Adjustments to reimbursement/remuneration switch still needed
Brian Stewart-Coxon/Dreamstime.com
Money transfer from reimbursement to remuneration might be delayed |
Contractors in Scotland have
been told that the transfer of money from reimbursement to remuneration, scheduled to take place in this financial year, might not be completed. Instead, further adjustments could be needed early in the next financial year.
The original intention was to transfer £30m from reimbursement
to remuneration, with that money funding the new minor ailment service,
public health service and infrastructure support. Payments for these
services began as planned but, according to an NHS circular, the amount
transferred out of reimbursement (as a result of price changes in the
April and July Drug Tariffs) fell short of the target figure.
Prices set for October’s Drug Tariff mean that more money will
be taken out of reimbursement and could mean that the £30m is saved
by the end of the year.
Elspeth Weir, head of community pharmacy policy development, Scottish
Pharmaceutical General Council, told The Journal that the balancing effect
of October prices was a reason to be optimistic. However, she added: “Once
figures for October dispensing volumes are available and the January
Drug Tariff prices have been set, we will be reviewing the figures to
see if any adjustment to clawback is needed.” An announcement is
expected in March.
The NHS
circular states: “The full £30m transfer from reimbursement
to remuneration may not be completed during 2006–07.” It
tells NHS boards that there may be a requirement to carry forward a deficit
or credit into 2007–08, and that any savings arising from October
prices should not be deployed until a final review has been made.
The circular reiterates that from next year, the £30m will be permanently
moved into remuneration and included within the global sum. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
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