APSM

A November boost and why it’s good for payors, patients and APSM members 29 th October 2013 . In the latest (November) update to the Specials Tariff 51 new products have been added, bringing the total number of specials regulated under the Tariff to 188.   The addition was widely anticipated by the APSM members and includes both larger prescribed specials as well as smaller volume specials. Although there are potentially thousands of different formulations of specials, the top 500 (by value) account for 96% of all spend.   It is these 500 where much of the focus has been and now around half of the Top 100 specials are captured in the Tariff.     Amongst the latest round of changes more than half are in the Top 500 and represent around 3,500 prescriptions each quarter.  Says the APSM, “Creating a workable Tariff for specials was not an easy process. Partly due to the sheer variety and number of formulations involved, but also because of the highly bespoke nature of producti

APSM launch results of 2013 Specials Survey When it comes to dispensing Specials, pharmacists are as likely to refer to CCG (PCT) advice as to their own RPS Guidelines on best practice.   This is clear evidence of the continued and increasing pressure by CCGs (PCTs) to focus on cost, even though the overall Specials bill has decreased by 25% 1 since the introduction of the Specials Tariff in November 2011.  A survey conducted by the Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers in June 2013 explored the attitudes of 200 pharmacists into various aspects of the Specials sector and compared the results with a similar survey conducted in 2012.    A year ago, pharmacists were most likely to refer to a GP for advice about a Specials prescription (49.5%).   However, in 2013 pharmacists ranked CCGs (PCTs) their first source of advice (52.5%) - a significant increase from 46.5% in the previous year.   The poll of pharmacists went on to state that 50% had been asked to