April 2015 CPN

CPNCommunity Pharmacy News – April 2015

Token confusionDemystify Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) forms

and tokens with our guide

Additional payment details | Factsheet: Is it valid? | New payment analysis tool

2 Community Pharmacy News – April 2015

fuNdiNg aNd StatiStiCS CoNtraCt aNd it diSPeNSiNg aNd SuPPly Ser

NHS England will make an additional

payment to pharmacies with their March

payments, i.e. along with the final payment

for the March 2015 dispensing month

which is made in late May/ early June.

The payment will be calculated as an

additional fee for each pharmacy, based on

professional fee numbers. The fee will be

3.3 pence for each professional fee paid

from April 2014 to December 2014.

This additional fee is paid in recognition of

the reduction in margin available to

contractors in the early months of this

financial year.

As part of the 2014/15 community

pharmacy contractual framework it had

been agreed that pharmacies would be

allowed to retain £800 million of margin

income and, whilst the final outcome of the

Margin Survey will not be known until later

in this calendar year, early analysis indicates

that this total is unlikely to be reached.

In a joint statement, PSNC and NHS

England said:

“It remains our intention to smooth the

delivery of funding to community

pharmacy contractors as much as possible.

This additional fee has been agreed in light

of the predicted under delivery of margin

in 2014/15.”

PSNC Chief Executive Sue Sharpe said the

payment would be a welcome bonus for

contractors. “Financial pressures and

income volatility continue to be a problem,

driven by the instability of prices and

supplies. PSNC is pleased that we were

able to secure this payment in advance of

the final reconciliation of figures for

margin earned in the financial year,” she

added.

PSNC and NHS England joint announcement:additional payment to pharmaciesAdditional payment worth around £2,000 to £2,200 to pharmacies

dispensing average volumes will be paid in late May/early June.

Additional Payment:Frequently AskedQuestions

Q. When will the additional payment be

paid?

A. The additional fee will be paid along

with your final payment for the March

2015 dispensing month. The usual

payment timescales mean this payment

will be made in late May/ early June.

Q. How do contractors claim the extra

payment?

A. Pharmacy contractors do not need to

do anything to claim the payment – it will

be calculated based on the professional

fees paid to them between April 2014

and December 2014 and added to their

March payments by the Pricing Authority.

Q. Will Welsh pharmacy contractors

receive the additional payment for

March 2015?

A. The Drug Tariff contains payment and

reimbursement information for both

English and Welsh pharmacy contractors

and, unless specified otherwise, will

apply to both English and Welsh

pharmacy contractors. Part IIIA of the

April 2015 edition of the Drug Tariff

explicitly states that this additional

payment is applicable to both English and

Welsh contractors.

Q. How much is this payment worth?

A. Across the sector the additional

payment to contractors will be worth

around £25m. The amount each

pharmacy receives will depend on the

number of items they dispensed from

April 2014 to December 2014. For

contractors dispensing average

prescription numbers the payment will

be around £2,000 – £2,200.

Q. My pharmacy was open between

April 2014 and December 2014, but its

NHS code (commonly known as the F

code) changed during this time – will I

still receive the additional fees?

A. In this scenario, the contractor must

contact the Pricing Authority to

determine whether they are eligible for

the additional fee. The team to write to is

as follows: NHS Business Services

Authority, Customer Payment Team

Stella House, Goldcrest Way, Newburn

Riverside, Newcastle upon Tyne

NE15 8NY

Q. My pharmacy was open between

April 2014 and December 2014, but has

since closed – will I still receive the

additional payment?

A. Any pharmacy account (determined by

an NHS or F code) which ceased to exist

prior to 1st March 2015, and therefore is

not submitting a claim for payment for

the March 2015 dispensing month, is not

entitled to the payment.

Make sure you don’t miss out onthe latest community pharmacynews and PSNC announcements.

Sign up to our email newsletters at

psnc.org.uk/email

http://psnc.org.uk/email

psnc.org.uk 3

the healthCare laNdSCaPe lPCs PSNC’s workrviCeS aNd CoMMiSSioNiNg

Check34 - a new tool to help with prescriptionanalysisNew system will enable contractors to monitor the accuracy of their

monthly prescription payments as notified on the monthly FP34 Schedule

of Payment received from the Pricing Authority.

A new online service to help all contractors analyse the

prescription data they receive every month from the Pricing

Authority is being rolled out by PSNC this month. A unique

collaboration with the National Pharmacy Association (NPA)

means all NPA members will gain access to the service, called

Check34, without paying a separate subscription fee.

