Following representations from PSNC, the Department of Health of Social Care (DHSC) has re-determined the special container status of a further 9 drugs which meet the criteria as set out in Part II Clause 10B of the Drug Tariff. The products following products will be classified as special containers from April 2022.
Generic drug name (dm+d descriptor)
Brand and/or Manufacturer
Pack size
Special container
Bimatoprost 300micrograms/ml eye drops 0.4ml unit dose preservative free
Aspire Pharma Ltd
30 (6 x 5)
Sub-pack of 5
Ciclosporin 0.1% eye drops 0.3ml unit dose
Ikervis (Santen UK Ltd)
30 (6 x 5)
Sub-pack of 5
Ciclosporin 0.1% eye drops 0.3ml unit dose
Verkazia (Santen UK Ltd)
120 (24 x 5)
Sub-pack of 5
Ciprofloxacin 2mg/ml ear drops 0.25ml unit dose preservative free
Cetraxal (Aspire Pharma Ltd)
15 (3 x 5)
Sub-pack of 5
Ciprofloxacin 3mg/ml / Fluocinolone acetonide 0.25mg/ml ear drops 0.25ml unit dose preservative free
Cetraxal Plus (Aspire Pharma Ltd)
15 (3 x 5)
Sub-pack of 5
Ketotifen 250micrograms/ml eye drops 0.4ml unit dose preservative free
Ketofall (Scope Ophthalmics Ltd)
30 (6 x 5)
Sub-pack of 6
Levofloxacin 5mg/ml eye drops 0.3ml unit dose preservative free
Oftaquix (Santen UK Ltd)
30 (3 x 10)
Sub-pack of 10
Sevelamer 800mg oral powder sachets sugar free
Renvela (Sanofi)
90 sachet
Complete pack
Sodium cromoglicate 2% eye drops 0.3ml unit dose preservative free
Catacrom (Rayner Pharmaceuticals Ltd)
30 (3 x 10)
Sub-pack of 10
Where a product meets the special container criteria as set out in the Drug Tariff, a special container indicator for the relevant pack size (complete pack or sub-pack) is applied to the respective product entries in the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d) and in the Drug Tariff, where listed.
Following applications made by PSNC, to date a total of 121 products have now been reclassified as special containers. PSNC is awaiting responses from Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for over 600 other products that we believe meet the Drug Tariff criteria for special containers but have not been annotated accordingly in the Drug Tariff and dm+d.
For a list of all the monthly changes to the special container status of products please see the following page Notice of changes to special container status of products.
If you identify any particular product(s) that should be reclassified as a special containers please notify PSNC’s Dispensing and Supply Team (0203 1220 810 or info@psnc.org.uk) who will investigate and assess if it meets the relevant criteria. Where appropriate, PSNC will make application to the NHSBSA and DHSC seeking for the special container status of the product(s) to be re-determined.