Page last updated: 25-SEP-2007

Prescribing


Statistical Publication Notice

25 September 2007

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Quarterly update of dispensing contractors’ remuneration   


INTRODUCTION

The tables display payments made to Scottish dispensers of pharmaceuticals in the community, up to June 2007.  They are intended primarily as reference tables but may also be used to compare trends of payments from month to month.
Tables show the remuneration costs and reimbursement amounts for financial year 2007/08 and calendar year 2007 (up to June 2007).
 
Each worksheet contains the overall Scotland total payments made to dispensing contractors, split between three defined groupings: community pharmacies, appliance suppliers, and dispensing doctors.

KEY POINTS

  • In accordance with the new community pharmacy contract, remuneration payments made in respect of various fees have been subject to a general uplift of 2% for 2007-08.  Full details of the revised arrangements are given in circular PCA(P)(2007)10 link to an adobe pdf file .
    Technical difficulties have meant that the Minor Ailment Service uplift for April was paid in May, and the payment for May was paid in June.  June’s uplift will be paid in July.
  • The gross amount paid to dispensing contractors in the first quarter of 2007-08 was £269M, and 95% of this amount was paid to community pharmacies.
  • Of this gross amount paid, 84% (£227M) was attributed to drug reimbursement, and 16% (£42M) for the remuneration of services.
  • The total charges made to patients in the first quarter of 2007-08 were £10M.

INTERPRETATION

From April 2007 onwards, Minor Ailment Service payments have been subject to an uplift of approximately 2% (see circular PCA(P)(2007)10 link to an adobe pdf file, paragraphs 23 & 24 for more detail). 
 
However please note that the uplift which should have been paid in April, is reflected in the May payments, and May’s uplift is included in those payments made in June.  The increase applicable to June’s Minor Ailment Service payments will be paid with July’s dispensing.

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MAIN CONTACTS:

Margaret Conway
Principal Information Analyst 
0141 282 2265
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing Team)
Margaret.Conway@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Joanne Collins
Senior Information Analyst
0131 275 6760
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing Team)
joanne.collins@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Scott Barnsley
Senior Financial Analyst
0131 275 6046
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing Team)
scott.barnsley@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
 
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PRE-RELEASE ACCESS TO THIS PUBLICATION WAS GIVEN TO:

The Scottish Executive
Chief Executives of each NHS Board

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HISTORY OF THIS PUBLICATION:

Last Published:  26 June 2007
Next Due:  December 2007
Data Available Since:  January 2002

 

Main contact: Email Margaret Conway