The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7471 p342
29 September 2007

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PSNC to seek modest increase in low-volume threshold

More low-dispensing-volume contractors could be assisted by an increase in the low-dispensing threshold below the increase in prescription volume, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee says.

In a statement issued after the PSNC’s September committee meeting, it said it is aware of the impact on low-dispensing-volume pharmacies of increasing the threshold for the establishment payment. It is therefore seeking an increase for 2007–08 below the anticipated increase in prescription volume.

“In 2006–07 PSNC agreed with the Department of Health that the threshold would be increased by only 3 per cent, which in a year of anticipated volume increase of over 5 per cent could help lift some low-volume contractors above the threshold,” it says.

“For 2007–08 PSNC again intends to seek agreement from the DoH to a threshold increase of significantly less than the anticipated volume growth, which could assist more low dispensing volume contractors.”

The protected professional payment for pharmacies dispensing more than 1,100, but fewer than 2,060 items a month will cease on 31 March 2008.