Long-Awaited Change for Sub-Dermal Contraceptive Implants Coming in 2025
We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news that we’ve been advocating for over the years. Starting from 1 January 2025, GP practices will finally be able to order sub-dermal contraceptive implants, such as Nexplanon, directly from the supplier. This long-awaited update will be formally included in the Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE), which is due to be published on 1 October 2024.
This is a significant step forward, not just for practices, but for patients as well.
What’s Changing?
Until now, the process for getting a sub-dermal contraceptive implant involved a two-step appointment system. Patients had to visit the GP, receive a prescription, then head to the pharmacy to collect the implant, and finally return to the practice for a second appointment to have it fitted. This added an extra layer of complexity and inconvenience to what should be a simple, straightforward service.
From 2025, however, GP practices will be able to order the implant directly from the supplier, claim back the cost, and fit the implant all in one seamless appointment. This change not only reduces patient inconvenience but also streamlines the process for GP practices.
What Does This Mean for Patients?
•No More Pharmacy Visits: Patients will no longer need to pick up the implant themselves from the pharmacy, saving them an additional trip and unnecessary delay.
•One Appointment, One Solution: By allowing practices to order the implants directly, patients can have the implant fitted during their GP appointment, streamlining the process and reducing the time to get their contraceptive implant.
•Improved Access to Care: This update removes a common barrier that some patients faced, making it easier and quicker for them to access contraceptive care.
What Does This Mean for GP Practices?
•Simplified Process: By ordering Nexplanon directly from the supplier, practices can streamline the process and avoid the back-and-forth of managing separate prescriptions and patient follow-ups.
•Cost Recovery: Practices will be able to claim back the cost of the implants via the updated Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE). This is a significant win for practices looking to provide efficient contraceptive care without additional financial burden.
•Reduced Administrative Burden: The new system eliminates the need to process separate prescriptions and will reduce the number of administrative tasks associated with coordinating pharmacy collections.
Why This Matters
This change is something we’ve been petitioning for over a long period of time, and we’re delighted to see it finally come to fruition. The inefficiencies and inconvenience of the current system have been a frustration for both patients and GP practices. Having the ability to streamline this process will not only improve patient care but also make the service more efficient for practices.
What’s Next?
The full details of this change will be outlined in the updated Statement of Financial Entitlements, which will be published on 1 October 2024. Until then, we’ll continue to monitor and provide updates as they become available. This is a great example of positive change in primary care, and we look forward to seeing the benefits this will bring to both patients and practices.