will be no need for patients to contact the NHS," said PSNC.
Department of Health of Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that the Dexcom One Transmitter will be added to Part IXA of the March 2023 Drug Tariff.
"Previously, patients were advised to obtain the free-of-charge Dexcom One transmitters directly from the pharmacies, without a prescription, as the original
Drug Tariff application for the transmitter was unsuccessful," said the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC)
It has raised concerns with DHSC and Dexcom that these distribution arrangements for transmitters are unacceptable because they result in extra unfunded activity
for community pharmacies.
Both, DHSC and Dexcom acted upon these concerns by agreeing to add the Dexcom One transmitter to the Drug Tariff from March 2023. At the same time, Dexcom One CGM
System (containing 1 sensor, 1 sensor applicator, 1 transmitter) will also be added to the March Drug Tariff.
A community pharmacy contractor would be charged £25 if a paper prescription bundle is submitted late to the NHSBSA.
"A charge for processing of a late bundle would only apply if a contractor cannot provide evidence, where requested by the NHSBSA, that their bundle was submitted
using secure track and trace delivery no later than the 5th day of the following month in which supply was made," said the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating
Committee (PSNC).
"Where evidence is submitted, no administrative deduction will be made. If no evidence is provided within the required time, then an administrative deduction will
be made from the next Schedule of Payments. The deduction which will appear on schedules as 'Late Fee' under the section "Details of other amounts authorised"."
Since the introduction of an administrative charge for late bundle submissions, 16 contractors received a fine for submitting their March prescription bundles late.
Pfizer has recalled all stocks of Accupro - including 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg film-coated tablets - as a precautionary measure due to the identification of a
nitrosamine above the acceptable limit.
"Following testing, N-nitroso-quinapril, has been observed at a level above the acceptable limit. Nitrosamines may increase the risk of cancer if people are
exposed to them above acceptable levels and over long periods of time. The recall is at pharmacy and wholesaler level," the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating
Committees (PSNC) reported.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said: "All strengths of quinapril (Accupro) tablets have been recalled with a resupply date to be confirmed. Pfizer
are the sole supplier of quinapril tablets in the UK. Alternative ACE inhibitors remain available and can support an uplift in demand."
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has increased the rate of discount deduction for generics from 17.52 per cent to 20 per cent.
The Drug Tariff for April 2023 will contain changes to the discount deduction arrangements for pharmacy contractors, which will include- all concession lines to be
considered as Group Items for Discount Not Deducted i.e. DND or zero discount (ZD) items; and rate of discount deduction for generics to increase from 17.52% to 20%
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) and DHSC agreed on the changes for all concession lines to be considered as Group Items for Discount Not
Deducted. Therefore from 1 April 2023, a new category will be introduced into Part II of the Drug Tariff 'Drugs for which discount is not deducted'.
However, the committee had rejected the changes in the rate of discount deduction for generics. It said, "Following pressure from NHS England, Ministers have now
chosen to impose changes to the previously agreed discount deduction arrangements, which come into effect from 1 April, and will be kept under review."
The Welsh chapter of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, along with ten other royal colleges and professional bodies, have renewed calls for the urgent
transformation of mental health services to address increasing demands on the NHS in Wales.
Representatives of the Royal College Mental Health Expert Advisory Group joined members of the Senedd in Cardiff to outline the work of the group over the past
year and to explain why a well-trained, fully supported and equipped multi-disciplinary workforce is critical for the development of care for people with mental
health conditions.
To make sustainable change happen, the group is calling for a greater focus by the Welsh government and NHS Wales on the following:
The critical changes needed to improve the delivery and structure of mental health services across Wales in community, hospital and specialist secure settings.
Parity of access to mental health services for the most vulnerable patients, ensuring they have equal access opportunities that vulnerable patients would receive for
physical health conditions.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has called its member to to express their views and fill out the Department of Health and Social Care's hub and
spoke survey on the proposed model of dispensing.
The Society has urged its members to fill out the survey before May 20.
RPS president Claire Anderson said: "It is vital that RPS members have their say on issue that impact you in your roles. Currently only single legal entities
can make use of this model of dispensing.
"Our survey, which opened today, seeks your views and comments and will help to inform the RPS submission to this consultation."
The consultation on the proposals to enable all community pharmacies to access hub and spoke dispensing published by the Department of Health and Social Care
(DHSC) will run for three months and will close on June 8, 2022.
A further 18 new products have been entered the list of 'Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted' (DND) in Part II of the Drug Tariff on 1 November, following applications made by the PSNC.
This takes the number of products added to the DND list by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in the
last 18 months to over 400.
The latest list of products include Aciclovir 200mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free, Acitretin 25mg capsules and Strattera 4mg/1ml oral solution.
