Category: News

The Health Minister has launched a new ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service which enables people to collect rapid COVID-19 tests from selected community pharmacies.

“Alongside vaccination and contact tracing, testing is one of the main pillars of protection against the virus,” the Health Minister said.

“1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms, or are pre-symptomatic. The introduction of the Pharmacy Collect service will significantly increase the range of locations that people who require rapid tests can access them.

“The service supplements the existing workforce testing schemes and other community collect sites, which can all be found using the Sitefinder website.

“By engaging in rapid COVID testing, we can help keep each other safe and play our part in helping society return to normality.”

To date 420 pharmacies in Northern Ireland have signed up for the scheme.

Rapid COVID-19 tests – known as Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests – have an important role in detecting asymptomatic cases. This means people who are infected but are showing no symptoms and may be unwittingly passing the virus on to others. Testing twice a week and on a regular basis with LFDs increases their detection rate. LFD tests are effective at picking up those who are most infectious.

Rapid tests are available for anyone who requires them. All results should be reported. Where someone receives a positive test, they should immediately self-isolate and book a confirmatory PCR test.

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer said: “The contribution of community pharmacy teams to the COVID-19 pandemic response has been invaluable and the introduction of the new Pharmacy Collect service will improve access to testing for the general public.

“This is another step forward to people getting their normal lives back. Many people with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, but they can continue to spread the virus. Rapid tests, in conjunction with the wearing of masks, regular hand washing and social distancing, can help to prevent onward transmission of the virus.”

Reacting to the launch of the Pharmacy Collect Service for rapid Covid-19 tests, Vice-Chair of Community Pharmacy NI, Peter Rice said:

“The introduction of the Lateral Flow Device (LFD) distribution service to community pharmacy will greatly increase the public’s access to testing at a crucial time. As we enter what is expected to be an even more difficult period for our health service, tests will now be available for collection from over 400 community pharmacies throughout Northern Ireland. By increasing access to testing at a local level we can help to prevent the transmission of the virus within our communities.

“This further demonstrates the desire of our community pharmacy network to deliver new services throughout the course of the pandemic. Having this service in our pharmacies is another significant step forward and supplements our role in the vaccination effort to date.”

 A campaign that aims to promote the early diagnosis of cancer by raising awareness of the signs and symptoms has been launched in community pharmacies throughout Northern Ireland as part of the Living Well service.

Be Cancer Aware highlights the role of community pharmacy in providing advice and support, and encourages people who may be experiencing symptoms to talk to their GP without delay.

The campaign, which will run throughout August and September, also aims to promote lifestyle changes to help reduce the risk of developing cancers and encourages anyone who wants to make positive changes but needs help to speak to their pharmacist.

Living Well, offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland, provides information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB).

Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Service Development and Screening at the PHA, said:

“The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of survival as treatment is more likely to be successful. During the COVID-19 pandemic many people may have concerns about a change they have noticed in their body, but might be hesitant to contact their GP. However, it is important not to delay going to your GP if you develop a sign or symptom which has the potential to be cancer.

“We are urging people to get checked early if they have any concerns. It is important for everyone to be aware of warning signs which need to be investigated. Spotting cancer early could save your life.”

Claire Hewitt, Pharmacy Manager at Gordons Chemists in Lisburn, said:

“Community pharmacies are at the heart of our local communities with the public recognising pharmacists as trusted healthcare professionals. This makes community pharmacy the ideal setting to help encourage people to look after their health by engaging in initiatives such as the Be Cancer Aware campaign.

“We can help support you make those lifestyle changes that could reduce your risk of cancer. The first step is simple, just ask your pharmacist for advice.”

As part of the campaign, community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are providing free information booklets, ‘Be Cancer Aware – Spotting symptoms and reducing your risk’, to members of the public.

In addition to the campaign materials, further information can be found at www.becancerawareni.info The website supports the cancer awareness campaign and provides information about cancer signs and symptoms, explains what to do if concerned and signposts individuals to recommended sources of support and further information.

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed an expansion of the community pharmacy COVID-19 vaccination service with the phased deployment of the Moderna vaccine.

The vaccine will be available to eligible individuals aged 18 years and over.

The roll out builds on the success of the existing COVID-19 vaccination service, which has now delivered over 115,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from almost 350 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland.

