www.forte.uk.com 1
January 2018
t 0370 241 8717
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In July 2017, the NHS England Board approved consultation on a set of proposals to limit the primary care prescribing of 18 products - costing a total of £141 million per year. In total, over 5,500 responses were received by NHS England on the proposals to restrict prescribing of the 18 so described ‘low value medicines’. The proposals were discussed at
the NHSE board meeting on Monday 30 November 2017,,, and the board decided that a number of the 18 medicines will enter the Drug Tariff Black List - items would not be remunerated on a NHS FP10. This change will take time as the Secretary of State will need to consult on these recommendations, however, there is a risk that without comprehensive communications to patients about the change, patients take out their frustrations on staff in general practice and
pharmacies. The other medicines that are going to have strict restrictions placed upon them are dosulepin, doxazosin, oxycodone and naloxone,paracetamol and tramadol, perindopril arginine, tadalafil (5mg o n c e d a i l y ) , a n d trimepramine. These medicines CCGs will be advised to stop new presc r ip t ions being initiated in primary care, and that current patients w h o r e c e i v e t h e
medicines are reviewed and de-prescribed. The only real changes from the consultation was that liothyronine can still be prescribed but only by a NHS endocrinologist, and lidocaine patches and immediate
release fentanyl can be used in select conditions. Again these changes will require direct communication to patients as there will be a number of confused and concerned patients who would otherwise seek advice, and probably alternatives form their GPs. The final and I feel most controversial proposal was the idea to restrict prescriptions for 3,200 medicines that can be purchased ‘over the counter’. The NHS England (NHSE) board considered this proposals that would potentially save around £190 million per year , stating:“As feedback from the consultation was broadly supportive, we now believe that it is appropriate for NHS England to work with partners to develop formal and far more detailed guidance to CCGs”. Firstly, this was an interesting statement as actually only 44% of all the respondents ‘agreed’ the change, 66% responded with either ‘disagreed’, ‘neither agree nor disagree’ or were ‘unsure’, but these were conveniently omitted in the headline figure. You can understand why the NHSE board are railroading through any proposals that will save money, as the recent autumn budget yielded less than half of the required investment of £1.6 billion (Simon Stevens had asked for £4 billion additional funds). The main concern is that again without a direct to patient, fully comprehensive communications plan, general practice and pharmacies will be caught in the middle, having to spend time allaying patient concerns and recommending alternatives. So in essence there is a big risk that while NHSE saves money, we gain additional workload and costs when we are struggling with current patient demands. Message from Mark Stone, Consultant Pharmacist Partner,
I recently spent time looking at the NHSE Board meeting minutes and the consultation proposals for OTC medicines.
Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Limited trading as Forte Pharma Ltd
A company registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: 43 Cox Lane, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1SN
Company Registration Number: 4023414
For all your practice requirements
Proposed Black List Medicines
Co-proxamol
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Herbal Treatments
Homeopathy
Lutein and Antioxidants
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Compounds
Rubefacients (excluding topical NSAIDS)
www.forte.uk.com 2
January 2018
t 0370 241 8717
f 01622 790 754
forte.uk.com
