February 2017 CPN

CPN

Community Pharmacy News – February 2017

Building towards the future Pharmacy bodies publish plan to turn the Community Pharmacy Forward View into a reality

CPN print issues to end | Leadership Academy applications | Part VIIIA factsheet

psnc’s work

funDing anD statistics

contract anD it

Making the Community Pharmacy Forward View happen PSNC and Pharmacy Voice demonstrate how their vision for the future of community pharmacy can become a reality.

On the new CPFV micro site (cpfv.info), pharmacy teams, LPCs and key stakeholders can find detailed information and resources, including an outline implementation framework for delivering the CPFV vision and case studies from pharmacy organisations who are pioneering new ways of working.

PSNC and Pharmacy Voice, with the support of the RPS English Pharmacy Board, have launched the next phase of the Community Pharmacy Forward View (CPFV) project.

Four months after the national community pharmacy bodies published the Community Pharmacy Forward View as their shared vision for the future of the community pharmacy network, many of the ideas set out in this sector-led vision have been reflected and reinforced in the recommendations of the recently published Independent Review of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services (the Murray Review).

The ‘Making it Happen’ stage focuses on how to deliver this shared vision by setting out pathways for the policy change, professional development and partnership working required to enable community pharmacy to play its full role within an integrated health and care system. It also calls on national NHS leaders and the Government to commit to working with the sector to develop and implement the plan.

PSNC North Western Regional Representative election Following the call for nominations for PSNC’s North Western regional representative, a single valid nomination was received for Fin McCaul. PSNC is pleased to announce that Fin is duly elected with immediate effect. He will serve the remaining portion of PSNC’s term of office ending 31 March 2018.

The pharmacy bodies are inviting feedback from community pharmacy leaders, frontline teams and their local partners on implementation pathways for each of the three future roles for community pharmacy that are described in the CPFV. As with the initial vision, the pathways have been published as a starter for ten, for others to review, refine and expand. In particular, local leaders are invited to give feedback and share their own stories of taking steps along the pathways described (or along alternative routes), and the lessons learned on how progress can be accelerated and barriers removed.

Feedback can be given via the newly launched CPFV micro site (cpfv.info).

Commenting on this launch, PSNC Director of NHS Services, Alastair Buxton, said: “Although our vision for the future of community pharmacy is yet to be made reality, we start 2017 with a clear plan for getting there. ‘Making it Happen’ includes a series of diagrams which show how community pharmacy services can move forwards, giving details of possible action points to make it happen. We hope it makes for interesting reading, and with suggestions such as improving communication skills and investing in digital services, some of it may even feel achievable now.”

PSNC Judicial Review delayed until March The High Court will now consider PSNC’s Judicial Review of the Secretary of State’s October decision to implement cuts to community pharmacy funding in the week commencing 20th March 2017, alongside a case from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).

PSNC was granted leave, or permission, for a Judicial Review just before Christmas, and this was originally scheduled to be heard in the week commencing 6th February 2017.

But once the NPA also applied for leave for Judicial Review of the Secretary of State’s decision, it was decided that the two cases should be heard together. The March timing gives the Department of Health (DH) and its legal team time to prepare for both of the cases.

PSNC's case relates to the Secretary of State's failure to carry out a lawful consultation on the proposals for community pharmacy, whilst the NPA's focuses on the failure to properly discharge his Public Sector Equality Duties and lack of appreciation for community pharmacy's wider healthcare role.

2 Community Pharmacy News – February 2017

Dispensing anD supply

services anD commissioning

the healthcare lanDscape

lpcs

Print issue of CPN to cease after March 2017 Community Pharmacy News to become online only to bring you news more quickly and make better use of PSNC’s resources.

The March 2017 edition of PSNC’s Community Pharmacy News (CPN) magazine will be the last issue to be printed and mailed out with Pharmacy Magazine.

At a time when PSNC has not increased its levy to contractors, the committee agreed to implement a number of cost savings, including the ending of the hard copy of CPN. Our recent communications survey revealed that many readers prefer to read the online version of CPN and that there is a growing interest in our digital content such as webinars. Additionally, our website users find much of the functionality useful and the vast majority of people find PSNC’s emails easy to read.

Digital channels have been PSNC's principal means of communications with contractors for a number of years, reflecting wider trends in communications. Therefore, PSNC will now continue to focus on its digital communications such as the PSNC website, email newsletters and social media accounts. The Communications Team will continue to work on content such as webinars, videos and podcasts.

