Script Switch – now up and running!

Script Switch is a prescribing tool that helps GPs make more cost effective prescribing choices. I does three things; firstly it alerts us to drugs that cheaper if prescribed by brand name, secondly it tells us about some preparations that are cheaper and thirdly it gives us what seems like random advice about some of the drugs we prescribe,

In the past GPs have always been advised to prescribe drugs ‘generically’, that is by their chemical name, because generic drugs are usually cheaper and thus more cost effective. However, because of the way the NHS pays for drugs some branded drugs are actually cheaper than when they are prescribed generically.

Examples of this include generic chloramphenicol eye ointment that we prescribe for conjunctivitis costs the NHS £2.07 whereas brand name chloramphenicol, Choloromycetin costs the NHS £1.08 – a cost saving of 99p per prescription. When you start looking at drugs that are often on repeats the savings getting bigger; the drug sulfasalazine that is used for patients with rheumatoid arthritis typically costs £14.02 per month, whereas the brand name equivalent Salazopyrin EN costs £8.43 – a saving of £5.59 per month.

Another way that Script Switch helps is by recommending specific formulations of drugs. This typically means choosing either drugs in tablet or capsule form. For example the antidepressant venlafaxine if it is prescribed as a capsule costs £37.51 per months, whereas prescribed as a capsule costs £17.45 per month. This is a whooping saving of £20.06 per month – this is for the same drug having the same effect!

The way that GPs notice is that when they are about to prescribe a drug where there is a cost effective alternative they get a dialogue box that they can either accept or decline. It is quick to use and does not slow the computer down. For patients you might find the name of your drug will change. If it is a generic to brand name switch then the brand name will be always be the same.

Feedback from GPs is that is OK to use, we hope it will save some money from our drug budget and don’t think it will negatively impact on patients – which is all good news!

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