Check34 will enable contractors to monitor the accuracy of their

monthly prescription payments as notified on the monthly FP34

Schedule of Payment received from the Pricing Authority. It will

also provide the sort of prescription data analysis which until now

has only been available to larger companies with substantial IT

resources.

Contractors who use the service will be able to view a number of

key performance indicators (KPIs) for their prescription business

and look back at up to 24 months of historical data. KPIs include:

• Items dispensed per month

• Average item value

• Fees and drug costs

• Working hours (to ensure correct Practice Payment)

• Script switches (part 2 and not signed) and fees lost

• Expensive items (value, number, % of total account)

• Zero discount (value, number, % of total account)

• MURs completed per month and in year to date

• NMS completed per month and in year to date

Users will see an easy to navigate dashboard when they first sign

in, and the KPIs will be shown graphically. The graphs will have

overlays to enable contractors to compare their performance with

the national average and that of the nearest pharmacies to theirs

geographically. Companies with multiple branches can compare a

branch performance to regional and/or company averages.

For users who wish to use the information in other applications,

any data that appears on the monthly FP34 (with the exception of

service fees) can be downloaded as a .csv or .xls file. Check34 also

offers contractors the option of entering their monthly FP34C

submission figures and reconciling these against those shown by

the Pricing Authority on that month’s FP34.

The ability to offer Check34 derives from the prescription audit

work that PSNC carries out on behalf of contractors.

Accessing Check34• NPA Members:

The NPA has entered into an arrangement with PSNC that

means all NPA members in England will be offered the new

service as part of their subscription package.

The NPA plans to fast track member access to the new

service with the aim of having all eligible pharmacies

subscribed by autumn 2015. Thereafter access to the service

will be renewed in line with their annual NPA subscription.

NPA members should visit the NPA website at

npa.co.uk/check34 for more information.

• Non-NPA members:

The NPA will be managing subscription sales for Check34 to

non-NPA member pharmacies. Contact [email protected]

or call Katie Smith on 01727 858687 for subscription rates

and more information.

• CCA member companies:

CCA members who wish to find out more about Check34 can

email [email protected] or contact the PSNC

office on 0203 1220 820.

PSNC stresses value of pharmacy teamsPSNC has once again highlighted the value that community

pharmacy teams can offer patients and the NHS to the

Government. In a meeting with pharmacy minister Earl Howe, PSNC

Chief Executive Sue Sharpe and independent contractor Gary

Warner outlined the potential benefits of pharmacy services such

as minor ailments schemes, re-ablement services, public health

advice, and flu vaccinations. The meeting formed part of PSNC’songoing work to develop the community pharmacy service.

Gary Warner said: “It was great to hear the Minister so interested in

how community pharmacies can help patients and the NHS. He said

our approach was innovative, timely and sensible. For example we

discussed the emergency supply of medicines and the Minister was

interested in the potential costs savings of an NHS service – we

hope the national clinical audit on this topic provide more evidence

to help us to make the case for this.”

http://npa.co.uk/check34

http://psnc.org.uk


the healthCare laNdSCaPe lPCs PSNC’s work

NHS England guidance on urgent

repeats

NHS England has published guidance for

commissioners and NHS 111 providers on

how NHS 111 services can establish a

direct referral to a pharmacy that is

commissioned to provide urgent repeat

medication as a locally commissioned NHS

service. NHS England is encouraging

commissioners of NHS 111 and local

community pharmacy services to use this

guide to inform the transformation of

urgent care by shifting the burden of

repeat medication requests away from GP

out of hours services and other urgent

care settings to an appropriately

commissioned community pharmacy

emergency supply service. See:

tinyurl.com/nhs111pharmacyguide

Greater roles for CCGs

Following on from the news in February

that 64 Clinical Commissioning Groups

(CCGs) will take on greater delegated

commissioning (dld.bz/d9FJw) for the

majority of GP services, a further 87 CCGs

have been approved for joint

commissioning. This means

over 70% of CCGs will take

on greater commissioning

responsibilities for GP

services from April 2015.

Vanguard sites

NHS England has announced the first 29

vanguard sites (dld.bz/d9FJx) that will

lead on transforming care for patients

across England.

In January 2015, the NHS invited individual

organisations and partnerships, including

those within the voluntary sector, to apply

to become vanguard sites for the New

Care Models Programme, the first major

step towards delivering the NHS Five Year

Forward View (dld.bz/d9FK5) and

supporting improvement and integration

of services.

National NHS Diabetes Prevention

Programme

The National NHS Diabetes Prevention

Programme has been launched in England

as a major national initiative to prevent

illness. The programme, which is a joint

initiative between NHS England, Public

Health England and Diabetes UK, aims to

significantly reduce the four million people

in England otherwise expected to have

type 2 diabetes by 2025.

CQC rating displays

Health and care providers will have to

prominently display their Care Quality

Commission (CQC) rating from 1st April

2015. This requirement follows an

amendment to regulation that was laid

before Parliament on 28th January 2015

by the Department of Health that required

providers to display their CQC ratings

across their services and on their websites.

Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund update

NHS England has announced that 37 pilot

sites, covering 1,417 practices, have been

successful in the second wave of the Prime

Minister’s Challenge Fund (dld.bz/d9FJ2)

to test innovative ways of delivering GP

services and making services more

accessible to patients. In

total there are now 57

pilots covering more than

18m people in over 2,500 practices that

will benefit from improved access and

transformational change at local level.

Hunt pledges additional £8bn for NHS

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has pledged

that the Conservative party will spend an

additional £8bn on funding the NHS Five

Year Forward View if they win the general

election. The Tories are the second party

to pledge to support funding for the

Forward View; the Liberal Democrats

pledged their support in January.

PHE focus on pharmacy

Professor Kevin Fenton, Public Health

England’s National Director for Health and

Wellbeing, was waving the flag for

pharmacy in his blog last month. He

discussed the important role pharmacists

and their teams can play in raising

awareness of public health issues, in

particular helping patients make healthy

lifestyle choices and manage their pre-

existing conditions. He highlighted some

of the great work that community

pharmacy is already doing such as NHS

Health Checks and the healthy living

pharmacy model.

PSNC regularly receives questions from LPCs and

pharmacy contractors about what is going on in the

wider health and care landscape beyond community

pharmacy. In this round-up we cover the

latest news from the past month.

151 CCGstake on greatercommissioningroles

4 million peopleexpected to get diabetes

37 PrimeMinister’sChallenge Fundsites

£8bn for NHS underConservatives

http://dld.bz/d9FJ2

http://dld.bz/d9FK5

http://dld.bz/d9FJx

http://dld.bz/d9FJw

http://tinyurl.com/nhs111pharmacyguide

psnc.org.uk 5

CoNtraCt aNd it diSPeNSiNg aNd SuPPly ServiCeS aNd CoMMiSSioNiNgfuNdiNg aNd StatiStiCS

Summary of EPS-related forms and tokens (England)As uptake of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) increases, community

pharmacy teams should familiarise themselves with the various prescription

forms and tokens they will now encounter. The information provided below will

help you to identify the different types of forms and explain when they are used.

Paper Prescriptions

Paper FP10 prescription (withoutan electronic prescriptionmessage)Even those GP practices which havegone live with EPS Release 2 willcontinue using paper FP10prescriptions forms wherenecessary. Dentists and hospitaldoctors do not yet have access toEPS.

Barcoded FP10 prescription (withan electronic prescriptionmessage)With a Release 1 EPS prescription,the paper FP10 form will requirethe prescriber's written signature,and the paper form will be the legalprescription. GP systems print abarcode on a paper prescriptionwhich, when scanned at an EPS-enabled pharmacy, downloads anelectronic prescription message.This electronic message will auto-populate the pharmacy’s systemwith the prescription details.

This type of prescription should bedispensed using the paper form,and the paper form needs to besubmitted in the usual way forpricing.

EPS Release 2 (R2) tokens (see overleaf)

Paper forms that are printed to accompany

electronic prescriptions are known as ‘tokens’.

These are only used once a GP practice is using

EPS R2.

There are two types:

1. the prescription or authorisation token

(generated by a prescriber); and

2. the dispensing token (generated by a

dispenser).

Both types are simply paper copies of the

electronic prescription and neither can be used

to dispense prescription items without the

corresponding electronic prescription.

The barcode present on a token can be

scanned to retrieve the corresponding

electronic prescription from the NHS central

Spine (the network which transfers

information relating to electronic

prescriptions). The prescription identifier code

on the tokens is 18 characters. Note: Only R2

enabled dispensing systems will be able to

retrieve an electronic prescription message

from a token.

The ‘prescriber signature’ area on prescription

tokens is overprinted to prevent the prescriber

signing the token because it is the electronic

signature on the electronic message which

makes the prescription legally valid.