Firstly, it is interesting to see in the paper the boards opinions on the 'success' of the consultation on OTC medications detailed in the minutes, which reads: 49. As feedback from the consultation was broadly supportive, we now believe that it is appropriate for NHS England to work with partners to develop formal and far more detailed guidance to CCGs. Now please consider the way they presented the responses! 65% of the responses agreed with the pro-posal, when really it was only 44% - less than half! There is going to be a consultation on an extended grouping of conditions that should not be treated under the NHS - I feel these will be a fait accompli with regard to the NHSE board comments on the low budget funding. Others things of note from the consultation, many medicines will join the Drug Tariff Blacklist (which will mean we can sell them! In reality most are POMs): • Co-proxamol • Glucosamine and Chondroitin • Herbal Treatments • Homeopathy • Lutein and Antioxidants • Omega-3 Fatty Acid Compounds • Rubefacients (excluding topical NSAIDS) We will need to get NHSE to recognise that the restrictions on OTC products will detriment access to care to rural patients, in the full consultation (due in early 2018). OTC Proposal: Indicative conditions or items for which prescribing could be restricted:
1. Probiotics 2. Vitamins and minerals 3. Acute Sore Throat 4. Cold Sores 5. Conjunctivitis 6. Coughs and colds and nasal congestion 7. Cradle Cap (Seborrhoeic dermatitis – infants) 8. Haemorrhoids 9. Infant Colic 10. Contact Dermatitis 11. Dandruff 12. Diarrhoea 13. Dry Eyes/Sore (tired) Eyes 14. Earwax 15. Excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis) 16. Indigestion and Heartburn 17. Insect bites and stings 18. Malaria prevention 19. Mild Acne 20. Mild Dry Skin/Sunburn 21. Mild to Moderate Hay fever/Allergic Rhinitis 22. Mild Migraine 23. Minor burns and scalds 24. Minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and/fever. (eg aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain) 25. Mouth ulcers 26. Nappy Rash 27. Oral Thrush 28. Prevention of dental caries 29. Ringworm/Athletes foot 30. Scabies/ Head Lice 31. Simple Constipation 32. Teething/Mild toothache 33. Threadworms 34. Travel Sickness 35. Vaginal Thrush 36. Warts and Verrucae
Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Limited trading as Forte Pharma Ltd
A company registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: 43 Cox Lane, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1SN
Company Registration Number: 4023414
For all your practice requirements
By Mark Stone
Pharmacist Partner, Tamar Valley Health, DDA Board
www.forte.uk.com 3
Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Limited trading as Forte Pharma Ltd
A company registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: 43 Cox Lane, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1SN
Company Registration Number: 4023414
For all your practice requirements
Pip code Product name Item size Colvan product code
406-0935 CovaWound Silicone Foam 5 x 5 cm 10 1000505
406-0927 CovaWound Silicone Foam 10 x 10 cm 10 1001010
406-0893 CovaWound Silicone Foam 10 x 20 cm 10 1001020
406-0919 CovaWound Silicone Foam 15 x 15 cm 10 1001515
406-0901 CovaWound Silicone Foam 20 x 20 cm 10 1002020
406-0869 CovaWound Silicone Foam with Border 10 x 10 cm 10 1011010
406-0877 CovaWound Silicone Foam with Border 10 x 20 cm 10 1011020
406-0885 CovaWound Silicone Foam with Border 15 x 15 cm 10 1011515
406-0554 CovaWound Silicone Foam with Border 7.5 x 7.5 cm 10 1017575
406-0836 CovaWound Silicone Foam with Border Lite 5 x 5 cm 10 1030505
406-0810 CovaWound Silicone Foam with Border Lite 10 x 10 cm 10 1031010
406-0794 CovaWound Silicone Foam with Border Lite 10 x 20 cm 10 1031020
406-0802 CovaWound Silicone Foam with Border Lite 15 x 15 cm 10 1031515
406-0828 CovaWound Silicone Foam with Border Lite 7.5 x 7.5 cm 10 1037575
406-0992 CovaWound Silicone Foam Lite 10 x 10 cm 10 1041010
406-0752 CovaWound Silicone Foam Lite 10 x 20 cm 10 1041020
406-0737 CovaWound Silicone Foam Lite 15 x 15 cm 10 1041515
406-0778 CovaWound Silicone Foam Lite 7.5 x 7.5 cm 10 1047575
406-0943 CovaWound Alginate Rope 2 x 30cm 5 3000230
406-0984 CovaWound Alginate 5 x 5cm 5 3000505
406-0976 CovaWound Alginate 10 x 10cm 5 3001010
406-0968 CovaWound Alginate 10 x 20cm 5 3001020
406-0950 CovaWound Alginate 15 x 20cm 5 3001520
406-1024 CovaWound Hydrocolloid 10 x 10cm 10 5001010
406-1016 CovaWound Hydrocolloid 15 x 15cm 10 5001515
406-1008 CovaWound Hydrocolloid 20 x 20cm 10 5002020
406-1057 CovaWound Hydrocolloid Thin/Transparent 10 x 10cm 10 5201010
406-1032 CovaWound Hydrocolloid Thin/Transparent 10 x 15cm 10 5201015
406-1040 CovaWound Hydrocolloid Thin/Transparent 15 x 15cm 10 5201515
We are pleased to announce that, as of 1 December 2017, Alliance Healthcare, including NWOS, will enter into an exclusive wholesaler distribution agreement to supply Covalon Technologies (Europe) Ltd to all pharmacies and
dispensing doctors in England, Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland.
