Prescription Switching Arrangements

Prescription switching is the process whereby the PPD "move" prescriptions between the exempt and chargeable groups, depending on how the forms have been completed and how they have been submitted by pharmacists. Prescriptions may be switched by the PPD between groups for a variety of reasons, but the main ones are:

For switches from the exempt group to the paid

• Prescription not signed by the patient or representative (and where the patient cannot be identified as age exempt from computer-generated details on the front of the prescription).
• Evidence that patient or representative has paid the prescription fee.
• Item not properly classified as a contraceptive (if submitted in the exempt from charges group).

For switches from the paid group to the exempt group

• Form properly completed with all necessary exemption details

In order to reduce the number of forms that get switched, we have rewritten the guidance that is on offer to pharmacists in order to assist with sorting. This guidance now appears in the flow chart below.

Prescription Sorting Flowchart

Note 1
Hormone Preparations for Contraceptive Purposes
Doctors may order certain hormone preparations (e.g. Dianette) for either contraceptive or other purposes. However, in order to be classed as a contraceptive, the doctor must specifically indicate on the prescription that these items are to be used for contraceptive purposes.

Note 2
Definition of Signed in Part 3
A form will only be accepted as signed when any signature, or part of a signature, touches or crosses any part of the start of Part 3, or is located below the start of Part 3. Where the form has been signed in Part 1 or 2 and there is an arrow to Part 3, this will not be accepted as signed.

Note 3
Category X - was prescribed a free of charge contraceptive.
This is not an exemption class and must be used for information purposes only. A tick in box X (without indication by the prescriber that it is to be used for contraceptive purposes) is not to be taken as an indication that the item is to be used for contraceptive purposes and should always be treated as a non-contraceptive preparation.

Age exempt patients
In April 2005, a change of procedure for prescription charge declarations by Age Exempt patients was announced by the Department of Health. Prescriptions submitted in the exempt from charges group, but which do not bear a proper patient/representative exemption declaration/signature (and which would therefore normally be 'switched') will not be switched, provided that the computer printed age or date of birth on the front of the prescription shows the patient to be under 16 or 60 and over.