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Chemotherapy Vial / Claiming
To commence From 1 December 2011 revised arrangements for the efficient funding of chemotherapy drugs will take took effect. These revised arrangements cover both infusible and injectable chemotherapy medicines. Prescribing and dispensing arrangements for oral chemotherapy medicines remain unchanged.
The Revised Arrangements will change the way that prescriptions are written and how pharmacies are remunerated. Pharmacies will be paid for the most cost-efficient combination of vials which makes up a patient dose. Pharmacists will still be able to choose how they prepare each injection or infusion.
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require prescribers to write dose specific prescriptions using milligrams (in most situations) without specific reference to forms and strengths;,
pay approved suppliers/pharmacists for the most cost-efficient combination of vials that makes up the required patient dose; and
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In addition, pharmacies may claim new dispensing fees per injection/infusion that recognise the specialist nature of preparing chemotherapy medicines. These are in addition to the Ready Prepared Dispensing Fee of $6.42, and include:
Preparation fee ($40);,
Distribution fee ($24), which replaces the wholesale mark-up; and
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When the pharmacist selects a chemotherapy drug, a window automatically pops up that allows the pharmacist to enter ingredients for chemotherapy infusion. The lower half of the box shows the options for vial amounts, allowing the pharmacist to choose the correct size/vial combination for the prescribed quantity and ingredients in order to get the cheapest ingredients paid for by Medicare.
If the the script is to be prepared externally then tick the box 'Prepare Externally' , add any comments and go OK.
If the infusion is to be prepared in the pharmacy, then you have the option to choose whichever vials you wish. However, Medicare will only pay for the cheapest combination of vials. These are displayed in the bottom of the window. The top window shows the actual ingredients dispensed (which you should alter to reflect exactly what has been dispensed).