GP practices will be able to order sub-dermal contraceptive implants directly and claim back the cost from next year.
NHS England has made this change to streamline the process for patients who currently have to go to the pharmacy to pick up the implant themselves and then make a further GP appointment to have it fitted.
The amended GP contract, published at the end of September, now includes sub-dermal contraceptive implants in the list of products for which GMS practices may be entitled to payments.
This amendment will come into force from 1 January 2025, and in the meantime NHS England has advised community pharmacists to consider ‘running down their stocks’.
A bulletin for primary care sent last month said: ‘From 1 January 2025, GP practices will be able to order sub dermal contraceptive implants (Nexplanon) directly from the supplier and claim back the cost.
‘The Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE) will be published on 1 October 2024 including this change.
‘This will mean that patients do not have to go to the pharmacy to pick up the implant themselves and then make a further GP appointment to get it fitted.’
Amended General Medical Services SFE
Personally administered drugs and appliances and those used for diagnosis
(4) A contractor who is providing services under a GMS contract may, whether or not the contractor is authorised or required to provide dispensing services to specific patients, be entitled to the payments listed in paragraph (3). This applies only in relation to the following products—
(a) vaccines, anaesthetics and injections;
(b) the following diagnostic reagents: Dick Test; Schick Test; Protein Sensitisation Test Solutions; and Tuberculin Tests (i.e. Koch Test, Mantoux Test, Patch Test and Diagnostic Jelly);
(c) intrauterine contraceptive devices (including drug-releasing IUCDs, contraceptive caps and diaphragms);
(d) pessaries which are appliances; and
(e) sutures (including skin closing strips).
(f) sub-dermal contraceptive implants.
Community pharmacy leaders advised pharmacies that this change to the regulations is ‘likely to significantly reduce’ the number of implant prescriptions they dispense, as GP practices take on more responsibility for this.
Last year, a new pharmacy contraception service launched across England which allowed community pharmacies to manage the ongoing monitoring and supply of repeat oral contraception that has already been initiated by a GP or a sexual health service.
Oops, I thought Norplant was an ‘injection’, just like Zoladex, and I suspect some Practices have been injecting both implants for some time from stocks.
Nexplanon