The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7396 p435
15 April 2006

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News summary

Deadline set for ordering flu vaccines

Community pharmacists in Scotland have until 19 May to order influenza vaccine stocks. This year’s arrangements for vaccine supply — set out in an NHS circular published this week — largely mirror last year’s arrangements.

However, one important difference is in reimbursement. The Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council is advising contractors to pay particular attention to this detail. Stock orders and prescriptions must be endorsed with the net price paid per vaccine and supporting evidence supplied. If this is not provided then a default reimbursement price of £3 per vaccine will be paid.

Like last year, remuneration will include a handling fee of 55p per vaccine, plus a further risk minimisation fee of 55p per vaccine. This fee is only payable if NHS boards are satisfied that contractors have met a number of conditions including splitting orders between at least three suppliers and ordering vaccines by 19 May.

The circular says that GPs must tell pharmacists how many vaccines they require by 28 April.