Drug Tariff Monitor

Overview

The purpose of this report is to present the predicted cost impact of category A, M and C drug tariff PartVIIIA price changes on primary care spending. The data is calculated by matching the ePACT2 prescribing data for the latest month available to the current prices listed in the NHSBSA Drug Tariff PartVIIIA. An adjustment is also made if necessary to the prescribing data of each drug to account for any difference in dispensing days between the 2 months. Data is presented at SICBL and ICB level.

If you have any queries about the content of the report please contact us at nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net

Frequency

Quarterly

Data Period

July 2023 (Drug Tariff), May 2023 (ePACT2 Prescribing data)

Monthly Formulary Amendments – July 2023

Monthly Formulary Amendments Documents list any NICE Technology Appraisals, NICE Guidelines, MHRA Drug Safety Updates, and National Patient Safety Alerts published in the previous calendar month which may have an impact on local formularies and guidelines.  This document is for APCs, and formulary committees to ensure formularies remain up to date, and in line with latest NICE guidance and safety information.

This edition covers guidance and alerts published in July 2023.

It includes a suggested formulary position for APCs/formulary committees, together with a summary of any financial/commissioning implications. The purpose of the document is to support consistent decision making by APCs.

This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals and RDTC stakeholders.

Prescribing Update Newsletter – July 2023

Prescribing support newsletters aim to inform readers of work done by the unit and work in progress, to help tailor local work plans and highlight any ‘topical’ issues in prescribing or medicines management.

If you have any suggestions for future topics for the newsletter, then please contact nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net

This month’s edition focuses on the budget impact of methylphenidate modified release tablet choice, the effect of price concessions on prescribing budgets, and changes to the shingles vaccination programme. It also includes another in the series of “Meet the Team” where you can get to know the people behind the work we do. There is also information on serious shortage protocols, some key medicines availability, new and updated NICE guidance, and UK product launches.

View the preview below on desktop, or click here to download a copy.

Cost Comparison Charts

Overview

The charts included within this report are organised by BNF classification (legacy) and show comparative costs at the NHS basic price1,2 (as of July 2023) for selected agents. Except where indicated otherwise, each chart shows the cost of 1 year3 of treatment at a commonly prescribed daily dose (shown in brackets). The doses given are not intended to imply therapeutic equivalence and for some BNF sub-classifications, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), the doses may vary according to indication. Additionally, in some therapeutic areas, for instance antibacterial drugs, the duration of treatment may differ from that shown. Primarily, this report focuses on costs related to prescribing in adults. There are however a few exceptions where products specifically for use in children are represented, such as in the emollient and Infant formulas sections.  Additional notes to highlight any relevant cost related information are also added where appropriate, to improve the clarity of the information presented.

Rationale for inclusion: the cost comparison charts (CCCs) aim to represent the diversity of products available; including the least expensive, most prescribed, higher cost products being prescribed and products with additional features.  The products included are furthermore considered in the context of national and local guidance and stakeholder formulary decisions. It is not possible to represent all pharmaceuticals within these charts.

Stakeholders (under password protection) can access the current version of the CCCs via our website in three formats: PDF, Word and Excel. The Excel version incorporates a more detailed comparison of contraceptives and allows charts to be split by BNF subsections in some instances.

References


1. NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA). Drug tariff.

2. NHS BSA. Dictionary of medicines and devices (dM+d).

3. 1 year in this instance is equal to 364 days (rather than 365) standardising 1 month as equal to 28 days.

Time Period

July 2023

Frequency

Quarterly

Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – July 2023

Monthly horizon scanning reports are designed to inform the NHS about new products, significant changes to product licenses, significant new guidance, and decisions that have been made by recognised bodies. 

This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals. 

Monthly Formulary Amendments – July 2022

Monthly Formulary Amendments Documents list any NICE Technology Appraisals, NICE Guidelines, RMOC Guidance, MHRA Drug Safety Updates, and National Patient Safety Alerts published in the previous calendar month which may have an impact on local formularies and guidelines.  This document is for APCs, and formulary committees to ensure formularies remain up to date, and in line with latest NICE guidance and safety information.

This edition covers guidance and alerts published in July 2022.

It includes a suggested formulary position for APCs/formulary committees, together with a summary of any financial/commissioning implications. The purpose of the document is to support consistent decision making by APCs.

This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals and RDTC stakeholders.

Formulary assessment – melatonin (Adaflex) for ADHD

Formulary assessment tools are templates to support local decision making. They list NICE guidance, MHRA safety advice, and other relevant high quality advice and guidelines relevant to making decisions for local formularies.

The templates are pre-populated with useful information to reduce duplication of effort, with space for the addition of local information as appropriate. The purpose of the document is to support consistent decision making by formulary groups and APCs.

This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals and RDTC stakeholders.

Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – July 2022

Monthly horizon scanning reports are designed to inform the NHS about new products, significant changes to product licenses, significant new guidance, and decisions that have been made by recognised bodies. 

This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals. 

Prescribing Update Newsletter – July 2021

Prescribing support newsletters aim to inform readers of work done by the unit and work in progress, to help tailor local work plans and highlight any ‘topical’ issues in prescribing or medicines management.

If you have any suggestions for future topics for the newsletter, then please contact nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net

This month’s newsletter covers our new website, the latest healthcare professional letter on sodium valproate, and an update on the use of chloramphenicol eyedrops in children. It also continues a series of spotlight articles on our prescribing data reports; this month take a look at our Financial Headlines.

Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – July 2021

Monthly horizon scanning reports are designed to inform the NHS about new products, significant changes to product licenses, significant new guidance, and decisions that have been made by recognised bodies

This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals.