Original Pack Dispensing
Original Pack Dispensing (OPD) comes into effect for NHS dispensing in England on 1st January 2025.
Previously, in October 2023, changes to the Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) allowed pharmacies to dispense up to 10% more or less than the quantity prescribed (OPD +/- 10% dispensing) for private prescriptions for POMs.
Now, The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 allows OPD +/- 10% for NHS prescriptions in England following consideration of suitability by the supervising pharmacist.
This will allow the flexibility to supply up to 10% more or less than the prescribed quantity, if that would mean the medicine could be dispensed in the manufacturer’s original pack, and other prescription requirements are fulfilled.
Professional judgment should be exercised to assess the suitability of applying OPD +/- 10% dispensing, and it is not expected to be appropriate in all cases.
Examples of this are:
- Antibiotic courses
- Steroid courses
- Supplies in Monitored Dosage Systems
- Where there are concerns that the patient will otherwise not be able to follow the medicine regimen
- Prescriptions with additional information to restrict supply such as weekly supplies for vulnerable patients
Reimbursement for OPD +/- 10% dispensing will only apply to EPS prescriptions. The small percentage of FP10 paper prescriptions dispensed will continue to be reimbursed in line with current arrangements.
OPD +/- 10% dispensing will only be applicable for dispensing prescriptions and will not apply to supplies in accordance with Serious Shortages Protocols or Patient Group Directions.
| Products that will be reimbursed for OPD +/- 10% dispensing | Products not included: |
|---|---|
| POMs | Special containers |
| Non-POMs (P, GSL, non-medicines including ACBS (Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances) products, food supplements, cosmetics, toiletries etc) | Unlicensed specials (Part VIIIB, Part VIIID and non-Tariff specials) |
| Schedule 5 Controlled Drugs (Sch 5 CDs) | Schedule 1-4 Controlled Drugs (Sch 1-4 CDs) |
OPD +/- 10% examples
Prescription for Atorvastatin 20mg chewable tablets x28 Product for dispensing Lipitor 20mg chewable tablets available in pack sizes of 30 tablets Applying the +/- 10% rule means that 1x30 can be dispensed as difference is 2 tablets (7.1%) |
Prescription for Betahistine 16mg tablets x90 Product for dispensing generic Betahistine 16mg tablets available in pack sizes of 84 tablets Applying the +/- 10% rule means that 1x84 can be dispensed as difference is 6 tablets (7.1%) |
Prescription for Nabumetone 500mg tablets x30 Product for dispensing generic Nabumetone 500mg tablets available in pack sizes of 56 tablets Cannot apply the +/- 10% rule and the pack would need to be split to dispense 30 tablets as the difference is 26 tablets (46%) |
Prescription for Calcichew D3 tablets x90 Product for dispensing Calcichew D3 tablets available in pack sizes of 100 tablets Applying the +/- 10% rule means that 1x100 can be dispensed as difference is 10 tablets (10%) |