Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Nine new medicines added to ‘DND’ list

Nine more new products have been classed as ‘Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted’ (DND list) from 1 July 2022, announced Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

This takes the total number of products granted DND status over the past 2 years to over 500 following checks made by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee.


The Committee had made an application to DHSC and NHSBSA for the following  9 products to be added to the DND list of Individual items to which the discount deduction scale will no longer apply from July 2022:

  • Fludrocortisone 50micrograms/5ml oral suspension (Group)
  • Lorazepam 1mg/5ml oral suspension (Group)
  • Lorazepam 500micrograms/5ml oral suspension (Group)
  • Zopiclone 3.75mg/5ml oral solution (Group)
  • Zopiclone 7.5mg/5ml oral solution (Group)
  • GA explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
  • HCU explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
  • MSUD explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
  • TYR explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets

The DND list is updated monthly by the DHSC and includes grouped and individual items. Individual items are separately listed in Part II of the Drug Tariff.

Any items covered by the ‘Group Items’ heading are not listed again individually in Part II. Contractors can also check the Actual Medicinal Product (AMP) listing on Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d) to identify whether a product meets the DND criteria.

Group items

Any products that are covered by one or more of the Group items categories below are reimbursed without any discount deduction applied.

  • Cold Chain Storage (ALL)
  • Schedule 1, 2 or 3 Controlled Drugs: Products containing drugs listed in Schedules 1, 2 and 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulation 2001
  • Cytotoxic or Cytostatic item (ALL):
  • Immunoglobulins (ALL)
  • Insulins for injection (ALL)
  • Vaccines and antisera (ALL)
  • Unlicensed medicines: ‘Specials’ not listed in Part VIIIB where the product has been sourced from a supplier holding a MHRA specials or importers licence (prescriptions must be endorsed with invoice price less discount/rebate)
  • Hazardous chemicals

Individual items 

Products that do not are covered by one or more of the Group item categories above must fulfil all three of the following criteria to qualify for entry to the DND list.

  • the manufacturer(s), AAH and Alliance do not offer pharmacy contractors a discount
  • fewer than 500,000 items per year are dispensed of the product
  • average net ingredient cost (NIC) per item is more than £50

More For You

NHS England to halve workforce to cut costs

“We are entering a period of critical transformation for our NHS," says Wes Streeting.

Getty Images

NHS England to halve workforce in biggest reshaping in over a decade

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) are set for significant downsizing as they strengthen collaboration under the 10-Year Health Plan to build a future-fit health service.

As part of this transformation, the NHSE workforce is expected to be reduced by up to 50% to cut costs and eliminate duplication with DHSC officials.

Keep ReadingShow less
Discrimination: Asian and Black patients report lack of trust in primary care providers

Ethnic minority groups had worse experiences in their communication with their GP practice and felt taken less seriously

Getty Images

Survey reveals alarming rates of ethnic discrimination in NHS primary care

A recent survey by the NHS Race and Health Observatory has highlighted a worrying lack of trust in NHS primary care services among Black, Asian, and ethnic minority patients, who reported experiencing “racial or ethnic discrimination.”

Out of 2,680 survey respondents, only 55% reported trusting primary care providers to meet their health needs most or all of the time

Keep ReadingShow less
Swizzels’ Easter range, including Squashies Drumchick and Sweet Shop Favourite tubs

PDA members will get the chance to vote from this week

Pic credit: iStock

PDA to inform its members to vote “no” in Royal College of Pharmacy proposals

A vote to create a potential Royal College of Pharmacy needs to be called off as the current proposals would lead to “irreversible change to the identity and purpose” of the sector’s professional leadership body, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

From March 13th to March 24th, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s members will take part in a Special Resolution Vote (SRV) which seeks to amend the Society’s Royal Charter to facilitate its transition to a Royal College and registered charity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Walgreens Boots Alliance acquired by Sycamore in deal

Walgreens Boots Alliancehas entered into “a definitive agreement” to be acquired by Sycamore Partners

Gettyimages

Walgreens Boots Alliance acquired by Sycamore in £18.3 billion deal

Walgreens Boots Alliance(WBA) has entered into “a definitive agreement” to be acquired by Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm specializing in retail, consumer and distribution-related investments.

“The total value of the transaction represents up to $23.7 billion (£18.3 billion),” the company announced late last night (6).

Keep ReadingShow less
Professor Sir Stephen Powis at a press briefing

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, was appointed national medical director of NHS England in 2018

NHS

NHS England’s top doctor to step down following Amanda Pritchard’s resignation

Just a week after NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard announced her resignation, the organisation’s national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, has confirmed he will step down this summer after more than seven years in the role.

In a statement released on Thursday, Professor Powis revealed that he had informed Pritchard of his intention to leave in a letter back in January.

Keep ReadingShow less