codeWord ANothER YEAR. thE SAmE RESolUtIoNS
As once again we come to the close of another year and vow to be better, fitter, healthier and wealthier I am once again drawn to discuss that old favourite subject, much loved by pharmacists... coding your prescription forms.
the same problems exist today with coding as did many years ago when I was working in BSo.
to help ensure correct payment it is essential to follow a few basic rules. I know a lot of pharmacists believe that coding is not as important as the prescription forms are scanned and the information from the barcode is used to make the payment.
Whilst this is correct, the barcode sometimes is not read by the scanner for various reasons and the form is then sent for manual data entry. Remember the person entering the
data does not look at any other part of the form other than the code column. Errors are often caused by poor handwriting, e.g. - an open 0 can look like 6 - code 1511 can look like 1571 because the 5 and 1 are joined up - a 5 can look like 8 or vice versa
I have noted below a few tips for coding to assist BSo in the payment process: • Ensure your handwriting is clear and that each digit is separate – no joined-up writing! • Use the BSo code Book when coding forms. I know that a lot of pharmacists use their software as it prints the code on the label. this may not always be correct. • make sure you have sorted your prescriptions correctly and placed them in the correct batch • only codes and quantities should be written on the code column. Any
endorsement should be written in the main body of the form. • Ask another member of staff to check through the coded forms for handwriting
finally I urge everyone to check their Statement of Account Items from BSo each month and not just the expensive items. queries submitted to BSo are checked, the reason for error identified and any mistakes rectified.
Use this information to assess your coding and endorsing performance – if you have a lot of ‘handwriting clarity’ errors this is an obvious area for improvement.
Reassuringly, the number of actual errors found is very low in comparison to the number of items processed every month. But, even a small number of errors can mount up over the year.
PRActIcE-BASEd PhARmAcISt SUPPoRt
UcA is delighted to forward you information on our malpractice Insurance policy for Practice- based Pharmacists working with gP federation surgeries in Northern Ireland. the policy from local insurance broker, Abbey Bond lovis, has been specifically designed for the new Practice- based Pharmacist posts and will provide you with the cover required.
Policy-holders will also receive complementary UcA Pharmacist membership with benefits
including:- • Representation for pharmacists working in the community and primary care sectors
• Access to community and primary care networking forum - UcA local
• communications relevant to pharmacists working in the community
• copy of Pharmacy in focus magazine • Access to UcA website,
www.uca.org.uk, for online services & resources
• Employment advice and support quick guide to UcA Support Services
NEW Cost Reduction Service Support to review your business costs Prescription Payment Support Ensure your payment is correct with UcA’s help
Pharmacist & Staff DevelopmentUpskill on a UcA course – book online at
www.uca.org.uk 'Event calendar'
LocumOnline Access NI
MedsFinder DocStore ShareSpace Health Promotion Kit UCA Local CPD
Advertise your vacancies, get a locum fast Use UcA Umbrella Body for disclosure checks
find hard-to-source medicines fast for your patients
download the UcA hR Pack, resources, flyers, posters
download a presentation for your event
hire the full UcA Kit inc display boards and monitors for £50 Presentations on UcA ShareSpace
local information network for the Pharmacy and Pharmacist
Short cPd seminars @ UcA local meetings PhARmAcY IN focUS - 33
• cPd opportunities relevant to pharmacists working in the community
• Access to non-clinical learning & development
• Preferential rates for Abbey Bond lovis insurance products
If you would like more information about how UcA can support you in your new role, please get in touch on 028 9065 6576.
UcA and BSo are working together to try to highlight common errors. In any process with a manual element, errors will occur – but you can reduce those errors by using the simple steps above.
BSo Roadshows are also a great way to hear about any changes to the coding and payment process and we would encourage you to attend your nearest roadshow in 2017. Invitations will be sent to each pharmacy in the New Year.
No cheaper Stock obtainable -
concession tracker the following changes were made in November to the concessions table: Drug
Pack size Price concession Change
lamotrigine 5mg dispersible tablets sugar free
candesartan 2mg tablets Exemestane 25mg tablets
Ethosuximide 250mg capsules(new)
28 7
30 56
mirtazapine 15mg tablets (new) 28 mirtazapine 30mg tablets (new) 28 mirtazapine 45mg tablets (new) 28 Bumetanide 1mg tablets leflunomide 20mg tablets lorazepam 1mg tablets
28 30 28
metronidazole 400mg tablets Ropinirole 0.25mg tablets Ropinirole 5mg tablets
21 12 84
£7.45 £2.25 £9.60
£173.00 £4.65 £1.50 £5.95 £1.95
£10.99 £6.05
£7.88 £4.50
£160.00
concession ended NEW NEW
NEW NEW NEW NEW
oct price £2.10 oct price £5.10 oct price £6.25
oct price £8.00 oct price £3.94 oct price £170.00
for a full list of concessions each month and to track prices, visit the docStore on
www.uca.org.uk
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