Magnesium glycerophosphate 97.2mg (4mmol) chewable tablets reclassified as a special container

Following representations from PSNC, the Department of Health of Social Care (DHSC) has re-determined the special container status of a Magnesium glycerophosphate (magnesium 97.2mg (4mmol)) chewable tablets. From August 2022, this product has been added to Part VIII of the Drug Tariff with special container status as it meets the relevant criteria as set out in Part II Clause 10B of the Drug Tariff.

Since August 2019, PSNC’s Dispensing & Supply team has reviewed over 4,000 products against Drug Tariff special container criteria. The three main criteria under which PSNC has focused its attention are drugs that are considered hygroscopic, viscous external preparations and those packaged into containers from which it is not practical to dispense the exact quantity. Of those checked, PSNC has identified and submitted applications for 872 products that appear to meet one or more of the special container criteria but are not annotated as such in the Drug Tariff and/or the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d).

Where a product meets the special container criteria as set out in the Drug Tariff, a special container indicator for the relevant pack size (complete pack or sub-pack) is applied to the respective product entries in the dm+d and in the Drug Tariff, where listed.

For a list of all the monthly changes to the special container status of products please see the following page Notice of changes to special container status of products.


If you identify any particular product(s) which are not currently classed as special containers but you believe satisfy the criteria (as set out in Part II CLAUSE 10 B of the Drug Tariff), please notify PSNC’s Dispensing and Supply Team (0203 1220 810 or info@cpe.org.uk) who will investigate and assess if it meets the relevant criteria. Where appropriate, PSNC will make application to the NHSBSA and DHSC seeking for the special container status of the product(s) to be re-determined.

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