Drug Tariff Watch – April 2023
Wednesday 29th March 2023
The Drug Tariff Preface published monthly lists additions, deletions and other changes to products listed in the Drug Tariff. Below is a summary of the changes coming into effect from 1 April 2023.
| Key | |
| g | Special container – This product is a special container and should be dispensed in its complete original pack size. |
| n | Item requiring reconstitution – This product requires reconstitution; pharmacy teams are advised to endorse the amount of packs supplied to enable the patient to complete the full course of medication prescribed. |
| § | Selected List Scheme (SLS) – see Part XVIIIB of the Drug Tariff |
| * | This pack only (others already/still available) |
| BB | Product is eligible for Broken Bulk claims where payment is made for a complete pack if a part-pack has been dispensed to match the prescribed quantity and it is unlikely that you will be able to dispense the balance within the following six months. |
| OOP | Product eligible for Out Of Pocket expense claims (over £0.50) where in exceptional circumstances, contractors incur expenses in obtaining this product (which is not required to be frequently supplied by the contractor). |
| DND | Product is not subject to discount deduction or ‘clawback’ as it meets either group or individual item criteria for DND (Discount Not Deducted) as set out in Part II of the Drug Tariff. |
Part XVI – Notes on charges
Contactors should note the following changes in the April Drug Tariff:
- the increase in prescription charges from £9.35 to £9.65.
- the charges for pre-payment certificates have increased from £108.10 to £111.60 (12 months PPC) and from £30.25 to £31.25 (3 months PPC).
- introduction of the new Hormone Replacement Therapy pre-payment certificate (HRT PPC) which will cover all listed HRT medicines – the HRT PPC will cost £19.30 for the year- for more information on HRT PPCs click here.
- the addition of charges guidance in relation to supplies made in line with a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) outlining that any drugs, appliances or chemical reagents, supplied in line with an SSP, are to be charged as if they were dispensed in line with a prescription, except in the following circumstances:
- the patient receives a smaller quantity of the drug or Part IX appliance than the quantity originally ordered.
- where there is a requirement for an additional drug or Part IX appliance to be provided to a patient. In this situation a charge will only be taken for the alternative supply and the additional product supplied will attract no prescription charge.
Part VIIIA Additions
Category C Additions:
- Sertraline 150mg tablets (30) – Martindale Pharmaceuticals Ltd – BB and OOP
- Sertraline 200mg tablets (30) – Martindale Pharmaceuticals Ltd – BB and OOP
Part VIIIA Amendments
- Adrenaline (base) 300micrograms/0.3ml (1 in 1,000) solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices g (1) Category C now has a reference product of – EpiPen – OOP and DND
Price increase £34.30 to £53.80
- Amlodipine 2.5mg tablets (28) Category A has moved to Category M
Price decrease £8.51 to £5.97 - Amoxicillin 500mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free n (100ml) Category C – Brown & Burk Ltd has moved to Category A
Price increase £3.09 to £3.36 - Colesevelam 625mg tablets (180) Category C – Cholestagel now reads g (180) to reflect the change in special container status – OOP and DND
Price remains at £115.32 - Diazepam 5mg/2.5ml rectal solution tube (5) Category C now has a reference product of – Desitin Pharma Ltd – BB and OOP
Price remains at £5.85
- Estradiol 10microgram pessaries (24) Category C – Vagifem has moved to Category M and now reads g (24) to reflect a change in special container status
Price decrease £16.72 to £11.12 - Fesoterodine 4mg modified-release tablets (28(4xg7)) Category C – Toviaz has moved to Category M and sub-pack special container annotation has been removed to reflect a change in special container status
Price decrease £25.78 to £4.46 - Fesoterodine 8mg modified-release tablets (28(4xg7)) Category C – Toviaz has moved to Category M and sub-pack special container annotation has been removed to reflect a change in special container status
Price decrease £25.78 to £4.46 - Ibuprofen lysine 200mg tablets (8) Category C – Feminax Express now reads Ibuprofen lysine 342mg tablets – BB and OOP
Price remains at £2.00 - Ibuprofen lysine 200mg tablets (16) Category C – Feminax Express now reads Ibuprofen lysine 342mg tablets – BB and OOP
Price remains at £3.12 - Ibuprofen lysine 400mg tablets (12) Category C – Nurofen Maximum Strength Migraine Pain now reads Ibuprofen lysine 684mg tablets – BB and OOP
Price remains at £3.12 - Ibuprofen lysine 400mg tablets (24) Category C – Nurofen Express now reads Ibuprofen lysine 684mg tablets – BB and OOP
Price remains at £6.40 - Lacosamide 100mg tablets (56) Category C – Vimpat has moved to Category M – DND
Price decrease £86.50 to £19.03 - Lacosamide 200mg tablets (56) Category C – Vimpat has moved to Category M – DND
Price decrease £144.16 to £35.09 - Lacosamide 50mg tablets (14) Category C – Vimpat has moved to Category M
Price decrease £10.81 to £3.31 - Lidocaine 10% spray sugar free g (50ml) Category C – Xylocaine now reads Lidocaine 10mg/dose spray sugar free – OOP
Price remains at £6.29 - Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution sugar free (150ml) Category A has moved to Category M – DND
Price decrease £175.09 to £144.48 - Melatonin 2mg modified-release tablets (30) Category C – Circadin has moved to Category M
Price decrease £15.39 to £8.25 - Methylphenidate 5mg tablets (30) Category C – Medikinet reference product has now been removed
Price remains at £3.03 - Paracetamol 500mg effervescent tablets (100) Category C – Accord Healthcare Ltd has moved to Category M
Price decrease £14.56 to £8.76 - Sucralfate 1g/5ml oral suspension sugar free (200ml) Category A has moved to Category C – Sigma Pharmaceuticals Plc – BB, OOP and DND
Price remains at £174.65
- Vildagliptin 50mg tablets (56) Category C – Galvus has moved to Category A
Price decrease £33.35 to £29.74 - Zonisamide 50mg capsules (56) Category A has moved to Category M – DND
Price decrease £42.30 to £21.98
Please note price listed here was correct at the time of publishing and is subject to change in line with the price change mechanism.