Reimbursement is made against the electronic

claim message for the electronic prescription

and not the paper token. Handwritten

amendments are therefore not acceptable; the

electronic message must be returned to the

Spine so the prescriber can cancel and re-issue.

Wales: Currently, pharmacies in Wales cannot

access these electronic prescription messages by

scanning these R2 barcodes. Therefore, if a

patient wishes to have their prescription

dispensed in Wales, or one of the other home

countries, a paper prescription form will need to

be requested.

http://psnc.org.uk


CoNtraCt aNd it diSPeNSiNg aNd SuPPly ServiCeS aNd CoMMiSSioNiNg th

The token and prescription

illustrations are reproduced

here with permission from

the Department of Health.

Subject to Crown copyright.

They were the correct

version as at the date of

publication (April 2015), but

medical professionals

should check which versions

are valid and in use at any

given time and should not

assume the versions printed

are still valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. The prescriber has signed a

prescription token; does this

make it a legal NHS

prescription?

A. No. With EPS R2, payment is

always based on the electronic

message. R2 tokens are

designed to minimise the risk of

confusion by over-writing the

signature box to state that the

token should not be used as a

prescription.

Q. Which EPS R2 tokens should

I send with my prescription

bundle?

A. The tokens which should be

sent to the Pricing Authority are

those where the patient:

• is exempt for a reason other

than age; or

• has paid the prescription

charge.

These tokens are sent for audit

purposes only as reimbursement

is made against electronically

submitted R2 messages and the

exemption category applied to

that message.

Prescription token (issued in parallel with a legalelectronic NHS prescription)The green FP10SS form may be used by the prescriberto print a prescription token.

The right hand side of the token will include a notethat the electronic prescription message has been sentto the nominated dispensing site along with the nameand address of the site.

Repeat authorisation token (issued in parallel with alegal NHS repeatable electronic prescription)It is mandatory for the prescriber to give the patient aprescription token when authorising an electronicrepeatable prescription. This looks similar to theprescription token but has the words ‘repeatdispensing authorisation form’ printed on it.

Dispensing token (can be generated as necessarywhere a legal electronic NHS prescription has beenissued by the prescriber)The 'FP10DT' is white in colour and is generated by adispenser. It will be printed with the annotation‘dispensing token’.

In EPS R2, these may be presented at a pharmacywhere a patient has nominated a pharmacy but theirnominated pharmacy has been unable to dispense theprescription. This is not a legal prescription but thebarcode on the form can be used to ‘pull down’ thelegal NHS electronic prescription from the Spine.

NHS England teams are responsible for supplyingcommunity pharmacies with blank FP10DTs forprinting dispensing tokens.

ElectronicPrescriptionService

Find out more about EPS R2

tokens at: psnc.org.uk/tokens

http://psnc.org.uk/tokens

Community pharmacy contractors should be aware of a number

of changes to fees and allowances that are being made in the

Drug Tariff from April 2015. The changes are:

• An increase in Practice Payment of 4.4p per item, from 49.1p to

53.5p; and

• An increase in the thresholds governing access to the Practice

and Establishment Payments by c. 2.9%

The following table outlines the Practice Payments from 1st April:

Contractors may recall that in November 2014 there was a

reduction in the Practice Payment of around 17p per item to

ensure delivery of the agreed £2bn fees and allowances in the

2014/15 financial year. The April increase of 4.4p per item

rebalances this and is designed to ensure smooth delivery of

funding in the coming year. It will be reviewed once a funding

settlement for 2015/16 has been agreed.

This table outlines Establishment Payments from 1st April:

The increase in threshold for both payments recognises the

increases in prescription volumes that have been seen in England.

It is in line with the routine annual increases that were made as

part of funding settlements agreed from 2006 until the NHS

reforms.

Changes to the Drug Tariff in April 2015

psnc.org.uk 7

lPCs PSNC’s work fuNdiNg aNd StatiStiCShe healthCare laNdSCaPe

When pharmacy teams receive NHS prescriptions they must check whether the items prescribed are allowed on the NHS before dispensing. If they

are not considered to be allowed, the pharmacy may not be paid for them.

Pharmacy staff can check whether medicinal products and medical devices are allowed using the Drug Tariff.

Medicinal products: assuming the prescriber has the appropriate prescribing rights, any food, drug, toiletry or cosmetic may be prescribed on an

NHS prescription unless the product is listed in Part XVIIIA of the Drug Tariff (the ‘blacklist’).

