Drug Tariff News
11th May 2023 - Source: Amanda Chell
April Drug Tariff News
Category M Price Changes April 2023
10 items have been added to April Category M price re-adjustment taking the overall number of items in Category M to 704.
The 10 additions are as follows:
- Amlodipine 2.5mg tablets x 28
- Estradiol 10microgram pessaries x 24
- Fesoterodine 4mg modified-release tablets x 28
- Fesoterodine 8mg modified-release tablets x 28
- Lacosamide 50mg tablets x 14
- Lacosamide 100mg tablets x 56
- Lacosamide 200mg tablets x 56
- Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution sugar free x 150
- Paracetamol 500mg effervescent tablets x 100
- Zonisamide 50mg capsules x 56
Overall, 291 products are up in price, 72 (24.7%) items by at least 20 per cent.
Some 311 items are down in price, 21 (6.75%) items by at least 20 per cent
It also contains an element, with the aim of delivering the additional £100 million agreed across years 4 and 5 as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.
Reference DDA website
Additions to Part 2
23 items have been added to Part 2 of the April Drug Tariff, ones which I think you would find of interest are:
- Dexcom One CGM System
- Dexcom One Sensor
- Dexcom One Transmitter
- Water for injections 100ml vials
Items which fall into part 2 generally have no wholesaler discount and so you would be dispensing at a loss. Therefore, these are items which you may consider sending the prescription to a local pharmacy.
Additions to Part 8a
Only 2 items have been added to the April Drug Tariff- the 2 are:
- Sertraline 150mg tablets has gone into the Drug Tariff as a Category C with a reimbursement price based on Martindale Pharmaceuticals Ltd- reimbursement price is £13.50
- Sertraline 200mg tablets has gone into the Drug Tariff again as a Category C with the reimbursement price based on Martindale Pharmaceutical Ltd reimbursement price of £18.00
Additions to Part 16 – Notes on Charges
- Benilexa One Handed 20micrograms/24hours intrauterine delivery system
Deletions to Part 8a
7 items have been deleted from the April Drug Tariff- ones which I think you will find of interest are:
- Clindamycin 1% alcoholic solution more commonly known as Dalacin T Topical Solution, this product was discontinued in April 2021.
- Dithranol 0.1% cream, more commonly known as Dithrocream, this product was discontinued in November 2022.
- Pholcodine 10mg/5ml linctus strong + a number of other strengths of Pholcodine have all been removed from the April Drug Tariff.
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
19 items are listed in ‘Other Changes, below are a few items which you may find of interest:
- Estradiol 10microgram pessaries have moved from a Category C with the reimbursement price based on Vagifem – and is now sitting as a Category M with a reimbursement price of £11.12. Please be mindful that if you dispense Vagifem, the prescription now needs to be branded. However, the generic can be purchased for as little as £9.24.
- Fesoterodine 4mg and 8mg modified release tablets have both gone from Category C with the reimbursement price based on Toviaz. The reimbursement price has dropped significantly. Generically both can be purchased under £3.00
- Lacosamide 50mg, 100mg and 200mg tablets was sitting as a Category C with the reimbursement price based on Vimpat. Is now sitting as a Category M and again the reimbursement price has significantly dropped. All strengths generically can be purchased with a significant margin.
- Melatonin 2mg modified-release tablets – this product has been up and down the Drug Tariff like a YoY o. Melatonin 2mg modified release tablets have moved from a Category C with the reimbursement price based on Circadin has now gone back down again to a Category M. The reimbursement price has dropped from £15.39 to £8.25.