The DND list is updated monthly by the DHSC and includes grouped and individual items, the latter being 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.
See here to see a list of all the monthly changes to the DND status of products.
The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in response to a significant ongoing disruption to the supply of Paracetamol 120mg and 240mg suppositories.
Effective from Tuesday (Jan 25), SSP015 provides that for every Paracetamol 120mg or 240mg suppository originally prescribed, one Paracetamol 125mg or 250mg
suppository must be supplied.
SSP015, authorised by the Secretary of State, has been developed by clinicians and provides pharmacists with procedures to follow in providing either of these suitable alternative products to help reduce the number of patients having to return to their prescriber for a replacement prescription.
The SSP may be amended or revoked at any time but currently expires on 18 February 2022 - PSNC will update contractors on any changes.
To help manage the ongoing supply disruptions, the health regulators have extended to 28 October 2022, serious shortage protocols (SSPs) for 12 of the 13
hormone replacement therapies (HRT).
"The only HRT SSP set to expire on 29 July 2022 is for SSP021 Premique low dose 0.3mg/1.5mg modified-release tablets. After 29 July, there will be no need to
restrict quantities of Premique tablets as its supply situation has now stabilised," said PSNC.
In addition, the dose equivalence advice and endorsement guidance for SSP024 and SSP025 have been updated.
SSP024 and SSP025 have been updated by DHSC to provide greater clarity to pharmacists on the dose equivalences to determine the appropriate quantity to supply.
Pharmacists are asked to refer to the latest SSP versions and endorsement guidance published on NHSBSA's website.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has suggested Estradiol patch as an alternative for patients who use 1 pump of Oestrogel daily.
DHSC has updated Annex A of SSP022 and SSP023 for Oestrogel Pump-Pack 0.06 per cent gel to include a dose conversion to a specific alternative Estradiol patch.
Previously, only dose conversions for patients using 2 to 4 pumps daily were included in Annex A of SSP022 and SSP023.
Separately, the supporting guidance for three SSPs which allow quantity restriction have been updated to reflect the requirement to endorse the reduced quantity
supplied in accordance with these SSPs.
SSP019 - Oestrogel pump-pack 0.06% gel
SSP020 - Ovestin 1mg cream
SSP021 - Premique low dose 0.3mg/1.5mg modified release tablets
"When endorsing an SSP for a reduced quantity, contractors must ensure that the correct SSP number is endorsed along with the product name and the reduced
quantity supplied in accordance with the SSP," said PSNC.
The Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP), for Estradot 50mcg patches will expire at 23.59pm on Friday 24 February 2023.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that sufficient stock of Estradot 50mcg patches are now available to meet normal demand.
"After 24th February, any prescriptions for Estradot 50mcg patches must be dispensed in accordance with the prescription, and SSP048 will no longer be valid for
use," said DHSC.
Top tips for SSP claims by PSNC:
Where available, use the claim amend facility on the PMR system to rectify any incorrect EPS claims already submitted this month.
For any supplies made in accordance with SSPs, check that the correct number of patient charges are collected and declared on the end of month FP34C submission.
NHSBSA advise that contractors must follow the specific endorsement guidance issued with each SSP and endorsements should be clear and unambiguous - NHSBSA
processing staff must be able to determine what has been supplied. NHSBSA have published information on common SSP endorsing errors they see when processing claims.
The Department of Health of Social Care (DHSC) has re-determined that all six Madopar (Co-beneldopa) preparations meet the special container criteria as
outlined in Part II Clause 10 of the Drug Tariff.
"The NHS dictionary of medicines and devices (dm+d) has now been updated with special container status applied to the complete pack sizes of all Madopar
preparations," said PSNC.
"The special container rules apply immediately to all branded or generically written prescriptions for Madopar dispensed from December 2022 onwards."
The following products will be treated as special containers for prescriptions dispensed from December 2022 onwards:
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued two new Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estraderm MX 25mcg and 100mcg patches.
Effective from 8 September 2022, SSP035 and SSP036 provide that for every Estraderm MX 25mcg or 100mcg patch originally prescribed, one Evorel 25mcg patch or
100mcg patch must be supplied, respectively. Both SSPs are currently set to expire on 16 September 2022.
Both SSPs, authorised by the secretary of state for health, have been developed by clinicians and provides pharmacists with procedures to follow in providing
either of these suitable alternative products to help reduce the number of patients having to return to their prescriber for a replacement prescription.
DHSC informed that there are no SSPs in place for Estraderm MX 50mcg patches and 75mcg patches - these strengths are not affected by supply disruptions and should
continue to be dispensed in accordance with the prescriptions
"The SSP035 and SSP036 only allow substitution of Estraderm MX 25 or 100 patches with Evorel 25 or 100 patches, respectively."