1. What is it ? Do I need it ? When will I use it ? What is in it ?
The Drug Tariff
What is it ?
Do I need it ?
When will I use it ?
What is in it ?
DRUG TARIFF

2. The Drug Tariff details the amount paid to contractors for NHS services including both reimbursement (i.e. the cost of drugs and appliances supplied against an NHS prescription form) and remuneration (i.e. professional fees and allowances which are paid as part of the NHS pharmacy contract). The Drug Tariff is produced monthly by Business Services Organisation (BSO).

3. The Northern Ireland Drug Tariff
Rules and Regulations for Payment
NI follows English Drug Tariff
Drugs /Preparations
Appliances
ZD List
Dispensing Fees
Blacklist
DPF/NPF

4. How to determine if the product is allowed on prescription (HS21R)
Firstly, the item needs to be identified as either a medicinal product or
a medical device (could be an appliance, liquid, ointment, emollient, etc.

5. How Will I Know ? If there is a CE mark, it is a medical device.
The easiest way to tell the difference is to look for a CE mark which signifies that the item is a medical device.
The CE mark can normally be found on the packaging of a device, on the instruction leaflet and on the device itself.
If there is a CE mark, it is a medical device.

6. CE DEVICES
A Mark on any item means it has been registered as a device and not a medication
Any Item marked must be listed in the Drug Tariff
Not all items are allowed on prescription
There is NO List on the Drug Tariff
Before dispensing an item for the first time check if it has a mark on it and check if it is listed in the Drug Tariff
Finding a code will ensure the item is allowed, if there is no code then double check

7. Yes It Is CE Marked
What Now ? To be allowed on HS21R CE Marked Device Must be listed On The Drug Tariff Part XI a The exact size must be on the drug tariff

8. Check if it is a CE Marked Device
Check If it is on the Drug Tariff
Code Prescription Form
Flexitol Heel balm g
1287/40
D O Getwell

9. Check if it is a CE Marked Device
Check If it is on the Drug Tariff
This is Disallowed and will not be paid
You can explain to the patient that other sizes are allowed and the GP may change the prescription to another size
Flexitol Heel balm g
D O Getwell

10. NO CE Mark
If there is no CE mark, it is not a medical device, therefore it is a medicinal product Next, you need to check that the pharmacy is allowed to dispense the product by checking that it is not on the Blacklist, i.e., Part XI a of the Drug Tariff . If it is not in the blacklist, then it is allowed on an HS21R.

11. DISALLOWED CE MARKED DEVICES
Actimist
Audiclean
Contact Lens Solutions
Flexitol Heel Balm 56g & 112g
Salcura Cream and Spray
Sterimar Spray 100ml
Neilmed Sinus Rinse
Hemocline
Histofreezer
Wartner
Scholl Wart and Verruca Remover
Biofreeze
(This list is not exhaustive)

12. The Blacklist
Any medicinal product not in the ‘Blacklist’ can be prescribed /paid on the NHS
Butter is not on the Blacklist
Do not Dispense before confirming the following:
Speak to the GP. If the GP confirms that he definitely prescribed this product, call BSO.
BSO will confirm that it is ok to dispense it and advise
you to send a receipt for the product.
Check with BSO, how they wish you to submit this prescription & receipt.
Butter
1kg
D O Getwell

13. Flora is on the Blacklist Do not Dispense This is Disallowed
1tub 250 gms
D O Getwell

14. When a prescription for a blacklisted product is received, pharmacy staff should not dispense this item as it will not be paid. The patient may choose to return to the GP to have an alternative medicinal product prescribed

15. Fink Linusit Gold Pure Golden Linseeds
Flar Capsules
Flavelix Syrup
Flexcare Soft Lens Solution
Flexsol Solution
Flora Margarine
Floradix Formula Liquid
Floradix Tablets
Floral Arbour Tablets (Cathay)
Flucaps
Flunitrazepam Tablets 1 mg
Fluralar Capsules 15 mg
Fluralar Capsules 30 mg
Flurazepam Capsules 15 mg
Flurazepam Capsules 30 mg
Flurazepam Hydrochloride Capsules 15 mg
Flurazepam Hydrochloride Capsules 30 mg
Excerpt from Blacklist

