Prescription Data Capture, Pricing and Contractor Payment Systems

"One of the main functions of the PPA is to calculate and make payments for amounts due for supplying drugs and appliances prescribed under the NHS. The following systems enable this function to occur."

Data Capture Systems

The Prescription Pricing Authority captures prescription items submitted monthly by:

• pharmacy contractors
  
• appliance contractors
  
• dispensing doctors/practices
  
• prescribing doctors/practices

Pricing Systems

Once captured, the prescription items are processed so that payment and reimbursement for a contractor can be calculated in accordance with the rules defined in the Drug Tariff.

Payment to Contractors

Each month the system pays authorised sums direct to the bank accounts of the following:-

• pharmacy contractors for the supply of drugs, chemical reagents and appliances and locally authorised payments (e.g. rota, high cost drug advances, payment under the Essential Small Pharmacy Scheme, Repeat Dispensing and Local Pharmaceutical Services).
  
  
• appliance contractors for the supply of appliances.

• oxygen concentrator suppliers for the provision and maintenance of oxygen concentrator equipment.

A Schedule of Payment is sent to the contractor, five working days before payment is made, showing:

• total payment, by payment element;
  
• analysis of expensive items dispensed in the given period;
  
• items transferred between chargeable and exempt groups;
  
• age printed temporary concession.
  

In addition the system produces Financial Information for the Department of Health.

Dispensing Doctors and Personally Administered Items

The Prescription Pricing Authority is responsible for the capture, calculation and authorisation of payment to dispensing doctors and prescribing GPs for:

• drugs
  
• appliances
  
• personally administered items.

This information is transferred to a specified payment site and reimbursement is made by the appropriate Primary Care Trust.

A Schedule of Payment is sent to the payment site, showing:

• total payment, by payment element;
  
• items transferred between chargeable and exempt groups;
  
• age printed temporary concession.