New Policy Initiatives

The Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) has involvement with The Department of Health in the implementation of new initiatives.

Repeat Dispensing

Patients in 'Pathfinder' areas are able to obtain repeat dispensing from a pharmacy without having to visit the GP each time to obtain a new prescription. A GP issues a single 'Repeatable Prescription' FP10 prescription form and the required number of 'Batch Issue' forms. The patient presents all forms at an approved Repeat Dispensing Pathfinder Site pharmacy. The dispensing of a 'Batch Issue' form is controlled and pharmacists monitor the effectiveness of the course of treatment.

PCT pharmaceutical advisors can use a monthly Repeat Dispensing report using the same system that provides the PCT Prescribing report. This shows, for each practice and prescriber, the total cost and number of items on Batch Issue forms compared to the total cost and number of items not on Batch Issue forms.

PCTs need to inform the PPA of dispensing contractors involved as detailed in http://www.epact.ppa.nhs.uk/ppa/Pct/contractors/conAddition.htm.

Repeat Dispensing - Nurses and Supplementary Prescribers

Following the introduction of repeat dispensing in a number of pathfinder sites for English GP prescribers and English pharmacy dispensers, the Department of Health has decided to extend the scheme to all nurses and supplementary prescribers from April 2004.

The PCT Repeat Dispensing Report and the ePACT.net service will allow this prescribing to be monitored.


Controlled Drugs - Supplementary Prescribers

Nurses and pharmacists are now able to prescribe controlled drugs under a supplementary prescribing arrangement.

The ePACT.net service will allow this prescribing to be monitored. To order pre- printed prescription forms please refer to http://www.epact.ppa.nhs.uk/ppa/Pct/nurses/pctNurseChangeofOther.htm

Local Pharmaceutical Services (LPS)

LPS contracts (between a pharmacy and PCT) have been set up to provide services such as medicines management, health promotion and disease prevention. An LPS contractor submits dispensed FP10 prescription forms to the PPA for reimbursement of the cost of the drug / appliance, but not remuneration of fees. Instead of fees, the PPA makes local payments to the LPS contractor when authorised by the PCT.

PCTs are responsible for informing the PPA of LPS dispensing contractors as detailed in http://www.epact.ppa.nhs.uk/ppa/Pct/contractors/conAddition.htm.

Out of Hours Providers (non-FP10 Supply)

'There will be new quality standards and closer integration between NHS Direct and GP out-of-hours services... a single phone call to NHS Direct will be a one-stop gateway to out-of-hours healthcare, passing on calls to the appropriate GP co-operative or deputising service'

An Out of Hours Provider can supply drugs, dressings, etc from stock based on a Patient Group Direction (PGD). This is known as non-FP10 supply. Previously the PPA did not capture non-FP10 data. A new form to capture this data will be completed by the Out Of Hours Provider and submitted to the PPA. The PPA information systems have been changed to incorporate and report on non-FP10 data.

If you are considering setting up an Out of Hours Provider service please contact the PPA helpdesk with your details, by email at or by telephone on 0191 2035050.

Other Policy Initiatives

The PPA are currently looking at a number of other initiatives and the changes these will entail:

• nGMS contract
  
• non principal GPs
  
• new pharmacy contract
  
• review of domicilliary oxygen.