As part of this new agreement, the discount available for eligible products will be 10 per cent. This will be
invoiced at drug tariff price, with any applicable discounts applied on your statement at the end of the month.
www.forte.uk.com 4
Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Limited trading as Forte Pharma Ltd
A company registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: 43 Cox Lane, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1SN
Company Registration Number: 4023414
For all your practice requirements
We are pleased to announce that, as of 1 February 2018, Alliance Healthcare UK will become the only selected wholesaler to supply Grunenthal’s product portfolio to pharmacies, hospitals and dispensing doctors in England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For your convenience, the full information of Grunenthal’s product portfolio can be found on our website at
www.alliance-healthcare.co.uk/useful-information/supply-chain-arrangements/
Purchases of Grunenthal lines will arrive as part of your usual Alliance Healthcare delivery available on a same day delivery service. If you already hold an Alliance Healthcare account, there is no need for you to take any further action. Please note that Qutenza will remain on a next day delivery service. In order to receive Grunenthal lines from 1 February 2018, you can simply order from Alliance Healthcare in your usual manner. Purchases of Grunenthal’s products will not be subject to Alliance Healthcare’s low spend surcharge, if purchased
in isolation. A discount of 5% will be available on eligible lines for downstream customers.
To set up an Alliance Healthcare account, please visit our website at www.alliance-healthcare.co.uk/contact-us
Should you have any questions in relation to Grunenthal’s product portfolio, please contact Grunenthal on:
0870 351 8960
3582707 PALEXIA 100MG PR TABLETS A 56 GBR 4032129029415
3582715 PALEXIA 150MG PR TABLETS A 56 GBR 4032129029422
3582723 PALEXIA 200MG PR TABLETS A 56 GBR 4032129029439
3582731 PALEXIA 250MG PR TABLETS A 56 GBR 4032129029446
3470820 PALEXIA 50MG IR TAB FILM COATED A 28 GBR 4032129029354
3579018 PALEXIA 50MG IR TABLETS A 56 GBR 4032129024328
3582681 PALEXIA 50MG PR TABLETS A 28 GBR 4032129029392
3582699 PALEXIA 50MG PR TABLETS A 56 GBR 4032129029408
3582665 PALEXIA 75MG IR TABLETS A 28 GBR 4032129029361
3582673 PALEXIA 75MG IR TABLETS A 56 GBR 4032129024359
3830817 PALEXIA IR ORAL SOL 20MG/ML 100ML GBR 4032129047143
3830825 PALEXIA IR ORAL SOL 20MG/ML 200ML GBR 4032129045453
3527322 TRAMACET EFFERVES. TABS A 60 GBR (GRT) 4032129028593
3039021 TRAMACET TABLETS A 60 GBR 4032129026735
3248747 VERSATIS PATCH A 30 GBR 4032129038844
2087203 ZYDOL 100 AMP. A 5 GBR (GRT) 4032129003576
2087211 ZYDOL CAPSULES 50MG A 100 GBR (GRT) 4032129003552
3208634 ZYDOL CAPSULES 50MG A 30 GBR (GRT) 4032129012608
2233609 ZYDOL SR 100MG TABLETS A 60 GBR (GRT) 4032129003583
2233617 ZYDOL SR 150MG TABLETS A 60 GBR (GRT) 4032129003590
2233625 ZYDOL SR 200MG TABLETS A 60 GBR (GRT) 4032129003606
3298726 ZYDOL SR 50MG TABLETS A 60 GBR 4032129048973
