A 'special' is a specially prepared formulation prescribed to meet an individual clinical need of a patient, where there is currently no licensed version. For example, a particular strength, a preservative-free formulation or a particular product presentation or form.
Specials should only be prescribed if there is no licensed alternative that is equivalent. If there is a licensed alternative a special should not be prescribed or dispensed. Specials represent only a small percentage of all prescriptions.
All unlicensed specials can be obtained from a specials manufacturer or manufactured by the contractor or 3rd Party (Section 10 exemption of the Medicines Act 1968). However the payment arrangements for 'listed' and 'non-listed' unlicensed specials are slightly different. This also includes imported products.
The DoH has introduced a tariff for unlicensed specials for England and Wales. There are presently no changes in the remuneration of specials in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