PSNC will continue to produce the online version of the CPN magazine, so that community pharmacists and their teams have a monthly guide to the most important pharmacy news from recent weeks. The online reader can be used to browse on a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone, whilst a downloadable PDF version will be made available for those who value the print copy. The publication of these will be highlighted in our email newsletters each month.

Making sure you will still receive important PSNC communications Our website and email newsletters continue to be our primary methods of communication with community pharmacy contractors and their teams. It is therefore vital that you ensure you know how to access these channels and sign up for alerts where necessary – we suggest that you: 1. Bookmark our website: psnc.org.uk 2. Sign up for our emails: psnc.org.uk/enews 3. Follow us on social media: twitter.com/PSNCNews, www.facebook.com/psncnews and www.linkedin.com/company/pharmaceutical-services-negotiating-committee

Pharmacy Access Scheme review process to close soon Time is running out to apply for a review of your pharmacy’s eligibility for payments under the Pharmacy Access Scheme (PhAS).

As part of the two-year final funding package imposed on community pharmacies in England, the Department of Health (DH) introduced PhAS with the stated aim of ensuring that a baseline level of patient access to NHS community pharmacy services is protected. Community pharmacies who qualify for PhAS will receive an additional monthly payment, meaning those pharmacies will be protected from the full effects of the reduction in funding.

If you think your pharmacy is, or ought to be, eligible for these PhAS payments, please check the list of qualifying pharmacies published by DH to confirm this. Please note, this list was revised soon after its initial publication.

If your pharmacy is not on the published list and you think it should be eligible for PhAS payments, you need to apply to NHS England for a ‘review’ as soon as possible and you must apply before the end of February 2017*.

PSNC has issued a briefing with key points on PhAS works and the review process: PSNC Briefing 005/17: The Pharmacy Access Scheme – the review process closes at the end of February 2017*.

Full details of PhAS, including a link to the DH list and the PSNC Briefing outlining the review process can be found at: psnc.org.uk/PhAS *There is one exception to this deadline, which relates to review applications for physical feature anomalies, which is explained in the briefing.

Help improve NHS IT PSNC has created a new webpage: ‘Get Involved with IT’ (psnc.org.uk/engageit) to support community pharmacy teams to engage with the development of the systems and technology which could help improve their work.

Visit the webpage to find out about events, registering interest to join future pilots, EPS/IT surveys and more.

psnc.org.uk 3

services anD commissioning

the healthcare lanDscape

lpcs

Quality Payments: resources for pharmacy teams The PSNC Services Team have been busy providing information and creating resources for contractors to meet the criteria of the Quality Payments Scheme.

Here they explain how to achieve them and where to get more support.

In 2017/18 payments will be made to community pharmacy contractors that meet certain quality criteria, under the Quality Payments Scheme which has been introduced as part of the imposed changes to the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.

PSNC has created a wide range of resources to support community pharmacy contractors as they work towards meeting the criteria; this article provides a quick reference guide on where to find more information about the different criteria and the resources available on the PSNC website.

PSNC initially published two resources covering the overall Quality Payments Scheme: 1. PSNC Briefing 067/16: Quality Payments – what pharmacy contractors need to do 2. Suggested plan for contractors Opposite is a reminder of the other resources available from PSNC. PSNC is working with NHS England to seek further clarity on some of the requirements. As additional information becomes available, it will be posted on the PSNC website. For more information, and to download any of the resources listed above, please visit the Quality Payments section of the PSNC website: psnc.org.uk/quality

Criterion

Resources

Patient safety report

Discussions are still ongoing with NHS England about this report, but look out for a template report and guidance which we hope will be published on the PSNC website soon.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding record sheet.

Community Pharmacy Patient Questionnaire (CPPQ) results

See psnc.org.uk/CPPQ for more details on the CPPQ; further details on how to upload your results to NHS Choices will be published shortly.

Healthy Living Pharmacy (HLP) self-assessment

• PSNC Briefing 003/17: Quality Payments – How to become a Health Living Pharmacy Level 1 • HLP Level 1 checklist • HLP Level 1 flow chart • HLP Level 1 evidence portfolio workbook • See psnc.org.uk/HLP for more details.

Use of the NHS Summary Care Record (SCR)

See psnc.org.uk/SCR for more details.

