Health
Department
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Dear Colleague INFLUENZA IMMUNISATION 1. This MEL sets out the arrangements which will apply this year for reimbursing community pharmacists for the supply of influenza vaccine. 2. Discussions are underway with Scottish General Practitioners Committee about appropriate arrangements for remunerating GPs to administer the vaccine. 3. The arrangements set out underline the need for co-operation between GPs and their local pharmacies to ensure optimum uptake of the vaccination programme by the target groups. It is intended that the arrangements will apply across Scotland and will obviate the need for locally developed schemes. Background 4. Following (a) the Department's letter of 24 May which announced that influenza vaccine is to be offered to all people aged 65 and over and (b) the emergence of a more competitive market in influenza vaccine, the Department has reached agreement with Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council on revised reimbursement arrangements which take into account the higher volume of vaccines likely to be required and the lower prices available. Support Required from General Practice 5. To ensure the best use of available resources, general practitioners, including dispensing doctors should write "influenza vaccine" on all prescription or stock order forms. This is analogous to using the "approved name" which is recommended good practice by the British National Formulary (BNF) and will ensure that PSD is able to price these items at the correct rate.
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NHS MEL(2000)33 22nd June 2000 Addressees For action: For information: Enquiries to: Pharmacists General Practitioners John Hannah Further copies from: Graeme Berry |
Reimbursement Arrangements
6. i. Stock Order
The standard method by which GPs obtain supplies of influenza vaccine is through the stock order system and this arrangement will continue. With immediate effect, the reimbursement price for flu vaccine written generically supplied on stock order by community pharmacists will be £3.99 plus a 10% supply fee.
ii. Prescriptions on GP10
For influenza vaccines requested on GP10, the reimbursement rate for community pharmacists will be £3.99 plus the usual dispensing fee. Where the vaccine cannot be obtained at that price, community pharmacists will be able to endorse the prescription for payment at the manufacturer's list price. Community pharmacists should advise SPGC of supply difficulties in the standard manner.
7. These new arrangements will be incorporated into the Scottish Drug Tariff.
Discussion with Scottish General Practitioners Committee
8. Constructive discussions are underway with SGPC about the arrangements for remunerating general practitioners to administer the vaccine. We will write to you separately when these discussions have been concluded.
The Effect on the Drugs Bill
9. At the reimbursement levels set out in this MEL, a significant increase in the level of uptake of flu vaccination can be contained within existing provision.
Ordering Supplies of the Vaccine
10. The Winter Pressures Group is considering the arrangements for a campaign to raise awareness amongst the target groups of the desirability of being vaccinated against influenza this winter.
11. In placing their orders for influenza vaccine, GPs and community pharmacists will need to consider the combined effects of extending the at risk groups to include all people aged 65 and over, increased public awareness of influenza immunisation; and the potential impact of new arrangements for remunerating GPs.
12. Primary Care Trusts will be expected to support and facilitate the implementation of this programme.
13. The terms of this MEL have been agreed with SPGC and SGPC.
Action
14. NHS Primary Care Trusts and Island Health Boards are asked to bring this MEL to the attention of community pharmacists, GPs, local pharmacy committees, LHCCs and GP sub-committees.
Yours sincerely
AGNES ROBSON
Director of Primary Care