7 products re-classified as special containers from January 2026
Following representations from Community Pharmacy England, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has re-determined that the following products will be granted special container status from 1 January 2026.
| Generic drug name (dm+d descriptor) | Brand and/or manufacturer | Pack Size | Special container |
| Elafibranor 80mg tablets | Iqirvo® 80mg tablets (Ipsen Ltd) | 30 tablet | Complete pack |
| Desmopressin 60microgram sublingual tablets sugar free | Molecule Pharma Ltd | 100 tablet | Complete pack |
| Desmopressin 240microgram sublingual tablets sugar free | Aspire Pharma Ltd | 30 tablet | Subpack of 10 |
| Desmopressin 240microgram sublingual tablets sugar free | Molecule Pharma Ltd | 30 tablet | Complete pack |
| Desmopressin 240microgram sublingual tablets sugar free | Molecule Pharma Ltd | 100 tablet | Complete pack |
| Desmopressin 240microgram sublingual tablets sugar free | Sandoz Ltd | 30 tablet | Subpack of 10 |
| Sumatriptan 85mg / Naproxen 457mg tablets | Suvexx® 85mg/457mg tablets (Orion Pharma (UK) Ltd) | 9 tablet | Complete pack |
These changes to the special container status of products are in accordance with the special container criteria outlined in Part II Clause 10B of the Drug Tariff and the Original Pack Dispensing (OPD) exceptions outlined in the Human Medicines Regulations (HMR). The three HMR exceptions include:
- medicines in a form that makes it not practicable to dispense in the exact quantity ordered;
- medicines in a container that has an integral means of application or from which it is not practicable to dispense an exact quantity;
- medicines that cannot be dispensed in the quantity ordered without adversely affecting the medicine
Special container status is granted if a product meets one or more of the three HMR OPD exceptions listed above (i.e. the OPD +/-10% rules do not apply to special containers). For special containers, pharmacy owners can supply and will be reimbursed for the nearest pack size (complete pack or sub pack) or combination of containers nearest to the quantity ordered).
For a list of all the monthly changes to the special container status of products, please see the following page: Notice of changes to special container status of products.
More information on dispensing special containers can be found on our webpage, Special containers and products requiring reconstitution.
Where a product meets the special container criteria as set out in the Drug Tariff or the HMRs, a special container indicator for the relevant pack size (complete pack or sub-pack) is applied to the respective product entries in the dm+d and in the Drug Tariff, where listed.
If you identify any particular product(s) that are not currently classed as special containers but you believe fulfils at least one of the three HMR OPD exceptions above or satisfies any of the special container criteria outlined in Part II Clause 10B of the Drug Tariff, please notify Community Pharmacy England’s Dispensing and Supply Team (0203 1220 810 or ds.team@cpe.org.uk). The team will investigate and assess if the requested product(s) meet the relevant criteria. Where appropriate, Community Pharmacy England will make an application to the NHSBSA and DHSC seeking the special container status of the product(s) to be re-determined.