16. But What About?
Paracetamol 500 Codeine 8mg Tablets Effervescent Caffeine 30mg Paracetamol 500 Codeine 8mg Tablets

17. Paracetamol 500 Codeine 8mg Tablets Effervescent Paracetamol and Codeine is Co-Codamol Co-Codamol is a recognised drug name (BAN)(RiNN) Caffeine 30mg Paracetamol 500 Codeine 8mg Tablets (Veganin)

18. Blacklisted Item therefore Disallowed
What about Anthisan Bite and Sting Cream ?
Anthisan Cream 1 op
Anthisan Bite and Sting Cream
1 OP
D O Getwell

19. Appliances Only the Appliances listed on the Drug Tariff are allowed
Only the sizes listed on the Drug Tariff are allowed
Check the description to make sure it is an exact match to the item on the prescription

20. An original pack of a dressing, bandage or dressing pack is 1
Broken Bulk is not allowed for Appliances
If you dispense a complete pack or box then this change must be authorised by the GP before submission to BSO, they will not accept a PC endorsement

21. Stock Orders Only Some items are allowed on Stock Forms only
These are noted with an * in the Drug Tariff
They include
Suture Materials
Skin Closure Strips
Tubegauze
These items will not be paid for on a patients script, however they are allowed on a Nurse Prescribers form

22. Size is made but not on Drug Tariff
Mepitel Soft Silicone
Wound Management Dressing
20cmx30cm 10
20cmx32cm
1op
Disallowed
Size is made but not on Drug Tariff
Disallowed
Size is made but not on Drug Tariff
Pack is 5
OP is 1
If 5 was intended and dispensed GP must Authorise
Pack is 5
OP is 1
If 5 was intended and dispensed GP must Authorise

23. ELASTIC HOSIERY
Allowed on prescription
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Any type of Elastic Hosiery conforming to the Drug Tariff specification may be dispensed. Payment will be the current Drug Tariff price

24. ELASTIC HOSIERY In the absence of a length - Thigh Length
In the Absence of a Class Class 2
In the absence of a quantity
Stockings
Stocking or Hosiery 1

25. 1 Pair
Thigh Length
Class 2
I Stocking
Elastic Stockings Class 2
1op
Elastic Hosiery 1op
1 Pair
Thigh Length
Class 2
I Stocking

26. Made to Measure
Made to measure hosiery must be requested by the GP
Measured and Fitted (extra 15% paid)
Measured and Fitted hosiery should be coded accordingly (once only for any specific patient)
Stockings that are made to measure can have a measured and fitted fee
4884/ /2(M&F)

27. ELASTIC HOSIERY DISALLOWED Tights Flight Socks
Anti Embolism Stockings (TED)

28. LYMPHOEDEMA GARMENTS
Listed as a separate section in the Tariff and includes several brands and varieties of garments
As with other Dressings and Appliances only the types and sizes on the Drug Tariff are allowed

29. DRESSINGS AND APPLIANCES DELETED FROM THE DRUG TARIFF
How will I know if a Dressing or Appliance is deleted from the Tariff ?
Monthly updates from BSO
These are sent to Pharmacies prior to the new months Drug Tariff
What happens if a Dressing or Appliance is
deleted from the Tariff ?
It is no longer allowed on prescription and no further scripts will be paid

30. LISTED AS APPLIANCES ON THE DRUG TARIFF
Irrigation Fluids
Catheter Maintenance Solutions
Skin Adhesive (Sterile)
Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops (Thornton & Ross )
Olive Oil Ear Drops
Sodium Chloride Nasal Drops
Nasal Powder and Sprays (not all)
Emollients and Barrier Preparations
Eye Drops (not all)
Head Lice Solutions (not all)
Inhalation Solutions
THESE ITEMS ARE MARKED