2349322 ZYDOL TABS 50MG A 100 GBR (GRT) 4032129003620
2349330 ZYDOL TABS 50MG A 20 GBR (GRT) 4032129003613
2644409 ZYDOL XL 150MG A 30 GBR 4032129008403
2644417 ZYDOL XL 200MG A 30 GBR 4032129008410
2644425 ZYDOL XL 300MG A 30 GBR 4032129008427
2644441 ZYDOL XL 400MG A 30 GBR 4032129008434
4046629 RALVO 700MG MEDICATED PLASTER A 30 GBR 4032129066939
3560737 QUTENZA 179MG CUTAN. PATCH A 1 GBR/IRL 5013346098582
www.forte.uk.com 5
Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Limited trading as Forte Pharma Ltd
A company registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: 43 Cox Lane, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1SN
Company Registration Number: 4023414
For all your practice requirements
3171253 50 ACCU-CHEK AVIVA BLD T/STRIP 15% 20%
3981214 50 ACCU-CHECK PERFORMA T/STRIPS 5% 10%
4026324 50 ACCU-CHEK MOBILE TEST CASSETTE 5% 10%
We are pleased to announce that BABY D ORAL SOLUTION VIT D3 Manufacturer Discount Scheme is back at 20%.
See below table for details.
Kora Healthcare 3779675 1 BABY D ORAL SOLUTION VIT D3 20%
We are pleased to announce that Roche has increased the discount for Accu-Chek products range. For your
convenience please refer to the table attached for details of the products.
We are pleased to announce that Scope Opthalmics has added a new product to the current MDS scheme from
1st December. For your convenience please refer to the table attached for details of the product.
Scope Ophthalmics 4039731 1 Optase Moist Heat Mask 14% (New)
Scope Opthalmics 3472925 1 HYLO-TEAR 0.1% PRESERVE FREE 14%
Scope Opthalmics 3488368 1 HYLO-FORTE 0.2% PRESERVE FREE 14%
Scope Opthalmics 3552999 1 HYLO-CARE PRESERVATIVE FREE 14%
Scope Opthalmics 3643806 1 VITA-POS (PRESERV FREE OINT) 14%
Scope Opthalmics 3692357 1 TEAR-LAC PRESERVATIVE FREE 14%
Scope Opthalmics 3866688 1 HYLO-FRESH 0.03% 14%
Scope Opthalmics 4045175 1 HYLO-DUAL 0.1% FRESH 14%
Manufacturer Discount Scheme has stopped from 1st of December.
Manufacturer Discount Scheme has stopped from 1st of December.
From 1st October, the discount on Tricare has been removed form the MDS scheme.
No other products on scheme has been affected.
www.forte.uk.com 6
Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Limited trading as Forte Pharma Ltd
A company registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: 43 Cox Lane, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1SN
Company Registration Number: 4023414
For all your practice requirements
From the 1st February 2018, Agamatrix will discontinue the discount for U/Thin Lancets 33G and has decided to
increase the discount for Wavesense Jazz Test Strips range, starting from 11+ packs. See below table for details.
3401619 50 WAVESENSE JAZZ TEST STRIPS 10% from pack 1 13% 11+ packs
3725553 2X25 WAVESENSE JAZZ DUO T/STRIPS 10% from pack 1 13% 11+ packs
3420601 200 AGAMATRIX U/THIN LANCETS 33G 10% from pack 1 Removed
Generating Prescription
Audit (PA)
Do you know if your GP’s and nurses are remembering to produce a prescription each
time they administer a drug?
