§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the reimbursement arrangements for pharmacists and dispensing doctors relating to generics. [133852]
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§ Mr. DenhamLinked to the recent introduction of a statutory maximum price scheme for generic medicines, the government abolished Category D of Part VIII of the Drug Tariff with effect from September prescriptions and replaced it with more tightly controlled arrangements for reimbursing pharmacists fairly when due to shortage they have no alternative but to purchase a more expensive product.
Work on longer-term arrangements for the supply of generics to the community—including reimbursement arrangements for pharmacists—is still in progress. We intend to discuss our proposals with interested parties before reaching final decisions on the way forward.