Two more products added to the DND list

This is done to ensure that pharmacies are not faced with dispensing these products at a loss

FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensors and Budesonide 500microgram orodispersible tablets sugar free have been included in the Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted (DND) list (Part II of the Drug Tariff) from January 2024, according to Community Pharmacy England (CPE).

Following applications made by CPE on behalf of pharmacy contractors, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) agreed to give DND status to these products to ensure that “pharmacies are not faced with dispensing these sensors at a loss.”

Updated monthly by the DHSC, Part II of the Drug Tariff includes grouped and individual items.

Recently launched by Abbott Diabetes Care Ltd, FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensors have also been added to the Appliances section in Part IXA of the January 2024 Drug Tariff.

As the sensors can only be ordered by pharmacies directly from the manufacturer without any discount, CPE requested the DHSC to exempt this appliance from any discount deduction.

Dubbed the next-gen continuous glucose monitor, this small device can be worn on the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days and automatically sends real-time, minute-by-minute glucose readings to your smartphone.

Jared Watkin, senior vice president, Diabetes Care, Abbott, said: “The FreeStyle Libre 3 system is a game changer for the millions of people living with diabetes. It’s a direct result of listening to our customers and giving them the innovation and sensing technology, they’ve been looking for.”

The FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors can be ordered via the Abbott Diabetes Care pharmacy ordering portal, just like the Freestyle Libre 2 sensors. 

Budesonide is a steroid most commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and microscopic colitis.