The Department of Health has announced changes to how prescriptions for midazolam 10mg/1ml oral solution (listed in Part VIIIB of the Drug Tariff) will be processed as follows:

• From 1 December 2011, where the contractor has provided the prescribed quantity of midazolam 10mg/ml oral solution in containers with an integral means of administration, these prescriptions will be reimbursed as multiples of the 5ml basic price listed in Part VIIIB of the Drug Tariff.

• To ensure accurate payment, contractors must clearly endorse where they have supplied containers with an integral means of administration e.g. the quantity dispensed over pack size (20ml/5ml) or as 4x5ml.

• Where the prescription is not endorsed to indicate that the contractor has supplied a container with an integral means of administration, payment will be based on the existing arrangements laid out in Part VIIIB – the minimum volume (5ml) plus the price/ml for any volume dispensed thereafter.