Some important changes to the C+D subscription package   07/12/2007

What’s happening and why?

For many years pharmacists in the UK have found the information published each month in the C+D Price List invaluable, enabling them to order products, as well as to check prices and other product details.

However, the world has changed considerably since it was first published in the 1940s and greater usage is now made of the Price List in its electronic format rather than via the printed book. Although many pharmacists might not be aware of it, most dispensary computer systems and pharmacy EPoS systems incorporate elements of the C+D database.   The computerised ordering that is the norm throughout the pharmacy sector relies heavily on the maintenance of accurate PIP codes to function effectively.

Today’s pharmacists have varying needs and require a more flexible range of options that relate to the way they actually use the data and publications that C+D provides.   From January 2008 we are introducing a new set of subscription options that reflect current habits and which will allow pharmacists to choose between print, electronic or web access or a combination of all of these.  The options are explained in the accompanying table.

What are the new options?

What about EPoS ?

In addition to the above, a number of pharmacists require additional product information (including PIP Code, EAN code, till roll description, price, etc) to support their EPoS tills. To receive this electronic data your EPoS system supplier will ask you to sign an end-user licence at a cost of just £10 per month per shop

Web access?

Pharmacists and others who only wish to access  C+D Data via the web can find product descriptions, PIP codes, prices and much more at www.cddata.co.uk. The full dataset includes: downloadable pdfs of the weekly Price List Update; EAN barcodes; AMPP codes; pack dimensions; historical pricing; legal categories; and formulations. The cost of this is £10 per month or £120 annually.

Why has the price gone up?

Pharmacists will already recognise that acquiring the services that help them run their businesses efficiently is unlikely to be free and comes with a cost, however there are a few reasons why C+D has found it necessary to restructure the subscription package.

C+D has made a large investment to upgrade the database to make it fit for the needs of today’s and more particularly tomorrow’s technology.   In addition, the size of the database has grown considerably in recent years and now contains more than 80,000 products. The more data held, the more work there is in collating it and ensuring its accuracy.  Finally, the costs of printing and posting the paper Price List have increased dramatically in recent years, outstripping any increase in the annual subscription.

C+D recognises that no business welcomes a price increase so we have ensured that subscribers have at least one ‘no-increase’ option. This means pharmacies can still receive C+D and Over the Counter magazines and access to the  data they need to continue ordering products at a slight saving compared to the old price.

The government has recognised that pharmacy businesses incur IT costs in delivering pharmacy services and is making specific payments to contractors  to ensure that pharmacies are equipped to meet the challenges presented by technology. Data is just one aspect of the technological challenges facing pharmacy but it is an important building block in the whole process.

What are the benefits to pharmacists of the changes?

• A single standardised data source which is updated weekly based on information provided by manufacturers
• Accurate, up-to-date data on 80,000+ products (On average we process some 26,000 updates every year in order to provide the reliability your business needs)
• Access via the web to data not previously published for answering ad hoc queries
• Epos file with expanded availability of EAN codes and EAN code history, plus an expanding range of products
• Pack dimensions (for those with robots or plannogramming software)
• The developments mean that more products will scan at point of sale, improving the speed at which you can deal with customers and patients
• Automatic linking of PIP, EAN and AMPP codes to facilitate ETP
  

What if I don’t subscribe to the electronic (ordering) file?

You don't have to subscribe, but you should think carefully about the impact it might have on your business if you don't. C+D Data, which includes the PIP code and other valuable information, is incorporated into both dispensary and front-of-shop systems by the system suppliers, who do so under licence. If you do not have an appropriate subscription you will not have the right to access our data electronically in your systems and you may find activities such as ordering more difficult.

What are the timescales for these changes?

The new subscription scheme will be rolled out from 1st January 2008. Your current subscription will continue as normal until your 2008 expiry date after which time you will be offered the new choice of subscription packages as they come up for renewal.

What action do I (a pharmacist or pharmacy owner) need to take?

If you are a current subscriber, C+D will contact you in the normal way before your subscription expires. We will set out the options available to you and be on hand to give you any advice you require via our telephone helpline.

If you are not a current subscriber you will need to subscribe to a relevant package in order to continue to be able to use the PIP code and other C+D Data in your pharmacy computer system (for example, to order products via your computer system). You should contact the C+D subscription hotline urgently to arrange the relevant subscription.

If you require C+D data to support your EPoS tills, you will have to pay for an end-user licence to obtain this data. Your EPoS system supplier will arrange this.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss your subscription, call our hotline on 01858 438809.