Can contractors continue to provide MURs during the pandemic?
The DH has not issued instructions about MURs during the pandemic and PCTs continue to be directed to make sure that they are provided. Unlike certain aspects of the GP contract, there is currently no regulatory mechanism by which PCTs can suspend the provision of MURs during a flu pandemic. However when planning for emergencies, including pandemic flu, pharmacy contractors will want to consider at what point they themselves decide to suspend the provision of MURs (or not) as pharmacy workload increases and/or resources decrease. I have heard that vouchers are the only method of authorisation for antivirals for U13s. What about Unique Reference Numbers (URNs)? It was recently announced that all authorisation for the supply of antivirals for children under 13 years of age by GPs must be by voucher, and for those over 13 by voucher or by using the RHS of the prescription. This decision follows an assessment of the risks and benefits of GPs using FP10s or vouchers to authorise the supply
