May 6th 2025

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Avoid refer backs with latest NHSBSA newsletter

NHS BSA's latest newsletter Hints and Tips Issue 59 tackles issues for dispensing GPs, including advice on avoiding referred back prescriptions and prescriber codes.

Codes RB2B and RB6 are often applied to referred back prescriptions: 

• RB6 means that the prescriber must include the strength, quantity and presentation required on the prescription form for Controlled Drug orders to be processed.
• RB2B means that the presentation is not present on the prescription, making the order or endorsement incomplete.

The presentation is the pharmaceutical form that was dispensed. For example, this could be tablets, capsules, suspension, solution, vials, syringes or ampules. If you are dispensing a Drug Tariff item, you must endorse the item as it is listed in the Drug Tariff.

The importance of including prescriber codes is also highlighted. For dispensing GPs, prescriber codes are also important when claiming dispensing fees, which are calculated based on prescribing volumes per prescriber.  NHSBSA also highlights that unidentified prescribing impacts prescribing budgets and any clinical governance arrangements that rely on prescribing information. 

To register prescribers at your GP practice or to update prescriber details, you must notify either:

• an authorised signatory within your Integrated Care Board or;
• an agency acting on behalf of NHS England, such as Primary Care Support England.

Other items for dispensing GPs covered in the newsletter include:  

• Endorsing not dispensed items 
• Understanding your Schedule of Payments