The UA responds to the consultation from the Dept of Health and Social Care around modernisation of Part IX of the ‘Drug Tariff’
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recently issued a consultation focusing on Part IX of the ‘Drug Tariff’ – the list of medical devices which are approved by NHS Prescription Services to be prescribed by authorised healthcare practitioners, such as GPs and stoma nurses. Urostomy bags and associated equipment are contained within this list.
In recent years, the world of medical devices has evolved dramatically, and in February 2023 the Government set out its Medical Technology Strategy modernising Part IX of the Drug Tariff. The aim of the review is to ensure that patients are offered the right product, in the right place, at the right price.
The DHSC engaged with patient, industry, and clinical stakeholders to seek feedback on each of the proposed changes. This paper outlines the response from the Urostomy Association, which we developed in collaboration with experienced stoma nurses, senior clinicians and patients themselves.