Endorsement guidance

• Pack size — specify the pack size used when multiple sizes are listed in Category C. Category A, H and M products that are classed as special containers in the Drug Tariff must also be endorsed with the pack size.

• Brand name or manufacturer/supplier.
• Pack size — where multiple pack sizes are available.
• Net pack price (before discount and excluding VAT) if the endorsed product does not have a price listed on the Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d).

• Pack size.
• Net pack price (before discount and excluding VAT) if the endorsed product does not have a price listed on the Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d).

• ‘SP’ (£20.00 fixed fee)

or

• ‘ED’ (£20.00 fixed fee – for Part VIIIB only) — where appropriate and the following:
  • name(s), quantities, and cost of the ingredients used in preparing the product.

• ‘SP’ (£20.00 fixed fee).
• Amount dispensed over pack size used.
• Invoice price per pack size from which the order was supplied, less any discount or rebate expressed as £x.xx.
• Manufacturers’/importers’ MHRA license number.
• Batch number of the product supplied (more information at cpe.org.uk/specials).

• Name(s) of ingredient.
• Quantity of each ingredient.
• Cost of the ingredients used in preparing the product.
• ‘ED’ (£20.00 fixed fee) — for costs incurred in dispensing a product prepared under the Section 10 exemption (more information at cpe.org.uk/specials and our Dispensing Factsheet – Unlicensed specials and imports).

• Pack size — where multiple pack sizes are available.

For elastic hosiery, prescriptions should indicate:

• Total quantity supplied.
• Compression class.
• Knit.
• Description of the article (e.g. circular knit, below knee).
• Made to measure if appropriate.

• Brand or manufacturer’s name as listed in the Tariff.
• Pack size — only where there are multiple pack sizes listed in the Tariff.

Note: some appliances have default prices listed at the beginning of the relevant Drug Tariff Part IX section. These prices apply to generically written prescriptions for the following appliances: catheters, elasticated tubular bandages, absorbent perforated plastic film faced dressings, permeable non-woven synthetic adhesive tape BP 1988, and peak flow meters.

To be reimbursed for supplying a particular brand that is only available to purchase above the default generic reimbursement price, the prescription must be returned to the prescriber for amendment to include the specific brand name (or manufacturer’s product) as listed in the Drug Tariff.

• Pack size — where there are multiple pack sizes listed.

‘ND’ and score through the item in the prescribing area for paper prescriptions.

For EPS prescriptions, the paper-based ‘ND’ endorsement is not used. Not dispensed items on EPS prescriptions will be automatically assigned the default item status code ‘0002’ where no dispensing activity is recorded.

• SSP followed by the three-digit reference number applicable to the SSP.
• Details of product supplied in accordance with the SSP (drug name, quantity, strength, formulation, supplier name or brand*).
• Quantity supplied and pack size – where multiple pack sizes are available.
• Invoice price – if no list price is available on dm+d.

*The drug details and/or quantity supplied and other required endorsement will depend on the specific SSP. To ensure correct payment for SSP claims, contractors should ensure that endorsements reflect the requirements outlined in the corresponding SSP endorsing guidance available on NHSBSA’s website nhsbsa.nhs.uk/serious-shortage-protocols-ssps.

• ‘FS’ enables prescribers to endorse item(s) to indicate to dispensers that the item(s) are to be provided to the patient free-of-charge. The ‘FS’ endorsement is an item level endorsement that must be applied to each applicable item.
• No prescription charge should be levied for any ‘FS’ endorsed items. For more information see our factsheet.
• For EPS prescriptions, prescribers must apply ‘FS’ using their prescribing system. It should not be manually added to the EPS dosage instructions field as this is not captured by the NHSBSA during prescription pricing.
• FP10 paper prescriptions containing ‘FS’ endorsed items must be placed in the relevant paid or exempt red separator for end-of-month submission.

• This endorsement is required if the item is listed in Selected List Scheme (Part XVIIIB of the Drug Tariff) as these items may be ordered only in certain circumstances.
• If required, this endorsement must have been made by the prescriber before dispensing.
• If a medicine listed in the Part XVIIIB of the Drug Tariff has not been endorsed ‘SLS’ by the prescriber, the prescription would need to be returned to the prescriber for amendment. Pharmacy staff cannot apply the ‘SLS’ endorsement themselves.

• Prescriber must endorse with ‘CC’, ‘OC’ or the female symbol (♀) for items used as contraceptives not listed in Part XVI, ensuring no prescription charge applies.

• Prescriptions for products recommended by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) should be endorsed ‘ACBS’.
• If the ‘ACBS’ endorsement is not included on an FP10 prescription it will not affect how it’s processed. The products in the ACBS list are recommendations made by the ACBS and prescriptions issued in accordance with the Committee’s advice and endorsed ‘ACBS’ will not normally be investigated.
• For EPS2 prescriptions, the prescriber must use the ‘ACBS’ endorsement option on their prescribing system.

• This endorsement is the prescriber declaring that the criteria for issuing bulk prescriptions have been met. No patient charge is payable for this item.
• Bulk prescription must have the following information: Institution name, date, total quantity, and “as directed” dosing.
• Bulk prescriptions must be an order for a drug which is prescribable under the NHS and which is not designated as a Prescription Only Medicine (POM).
• FP10 paper prescriptions should be placed in the red separator for end-of-month submission.