Generic to Brand savings

[johnep]

Local PCT has issued list of nine items where DT price is way above brand price.
Eg: Efcortelan 1% cream 75p, DT price £4.86
Beconase spray £2.19, generic is £4.35
Pred 5mg rc 30 at £3.88, Deltacortril ex 100 pack 66p.
Salazopyrin EN 100 ex 112 £7.52, aulfasalazine ec £66.28

Apparently there is a prog 'scriptswitch' which can be used to automatically select PCT preferred item.

Expect MCS whenever a mass switch occurs.
johnep

[JonF]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

Prescription software for the NHS by ScriptSwitch Limited

[the old merlin]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

The real lulu is Phenytoin.

[johnep]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

PCT apparently missed that one.
johnep

[u2bawooly]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

think physeptone is cheaper than methadone too

[Zoggite]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

I've heard that ventolin evohaler is cheaper than salbutamol MDI?!?

[tightlocum]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

Does anyone have any up to date info?

Have heard magnapen and salazopyrin mentioned at the minute

[Defblade]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

DT price is way above brand (and actual generic price) as these are common items held artificially high by the DoH in order to ensure every pharmacy can acheive the minimum buying profit we were promised. (unless anyone wants to correct me?)

Complain and resist with all force available; point out also that sudden scripts for brands result in unnecessary delays for patients as you have to order in (floxapen caused us trouble for a while as it's not like people want to wait for antibiotics); and again when they change back.

But it's all a game

[Pharmanaut]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

DT price is way above brand (and actual generic price) as these are common items held artificially high by the DoH in order to ensure every pharmacy can acheive the minimum buying profit we were promised. (unless anyone wants to correct me?)

Complain and resist with all force available; point out also that sudden scripts for brands result in unnecessary delays for patients as you have to order in (floxapen caused us trouble for a while as it's not like people want to wait for antibiotics); and again when they change back.

But it's all a game

Its as if the inconvenience to patients and difficulties in supply from pharmacy are not a PCT concern.

[Web Ferret]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

L
Eg: Efcortelan 1% cream 75p, DT price £4.86

Expect MCS whenever a mass switch occurs.
johnep

Efcortelan was discontinued in 2008! as is no longer available

[johnep]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

Original post was made before efcortelan discontinued.
johnep

[Pharmabob]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

I couldn't agree more....this business is unethical. However, in my PCT I can say it happens very rarely (unless you count Ventolin)

Once, all we dispensed was Simvador because it was said it was cheaper. that's until the prop brand leaps massively (and QUIETLY) leading to a quick post mortem!

[Web Ferret]

Re: Generic to Brand savings

Original post was made before efcortelan discontinued.
johnep

Yes - It proves the point that these are ill thought out. Prescriber's should simply write most things generically apart from a few modified release, patches and narrow therapetic window products.

Scriptswitch has its place but the weak link is the PCTs/surgeries who maintain what it suggests. SS recommend at least 8 hours per month to maintain it and check what it is suggesting is current and relevant. This seldom happens though.