Medical devices: if a product has been registered as a medical device (also known as an appliance), it can only be dispensed on an NHS prescription

if it is listed in Part IX of the Drug Tariff. Registered medical devices can be identified by a ‘CE’ mark on the product’s packaging.

Pharmacy staff may wish to check PSNC’s ‘Dispensing on an FP10 database’ psnc.org.uk/FP10database, and we have listed some products below

that we have recently received queries about.

Product Is the item Does it If no, is it Can it be Additional information listed in the have a ‘CE’ in the dispensed Drug Tariff? mark? blacklist? on the NHS

Please note: If the prescription is one of the following, pharmacy staff will need to check the relevant sections of the Drug Tariff/PSNC website:

• FP10CN or FP10PN (community nurse prescriber) – Part XVIIB.

• FP10D (dental prescriber) – Part XVIIA.

• FP10MDA (instalment dispensing) – psnc.org.uk/mda

Can it be dispensed on an FP10?

Bard Interglide

Coated Intermittent

Catheter D6030

Sildenafil 100mg

chewable tablets

sugar free

Combur 7 testing

strips

Senset Skin

Cleansing Foam

BD Luer-Lok Syringe

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

n/a

No

n/a

No

n/a

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

This item is a registered medical device (CE marked) and appears in

Part IXA of the Drug Tariff.

This item is not a registered medical device (CE marked) and does

not appear in Part XVIIIA (the ‘blacklist’) of the Drug Tariff.

This item is a registered medical device (CE marked) and is not

listed in Part IX of the Drug Tariff.

This item is not a registered medical device (CE marked) and does

not appear in Part XVIIIA (the ‘blacklist’) of the Drug Tariff.

This item is a registered medical device (CE marked) and is not

listed in Part IX of the Drug Tariff.

Number of itemsper month

Establishment Payment from 1st April2015

2,500 – 2,829 £23,278 (annual total, 1/12 paid monthly)


3,150+ £25,100 (annual total, 1/12 paid monthly)

Number of itemsper month

Practice Payments from 1st April 2015

Up to 1,099 £600 (annual total, 1/12 paid monthly)



2,500+ 53.5p per item

http://psnc.org.uk/mda

http://psnc.org.uk/FP10database

http://psnc.org.uk


diSPeNSiNg aNd SuPPly ServiCeS aNd CoMMiSSioNiNg the healthCare laNdSCaPe

1. How long does a repeat prescription remain legally valid?

Repeat prescriptions for Schedule 5 Controlled Drugs (CDs) and

items without CD status must be dispensed for the first time

within six months of the ‘appropriate date’, with subsequent

issues valid for 12 months from the signed date. The ‘appropriate

date’ is the later of either the date the prescription was signed or

the date indicated as the start date.

For example, consider a prescription for Salbutamol

100micrograms/dose inhaler CFC free requesting 12 months’

supply, split amongst twelve batch issues (RD forms). If the signed

date on the prescription (RA form) is 1st January 2015, then if the

patient is to obtain all of their medicine, the pharmacy must have

dispensed fully within one year, and therefore by 31st December

2015.

Schedule 2 and 3 CDs cannot be prescribed on repeat

prescriptions. Repeat dispensing prescriptions for Schedule 4 CDs

must be dispensed for the first time within 28 days of the

appropriate date with subsequent issues valid for 12 months

from the signed date.

2. Is it legal for a GP to post-date prescriptions, say for three or

six months, for a patient to retain and get dispensed when

required?

Yes. According to The Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use)

Order 1997, a prescription must be endorsed with an appropriate

date, defined as ‘…the date on which it was signed by the

appropriate practitioner giving it or a date indicated by him as

being the date before which it shall not be dispensed (15. (4) (a)).’

However, pharmacy teams may wish to suggest the GP considers

using repeat prescriptions instead. Repeat prescriptions enable

the pharmacist to make checks on whether the continued

medication is appropriate for the patient, and are generally a

preferred method.

3. There has been an outbreak of scabies within a family. Rather

than issuing one prescription per family member, the prescriber

has ordered sufficient quantity of Permethrin 5% cream on one

prescription to cover the whole family. Is this allowed?

No. Bulk prescriptions are not intended to cover situations such

as these. The only exception to this rule is where the prescriber is

responsible under their GMS contract for the treatment of 10 or

more persons in a school or other institution in which at least 20

persons normally reside; and where the prescriber needs to

prescribe for two or more of those persons for whose treatment

the contractor is responsible. The prescription should bear the

name of the school or institution concerned.

