"Children’s “specials” need to be more easily available" - An article published by PJ Online


Please click here to view this PJ Online article published 17/02/2011

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Specials Tariff is important to ensure confidence and best practice within the sector

In response to an article in The Daily Telegraph June 22 nd , the APSM, Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers, has spoken out in support of the Specials Tariff, a system that was introduced by the DOH to create a more transparent process for reimbursing specials, linking the cost of reimbursement to the cost of the product, while providing value for money for the NHS.  Since the introduction of the Specials Tariff in November 2011, the average cost per item has fallen by 25% (from £180 to £135).   The Specials Tariff was set using a system similar to that used for the calculation of the price of category M generics.  Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), licensed specials manufacturers provided sales information to the DOH, which has been used to set a reimbursement price that includes margin.     These prices take into the account the high quality manufacturing processes that must be adhered to by companies wishing to supp...
Read more

How Specials manufacturers support community pharmacists

APSM member companies dedicate their resource and expertise to this very specialist area of medicines manufacture. They are an essential partner to pharmacists and can streamline the process from assessing the formulation, through quality manufacture to timely delivery.    Most pharmacists are only called upon to dispense a handful of specials prescriptions each month.    A specials manufacturer can help pharmacists to navigate the complexities of supply and avoid issues with reimbursement.  The following summarises the ways in which APSM member processes align with RPS guidelines 1 1. ESTABLISH THE OPTIMAL TREATMENT FOR THE PATIENT  “All treatment options are evaluated. Prescribers and pharmacists work together to ensure that Specials are only supplied when the patient has a special clinical need that cannot be met by an available licensed medicine (this special clinical need does not include reasons of cost, convenience or operational need’...
Read more

Specials medicines vital for vulnerable patients

During the COVID-19 outbreak, APSM members are taking all appropriate measures to ensure the continuity of supply of specials medicines to community pharmacies, dispensing doctors and hospitals.   Specials manufacturers are a vital part of the pharmaceutical supply chain, responsible for around 50,000 unlicensed medicine prescriptions for vulnerable patients in England each month.  The Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers represents around 80% of specials manufacture in England and its members are maintaining safe practices and committing to the ongoing fulfilment of all orders from their pharmacy customers throughout the pandemic. As specials are often prescribed to patients in vulnerable groups including the elderly, paediatrics and those with chronic health conditions, it has never been more important that these patients’ essential medication needs are met in a timely way.  Where possible, our members are continuing to meet thei...
Read more