You should sort your FP10 prescriptions in line with the guidance shown on the FP34 submission document.
Using the red separator when submitting your prescription forms for payment ensures that forms including certain items will be subject to an additional check before final payment is confirmed.
Forms with these items on them should be wrapped in the red separators and enclosed with your FP34 submission form, or Account Identifier Document if a pharmacy contractor, for despatch to NHS Prescription Services.
While it's recommended that elastic bands are used to secure these prescriptions, if a small number of forms are submitted in the red separator then a paper clip may be used.
Only these items should be included in the red separator. Including any other items in the red separator may lead to a delay in payment.
Items to include in red separators (pharmacy contractors)
Only prescription items meeting these criteria should be included in the red separator:
- FS (free supply of sexual health treatment) - contraceptives do not fall into the FS classification and, if endorsed, FS do not need to be submitted in the red separator.
- SSP (Serious Shortage Protocol).
- Bulk prescriptions
- HMP prescriptions from prison prescribers with the HMP abbreviation in the prescribers address
- Items with broken bulk claims.
- Items with a net ingredient cost of £100 or more.
- Items where prescribers have included supplementary product information.
- Specials (unlicensed medicines manufactured in response to a prescription for an individual patient where a licensed product is not available).
- Items where prescribers have made a handwritten amendment.
- Prescription forms where the prescriber's signature encroaches on the last item on the prescription form.
- Items where out of pocket expenses have been claimed.
Items to include in red separators (dispensing doctor contractors)
Only prescription items meeting these criteria should be included in the red separator:
- FS (free supply of sexual health treatment) - contraceptives do not fall into the FS classification and, if endorsed, FS do not need to be submitted in the red separator.
View additional information for dispensing doctors about the red separator (PDF:916KB).