The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7415 p243
26 August 2006

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PSNC reminds pharmacists to be diligent with their MUR records

Pharmacy contractors should take steps to ensure that primary care trusts (PCTs) have evidence of medicines use review (MUR) accreditation for all pharmacists carrying out MURs, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Commitee has advised this week.

The advice has been offered in response to the Department of Health’s guidance to PCTs on how to deal with contractors found to be exceeding the limit of 250 MURs per year (PJ, 10 June, p670).

The PSNC recommends that contractors carry out the following checks:

· Before submitting any claim for payment of MURs (using Form FP34C) ensure that copies of the certificates of accreditation for every pharmacist undertaking MURs at the pharmacy have been sent to the PCT.

· Each month check the pharmacy records of MURs undertaken that month to ensure that the pharmacist who undertook the MUR consultation is accredited.

· Each month count the number of MUR reports for consultations carried out that month, to ensure that an accurate claim is made. These reports should be filed safely since they are the main evidence that an MUR has been carried out. Contractors may be required to produce them in the event of a counter fraud investigation.

· Maintain a cumulative log of numbers claimed so that the limit is not exceeded.

· If MUR consultations are to be conducted away from the pharmacy premises, contractors should check that they have written confirmation of the consent of the PCT, which should be filed in the pharmacy.

Alastair Buxton, the PSNC’s head of NHS services, explained that the recommendations are designed to mirror and reinforce the DoH advice issued to primary care trusts, but from the pharmacy contractor point of view.