Price cuts of 4.5 per cent under the new Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme will come into effect for reimbursement purposes on November 1.
A health circular issued on September 24 by the National Health Service Executive says that price changes made from October 1 will be applied to prescriptions dispensed by pharmacy contractors "in accordance with the normal price change timetable."
The circular says that company participation in the PPRS is voluntary and that participation is conditional on the implementation of an overall 4.5 per cent cut in prices to the NHS.
However, it hints at more stringent controls for companies that choose not to join the PPRS. These, it says, will be subject to statutory price controls under the Health Act 1999. Details of the statutory controls will be released shortly and most companies are expected to choose the voluntary agreement, the circular says.
Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme, HSC 1999/212, Department of Health, PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH (fax 01623 724524, internet www.doh.gov.uk/coin4.nsf).