The new service will initially offer the Moderna vaccine from 16 pharmacies with more pharmacies being added to the service on a rolling basis over the coming weeks.

Locations have been identified and selected on the basis of vaccine uptake data in order to help reach as many people as possible in areas of lower uptake and to make it easier than ever for people to get their vaccine and protect themselves and their loved ones.

Minister Swann said: “Community pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland have already risen to the challenge by delivering over 115,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, while continuing to provide their vital services to people in their communities at a time of immense pressure across the health and social care system.

“As well as the continued availability of the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals over 40, the additional availability of the Moderna vaccine to eligible individuals aged 18 years and over will also provide more locations where those people who haven’t yet come forward to receive their vaccine to do so now.

“While the logistical challenges with deployment of the Moderna vaccine are considerable, the number of participating pharmacies offering Moderna will continue to increase over the coming weeks and this will help many more people to come forward to access their vaccine in an easy and convenient location for them.”

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer said: “Pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland should be very proud of the contribution they have made to the success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Their actions have undoubtedly saved lives.

“The deployment of the Moderna vaccine from an increasing number of community pharmacies over the coming weeks will play a vital part in our continued fight back against the virus.”

Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management at the Health and Social Care Board said: “Community pharmacies are extremely accessible healthcare venues which have successfully demonstrated the delivery of flu vaccines and more recently COVID-19 vaccination.

“Rolling the Moderna vaccine out through selected pharmacies will, I hope, provide the opportunity for even greater uptake of these lifesaving vaccines.”

Gerard Green, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland said: “We welcome the inclusion of Moderna to the COVID-19 vaccination programme, particularly for those in the under 40s age group. Community pharmacy is embedded in the heart of local communities, and this has been important in the vaccine roll out to date, providing patients with the option to receive their vaccine from a convenient and familiar health care professional, that they know and trust.

“As the Moderna vaccine is initially being rolled out to a limited number of pharmacies, I would ask the public to please be patient with community pharmacy teams as we continue to deliver pharmacy services and play our part in helping to protect the local population through the COVID-19 vaccination programme.”

The Minister added: “Cases have continued to rise over recent weeks and we are now also beginning to see the pressures mounting on our hospitals, with increasing demand for intensive care beds – albeit at a lower rate, thanks to the effectiveness of our vaccination programme. If we can make a concerted effort to increase vaccine uptake in the next week or so, this can help make a decisive difference, in terms of preventing serious illness and hospitalisations.

“If you haven’t yet received your first dose of the vaccine – don’t delay, act today.”

Details of participating pharmacies is available here

The community pharmacy network in Northern Ireland has administered over 100,000 Covid-19 vaccines since taking up the vaccine programme in late March. As focus now turns to the booster programme, Community Pharmacy NI are calling on the Department of Health to expand the provision of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in local pharmacies when the booster vaccine is rolled-out in the autumn.

With more vaccine options becoming available in Northern Ireland, local community pharmacies are keen to play a bigger role in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine programme with pharmacies able to vaccinate all age-cohorts. This will allow for other vaccinators to shift focus to other aspects of healthcare, and for community pharmacists to become the central vaccinating team within primary care.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Bringing community pharmacy into the Covid-19 vaccination programme has hugely enhanced access to the vaccine within local communities throughout Northern Ireland. Patients have had the option to receive their vaccine locally at a convenient location and from a health care professional, that they know and trust. The feedback we have been receiving is that patients really welcome the vaccine being available from pharmacies and that is incredible endorsement for the service. I would like the thank our community pharmacy teams for the rapid and professional manner in which the service has been rolled out, whilst running alongside the delivery of existing community pharmacy services.

“As attention moves to the booster vaccine, pharmacy is ideally placed to play an integral role in the roll-out of the programme to all patient groups. Community pharmacists have displayed real flexibility and clinical skill in the efficient manner of which they have administered the vaccine so far. This can be replicated across all age cohorts, and we urge the Department of Health to consider community pharmacy as the first-choice vaccine provider, allowing other health services to focus on healthcare provision for those most unwell and vulnerable.

Community Pharmacist, David McCrea, said:

“It has been great to be able to vaccinate our own patients and the familiar faces that we see every day, helping to protect both them and their families against Covid-19. Since the roll-out began, patients have commented on how easy it is to get the vaccine at their local pharmacy. Looking towards the autumn, we want to play a bigger role in the vaccine booster programme and from the initial success of our vaccination programme, it is clear our teams are agile, capable and professional in providing the vaccine to our communities. It only makes sense for this programme to be expanded to all ages when the range and supply of vaccines is greater and for the winter flu vaccine to also be provided through community pharmacies.

