Retrospective price adjustment for Bisoprolol oral solution
A retrospective price adjustment has been confirmed for NHS prescriptions of Bisoprolol 5mg/5ml oral solution dispensed in August 2025, following the launch of a licensed 1mg/ml version by Aspire Pharma Ltd during the same month.
At the same time, an unlicensed version of Bisoprolol 5mg/5ml oral solution, used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure, was also listed in Part VIIIB of the Drug Tariff.
Related Article: Sickle cell disorder: what pharmacists need to know
Under Drug Tariff rules, generically written prescriptions for either Bisoprolol 5mg/5ml or 1mg/ml oral solution would have been reimbursed according to the Part VIIIB price in the August Drug Tariff.
However, due to the availability of the licensed product in August, the Department of Health and Social Care has made adjustments to payments for prescriptions claimed that month, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has confirmed.
These adjustments will be applied automatically and reflected in the relevant Schedule of Payments.
Reimbursement outcomes for August 2025 will depend on how the product was prescribed and endorsed.
Related Article: New data reveals 'relentless' 27% hike in costs of prescription drugs
Where prescriptions were endorsed with the licensed Aspire Pharma Ltd product, reimbursement will be based on the UK list price.
Prescriptions endorsed as Part VIIIB specials will be reimbursed according to the August Drug Tariff Part VIIIB price. This also applies to Drug Tariff Special Order items, even if the Aspire Pharma Ltd product was supplied and endorsed.
Related Article: Beyond the scales: reframing eating disorder recognition in primary care
Where no endorsement was present, the NHS Business Services Authority will contact the pharmacy to confirm what was dispensed and reimburse accordingly.
Pharmacy teams should also note that both Bisoprolol 5mg/5ml oral solution and Bisoprolol 5mg/5ml oral suspension have been removed from Part VIIIB of the September 2025 Drug Tariff.
Keep your clinical knowledge up to date with The Pharmacist
Extend your learning and record your learning outcomes
Have your say
Please add your comment in the box below. You can include links, but HTML is not permitted. Please note that comments are not moderated before publication and the views expressed are those of the user and do not reflect the views of The Pharmacist. Remember that submission of comments is governed by our Terms and Conditions. You can also read our full guidelines on article comments here – but please be aware that you are legally liable for any libellous or offensive comments that you make. If you have a complaint about a comment or are concerned that a comment breaches our terms and conditions, please use the ‘Report this comment’ function to alert our web team.