Retrospective pricing adjustments for Venofer, Ferinject and Aptamil products

Following representations from PSNC, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that the following products have been granted upward retrospective pricing adjustments due to out of date product and/or pricing information held on NHS dictionary of medicines and devices (dm+d):

To apply for June 2022 prescriptions:

• Aptamil^® Anti-Reflux powder (800 gram) – £13.40 (instead of £12.13 for 900g)
• Aptamil^® Comfort milk (800 gram) – £13.40 (instead of £12.13 for 900g)
• Aptamil^® First milk powder (800 gram) – £11.00 (instead of £9.12 for 900g)
• Aptamil^® Follow On milk (800 gram) – £11.00 (instead of £10.74 for 900g)
• Aptamil^® lactose free powder 400g – £7.70 (instead of £7.25)

Additionally, DHSC has also granted upward retrospective pricing adjustments for the following products (dispensed against generically written or branded prescriptions) between June to September 2022 :

• Venofer^® (Iron sucrose) 100mg/5ml solution for injection vials (5 vials) – £51.20 (instead of £43.52)
• Ferinject^® (Ferric carboxymaltose) 1000mg/20ml solution for injection vials (1 vial)- £154.23 (instead of £137.00)

For these products any pricing adjustments will be included in the April 2023 Schedule of Payments. The payments will appear as ‘Adjustment drugs‘ and ‘Adjustment fees‘ (if applicable). The adjustments for products listed above will be shown as a combined total.

PSNC has raised concerns with DHSC about the accuracy of certain product and pricing information held on dm+d. PSNC is in discussion with DHSC regarding improvements to the data gathering and checking processes for dm+d database, managed by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).