NHS111 Directory of Services (DoS)

NHS England and NHS Digital are considering how pharmacies will be able to access their DoS entry and the process by which errors can be notified to NHS 111 DoS leads. Currently no action can be taken by contractors to comply with this Quality Payment criterion.

Over use of asthma treatments

• PSNC Briefing 068/16: Quality Payments – referrals for asthma reviews • PharmOutcomes modules to support this element of the Quality Payments Scheme • Suggested process for referring patients for an asthma review • Data collection form for referred patients • GP practice briefing document • Template letter for GP practices • Community pharmacy referral form

Dementia Friends

• PSNC Briefing 073/16: Quality Payments – How to become a Dementia Friend • Dementia Friends record sheet

Quality Payments Scheme support from PharmOutcomes A Quality Payments Scheme framework has been created on PharmOutcomes, which will allow community pharmacy contractors to track their progress with achieving the Quality Payment criteria.

The assessment contains links to the PSNC website to provide contractors with additional information on each criterion and links to other PharmOutcomes services to assist contractors with collating evidence. An asthma referral tool has also been created to assist contractors in meeting that specific criterion.

Find out more about this support, which has been made available to all community pharmacy contractors, at: ow.ly/o8Dq307fLyC

4 Community Pharmacy News – February 2017

psnc’s work

funDing anD statistics

contract anD it

Dispensing anD supply

Audit data reiterates pharmacy’s role in medicines optimisation National AKI audit tool enables community pharmacies to contribute to medicines optimisation priorities.

Community pharmacy teams taking part in an acute kidney injury (AKI) audit have interacted with nearly 15,000 patients to deliver hydration messages for those with antibiotics prescribed for urinary tract infections or those seeking advice on urinary symptoms.

The AKI audit is available on the PharmOutcomes electronic recording system and was developed by the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS), with input from PSNC, the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE), NHS England, PharmOutcomes and the NHS ‘Think Kidneys’ programme.

Over a nine-month period (1st November 2015 to 31st July 2016) 962 pharmacy teams recorded audit data electronically via the PharmOutcomes system for 14,908 patients. Coverage across England was good, with at least 75 pharmacies reporting from each NHS region, and representation from 176 of the 211 (83%) Clinical Commissioning Group areas.

Analysis of the audit results found that: 13,980 patients received hydration advice from pharmacy teams Most patients (91%) had prescriptions for antibiotics, with trimethoprim being most commonly prescribed (59%)

One-third of the sample were taking other medicines which have the potential to impair renal function

The analysis shows that community pharmacists are well placed to target advice to patient groups at increased risk of AKI and that pharmacy teams can play a significant part in the provision of hydration advice to key patient groups, such as those with urinary symptoms. However, additional strategies are needed to support some particularly vulnerable groups such as older housebound patients and those in residential care.

Further information The AKI audit is a readymade audit available on PharmOutcomes for all contractors (or local NHS England teams) to use. It can be used as pharmacies’ annual clinical audit and was designed to be as straightforward as possible to help busy pharmacies.

Find out more about the annual clinical audit requirement at: psnc.org.uk/audit

MPs debate need to better integrate community pharmacy into the NHS A Westminster Hall debate has led to a suggestion from MPs that community pharmacies should work towards becoming local health and wellbeing hubs.

During the debate initiated by Anne Main, the Conservative MP for St Albans, MPs discussed pharmacy’s role in the wider healthcare system, with many expressing support for the sector and some providing suggestions for how the NHS could utilise community pharmacists’ skills to help relieve pressure in GP practices.

PSNC and LPCs had worked to brief MPs in advance of the debate and this led to MPs highlighting a number of barriers currently

facing community pharmacy, such as the reluctance of CCGs to involve pharmacy in local service commissioning decisions and the need to increase public awareness of what community pharmacy has to offer, as well as the risk to services from the Government funding cut.

In response, pharmacy minister David Mowat said he supported the aim to work towards making pharmacies ‘wellbeing hubs’, highlighting their role in supporting the Government’s public health agenda. However, he reiterated earlier statements that the Government’s plans for pharmacy were due to a need to make efficiencies across the NHS and to stop encouraging the clustering of pharmacies.

IG toolkit submission Community pharmacy contractors are reminded that the deadline for submitting this year’s information governance (IG) toolkit is 31st March 2017.

Contractors are encouraged to complete the IG toolkit sooner rather than later and to use this as an opportunity to comprehensively review their IG processes.