“We are also pleased to be able to offer the vaccine as it means we are able to support our patients who we know well, addressing any concerns they have and delivering a booster service ensures we can continue to provide this important level of care.”

By Pam Cameron MLA, Chair of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy

Carried out by leading global accountancy firm, KPMG, the report examines the value community pharmacy delivers both in terms of direct and indirect contributions to the health and social care system and the wider Northern Ireland economy. This new evidence demands action within the rebuilding programme to maximise the role of community pharmacy and ensure the sector’s full integration within new health service structures.

As Chair of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy, the report cements in my mind the multi-faceted, often intangible benefits, community pharmacy brings to patients, local communities, and our wider society. The report also brings clarity to the rising cost-base for community pharmacy contractors and the need for an appropriate level of sustained central investment to underpin services.

As the only open-access health care provider in primary care, during the Covid-19 pandemic, community pharmacy played a vital role, but like other sectors of health care, the sector’s workforce is left beleaguered from the challenge. I believe it is essential for Government to recognise this and put the necessary measures in place to allow our pharmacy network to move forward positively so that it is in a stronger position to lend its shoulder to the wheel when called upon to face future public health challenges.

The pandemic brought into sharp focus the tremendous agility of the pharmacy network. Despite unrelenting pressures community pharmacy teams stood strong, launching new services to support their patients. Pandemic services were implemented rapidly and professionally to the benefit of both the public and the health service The numbers speak for themselves with over 75,000 Covid vaccines administered within 10 weeks, over 60,000 emergency supplies of medicines being made over an 8-month period and typically 150,000 vulnerable patients having medicines delivered each month.

It is important to learn from this as we carefully consider future health service models. Fresh thinking is called for to move community pharmacy from the reserve list to occupy a seat front and centre within new health service structures. For this a sea change in attitudes is needed. Taking Covid vaccinations for example, everyone acknowledges the overall programme as a huge success, but many also ask why, as the only direct-access service provider at that time, community pharmacy was not included within the first phase of vaccination roll-out? This was arguably a missed opportunity and one we must learn from. For many a community pharmacy-centred vaccination service seems like the most sustainable, cost-effective solution for the health service moving forward.

The KPMG report makes it clear that for society to continue to reap its rewards from community pharmacy, a sustained investment and long-term plan is required to place the sector on a more secure footing. Pre-pandemic times saw community pharmacy grappling with a legacy of persistent funding and workforce difficulties, we now have a collective responsibility to ensure that we do not return to these dark times. I note and welcome the collaborative approaches during the pandemic period which led to Minister Swann securing additional investments to sustain the sector, however much of this was a short-term investment and it seems clear that now a longer-term view is called for to allow the sector to reset as it emerges from the pandemic challenge. Fundamentally a long-term plan is required which aligns recurrent investment to the costs of providing services, ensuring stability and sustainability of the sector into the future.

One cause for optimism in all of this has been the strong cross-party support for tackling the structural issues which exist within our health service. It brings me some comfort to see MLAs leave party allegiances to one side to work constructively together and push for solutions. This is something we need to see more of.

Back in January when the idea of establishing an All-Party Group for Community Pharmacy was first mentioned it seemed an ideal moment for MLAs to take a more focused and collective approach to the issues facing community pharmacy. This independent report by KPMG provides a clear context for future discussions.

Community pharmacy is the first point of contact with the health service for so many people in Northern Ireland. This report underscores the sector’s contribution to supporting patients and society both routinely and through the biggest public health crisis in living memory. The bottom line is that moving forward the community pharmacy network needs to be sufficiently resourced on a recurrent basis with its development underpinned by a long-term plan.

Our pandemic experience has taught us many important lessons and one of these is that we need a healthy, resilient community pharmacy sector to ensure it remains in place to meet future challenges and shifting population dynamics. It is important to treat this sector with the respect it deserves.

Health Minister Robin Swann has launched the new Mental Health Strategy 2021 – 2031 setting the strategic direction for mental health in Northern Ireland for the next decade. 

Reacting to the publication of the Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

Click here to read the Strategy