PCA(P)(2020)19 - Amendments to the Drug Tariff

Published: 29/09/20

This circular advises community pharmacy contractors of changes in the Drug Tariff with respect of remuneration for the dispensing months of April, May and June 2020.

Background

In recognition of the need to support contractor cashflow and to deliver the guaranteed income, an additional payment relating to April, May and June 2020 dispensing months has been agreed following discussions with Community Pharmacy Scotland.

We continue to monitor the delivery of the guaranteed income to contractors and should further payment be required, they will be paid a month in arrears (for example if a payment is required for July dispensing which is paid at the end of September, this will be paid at the end of October).

Detail

A change in the Drug Tariff in respect of these months will be made as follows;

• An income balancing payment is introduced for dispensing months April, May and June 2020 only. The payment to each eligible contractor is calculated as a percentage of their Part 7 non-ZD gross ingredient cost for the dispensing month in question.

The payments are as follows;

• April 2020 6.9%

• May and June 2020 7.1%

Eligibility for the payment is to be on the pharmaceutical list on any day in that month and to have a part 7 non-ZD gross ingredient cost paid for that dispensing month by Practitioner Services.