Dispensing of Exempt Medicinal Products under Community Drug Schemes

A product can only be dispensed under the community drug schemes if it has a GMS code or an administrative code, these codes are visible on the IPU product file. Most EMPs do not have an administrative code, and by virtue of being an EMP will not have a GMS code. Therefore EMPs without administration codes can only be claimed under the community drug schemes using either the hardship arrangement for GMS patients, or DPS exception 777XX codes, both which need prior authorisation from the HSE before dispensing. We continue to raise with all stakeholders the significance of this additional activity and workload for pharmacists in managing medicine shortages.