More information about bulk prescriptions can be found in Part

VIIIA, Notes, Paragraph 9 of the Drug Tariff. A key point to note is

that bulk prescriptions can only be issued for prescribable

dressings and for medicines which are not classified as

prescription only medicines. (See this month’s factsheet

Dispensing Factsheet: Is this prescription form valid? on pages 9–10)

Look out for more frequently asked questions next month…

Ask PSNCThe PSNC Dispensing and Supply Team can give pharmacy teams advice on

a range of topics related to the Drug Tariff and reimbursement. Below are

some questions the team have been asked in recent months.

If you would like more information on any of the topics covered,

the PSNC Dispensing and Supply Team will be happy to help

(call 0844 381 4180 or 0203 1220 810 or e-mail [email protected]).

Nutricia Announce Change inDistribution ArrangementsNutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition has announced that with effect from 4th April

2015 it will appoint two solus wholesale partners.

• Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Ltd will become the sole distributor of its

metabolics and allergy products to all pharmacies in England, Scotland and Wales.

• AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd will become Nutricia’s sole distributor of products to all

hospitals with a formal contract or other commercial arrangement with Nutricia, in

England, Scotland and Wales.

For more information, including a list of the metabolics and allergy products, and to

see Nutricia’s letter visit our website at tinyurl.com/nutricia-news

Related Information

A summary of the distribution changes for medicine suppliers can be found on our

Distribution of Medicines page at psnc.org.uk/distribution

Colecalciferol in theDrug TariffThe Preface of the April 2015 Drug

Tariff annotates the addition of two

licensed Colecalciferol products with

effect from May 2015 to Part VIIIA.

• Colecalciferol 20,000 units, 15 and

30 capsules (Category C)

• Colecalciferol 40,000 units, 10

capsules (Category C)

Pharmacy staff are reminded that

products listed with more than one

pack size in Category C, Part VIIIA of

the Drug Tariff, are required to have

the pack size endorsed on the

prescription.

http://psnc.org.uk/distribution

http://tinyurl.com/nutricia-news

psnc.org.uk 9

PSNC’s work fuNdiNg aNd StatiStiCS CoNtraCt aNd itlPCs

Dispensing Factsheet:Is This Prescription Form Valid?Only certain types of prescription form can be dispensed on the NHS so it is important

for pharmacy teams to be able to identify which form types are allowed and which are

not. Form types can be identified by the code on the bottom right of a prescription.

Eligibility

The following prescription forms can be dispensed by NHS community pharmacies in England and Wales.

For information on forms originating in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, and prescription forms that are not eligible,

see: psnc.org.uk/prescriptionforms

Forms originating in England

Forms originating in Wales

Form type and colour

Who can use or what they are used for Further information

GreenFP10FP10NCFP10HNCFP10SS

GPs, hospital doctors, andindependent/supplementary prescribers (pharmacists,midwives, nurses, chiropodists/ podiatrists,physiotherapists, radiographers, optometrists), or outof hours centres if correctly annotated.

Forms annotated with the initials RD are repeat dispensingforms. Forms annotated with the initials RA are repeatauthorisation forms.

BlueFP10MDAFP10MDA-SFP10HMDA-SFP10MDA-SSFP10MDA-SP

Instalment dispensing prescription form. More information can be found on our InstalmentDispensing page at: psnc.org.uk/mda

LilacFP10PFP10PNFP10CNFP10SP

Independent/supplementary prescribers. The form should be printed with information to identify thetype of prescriber, for example, ‘community practitionernurse prescriber (formerly known as district nurse/healthvisitors)’ or ‘nurse independent prescriber orsupplementary prescriber’. Only items listed in the relevantformularies can be prescribed on this prescription.

YellowFP10D

Dentists in primary care. Only items listed in the dental formulary can be prescribedon this prescription.

Form type and colour

Who can use or what they are used for Further information

GreenWP10WP10SSWP10SPWP10HPWP10HSP

GPs, hospitals and supplementary prescribers. Forms annotated with the initials RD are repeat dispensingforms. Forms annotated with the initials RA are repeatauthorisation forms.

GreenWP10D

Dentists in primary care. Only items listed in the dental formulary can be prescribedon this prescription.

GreenWP10CNWP10PN

Independent/supplementary prescribers. Only items listed in the relevant formularies can beprescribed on this prescription.