Further guidance and support is available from: psnc.org.uk/ig

psnc.org.uk 5

lpcs

psnc’s work

funDing anD statistics

Applications open for PSNC Leadership Academy 2017 LPC members and officers are invited to apply to be in this year’s Leadership Academy intake. The closing date for applications is 1st March 2017.

Community pharmacy needs strong leaders for the future and that is precisely why PSNC developed its Leadership Academy. To help coach and mentor those with leadership potential, preparing them to play their part in leading community pharmacy in years to come.

The PSNC Leadership Academy, now in its second year, is inviting applications for the 12 places in the 2017 programme.

This development programme is for a group of 12 LPC members or officers selected for their leadership potential; aimed at the leaders of tomorrow, those who currently are not in established leadership positions, who want to make a difference within community pharmacy and leading it into the future.

What is involved?

At the heart of the Academy programme are two development days to discuss learn, debate, reflect, exchange ideas and practice, plan and experiment.

There will also be one-to-one coaching sessions for each participant to discuss, in confidence, their progress as developing leaders and to benefit from the coaching of a leadership expert.

the needs of LPCs having led PSNC’s LPC support training on coaching and mentoring, and communication skills, as well as last year’s successful Academy programme.

Leading the development days and oneto-one coaching sessions is Rachel Harrison. Rachel knows and understands

Find out more about the PSNC Leadership Academy and how to apply at: ow.ly/7Waj308pTKc

Applying to join the PSNC Leadership Academy We are looking for applicants who are LPC members or officers who can demonstrate their leadership potential and can show that they have: • initiative with a drive and interest to lead; • a strategic outlook; • the ability to rise to challenges and lead change; and • an open mind with the character and experience in community pharmacy to move into a leadership role.

Applicants also need to provide a supporting reference from their LPC and will need to be available for both development meeting days on Wednesday 26th April and Tuesday 20th June 2017 in London.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Apply now: ow.ly/7Waj308pTKc

New learning campaign starts in March Our next learning campaign on learning disabilities begins on 13th March 2017.

“

The campaign will have six challenges across the six weeks, allowing you to work towards your exclusive CPPE badge for completion.

The six-week campaign aims to enable pharmacy professionals in all sectors to explore their remit in engaging actively with people with a learning disability.

Andrew Taylor learning development Our campaign will challenge you to pharmacist, CPPE ensure you are in a position to engage confidently in consultations with people with a learning disability, and their carers.

As per our previous campaigns, some of your favourite challenges will be returning, such as e-challenge and a new distance learning programme, which we will post to you.

With the support of partners, we are also planning a couple of exciting, new challenges to engage you and your team. Keep an eye on www.cppe.ac.uk/learningdisabilities, where we will be posting further information ahead of the campaign and you can sign up to complete the challenges.

Our challenges and resources will also support you to consider what life is like managing medicines for those with a learning disability and their carers.

Join us on Facebook and Twitter too to keep up to date with the campaign, and help spread the message beyond the world of pharmacy.

“

6 Community Pharmacy News – February 2017

Pharmacy Contact Sheet Pharmacy Details ODS/F code:

General email:

Telephone:

NHSmail email:

Dispensing & Supply

Pharmacy Contract & IT

Primary Care Support England (PCSE) (for NHS stationery, including EPS tokens)

Registration Authority (for NHS Smartcards)*

0333 014 2884

Contact name: Telephone:

pcse.england.nhs.uk

Email: NHS Business Services Authority Prescription Services (the Pricing Authority)

Website:

0300 330 1349

Controlled Drugs Accountable OďŹƒcer

nhsbsa.prescriptionservices@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Name:

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/PrescriptionServices.aspx

Telephone: Email:

PMR/ IT system supplier Telephone:

Medicines waste contractor (commissioned by your local NHS England team)

Email:

Name:

Website:

Telephone: Email: Website:

Local NHS England Team

Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC)

Contact name:

Contact name:

Telephone:

Telephone:

Email:

Email:

Website:

Website:

Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) 0203 1220 810

info@psnc.org.uk

*Find contact details for your Registration Authority at: psnc.org.uk/RAcontact

psnc.org.uk

psnc’s work

funDing anD statistics

contract anD it

Pharmacy notice board In this section of Community Pharmacy News we have highlighted some key notices for you and your team to be aware of in the coming weeks and months.

Don’t forget to submit your flu vaccination claims!

