C+D reported earlier this month that contractors in England are “highly stressed” waiting for concessionary prices for several items, including levetiracetam, amlodipine and felodipine. Since then, pharmacy support group Numark has urged the government to take “immediate action” to agree concessionary prices for 60 generic items.

On Friday afternoon (December 8), PSNC said that – “following repeated pressure to the Department of Health (DH) – it had just “received a list of proposed concession prices for 52 of the 67 outstanding requests for November concessions”.

The negotiator announced today (December 11) that it has responded to the proposed prices, and will provide more details about them “as soon as we can”.

“[The] DH’s action in delaying many November concessions has caused massive concerns for contractors, as they will need to pay for November supplies at the end of December, and this will include many lines purchased at very high prices.”

PSNC is “pressing for confirmation of December concessions as soon as possible,” it added.

“We are also working to ensure that the DH understands the problems and risks if pharmacies are not able to obtain medicines for patients in a timely manner, and to press for better systems to address the impact of high price rises.”