Because of shortages of generic medicines, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council are releasing lists of medicines for which contractors' endorsements of manufacturer and pack size will be accepted by the Prescription Pricing Authority and the Prescription Pricing Division. The lists for prescriptions dispensed during November are given below. Additions to the list are shown in italic type.
England and Wales Ampicillin 250mg capsules (500) and 500mg capsules (250); bisacodyl 5mg e/c tablets (1,000); cod liver oil (2 litres); diamorphine 5mg injection (5); oxybutynin 2.5mg tablets (56 and 84); pilocarpine 0.5 per cent eye-drops (10ml); and pyridoxine 50mg tablets (28 and 500). Note: Cod liver oil is to be deleted from the Drug Tariff in December. National Pharmaceutical Association members can find details of Drug Tariff changes in the members-only section of the NPA website (www.npa.co.uk).
Scotland Allopurinol 300mg tablets (both pack sizes); aluminium hydroxide 500mg tablets; amoxycillin 3g sachets; bendrofluazide 2.5mg tablets; chlorpheniramine 4mg tablets; co-tenidone 100/25 and 50/12.5 tablets; diazepam 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg tablets; dipyridamole 100mg tablets; doxycycline 100mg capsules; indomethacin 25mg and 50mg capsules; isosorbide dintrate 10mg and 20mg tablets; mefenamic acid 250mg capsules; metformin 500mg and 850mg tablets; metoprolol 50mg tablets; metronidazole 400mg tablets; minocycline 50mg tablets; oxprenolol 20mg and 40mg tablets; penicillamine 250mg tablets; phenobarbitone 30mg and 60mg tablets; propranolol 10mg and 40mg tablets; quinine sulphate 200mg tablets; sulphasalazine 500mg tablets and 500mg e/c tablets; thioridazine 50mg tablets; trifluoperazine 5mg tablets; trimethoprim 200mg tablets; and verapamil 40mg tablets.
Further information and updates are available on the internet at www.spgc.org.uk.