The national community pharmacy Flu Vaccination Service 2016/17 finishes next month (31st March 2017); community pharmacy contractors are therefore reminded of the need to submit payment claims for those vaccinations administered during March with their prescription bundle at the beginning of April.

The service specification for the community pharmacy Flu Vaccination Service states: ’’Payment claims for those vaccinations administered during March must be submitted to the NHS BSA by the 5th of April in line with the FP34C process. Late claims will not be processed.’’

Failure to comply will result in contractors not being paid for flu vaccinations administered during March 2017.

Pharmacy Contact Sheet PSNC has created a sheet that community pharmacy teams can use to record the contact details for a variety of useful organisations. Once filled in this sheet can be stuck on the pharmacy wall as a quick reference guide. To help you get started, some of the national contacts have already been added in. You can find the sheet on page 7.

Pain management e-learning

for Pharmacy New programme from the Centre loped by the deve E), (CPP ation Educ Postgraduate macy Learning and Northern Ireland Centre for Phar Development.

ns for pain management, Covers how to assess pain, optio ific patient groups. and key considerations for spec 8mTEW Find out more at: ow.ly/JuOr30

Effective workplace training

e, also developed by This CPPE programm tre, covers Cen and the Northern Irel g to effective utin trib con s tor various fac h as learning styles workplace training suc nce. ma and assessing perfor ly/AEoc308mTIc Find out more at: ow.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

CPPE has recently updated this e-learning programme which covers how to recognise different types of abuse and how to report and record informa tion.

To meet the safeguarding quality criteria in the Quality Payments Scheme, 80% of registered pharmacy professionals working at the pharma cy need to have achieved level 2 safeguarding status for children and vulnerable adults in the last two years. This programme can help achieve that – see page 7 for more information.

Find out more at: ow.ly/gLIs308mVaT

8 Community Pharmacy News – February 2017

Dispensing anD supply

services anD commissioning

the healthcare lanDscape

lpcs

Ask PSNC The PSNC Dispensing and Supply Team can provide pharmacy teams with support and advice on a range of topics related to the Drug Tariff and reimbursement. Questions asked in recent months have included: Q. Where can I obtain my electronic prescription tokens?

A. Electronic prescription tokens must be ordered from Primary Care Support England (PCSE). Please see their ‘Supplies’ page for details at: pcse.england.nhs.uk/supplies

Q. I have received a prescription for Evorel Sequi transdermal patches. How many prescription charges should the patient pay?

A. The patient would need to pay two prescription charges. This is because the pack contains two different patches; one containing estradiol and norethisterone, and the other containing just estradiol.

For more information on prescription charges, see our ‘What does the patient pay’? page (psnc.org.uk/patient-charges)

Q. Can EPS be used in dispensing products not listed in the Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d)?

A. No, products not listed in the dm+d cannot be issued with EPS prescriptions. This is also true if the product is not recognised by the prescribing system because the supplier has not mapped the appropriate codes.

This problem is likely to affect less commonly prescribed products such as specially manufactured or extemporaneously dispensed medicines.

Look out for more frequently asked questions next month…

If you would like more information on any of the topics covered, the PSNC Dispensing and Supply Team will be happy to help (0203 1220 810 or e-mail info@psnc.org.uk).

Hints & Tips for dispensing contractors

Digital maternity exemption certificate pilot

The latest issue (number 26) of the Pricing Authority’s Hints & Tips for dispensing contractors newsletter contains some useful information on: • ‘changes’ to prescribed products in EPS; • endorsing correct quantities in EPS; • digital prescription returns; and • unidentified non-medical prescriber prescription forms.

The Pricing Authority is trialling a digital version of the maternity exemption certificate, which entitles pregnant women and those who have had a baby in the last 12 months to free NHS prescriptions.

You can read issue 26 at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/3191.aspx

Approximately 250 patients in Newcastle upon Tyne and Hexham, Northumberland, are taking part in the pilot. However, because patients can get their prescriptions dispensed from any NHS community pharmacy in the country, pharmacy teams outside of these areas should also be aware of these arrangements.

Further information is available at: ow.ly/rp1b307TZ1I

psnc.org.uk 9

Dispensing anD supply

services anD commissioning

the healthcare lanDscape

Drug Tariff Watch The Preface lists additions, deletions and alterations to the Drug Tariff. Below is a quick summary of the changes due to take place from 1st March 2017.

