September 28th 2023

By Ailsa Colquhoun

All you (n)ever wanted to know about your drug statement and VAT

Day 2 afternoon session opens with technical dispensing guidance

DDA Board Member and GP partner Dr Mike Barstow opened the afternoon session on Day 2 of the DDA conference with a technical presentation entitled: All you (n)ever wanted to know about your drug statement & VAT.

The presentation looked at the following areas:

• Payment date vs Submission date
• Cost of drugs: how this is worked out
• Wrong script movements: what they are and how to monitor
• Mythical/ retired prescribers still appearing on drug statement
• Dispensing fee scale and ensuring greatest efficiency of prescribers.

The presentation also reviewed the rules on VAT for dispensing practices, and Dr Barstow left conference with the following key messages:

• It is vital that your practice or dispensary manager, or finance lead understands which items you can and cannot claim VAT back on
• Don’t simply believe the wholesalers invoice- they often don’t understand the rules and are allocated according to NHS prescription pricing and not HMRC
• Get your VAT reclaim right – no one wants a VAT inspection.

View the presentation: All you (n)ever wanted to know about your drug statement & VAT.