Tweet
Does anyone out there have experience of what impact this has if a local surgery starts using it? I own an independent pharmacy in a medium-sized village where 90% of my prescriptions come from one surgery which plans to start in the Autumn. I suspect it could have a significant effect on my profits if they start using brands when they work out cheaper than the generic (eg Ventolin for salbutamol). The GPs are very keen to support us in order to keep an independent pharmacy in the village but not, understandably, to the extent of losing out on potential cost-savings on their prescribing (and I really don't blame them).
-
-
Re: Scriptswitch
It was scriptswitch that was responsible for Drs prescribing Efcortelan instead of Hydrocortisone cream. Result, Efcortelan immediarely went MCS, sales of Hydrocortisone cream plummeted, now HC cream is MCS. Utter madness.
johnep -
Re: Scriptswitch
Ask for a months notice of any proposed change so that you can clear your existing stock - and get the replacement stock on your shelves.Originally posted by Farnsfield View Post
(Also try to get as many scripts sent directly to your pharmacy so that you can get them ready for the patient to collect - it reduces your stock holding and allows you to sort out many queries before the patient arrives)
JeffComment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
"--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was scriptswitch that was responsible for Drs prescribing Efcortelan instead of Hydrocortisone cream. Result, Efcortelan immediarely went MCS, sales of Hydrocortisone cream plummeted, now HC cream is MCS. Utter madness."
i just found out today that this brand is cheaper than generic hydrocortisone" the pharmacist mentioned it for me today".
MCS? what does it stand for?[COLOR=Olive]xxxx They tried to break my back, but i survived. whatever doesn't kill you, will only makes you stronger xxxx
[/COLOR]Comment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
I know a lot about scriptswitch.
Its a database of possible switches that sits on top of the GP system. Its up to the PCT (or surgery) to decide which bits to switch on/off.
All it does is produce a pop up reminder when a GP prescribes say lanoprazole fast tabs to prompt that the caps are cheaper - The GP can then either accept or deny.
Its not all about cost, some things are around quality or not prescribing certain specialist drugs that the hospitals should be dealing with.
They have had it on my patch for a while and I've not seen any real concerns.
It depends on how good or bad a surgeries prescribing is as to what changes there will be. Offer to help the surgery decide what suggestions the system should make.
If you want any other info about SS just ask. I recently had a job interview with them so I researched their operation and systems a lot before hand.
I didn't get it - probably because I told their MD that the salary was a bit low during my second interview!Comment
-
-
Re: Scriptswitch
Beware:
Scriptswitch turns a Ventolin Accuhaler into " Salbutamol breath-actuated inhaler 200mcg/actuation, 200doses", i.e. Pulvinal...Ze genuine Article, present & perfect!Comment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
BNF lists salbutamol breath actuated as Salamol Easi breathe I thought - Its the prescribing stsyem database not scriptswitch that dictates what is actually printed on the script.Comment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
But Salamol EasiBreathe is only 100mcg/actuation!
The practice Pharmacist in the surgery in question wasn't even aware of the existence of Pulvinal...Ze genuine Article, present & perfect!Comment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
Must confess only a name I heard many months ago and forgotten.
johnepComment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
Ah yes 100mcg versus 200mcg Zoggie you are quite correct - That will teach me to answer forums late at night.
I find that most pharmacists involved in switched don't actually work in the real work anymore.Comment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
I'm assuming that I'm the exception!!Originally posted by Web Ferret View Post
The PCT I work for as a practice pharmacist uses ScriptSwitch but remove some of the "silly" suggestions like Ventolin accuhaler to Pulvinal.
The GPs tend to ignore the messages anyway and all the system does it get the cross and they end up shouting at their computer screens but I want to use xxxxx if I wanted to use yyyyyy I'd have picked it in the first place.
Must admit it's really annoying when I switch anything as I tend to switch a bulk of patients (yes - I do tell my local pharmacies and give them at least 2-4 weeks notice to alter their stocks depending on how common an item is)
One practice used lots of Fastab Lansoprazole and everytime I changed from 30mg fastab and started lansoprazole 30mg caps I got a message saying that 30mg is treatment dose and to consider using 15mg instead. System had no comprehension that I was stopping fastab and already improving prescribing - yes I ended up shouting at it too!!
Scriptswitch only works if profiles within it kept up to date and PCT needs at least 1 full day with no interruptions to write the new profiles so doesn't always happen.TitchComment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
surely this scriptswitch thing is going to eventually bugger up the whole discount structure if it continues.
Our pct is suggesting Venlalic for all mr venlafaxine rx's, which are cat c in tarriff. Most suppliers I have price lists for have venlafaxine at well below the price of venlalic, so i'm assuming the discount we get will be clawed back into the nhs pot. So the branded generic actually represents an increase in prescribing costs long term. Arggh ! it makes me crossComment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
Tantamount to bribery in my opinion, Trinity or Discovery rep goes into PCT and says, our price below DT, so will make savings. They then probably offer to fund meeting etc. Similar method used by reps to get Drs to reduce Tylex usage in favour of their brand.
johnepComment
-
Re: Scriptswitch
i don't see how the NHS can let it happen. If I ever come across a Trinity rep I'm going to give him a piece of my mind !!!! (which is very bitter and warped I may add ).Comment
Comment