Original Pack Dispensing (OPD)

In this article:

  • What is OPD?
  • Eligible drugs
  • Warnings for drug categories out of scope for OPD
  • OPD Configuration
  • 10% allowance
  • Exceeding the 10% allowance
  • Dispensing less
  • Owings

What is OPD?

Original Pack Dispensing (OPD) has been introduced in England and Wales to give pharmacists the flexibility to dispense up to 10% more or less of an eligible product, compared with the quantity prescribed where clinically appropriate and where it will result in supply of that product in the manufacturer’s original pack. This improves operational efficiencies, reducing time spent splitting boxes and repackaging medicines to dispense the exact quantity and increases patient safety by ensuring the original pack is supplied, along with the patient information leaflets.

OPD was introduced into ProScript Connect in v1.30.7.

Eligible drugs

OPD applies to EPS prescriptions dispensed in England and 2DRx prescriptions dispensed in Wales.

Products out of scope for OPD include:

  • Controlled Drugs (except schedule 5 Controlled Drugs)
  • Products classed as special containers
  • Part XI appliances – Drug Tariff Category 5, 6, 7, 8
  • Unlicensed specials – Part VIIIB, Part VIIID and non-Tariff specials
  • Products supplied in accordance with SSPs
  • Medicines supplied in accordance with PGDs
  • Valproate containing products

ProScript Connect will warn the user if they attempt to supply an original pack for a drug that is out of scope for OPD.

Warnings for drug categories out of scope for OPD

ProScript Connect will not allow OPD to be applied for drugs that are out of scope. For ineligible drug categories, ProScript Connect will not allow the actual dispensed quantity of an EPS prescription to be increased from the prescribed quantity. You will be prompted if attempting to amend the dispensed quantity when a drug is ineligible.

From the PMR:

From the Edit Prescription screen:

Special container products

A product classed as a Special Container in the Drug Tariff is not eligible for Original Pack Dispensing.

ProScript Connect prompts that an item is classed as a Special Container at the point of processing the EPS prescription.

OPD Configuration

The ability to supply in original packs is controlled by a configuration setting. If you wish to supply in original pack dispensing, use this Application Setting. Access Edit Application settings, select the PMR category and enable the setting Original Pack Dispensing Enabled, then click F10 – Save.

10% allowance

During processing

When dispensing in an original pack the dispensed quantity will be within +/- 10% than the prescribed quantity. Therefore, the dispensed quantity will need to be updated to reflect the original pack quantity. There are various points during the dispensing process where this can be done.

There is no requirement to endorse that OPD has been applied – the dispensed quantity differs to the prescribed quantity as the dispensed quantity will be sent in the xml claim message.

Increasing or decreasing the dispensed quantity within 10% of the actual prescribed quantity tolerance to complete OPD will amend the electronic claim message resulting in payment for the actual dispensed quantity – the whole pack.

Where 10% of the pack does not equal a whole number, to allow OPD, the number should be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number. An exact half should be rounded down.

For example, you have a prescription for Codeine Phosphate 15mg tablets x 56 tablets. This product comes in packs of 30 and you change the dispensed quantity to 60. OPD is allowed as the adjustment is 4 tablets and less than 10% of the prescribed quantity. The claim is made for the 60 tablets in the original packs.

There are two points at which the dispensed quantity could be changed during the processing of an EPS or 2DRx prescription to complete OPD.

1. From the Dispense EPS Prescription screen
  1.  Process the prescription to the Dispense EPS prescription screen.
  2. On the Enter Quantity tab, amend the dispensed quantity.
  3. Complete processing the prescription as usual.
2. From the PMR
  1. On the PMR, highlight the item, then click F5 – Change Quantity.
  2. In the Drug Quantity screen, amend the quantity, then click F10 – Save. 
  3. Complete processing the prescription as usual.

After processing

Increasing or decreasing the dispensed quantity within the 10% of the actual prescribed quantity tolerance to complete OPD will amend the electronic claim message resulting in payment for the actual dispensed quantity only – the original pack quantity.

When the value of the reduced dispensed quantity is eligible for OPD, a message is displayed, giving you the choice to continue with OPD or create an Owing.

Tip: The edit for OPD should be completed before the claim is sent.

There are three ways to access the Edit Script screen:

1. From Reprints using Edit Script

2. From the PMR using Edit Rx

3. From the ETP
  1. Highlight the script (status is Dispensed), then click F2 – View/Edit.
  2. From the Edit Prescription screen, highlight the required prescription item.
  3. Click F5 – Change Dispensed Quantity. 
  4. Type in the new dispensed quantity, then click F10 – OK. 
    The Dispensing Details are updated.
  5. Select a Reason for Change, adding any required Edit Reason notes.
  6. Click F10 – Save and the amended labels will print.

    Tip: Saving the edit will update the Prescribed Quantity to match the Dispensed Quantity.

Exceeding the 10% allowance

When using any of the methods to change the dispensed quantity, if the quantity allowed for OPD is exceeded, the following message is displayed.

For example, you have a prescription for Aspirin 300mg tablets x 28. This product comes in packs of 32 and you change the dispensed quantity to 32. OPD is NOT allowed as the adjustment is 4 tablets and is more than 10% of the prescribed quantity.

Dispensing less

Users may choose to supply less than the total prescribed quantity for a clinical reason aside from OPD. This is still possible by reducing the dispensed quantity in the same areas listed above.

Owings

When the value of the dispensed quantity is not eligible for OPD, more than the minus 10% tolerance, an Owing will be created by default.

For example, you have a prescription for Codeine Phosphate 15 mg tablets x 30. You change the dispensed quantity to 21. This adjustment for 9 tablets is NOT eligible for OPD as it exceeds the minus the 10% tolerance allowed.

An Owing is automatically created.

Further information on Owings

KB5004165