DHSC re-classifies all Madopar preparations as special containers

The Department of Health of Social Care (DHSC) has re-determined that all six Madopar (Co-beneldopa) preparations meet the special container criteria as outlined in Part II Clause 10 of the Drug Tariff.

"The NHS dictionary of medicines and devices (dm+d) has now been updated with special container status applied to the complete pack sizes of all Madopar preparations," said PSNC.

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"The special container rules apply immediately to all branded or generically written prescriptions for Madopar dispensed from December 2022 onwards."

The following products will be treated as special containers for prescriptions dispensed from December 2022 onwards:

Brand and/or Manufacturer	Generic drug name (dm+d descriptor)	Pack size	Special container
Madopar® 50mg/12.5mg capsules (Roche Products Ltd)	Co-beneldopa 12.5mg/50mg capsules	100	Complete pack
Madopar® 50mg/12.5mg dispersible tablets (Roche Products Ltd)	Co-beneldopa 12.5mg/50mg dispersible tablets sugar free	100	Complete pack
Madopar® 100mg/25mg capsules (Roche Products Ltd)	Co-beneldopa 25mg/100mg capsules	100	Complete pack
Madopar® 100mg/25mg dispersible tablets (Roche Products Ltd)	Co-beneldopa 25mg/100mg dispersible tablets sugar free	100	Complete pack
Madopar® CR capsules (Roche Products Ltd)	Co-beneldopa 25mg/100mg modified-release capsules	100	Complete pack
Madopar® 200mg/50mg capsules (Roche Products Ltd)	Co-beneldopa 50mg/200mg capsules	100	Complete pack

Roche commented:“Over the last few years pharmacists had been raising the challenges they were facing when dispensing Madopar according to its Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Consequently, we proactively approached the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) to collaborate on a solution that would rectify the situation. We are delighted for Pharmacies and the patients they serve that the NHS Business Services Authority has awarded Madopar special container status.”