Endorsing FP10 Prescriptions
(Last updated 27/02/2007)

Learning Objectives

On completion of this package you will

• Know who can dispense FP10 prescriptions
• Be able to endorse prescriptions to show what product has been supplied when necessary
• Be able to identify prescriptions that require endorsement because extra dispensing fees will be paid (for dispensers in community pharmacies)
• Understand which prescriptions require endorsing for zero discount (for dispensers in community pharmacies)
• Be able to calculate how many professional/dispensing fees are due and how many patient charges should be collected if the patient pays for their prescriptions

The package is divided into the following sections:

	Who can dispense an FP10 prescription?
	Endorsements That Clarify What Has Been Dispensed
	Endorsements for Claiming Additional Fees
	Endorsements to prevent the dispenser from being out of pocket
	Endorsements to show the number of professional fees and patient charges

People who supply drugs or appliances on FP10 prescriptions have to hold a contract to provide Pharmaceutical Services. The Drug Tariff published by the PPA sets out the rules for the reimbursement and remuneration of contractors who provide these services. The rules sometimes do not apply to all types of contractors. This package is applicable to both community pharmacies and dispensing doctors and where the rules do not apply to dispensing doctors this is clearly indicated. You will find it useful to look at the Drug Tariff as you work your way through this package.

Endorsements to show the number of professional fees and patient charges

Dispensing contractors are usually paid one professional fee (dispensing fee) per item on the FP10. The number of professional fees is entered in the box at the bottom left hand corner of each prescription form. Patients who pay the prescription charge usually pay one charge per item on the prescription form. There are, however circumstances when the number of professional fees and/or prescription charges are more or less than you might expect.

For the following prescriptions decide how many professional fees would be due and how many prescription charges should be paid. Reading the Drug Tariff Part XVI will help you find the answers.

Follow this link to check your answers.

	Tabs Dianette 3 x 21

The number of professional fees and prescription charges due are as follows:

Prempak-C 0.625 - two fees and two charges. This is a combination pack containing two different tablets.

Dianette tablets - without the symbol there would be one professional fee and one charge; with the symbol there is still one professional fee but there is no charge to the patient. The symbol shows that Dianette is being prescribed as an oral contraceptive and oral contraception is dispensed free of charge.

Maxijul Liquid - one prescription charge and up to 4 professional fees. The dispenser receives a fee for each flavour dispensed. The number of flavours dispensed should be endorsed on the form.

Bezalip Tablets 200mg and Bezalip Mono - two fees and two charges. Bezalip Mono is a different formulation of bezafibrate than Bezalip tablets.

Phenindione tablets 10mg and 50mg - two fees and one charge. These are different strengths of the same formulation of a drug.