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In the second article in the series, Martin Jenkins, deputy director of pharmaceutical advisory services at the Prescription Pricing Authority, looks at the latter parts of the Drug Tariff
This article describes the Drug Tariff sections that cover Appliances, Borderline Substances, the Blacklist, Dental and Nurse Prescribing Lists and Prescription Charges.
Part IX
Appliances
In contrast to the supply of drugs on NHS prescriptions, appliances, which includes dressings, are subject to what is in effect a white list system, hence only those items listed in the Drug Tariff can be dispensed. Part IX is divided into four sections. Part IXA covers dressings and bandages, wound management products, elastic hosiery, hypodermic equipment and other sundry appliances. Part IXB lists the incontinence appliances, Part IXC the Stoma Appliances and Part IXR Reagents.
The prices for items in these parts are set by the Department of Health after negotiations with the manufacturer, in the case of proprietary items, or from a basket of suppliers for pharmacopoeial products.
The Drug Tariff Technical specifications have been produced for many items in Part IXA, and a list of these is shown at the beginning of Part IX. With the implementation of the Medical Devices Regulations, such products will be required to carry the CE mark.
The various sections of Part IXA have evolved over time. Newer items have been fitted within the existing headings which occasionally lead to apparent discrepancies. For example, Povidone Iodine fabric dressing is listed in the dressings section, while the other 'tulles' are within the gauze section. The listing is technically correct since the base dressing is Knitted Viscose Primary Dressing BP rather than the leno weave gauze used for the other 'tulles'. Appendix 9 of the BNF draws the same distinction and pharmacists may find it useful as a cross reference for finding products in the Drug Tariff.
Where an item which is available in several sizes is included in the Drug Tariff, only those sizes actually listed are prescribable. In the absence of a size on the prescription, it may be possible, if so indicated in the Drug Tariff, to supply the smallest size. In the absence of a supplier or brand on the prescription, and if more than one supplier or brand of...