It’s a good idea to set up a monthly audit to check a prescription has been issued,
as you may be losing hundreds of pounds!
See below a list of drugs which I would recommend
doing a search on:
Tetanus
Depo Provera
Zoladex/Prostap
Hydroxocobalamin B12
Cholera
Depo Medrone
Depo-Medrone & Lidocaine
Off patent
Crestor has come of patent as from last month, reduce
your Crestor stocks in preparation for the generic.
By Lucy Jacques
Dispensary Manager
Hastings House Surgery
We will continue to offer E-Consultancy Service to all our 8501 Forte Group Members.
Whatever your commercial or dispensary query, all you need to do is email Sally ([email protected]) with
“Forte” followed by your Alliance account number in the subject header and she will reply with an answer
within 3 working days.
www.forte.uk.com 7
Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Limited trading as Forte Pharma Ltd
A company registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: 43 Cox Lane, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1SN
Company Registration Number: 4023414
For all your practice requirements
Happy New Year!
Words like “extraordinary”, “shocking” and even
“bizarre” have been bandied around to describe the last
12 months, one things for sure, 2017 certainly has been
an interesting one. We’ve seen a snap General Election,
unsuccessful independence elections in Spain, La La
Land “win” the best picture Oscar, and Trump’s
inauguration… well, the less said about that, the better.
Moving swiftly on;
Teresa May triggered article 50 meaning the Brexit
discussions are moving full steam ahead, for good or for
ill. I’m sure at the moment there are more headaches
for our politicians than directly affecting us currently,
but these will come. The immediate effect on our
industry was the increase in PI line prices, which meant
that every practice wasn’t able to enjoy the luxury of
the previous year’s import prices and having to look at
more financially stable and profitable ways of
purchasing. Despite FMD (Falsified Medicines Directive)
being a European venture, this has been confirmed that
it will still be applicable to Britain post Brexit and so
processes need to be in place to ensure both your
practices and the industry are ready.
We saw a record number of PSNC price concessions
running half way through the year and into 2018. A
couple of generic manufacturers failed their MHRA
inspections meaning they had to cease production for
some time, sadly lowering supply and increasing prices
for many lines across the market.
On to better news all round;
The PSNC appointed their new CEO Simon Dukes at the
end of the year after the previous CEO, Sue Sharpe
resigned from the position she held since 2001.
Julian Mount became the Managing Director of Alliance
Healthcare at the end of March, following the
announcement of Jeremy Main’s retirement. Julian
brings with him a wealth of knowledge and
experiences a senior healthcare industry executive with
30 years’ experience in building and leading teams in
business transformation, sales, marketing and business
excellence across international markets. Julian’s
appointment saw a renewed vigour and drive towards
the key fundamentals of the business to ensure your
practices and patients receive the very best standard of
service from Alliance Healthcare.
In August, Forte was acquired by Alliance Healthcare UK
and we are now part of the wider WBA family. With this
acquisition, we continue to be able to offer our mem-
bers the same dedicated service and commitment we
always have, with the added benefit of a global power
behind us to further enhance your membership benefits
and package. Watch this space for exciting develop-
ments throughout 2018.
It was a pleasure to work with you all in 2017, and we
look forward to continuing you help you service your
communities and care for your patients in 2018 and
beyond.
At Forte, we are incredibly excited with the
announcement from Alliance Healthcare and its new
customer-centric campaign - “we’re doing things
differently”, aimed at making business with Alliance
Healthcare easier. Keep up to date with the exciting
news at: www.alliance-healthcare.co.uk/doingthings
differently
From all of us here at Forte, we would like to wish you a
very happy and prosperous new year.
It is important that we hold the most up-to-date information regarding our customers. If you have recently
changed any of your details, such as your name, address or telephone number, please let us know by emailing
[email protected] or alternatively contact us on 0370 2418717 opt#3.