Dispensing Doctor Solutions

Drug Tariff News

3rd March 2026 - Source: Amanda Chell

February Drug Tariff News

Introduction of new Category H to Part 8a from the 1st of March 2026.

A new Category will be introduced to Part VIIIA of the Drug Tariff by Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) from March 2026. The change forms part of the actions set out in the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) settlement with the aim of improving the distribution of medicine margin. It was also part of a series of drug reimbursement reforms proposed by DHSC following a public consultation in 2019.

The CPCF and drug reimbursement reforms set out changes to reimbursement price-setting arrangements for Category C products with multiple suppliers. Currently, products listed in Category C are reimbursed based on the list price of a particular branded product or supplier, as it is typically the only supplier available. Where a product is available from multiple suppliers, DHSC believes that Category C reimbursement prices are not reflective of what community pharmacy teams are purchasing and supplying. These products will begin to move to the new category, Category H, in a phased approach.

The reimbursement for products listed in Category H will be set using information from suppliers gathered under The Health Service Products (Provision and Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2018.

DHSC is imposing these changes. Community Pharmacy England objected to the introduction of the changes at this time because of the wider challenges pharmacies are currently facing and the risk that further changes could disrupt the already turbulent medicines supply chain.

We have ongoing and very serious concerns about the functioning of the medicines pricing and margin system and the impact this is having on the network, as pharmacies continue to struggle to operate with severe underfunding. We are continuing to press Government on this matter, and on the need to resolve these issues if it is to deliver on its commitment to a sustainable future for community pharmacy and assure ongoing safe and timely access to medicines for patients.

Notice of this change has been outlined on the NHSBSA website.

Community Pharmacy England will publish further details about the new Category H in due course

Reference Community Pharmacy England

 Additions to Part 2

8 item’s have been added to Part 2 of the February Drug Tariff, ones which I think you will find of interest are:

  • SLO Milkshake+ IDDSI Level 2 Mildly Thick oral powder 50g sachets
  • SLO Milkshake+ IDDSI Level 3 Moderately Thick oral powder 50g sachets
  • Solifenacin 5mg/5ml oral solution sugar free

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

Only 7 items have been added to Part 8a of the February Drug Tariff, ones which I think you will find of interest are:

  • Allopurinol 200mg tablets has gone into the February Drug Tariff, as a Category C with the reimbursement price based on Aspire Pharma Ltd. Take care when purchasing as some wholesalers are selling significantly higher than Drug Tariff price.
  • Miconazole 20mg/g oromucosal gel sugar free, pack size 80g has gone into the February Drug Tariff. There is aready a listing for 15g.
  • Progesterone micronised 400mg vaginal capsules has gone into the Drug Tariff as a category C with the reimbursement price based on Prometrium. Appears to be solus to Alliance at the moment.

Additions to Part 16

Akizza 75microgram/30microgram tablets have been added to the list of items which are classed as Contraceptive and no levy is due from the patient.

Angeliq (Estradiol 1mg / Drospirenone 2mg tablets) has been added to part 16 as a medicine covered by the HRT PPC. This item is a Bayer product and so is only available through AAH.

Deletions to Part 8a

7 Items have been deleted from the February Drug Tariff, ones which I think you may find of interest are:

  • Fentanyl 800microgram buccal tablets sugar free, more commonly known as Effentora has been removed from the February Drug Tariff. The 28 pack has been discontinued however packs of 4 are still available.
  • Semaglutide 3mg, 7mg and 14mg tablets have been removed from the February Drug Tariff. More commonly known as Rybelsus. This is an odd one as the items are still available (Alliance only) but the supplier has changed from Pharmaran Ltd to Novo Nordisk.
  • Tacalcitol 4micrograms/g ointment, more commonly known as Curatoderm has been removed from the February Drug Tariff. This product was discontinued in September 2025.

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.

Deletions to Part 16

Melkine 1.5mg tablets have been removed from the list of items classed as Contraception. This item was discontinued in November 2025.

FemSeven Sequi Phase 1                              Estradiol 50micrograms/24hours transdermal patches

FemSeven Sequi Phase 2                              Estradiol 50micrograms/24hours / Levonorgestrel 10micrograms in 24/hours

Both items above have been removed from the list of items covered by the HRT PPC – both items were  discontinued in 2023.

Ovestin Note:

Ovestin is no longer a branded medicine and is now available as a generic medicine. Remaining stocks of Ovestin cream can still be supplied and remain eligible for the HRT PPC.

Other Changes to Part 8a

15 items are listed in ‘Other changes’, ones which I think you may find of interest:

  • Denosumab 60mg/1ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes has remained as a Category C with a reimbursement price of £183.00. This item can now be purchased generically but with variance of prices so take care when purchasing.
  • Galantamine 20mg/5ml oral solution sugar free has remained as a category C item but where the reimbursement price was based on Reminyl – £120.00 has now changed and the reimbursement price is based on SyriMed and the reimbursement price has dropped to £108.00.
  • Loperamide 2mg orodispersible tablets sugar free again has remained as a Category C, but the reimbursement price is now based on Imodium Instants Melts and has increased from £4.98 to £5.21.

 

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