Morphine tablets 100mg

[razorbladekisses]

I'm currently doing NVQ 3 and I have a question that I'm a bit stuck on.

Scenario:

Mr Ross comes into your pharmacy to collect a dispensed prescription. The prescription is an FP10 C for morphine sulphate tablets 100mg (30).

The prescription is written generically; list which products could be supplied to fulfil the prescription, noting their appropriate costs.

I can only think of MST and Morphgesic. I've looked in the drug tariff for the price and can only find MST. Why isn't Morphgesic in there?

Are there any others I've missed?

Which product would you choose to supply to fulfil the prescription and why?

Is it simply a case of choosing the cheapest? Ask the patient what they have had previously?

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Chirpy]

Sevredol make the only non-MR morphine & they don't make a 100mg tablet- highest is 50mg. Is the q asking for modified release? If so then you do have a choice of products.
The drug tariff lists morphine sulphate 100mg MR tabs in part VIII so this means that there is a set price that you will be paid for this item. In this case it is £40.66/60 tabs. The next column tells you it is in category C - the price is based on one particular product, in this case MST Continus as indicated in the final column. You will be paid this price regardless of the price of the drug you actually dispense.
From the prices listed in the BNF online (not up to date pricing) - morphgesic SR would be £30.30/60 whilst MST continus is quoted here as being £40.66/60. I would check at work for up to date prices but essentially you could make extra profit for the pharmacy by dispensing the cheaper product.

This is also an important point to grasp to prevent you from giving out a more expensive product than you will be reimbursed for!!

Hope this helps

[Pharmanaut]

Part VIII of the England/Wales Tariff is very important.
If there is only one pack listed of the drug you are dispensing then that is what you get paid. REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU ENDORSE. (use of capitals intended)

All the clinical skills in the world are good for patients, but your financial success is based on knowing part VIII. Sometimes it comes down to simply 'not making a loss'.

Top tip. As soon as you get the tariff book in the post check the preface at the front for changes.

But you already do this I expect.

[razorbladekisses]

Thanks for the replies.

So are you saying you can dispense Morphgesic but get paid for MST i.e a £10ish profit?

[Sir_Dispensalot]

not strictly speaking - you get the nhs 'clawback' as well so in reality dispensing the MST means that you may lose money overall - unless you have some kind of supplier brand equalisation deal (unlikely as CDs are in the ZD list).

[razorbladekisses]

Oh now I'm confused