Hints and Tips is a quarterly bulletin designed to help our dispensing contractors with their interaction with NHS Prescription Services.

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October 2024 - available online here

In this edition:

• MYS July Activity: Tuesday 5 November 2024 deadline
• New ePACT2 dashboards: UTI and Pharmacy First
• 2024/25 seasonal flu vaccine reimbursement
• New oversupply data available in ePACT2
• End of month batch submissions
• Encourage patients to check before they tick

New ePACT2 dashboards: UTI and Pharmacy First

We have released our new 'Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)' antimicrobial stewardship dashboard in our ePACT2 system. The dashboard includes the latest data on the prescribing of selected antibiotics in primary and community care to treat UTIs.

We'll also soon be launching a new 'Pharmacy First' antimicrobial stewardship dashboard in ePACT2. This dashboard will include Pharmacy First consultation activity at a population level for all 42 NHS Integrated Care Boards in England.

2024/25 seasonal flu vaccine reimbursement

For the 2024/25 flu season, we have produced free guidance on correctly completing FP34D forms and claiming Items of Service fees.

New oversupply data available on ePACT2

Oversupply is when more medication is dispensed than is typically needed or wanted by the patient. Our new oversupply dashboard within ePACT2 provides data to support initiatives around addressing inconsistencies with repeat prescribing processes. This helps minimise waste and the risk of harm to patients across ten clinical prescribing areas.

You will need to register for ePACT2 access to view our oversupply data.

End of month batch submissions

All contractors must include their Account Identifier Document (AID) in the box with your end of month batch submission.

Place the Account Identifier Document alongside your paper prescription bundle before sending it to us for payment. We use the Account Identifier Document to easily identify which pharmacy has submitted their prescription bundle. This helps us to speed up prescription processing.

Send your end of month batch submissions to us no later than the 5th day of the month following that in which the supply was made.

Encourage patients to check before they tick

Patients can easily check if they are eligible for free NHS prescriptions by visiting nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check.

Patients may be entitled to an exemption certificate that allows them to claim free NHS prescriptions, such as a maternity exemption certificate or a medical exemption certificate.

Before signing the prescription declaration, you should ask patients to check the form. They are responsible for ensuring the information is correct to avoid a penalty charge. If evidence of eligibility is not seen, please mark the box on the FP10 form.

If evidence is required but missing, you should advise patients that verification checks may be carried out on claims for free NHS prescriptions.

Claiming free NHS prescriptions without a valid exemption may result in a patient penalty charge of up to £100.