GPs are being asked to update their systems to ensure people with Parkinson’s disease get the right quantity of a common medicine after a reclassification under special container rules.
All co-beneldopa products, including Madopar, across all strengths will now have to be provided in the original manufacturer pack sizes of 100 and cannot be broken into different amounts.
The change to ‘special container status’, for the medicines was made by the Department of Health of Social Care and came into force on 1 February.
In a primary care bulletin, NHS England said the changes may mean that GPs are approached by people with Parkinson’s or carers to discuss their prescription for co-beneldopa and Madopar.
Practices are being asked to review records of anyone on the medication and either make a change to the quantity their prescribed to ensure they have enough each month or to speak to the patient to make them aware of the issue and discuss their preference.
There are six preparations that will fall under the new criteria which apply to all branded or generic prescriptions.
In an update to patients, Parkinson’s UK said when the quantity prescribed falls exactly between two containers, pharmacists have been told to round down, and supply the nearest complete container.
But when the quantity ordered is more than halfway into the second pack size, the second complete container should also be supplied.
‘This could mean that a person with Parkinson’s might need to access their next repeat prescription either a few days earlier or later than they usually would have done,’ the charity advised.
In the bulletin sent to GPs NHS England said: ‘Please ensure any changes are made to their records, so they get the amount they need.’
What a stupid waste of time, as if we haven’t got enough siht to be dealing with. Thanks
I thik yo ment to spill ‘sith’ maybee, Dr Green. Why the change to container status if patients were well satisfied? anybody know?