Part VIIIA additions Category A: • Acetylcysteine 600mg capsules (30) • Caffeine citrate 50mg/5ml oral solution SC (5ml) • Chloramphenicol 10% ear drops SC (10ml) • Cisplatin 50mg/50ml solution for infusion vials SC (1) • Midazolam 10mg/5ml solution for injection ampoules (10) • Midazolam 5mg/5ml solution for injection ampoules (10) • Neostigmine 15mg tablets (140) • Oily phenol 5% solution for injection 5ml ampoules (10) • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate 13.6% (potassium 10mmol/10ml) solution for infusion 10ml ampoules (10) Category C: • Carbamazepine 125mg suppositories (5) – Essential Pharma Ltd • Carbamazepine 250mg suppositories (5) – Essential Pharma Ltd • Carbomer '980' 0.2% eye drops 0.6ml unit dose preservative free (30) – Viscotears • Colestyramine 4g oral powder sachets (50) – Questran • Desmopressin 25microgram oral lyophilisates sugar free (30) – Noqdirna • Desmopressin 50microgram oral lyophilisates sugar free (30) – Noqdirna

KEY: SC Special container R Item requiring reconstitution * This pack only (others already available)

• Exenatide 2mg powder and solvent for prolonged-release suspension for injection pre-filled disposable devices (4) – Bydureon • Imatinib 400mg tablets (30) – Glivec • Insulin detemir 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml prefilled disposable devices (5) – Levemir FlexPen • Levonorgestrel 20micrograms/24hours intrauterine device SC (1) – Mirena • Peginterferon alfa-2a 135micrograms/0.5ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes SC (1) – Pegasys • Sodium alginate 225mg/dose / Magnesium alginate 87.5mg/dose oral powder sachets sugar free (15) – Gaviscon Infant • Sodium chloride 0.9% nebuliser liquid 2.5ml unit dose vials (20) – Saline Steripoules • Timolol 0.25% eye drops 0.2ml unit dose preservative free (30) – Timoptol Unit Dose • Urea 10% lotion (250ml) – Eucerin Intensive • Venlafaxine 225mg modified-release capsules (28) – Efexor XL Part VIIIA amendments • Fluvastatin 80mg modified-release tablets (28) Category C – Pinmactil is changing to Category C – Lescol XL

Part IX deletions It is important to take careful note of removals from Part IX because if you dispense a deleted product, prescriptions will be returned as disallowed and therefore payment will not be made for dispensing the item.

Product

Size, type and product code

Hollister InstantCath Protect

12Ch (9693)

All Silicone Open Tipped Catheter with UniBal type balloon with sterile water filled syringe for balloon inflation, empty syringe for balloon deflation and a syringe of lidocaine & chlorhexidine for lubrication (L.IN.C Medical Systems Ltd) All Silicone Open Tipped Catheter with UniBal type balloon with glycerine filled syringe for balloon inflation, empty syringe for balloon deflation and a syringe of lidocaine & chlorhexidine for lubrication (L.IN.C Medical Systems Ltd)

Female; 10ml balloon, 22-24Ch (08472210W-08472410W)

AproDerm Colloidal Oat Cream AproDerm Gel Histoacryl Histoacryl L

100ml 100g 0.2g 0.2g

All details correct at time of printing.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of PSNC. Produced for PSNC by Communications International Group.

Colour repro and printing by Truprint Media, Margate.

The publishers accept no responsibility for any statement made in signed contributions or in those reproduced from any other source.

Distributed for PSNC by:

Female; 10ml balloon, 22-24Ch (08472210G-08472410G)

Communications International Group Linen Hall, 162-168 Regent Street, London W1B 5TB Tel: 020 7434 1530 Fax: 020 7437 0915

PSNC website For up to date information and news on community pharmacy issues, visit the PSNC website at psnc.org.uk PSNC Community Pharmacy News is published by: The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, Times House, 5 Bravingtons Walk, London N1 9AW Community Pharmacy News is edited by: Melinda Mabbutt who can be contacted at the above address or by email at: mmabbutt@psnc.org.uk PSNC Office: 0203 122 0810

© PSNC

lpcs

psnc’s work

funDing anD statistics

contract anD it

Dispensing factsheet: Pricing, payment and Part VIIIA of the Drug Tariff Our Dispensing and Supply Team explains how medicines listed in the Drug Tariff are processed and paid by the Pricing Authority.

