Vaccine Group Directions (VGDs) permit specified registered healthcare professionals to clinically assess, obtain informed consent and administer vaccinations to individuals without the need for them to be prescribed, and allow some tasks within the vaccination process, such as vaccine preparation, administration and record keeping, to be delegated to suitably trained registered and non-registered healthcare workers.
Each VGD will specifically state which tasks can be delegated and to whom and this may vary between VGDs for different vaccination programmes. It is anticipated that VGDs will be utilised in Northern Ireland to enable vaccination by staff who would previously have been authorised under the vaccination protocol, mostly those who are not covered under the PGD, such as healthcare assistants, pharmacy technicians etc.
COVID-19 Spring Vaccination social media card is available here.
Media Support
With increasing interest in pharmacy and health-related matters, contractors are reminded that if you or a member of your team is contacted by the media (print, broadcast, or online) for an interview or a comment, please do reach out to the CPNI offices for advice and support.
FALLS PREVENTION ROADSHOW
Please find details of an upcoming falls prevention roadshow here which you can share with your patients.
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 22 April 2026 in respect of SSP087 for ramipril 1.25mg capsules.
This SSP is due to expire on Friday 29 May 2026.
BACKGROUND
SSPs made under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 are an additional tool to manage and mitigate medicines shortages.
SSPs enable community pharmacists to supply specified medicines in accordance with a protocol rather than a prescription, without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber – saving time for patients, pharmacists and prescribers.
Pharmacists should refer to the latest versions of the existing SSPs which are now available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website HERE.
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website HERE.
Note the specific key points relating to this SSP; and
Ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the specific details relating to this SSP.
Contractors are reminded of information issued by BSO ‘Serious Shortage Protocols: Submission Information for Contractors’ which can be accessed here.
Contractors should contact their local SPPG office in the first instance should further information be required. CPNI colleagues are also available for assistance.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
Dear Colleague
CPNI has been liaising with BSO and DOH(NI) colleagues in relation to some NI Drug Tariff updates, and we can provide the following information:
Drug Reimbursement Price Changes The January, February, and March 2026 reimbursement prices for the following products have been re-determined to reflect an increase in the NHS list price. A retrospective adjustment will be made by BSO, where applicable, at the end of May 2026.
Drug and Month Redetermined Price Applies
Old list price
New List Price
Aluminium chloride 20% solution (Driclor) 75ml March 2026
£3.48
£7.61
Aluminium chloride 20% solution (Driclor) 20ml March 2026
£4.35
£4.87
Ketotifen 1mg tablets (Zaditen) 60 tablets February 2026
£14.56
£19.95
Ketotifen 1mg/5ml oral solution sugar free (Zaditen) 300ml February 2026
£17.25
£22.45
Minoxidil 5% foam (Regaine for Women Once a Day 5% scalp foam) 120g (2x60g) February 2026 and March 2026
£34.34
£39.71
Minoxidil 5% foam (Regaine for Men Extra Strength 5% scalp foam) 180g (3x60g) February 2026 and March 2026
£56.36
£59.68
Minoxidil 5% foam (Regaine for Men Extra Strength 5% scalp foam) 60g February 2026 and March 2026
£24.50
£25.94
Minoxidil 5% foam (Regaine for Women Once a Day 5% scalp foam) 60g February 2026 and March 2026
The top-up will apply to all pharmacies who have dispensed these products within the applicable month and will be paid in the April 2026 payment. Further information regarding retrospective concessionary price top-ups can be found on the BSO website.
This is a reminder for community pharmacies to ensure they have submitted their mandatory Complaints Returns via the online form by Thursday 23 April 2026.
SUMMARY
Contractors are reminded of the following:
To submit the monthly complaints return by Thursday 23 April 2026
The April return covers all closed complaints for March 2025.
A NIL return is submitted if there are no closed complaints.
WhatsApp Business Terms of Service can be found here and privacy policy hereUCA-NI Privacy Policy We take your privacy seriously and do not share or sell any personal details with third parties for commercial purposes. If you have any questions, please contact the CPNI office. You can withdraw your consent to be contacted at any time by calling 028 9069 0444 or by emailing info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk. CPNI Data Protection Policy and Data Retention policy can be found Click Here
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