Eye lid wipes available on prescription

Q. I am a pharmacy contractor in Scotland and I have received a prescription for ‘Systane Eye Lid Wipes’, is this allowed?

A. No I am afraid they are no longer listed in part 7U of the Scottish Drug Tariff where the item was previously treated as a pay and report  (The pharmacy must provide proof of the invoice price for payment to be made.) 

The only lid care wipes available at this time on NHS prescription are Blephaclean wipes  and Evolve eye lid wipes, these are both listed in the appliance section part 3 of the Scottish Drug Tariff .

Please note that eye lid care wipes are not yet recognised as a category for the purposes of reimbursement under tariff rules. Therefore, if the prescription is written as ‘generic eye lid care wipes’ it would NOT be reimbursed. Blephaclean wipes  and Evolve eye lid wipes are also the only eye lid wipes allowed in the England & Wales and Northern Ireland Drug Tariffs

Blephaclean eye lid wipes: sterile ready to use preservative free wipes. They are suitable for blepharitis, dry eyes and meibomian gland dysfunction.

Evolve eyelid wipes: Used for MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction), blepharitis & all types of dry eye, preservative-free and detergents-free

The following products are not CE marked, they are classed as cosmetics and so do not need to be listed in the Drug Tariff. The products need to be check that they are not blacklisted and if not will be reimbursed on an NHS prescription:

Blephagel eye gel is a carbomer-based gel used to maintain the daily hygiene of sensitive eyelids. It is also suitable for cleaning of desquamated and soiled edges of the eyes such as in blepharitis. It is suitable for contact lens wearers and is available in a preservative-free formulation.

Lumicare Eyelid Wipes 20 Sachets. Lumicare is for the daily hygiene of eyes, which can be used for cleaning away the stickiness of eyelids. It is also preservative free, so ideal for sensitive eyes.

Supranettes Cleansing Wipes 20 Sachets. Supranettes hygiene eye pads clean round the eye lids and eye lashes, and they can remove the debris and impurities around the eye area. They are also suitable for using on babies around the eye area.

Numark Lid Care Wipes 20 Sachets. Individual sachets that are sterile and preservative free which are refreshing for sensitive eyes

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If you have any questions about the Drug Tariff - call Information Services on 0800 783 5709 option 2