GreenWP10MDAWP10HP(AD)

Instalment dispensing prescription form. More information can be found on our InstalmentDispensing page at: psnc.org.uk/mda

For information relating to prescription charges, refer to the patient charges page on our website at: psnc.org.uk/chargesFor guidance on prescribing formularies, refer to our webpage at: psnc.org.uk/prescribing

http://psnc.org.uk/prescribing

http://psnc.org.uk/charges



http://psnc.org.uk/prescriptionforms

http://psnc.org.uk

All details correct at time of printing.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the PSNC.

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Colour repro and printing by Truprint Media, Margate.

The publishers accept no responsibility for any statement made in signed contributions or

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diSPeNSiNg aNd SuPPly ServiCeS aNd CoMMiSSioNiNg the healthCare laNdSCaPe

PSNC websiteFor 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 9AWCommunity Pharmacy News is edited by:Zoe Smeaton who can be contacted at the above address or by email at: [email protected] © PSNCPSNC Office: 0844 381 4180 or 0203 122 0810

How long is a prescription valid for?

The table below summarises the length of validity of the different types of NHS prescription.

Type of prescription 1st issue expiry Subsequent issues expiry

FP10 (excluding requests for Schedule 1, 2, 3 or 4 CDs) 6 months* 12 months for repeatable prescriptions.

FP10 for Schedule 1, 2 or 3 CDs 28 days* N/A (cannot be on repeatable prescriptions)

FP10 for Schedule 4 CDs 28 days* 12 months for repeatable prescriptions.

FP10MDA prescription 28 days* In accordance with instalment directions.A prescriber can request up to 14 days’ supply.

*from the ‘appropriate date’ (either the date the prescription was signed or the date indicated as the start date)

Owings

The owing balance on prescriptions for Schedule 5 Controlled Drugs (CDs) and other medicines that are not CDs cannot be collected

more than 6 months after the appropriate date. The exception is for owings against repeatable prescriptions (which have a maximum

validity of 12 months).

For prescriptions requesting Schedule 1, 2, 3 or 4 CDs, owings cannot be dispensed later than 28 days after the appropriate date on

the prescription. It is good practice for the pharmacist to make the patient or their representative aware at the outset that they will

not be able to collect the balance after the 28 day period has elapsed.

Also, it is important to note that owings are not appropriate for CDs which are being supplied in instalments, as the quantity of the

instalment dispensed must be exactly as specified on the prescription. Any missed instalments can only be given on the following day

if the prescriber has specified this is permissible.

Bulk prescriptions

Part VIIIA, Notes, Paragraph 9 of the Drug Tariff outlines the arrangements for bulk prescriptions:

A “Bulk” prescription is an order for two or more patients, bearing the name of a school or institution in which at least 20 persons normally

reside, for the treatment of at least 10 of whom a particular doctor is responsible. Such a prescription must be an order for a drug which is

prescribable under the NHS and which is not designated “Prescription Only Medicine” (POM) under Section 58(1) of the Medicines Act 1968,

or for a prescribable dressing which does not contain a product which is designated POM.

No prescription charge is payable when a bulk prescription is dispensed.

Dispensing factsheetsYou may have noticed that since last year we have been publishing one newdispensing related factsheet every month in our CPN magazine. What you mightnot know is that they are now all available to download from our website.Previous factsheets have covered such topics as:• Unlicensed specials and imports;• Charges and exemptions;• Using the Drug Tariff; and• Where to obtain external resources.If you missed any of these factsheets, or want additional copies, download them now at: tinyurl.com/d-sbriefings

http://tinyurl.com/d-sbriefings

psnc.org.uk 11

PSNC’s work fuNdiNg aNd StatiStiCS CoNtraCt aNd itlPCs

Drug Tariff WatchThe first section of the Drug Tariff is the

Preface. This contains valuable

information relevant for both the current

edition and the next. It lists additions,

deletions and any other alterations to the

Drug Tariff. The Preface should ideally be

checked each month to identify products

which are entering or being removed

from the Tariff as well as those products

changing between categories or in the

case of Category C items, changes to the

brand used for pricing.

It is especially important to note which

are Drug Tariff listed products as well as

which category products are entering and

the pack sizes being included in these

entries, as reimbursement will be based

on this classification and its endorsement

requirements. Incorrect endorsement can

lead to incorrect payment for items.

It is also important to know the category

of an item when claiming certain

payments (e.g. OOP expenses) as these

are not allowed for some categories. For

more information visit psnc.org.uk/oop

Below is a quick summary of some of the

changes due to take place from 1st May

2015

Part XVI - Notes on Charges

Contractors should note:

• changes made to People Entitled To

Remission note 6.1.1;

• changes made to the contact details of

NHS Forms Orderline with regards to

England; and

• changes made to the Prescription

Charge Refund Procedure with regards

to Universal Credit arrangements.

