The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has expressed concern over the record-breaking number of price concessions in September, issued by the Department of Health.
In September, The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) had issued price concessions for 268 products, and surpassed the previous record of 257 set in June. In August, the DHSC had granted price concessions for 243 products.
The products granted price concessions includes high-volume, commonly prescribed treatments for hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and antibiotics for infections.
NPA Chief Executive Henry Gregg Henry Gregg said: "It is deeply alarming that we have seen yet another month of record-breaking price concessions due to a very volatile medicines supply market.
"This is yet more evidence of a system that is creaking at the seams and in desperate need of reform by the government.
"All too often, even price concessions fail to reflect the true value of ordering a medicine and will still force a pharmacy into dispense an item at a loss.
"Price concessions can in some cases also be an early indicator of shortages, which we know blight patients and pharmacies alike.
"It is a scandal that all too often pharmacies are subsidising the cost of the nations medicines.
“We want to work with the government to address this situation and make long awaited reforms to the pharmacy contract."
Challenge to pharmacy owners
When community pharmacies cannot source a drug at or below the reimbursement price as set out in the Drug Tariff, the DHSC can introduce a price concession at the request of Community Pharmacy England.
As it takes time for DHSC to consider and announce decisions on so many products, it leaves pharmacy owners unsure whether a concession will be granted.
It increases the risk that pharmacy owners will need to purchase medicines without knowing the price they will be reimbursed, adding further strain to already stretched businesses.
This forces pharmacy teams, despite their best efforts, to spend considerable time sourcing stock, managing prescriptions and explaining delays or alternatives to patients and prescribers.
