APSM

The Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers, APSM, has broadened its membership criteria to include importers as well as virtual Specials manufacturing organisations who own the rights to, and act as the first supplier of, a Specials medicine in the UK. Originally founded to represent the interests of holders of a Specials Manufacturing Licence, the APSM has an important role liaising with the DH and key policy makers as well as inputting into decisions around new legislation and Specials guidance. The decision to broaden membership to the wider supply chain reflects the changing shape of the Specials market, particularly over the last 5 years following the introduction of the Specials Tariff alongside a developing regulatory framework and professional guidance around Specials.  Influencing and responding to issues in this changing market has also become a more important role for the APSM. APSM Chair, Sharon Griffiths, said, “The decisions and actions we take n...

The APSM has launched our new website which is the definitive source of information about Specials in the UK.  In addition to updated content about the role of Specials in the patient journey, there is detailed information about the regulatory framework for prescribing Specials and up-to-date market stats about the cost of Specials in the UK. Designed for anyone involved in prescribing or dispensing Specials, the website contains lots of useful tools to support clinical understanding and decisions around the use of unlicensed medicines. There are also links to useful resources such as professional guidance and the Drug Tariff. Says the APSM, the website is designed to promote the important role of Specials Manufacturers in helping to meet this important area of patient clinical need with high quality advice and product information. WWW.APSM-UK.COM

The APSM, Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers, is reminding pharmacists of the importance of 24 hour turnaround for bespoke Specials prescriptions.  All APSM members sign up to a commitment of timely delivery to patients 1 and for all members that now means next day delivery as standard.     Members report that between 95-99% of orders are despatched the same day of receipt for delivery the following. Said, APSM Chair Sharon Griffith, “What may have started as an effort to offer competitive advantage – we’re happy to say is now the norm amongst APSM members which is good news for patients.   Patients who are prescribed Specials often have a specific and urgent clinical need - they should not have to wait for this medicine just because it isn’t a licensed or off the shelf preparation.” Although Specials manufacturers are geared towards bespoke manufacture it can still present a challenge.  With more than 20,000 potential preparations o...

There are positive signs that the balance between cost and quality is being restored in the Specials market – certainly according to the latest annual Specials Survey, conducted by the APSM. For the first time since the survey began in 2012, fewer pharmacists are referring to CCGs as the first source of advice about dispensing Specials (34% compared with 52.5% in 2013), turning instead to RPS Guidelines (47.5%) or the GP (47%).  However, there is still evidence of pressure to reduce Specials spend with almost two thirds of pharmacists stating that they are monitoring spend on Specials, or that they are being asked by their CCGs to reduce or monitor Specials dispensing.   The APSM Survey also points to the fact that pharmacists have a good understanding of Specials (over 75 % feel they have enough information or experience compared with 57% in 2013) and have a positive view of the role of Specials, with 80% agreeing that they are essential to meet the special clinica...

N EW White Paper – How Specials can deliver value to the NHS without compromising patient safety. The APSM, Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers, has launched a White Paper which for the first time attempts to attribute an economic value to the provision of unlicensed medicines within the NHS.  The paper takes a series of typical patient scenarios where a Special is indicated and then identifies the potential cost to the NHS of attempting to meet patient need with a lower cost, or higher risk alternative.  In all of these cases this additional cost has exceeded that of providing a special and sourcing it according to established guidance. The White Paper was commissioned in the light of growing concern about cost pressures leading to higher risk practice in the supply chain. Striking the balance between cost and quality Specials account for approximately 1% of prescription costs and in recent years, as part of overall pressure on NHS budgets, the c...

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...

In response to an article in The Daily Telegraph on Friday 21 st June, The Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers, APSM, has stated that it strongly condemns any activity that would result in overcharging for supply of medicines to the NHS. The Daily Telegraph article alleges activity to overcharge on medicines, based on interviews with individuals working in the specials industry. The allegations in the Daily Telegraph article, if proven, would not be considered acceptable practice at any level and would not be reflective of the vast majority of specials manufacturers in the UK.  The APSM, which represents manufacturers of unlicensed medicines (specials) within the UK, has worked closely with the Department of Health in recent years to develop a more transparent system of pricing and supply that protects the interests of patients and the NHS.  The specials sector provides a vitally important service and those involved take a responsible and long t...