Part VIIIA Deletions
If all pack sizes of a drug have been removed from Part VIII of the Drug Tariff the drug can continue to be dispensed as long as it does NOT appear in Part XVIIIA (Drugs, Medicines and other substances not to be ordered under a General Medical Services Contract).
Category C Deletions:
- Clindamycin 1% alcoholic solution (30ml) – Dalacin T Topical
- Desmopressin 150micrograms/dose nasal spray (25 dose) – Octim
- Dithranol 0.1% cream (50g) – Dithocream
- Pholcodine 10mg/5ml linctus strong (200ml) – Bell,Sons & Co (Druggists) Ltd
- Pholcodine 10mg/5ml linctus strong sugar free (2000ml) – Galenphol Strong
- Pholcodine 5mg/5ml linctus (200ml) – Thornton & Ross Ltd
- Pholcodine 5mg/5ml linctus sugar free (200ml) – Thornton & Ross Ltd
Part II (Drugs for which discount is not deducted (DND)) Additions
- Amlodipine 5mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free
- Aprepitant 125mg capsules
- Byannli prolonged-release suspension for injection pre-filled syringes (ALL)
- Dexcom One CGM System
- Dexcom One Sensor
- Dexcom One Transmitter
- Diazepam 2mg/5ml oral suspension
- Granisetron 3mg/3ml solution for injection ampoules
- Magnesium sulfate 10% (magnesium 0.4mmol/ml) solution for injection 10ml ampoules
- Metronidazole 200mg/5ml oral suspension
- Nizatidine 300mg capsules
- Paracetamol 240mg suppositories
- Passio disposable collection kit – PAS-10
- Propiverine 15mg tablets
- Quinagolide 50microgram tablets and Quinagolide 25microgram tablets
- Rifampicin 150mg capsules
- Sevelamer 800mg oral powder sachets sugar free
- Sodium chloride 30% solution for injection 10ml ampoules
- Tagrisso 80mg tablets
- Timolol 10mg / Bendroflumethiazide 2.5mg tablets
- Water for injections 100ml vials
Part II (Drugs for which discount is not deducted (DND)) Amendments
| Previous Part II listing | Now reads |
| Metformin 500mg/5ml oral solution sugar free | Metformin oral solution sugar free (ALL) |
| Paliperidone 175mg/0.875ml prolonged-release suspension for injection pre-filled syringes Paliperidone 263mg/1.315ml prolonged-release suspension for injection pre-filled syringes Paliperidone 350mg/1.75ml prolonged-release suspension for injection pre-filled syringes Paliperidone 525mg/2.625ml prolonged-release suspension for injection pre-filled syringes |
Paliperidone prolonged-release suspension for injection pre-filled syringes (ALL) |
| Renvela 2.4g oral powder sachets | Renvela oral powder sachets (ALL) |
| Sodium chloride 30% solution for infusion 50ml vials | Sodium chloride 30% solution for infusion vials (ALL) |
| Vancomycin 1g powder for solution for infusion vials | Vancomycin powder for solution for infusion vials (ALL) |
| Xeplion suspension for injection pre-filled syringe (ALL) | Xeplion prolonged-release suspension for injection pre-filled syringes (ALL) |
Part II (Drugs for which discount is not deducted (DND)) Deletions
- Isotretinoin 40mg capsules
- Neostigmine 15mg tablets
- Ondansetron 16mg suppositories
- Paliperidone suspension for injection pre-filled syringe (ALL)
- Zofran 16mg suppositories
Part XVI (List of contraceptive drugs to be dispensed free of charge) Additions
- Benilexa One Handed 20micrograms/24hours intrauterine delivery system
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.