Part VIII of the Drug Tariff lists reimbursement prices for various medicinal products available on prescription in England and Wales.

Pharmacies will be reimbursed by the Pricing Authority for acquiring and dispensing these products when presented with NHS prescriptions. All products in Part VIII of the Drug Tariff are listed with pack sizes and their corresponding reimbursement prices.

These have been determined by the Secretary of State for Health.

Drug Tariff categories Products listed in Part VIIIA of the Drug Tariff are sub-divided into three categories: A, C and M. These categories have been established due to variance in availability, with different methods used to calculate their reimbursement prices.

Category A

Category C

Category M

Readily available as a generic?

Price setting

Based on a weighted average of the prices listed by two wholesalers (AAH and Alliance) and two generic manufacturers (Teva and Actavis).

Based on the list price of a brand, manufacturer or supplier’s product.

Set by the Department of Health based on information gathered from Scheme M manufacturers.

Price changes

Changes up to and including the 8th of a month will take effect in reimbursing prescriptions for that month. Changes that occur after the 8th will take effect in the following month.

• Changes for a proprietary product up to and including the 8th of a month will take effect in reimbursing prescriptions for the following month. Changes that occur after the 8th will take effect in the month after that.

• Changes for a generic product up to and including the 8th of a month will take effect in reimbursing prescriptions for that month. Changes that occur after the 8th will take effect in the following month.

• Category M price adjustments are the mechanism by which the Government controls the delivery rate of margin to community pharmacy. The current funding arrangement allows for £800m per year of retained margin.

• The Department of Health adjusts these prices on a quarterly basis. Changes are informed by information from Scheme M manufacturer’s and the medicines margin survey.

Claiming broken bulk

Broken bulk can be claimed for products whose smallest pack size has a price of £50.00 and over.

Broken bulk can be claimed for products whose smallest pack size has a price of £50.00 and over.

Claiming out of pocket expenses

Additional product types Several symbols accompany products throughout Part VIIIA. These signify: SYMBOL

MEANING

INDICATIONS

I

Special Container

Inappropriate to split a pack due to drug being sterile, effervescent, hygroscopic or otherwise. For more information on this, see: psnc.org.uk/scdatabase

G

Item requiring reconstitution

Antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal products that must be reconstituted prior to dispensing.

§

Selected List Scheme

May only be prescribed for the patient groups and purposes outlines in Part VIIIB of the Drug Tariff.

psnc.org.uk 11

Dispensing anD supply

services anD commissioning

the healthcare lanDscape

Product shortages Where a product becomes unavailable or pharmacies cannot obtain it at Drug Tariff price, it may be eligible for a price concession. This is the system in which pharmacies can get reimbursed at a price higher than the Drug Tariff.

The price is set by the Department of Health after consultation with PSNC. They are calculated using information from suppliers and reports from pharmacies on a month by month basis. It is therefore important that, when pharmacy teams experience problems in obtaining medicines, this is fed back to our Dispensing and Supply Team by using our online feedback forms at: psnc.org.uk/feedback For further information on price concessions please visit: psnc.org.uk/ncso NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d) The dm+d is the NHS standard database of prescription products and is used in the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) and for prescription pricing purposes. All products listed in Part VIII of the Drug Tariff will reflect the naming convention applied in the NHS dm+d as follows: name, strength, modification (when present), presentation and ‘freeness’ (i.e. sugar-free, gluten-free). For more information on the dm+d database, please see our dm+d factsheet at: psnc.org.uk/dmdfactsheet Timing of monthly payments Below is a flowchart illustrating the payment timescale for items dispensed in February:

The February dispensing month which is being used in this example.

FEBRUARY

At the start of April, the pharmacy will receive an Advance Payment for the February dispensing month. This payment is based on the pharmacy’s declared items for February, and the average item value (AIV) from January.

MARCH

5th March: Paper prescriptions must be submitted to the Pricing Authority by this date. Electronic prescriptions must be submitted by midnight of the 5th.

APRIL

MAY

At the start of May, the pharmacy is paid the final balance for February prescriptions. Contractors also receive the Advance Payment for prescriptions dispensed in March and submitted at the beginning of April.

The Pricing Authority publish planned payment dates on their website, use the following link to find out more: tinyurl.com/m3lngor For the most up to date information on dispensing medicines, please visit the PSNC website: psnc.org.uk/medicines

12 Community Pharmacy News – February 2017