NEWS Specials Authorisation
across Scotland changes The authorisation of specials has been modified several times in the recent past. Innovations have included the introduction of Part 7S and the introduction of quotes required prior to the ordering of specials items.
fee has been agreed by Community Pharmacy Scotland and the Scottish Government.
From now on it is advised contractors claim the following for non-Part 7S special :
• drug costs excluding VAT (SP)
• any wholesaler handling charges, out of pocket expenses as postage and packaging costs (pp)
• The new non Part 7S handling charge of £30 as a handling charge (hh)
Following release of a further circular PCA (P) 2015 17 the authorisation process has once again been amended. These recent changes should reduce the need for pharmacists to contact Health Boards on a regular basis for authorisation for the same item.
The new process requires as before pharmacists to ensure the item is clinically appropriate and no licensed SMC approved item is available which could be used instead of the licensed preparation.
If the item is listed in Part 7S pharmacists may order the item from their regular supplier of specials. This requires no authorisation from the Health Board.
The recent circular now recognises the burden on pharmacists in continually requesting for authorisation on non- Part 7S items. The Generic Framework for authorisation now states if you have received authorisation for a patient from your Health Board within the last twelve months and the price has not deviated by greater than
36 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
20% from the original authorisation you don’t need to receive further authorisation. No authorisation is also needed if you order the item from an NHS manufacturing unit such as Tayside Pharmaceuticals or a unit from England and Wales.
If you have however, not received authorisation (or choose to order from a non NHS manufacturing unit) pharmacists should chase one quote from their chosen supplier and contact their local Health Board through the normal authorisation route.
Once authorisation has been granted this will stand for 12 months unless the price changes by the 20% variance. If the price changes by 20% you must seek reauthorisation. At the annual reauthorisation point you should make sure the special is still clinically appropriate and seek a quote prior to contacting the Health Board.
As part of the recognition of the workload specials outwith the Part 7S list pose it has been agreed that contractors are allowed to claim a non-Part 7s handling charge. This
The claims should be made both electronically and on paper. You should also include an invoice (until 1st January with the prescription) in the submission to PSD.
From the 1st of January all invoices should be submitted separately for scanning in your bundle as PSD will be following a new process.
Speaking on the changes Matt Barclay, Head of Pharmacy Services Community Pharmacy Scotland said “Reimbursement for specials have been an area of significant feedback from our members since the introduction of the original circular. The aim of the latest changes, agreed between the Community Pharmacy Scotland Board and the Scottish Government I to provide clarity and consistency in approach across Scotland for contractors and Health Boards. Community Pharmacy Scotland will continue to monitor the impact of the new changes moving forward.”
Any contractor not following the new process must be aware the Health Board may reclaim monies if they believe the costs are excessive to previously approved prices. •
HOW MUCH COULD YOU SAVE WITH ZERODERMA EMOLLIENTS?
By changing from leading branded emollients to the cost effective Zeroderma emollient range, NHS Scotland could save £1 million a year and one Scottish Health Board could save around £200,000 p.a. Zeroderma emollients are similar in formulation to around 50% of currently prescribed emollients and offer cost savings of up to 37%. Many Health Boards and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have adopted the Zeroderma range onto their formularies and cost savings are being made without compromising on patient care.
To find out how much your Health Board could save visit our “QIPP and emollients” toolkit at
www.qipp.trderma.co.uk
Developed by Medicines Management teams it contains everything needed to implement product changes at practice level, as well as a guide to the savings your Health Board could make.
All Zeroderma products are sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) free and are available on prescription. To request samples for patient evaluation, email:
zeroderma@thorntonross.com www.trderma.co.uk
Thornton & Ross, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5QH 01484 842217
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56