The following appliances have been deleted from Part IX of the April 2023 Drug Tariff:
| Product | Additional information (size, product code etc) |
| APPLIANCES – CATHETERS, ACCESSORIES – LINC Medical Systems Ltd – LockBand | LB-F01, pack of 10 |
| APPLIANCES – CATHETERS, URINARY, URETHRAL – Foley Catheter – 2 Way For Long Term Use – Adult – Unomedical Ltd – Careline 100% Silicone Foley Catheter 2 way with pre-filled syringe | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – DRESSINGS – Vapour-permeable Adhesive Film Dressing – Central Gard (Intravenous/Sub-Cutaneous Therapy) | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – ELASTIC HOSIERY – Accessories – Juzo Easy Fit | – |
| APPLIANCES – ELASTIC HOSIERY – Accessories – Juzo Easy Fit XL | M, L |
| APPLIANCES – EYE PRODUCTS – Eye Drops – Carmellose – Carmellose 0.5% (Medicom Healthcare) | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – EYE PRODUCTS – Eye Drops – Carmellose – Carmellose 1% (Medicom Healthcare) | 30 x 0.4ml single dose unit |
| APPLIANCES – EYE PRODUCTS – Eye Drops – Carmellose – Evolve Carmellose Dual 0.5% | 10ml preservative free bottle |
| APPLIANCES – LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS – Juzo Dynamic – Class 1 (18-21mmHg) – Combined Armsleeve with Silicone Border | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS – Juzo Dynamic – Class 1 (18-21mmHg) – Combined Armsleeve with Silicone Border max | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS – Juzo Dynamic – Class 2 (23-32mmHg) – Combined Armsleeve with Silicone Border | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS – Juzo Dynamic – Class 2 (23-32mmHg) – Combined Armsleeve with Silicone Border max | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS – Juzo Hostess – Class 1 (18-21mmHg) | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS – Juzo Hostess – Class 2 (23-32mmHg) | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS – Juzo Hostess – Custom made for the lower limb – Class 1 (18-21mmHg) | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS – Juzo Hostess – Custom made for the lower limb – Class 2 (23-32mmHg) | All types and sizes |
| APPLIANCES – LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS – ReadyWrap – Foot (Left or Right) | All types and sizes |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – CATHETER VALVES – Unomedical Ltd – Careline Lever Catheter Valve | 90 821 1S-20, 5 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – CATHETER VALVES – Unomedical Ltd – Careline T Tap Catheter Valve | 90 805 1S-20, 5 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – LEG BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline Leg Bag with tap outlet, overnight connection tube and elasticated velcro straps (1 pair per box of 10) | All types and sizes |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – LEG BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline Leg Bag with lever tap | All types and sizes |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – LEG BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline+ Leg Bag with tap outlet, overnight connection tube, 1 pair of non-latex gloves and elasticated velcro straps (1 pair per box of 10) | All types and sizes |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – LEG BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline+ Leg Bag with lever tap and 1 pair of non-latex gloves | All types and sizes |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – NIGHT DRAINAGE BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline E1, 2 litre urine drainage bag with 90cm inlet tube | 45-30-LBC, 10 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – NIGHT DRAINAGE BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline E2, 2 litre urine drainage bag with 90cm inlet tube and non-return valve | 45-40-LBC, 10 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – NIGHT DRAINAGE BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline E4, 2 litre urine drainage bag with 90cm inlet tube and non-return valve and tap outlet | 45-20-IDC, 10 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – NIGHT DRAINAGE BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline+ E4, 2 litre Night Bag with 103cm inlet tube, non-return valve, T-tap outlet and gloves | 45-20-IDCG, 10 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – NIGHT DRAINAGE BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline+ E4, 2 litre Night Bag with 103cm inlet tube, non-return valve, lever tap and gloves | 46-20-IDCG, 10 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – NIGHT DRAINAGE BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline E4 Night Bag, 2 litre with lever tap | 46-20-IDC, 10 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – NIGHT DRAINAGE BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Careline Easi MT 2 litre drainage bag with 90cm inlet tube, non-return valve and single use twist off drainage outlet | 47-60-LBH, 10 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – NIGHT DRAINAGE BAGS – Unomedical Ltd – Unomedical A4 2 litre sterile closed system bag with 120cm inlet tube and T tap outlet | 38 162 1S-20, 30 |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – Unomedical Ltd – Careline CareSleeve | All types and sizes |
| INCONTINENCE APPLIANCES – Unomedical Ltd – Careline leg bag straps | 45-85-EX, 10 |
| STOMA APPLIANCES – SKIN FILLERS AND PROTECTIVES (Barrier Creams, Pastes, Aerosols, Lotions, Powders, Gels and Wipes) – Hollister Ltd – Karaya Paste | 7910, 128g |
To view appliances due to be deleted from Part IX of the May, June and July 2023 Drug Tariffs visit our page Drug Tariff Appliance Watch: Notice of Deletion
To view the latest changes to special container status, visit our page Notice of changes to special container status of products page.
To view all the monthly changes to the DND status of products, visit our page Notice of changes to discount not deducted (DND) status of products.
To view previous Drug Tariff Watch months visit our page here.
Wednesday 29th March 2023
