According to the PSNC, the Department of Health has confirmed that clopidogrel 75mg tablets will be moved to Category A of the Drug Tariff with effect 1st December 2009.

Therefore, from 1st December, the Part VIII reference price of clopidogrel will be the weighted average of the prices for generic clopidogrel listed by the following suppliers and manufacturers: AAH, Alliance Healthcare, Teva and Activas. Where a prescription is received for clopidogrel, pharmacies can fulfill the prescription with clopidogrel besilate or clopidogrel hydrochloride, but regardless of which product they supply they will only be paid the category A reference price.

However, where a prescription is received for clopidogrel 75mg hydrogen sulphate, pharmacies must legally and ethically dispense a product based on this salt. The brand, Plavix® is currently the only product available in the UK that matches this description.

The PSNC has written to all pharmacy system suppliers to alert them to this change. Please see link below for details and summary of endorsing guidance.