Q: You receive a prescription for:

• Prednisolone 2.5mg gastro-resistant tablets x 28
• Prednisolone 1mg tablets x 28

How many professional fees and how many patient charges will apply?

A: 2 professional fees and 2 patient charges: where different strengths of the same preparation are dispensed, only one patient charge applies but two professional fees would apply for two items dispensed. Gastro-resistant tablets are a different dosage form to standard release tablets and so they are considered different preparations. There is therefore one patient charge for each item.

Tariff Tip written by Sue Swift, UK Drug Tariff and Information Technician