Part VIIIA Additions

Category C Additions:

* This pack only (others already

available)

• Bisoprolol 5mg / Aspirin 75mg capsules

(30) - Aspire Pharma Ltd

• Bisoprolol 10mg / Aspirin 75mg

capsules (30) - Aspire Pharma Ltd





• Colecalciferol 20,000unit capsules (15)

Fultium-D3



Plenachol

• * Morphine sulfate 30mg/1ml solution

for injection ampoules (10) Martindale

Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Progesterone 100mg pessaries (21)

Lutigest

Part VIIIA Amendments

SC Special Container

• Co-phenotrope 2.5mg/0.025mg tablets

(100) is changing to Category C AMCo

• Demeclocycline 150mg capsules (28) is

changing to Category C AMCo

• Ferrous fumarate 140mg/5ml oral

solution (200ml) is changing to

Category C AMCo

• Flumetasone 0.02% / Clioquinol 1% ear

drops SC (7.5ml) is changing to

Category C AMCo

• Flumetasone 0.02% / Clioquinol 1% ear

drops SC (10ml) is changing to

Category C AMCo

• Fusidic acid 1% modified-release eye

drops SC (5g) is changing to Category C

AMCo

• Indoramin 25mg tablets (84) is


• Isosorbide mononitrate 25mg

modified-release capsules (28) is

changing to Category C Elantan LA25

• Liothyronine 20microgram tablets (28)

is changing to Category C AMCo

• Methadone 10mg/1ml solution for

injection ampoules (10) is changing to

Category C Physeptone

• Methadone 50mg/5ml solution for

injection ampoules (10) is changing to

Category C Physeptone

• Morphine sulfate 15mg/1ml solution

for injection ampoules (10) is changing

to Category C Martindale

Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Olsalazine 250mg capsules (112) is

changing to Category A

• Olsalazine 500mg tablets (60) is

changing to Category A

• Oxprenolol 20mg tablets (56) is


• Phenindione 10mg tablets (28) is


• Phenindione 25mg tablets (28) is


• Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules (30)

is changing to Category C AMCo

• Sulfinpyrazone 100mg tablets (84) is


• Sulfinpyrazone 200mg tablets (84) is


• Tramadol 100mg/ml oral drops SC

(10ml) is changing to Category C AMCo

Part VIIIA Deletions

If a medicinal product has been removed

from Part VIIIA and has no other pack

sizes listed, it can continue to be

dispensed, but it will need to be endorsed

fully (i.e. brand or supplier name from

whom the product was purchased and

the pack size from which the item was

dispensed) and price paid in future.

* This pack only (others already

available)

• * Morphine sulfate 30mg/1ml solution

for injection ampoules (5) Category A

• Testosterone 30mg modified-release

muco-adhesive buccal tablets (60)

Category C Striant SR

• Tragacanth powder (500g) Category C J

M Loveridge Ltd

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.

• Coloplast Ltd Self-Cath plus

(Male) (USCC10M-USCC16M) CH 10-16

(Female) (USCC8F-USCC16F) CH 8-16

• MANUKApli (15g)

• Eyezin (10ml) preservative free bottle

• Coloplast Ltd S Triform Leg Bags

350ml short tube 5350

750ml short tube with soft backing 5751

• CliniMed Ltd Soft-end Ties White 9760 -

30Hollister Ltd Moderma Flex with

Lock ‘n’ Roll Closure Beige comfort

backing on both sides 20mm 28120

(30)

• Hollister Ltd Maxi - Conform 2 with

Lock'n'Roll Closure Transparent with

comfort backing on body side only N

35mm 23860 (30)

Need to know if an item can be

dispensed on an FP10? Check on our

database at: psnc.org.uk/FP10database

http://psnc.org.uk/FP10database

http://psnc.org.uk/oop

http://psnc.org.uk

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Ad

ditio

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ida

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1

.De

term

inin

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the

r a p

rescrip

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form

is valid

: psn

c.org

.uk

/pre

scriptio

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2.Id

en

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pre

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snc.o

rg.u

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rescrib

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snc.o

rg.u

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4.G

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nd

: psn

c.org

.uk

/sub

missio

n

http://psnc.org.uk/submission

http://psnc.org.uk/charges

http://psnc.org.uk/prescribing

http://psnc.org.uk/prescriptionforms

April 2015 CPN

Documents