CPNI has received notification that The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence dated 8 December 2023 in relation to a serious shortage protocol (SSP) in place for clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension (SSP053), extending the expiry date until Friday 15 December 2023.
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.
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Review the letter dated 8 December 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of this update.
Note that the expiry date of the existing SSP for clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension (SSP053), has been extended to Friday 15 December 2023.
Note guidance relating to the decision pathways for SSPs; notification of GPs; the need for patient/carer agreement, and action to take when this is not given; professional judgement; and actions regarding unclear quantities.
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
*** For the Attention of Pharmacy First Sore Throat Pilot Service Providers ***
Dear Contractor
Important information regarding the Pharmacy First Sore Throat Pilot Service has been issued 12th December by SPPG.
SUMMARY
SPPG have issued the following correspondence 12th December 2023.
The monthly claim form has been updated and should be used from December 2023 onwards.
The claim form is available on the BSO website here.
All sections of the claim form should be completed.
The data from the claim form will be analysed and may determine future roll out of the pilot service.
ACTION
Contractors should read and review the correspondence issued 12th December by SPPG regarding Pharmacy First Sore Throat Pilot Service.
Please ensure this update in shared with relevant members of your pharmacy team.
All sections of the claim form should be completed and emailed to your local integrated care office for processing and payment.
The QR code can be offered to service-users to evaluate the service.
Please ensure that all relevant staff have completed the appropriate training to provide the service.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
As you will be aware, a UK-wide public consultation on Pharmacy Supervision has been launched. The consultation will run for 12 weeks, ending on 29 February 2024 and can be accessed using the following link.
The consultation sets out proposals to amend the Medicines Act 1968 and The Human Medicines Regulations 2012. The proposals are to:
enable pharmacists to authorise pharmacy technicians to carry out, or supervise others carrying out, the preparation, assembly, dispensing, sale and supply of medicines;
allow pharmacy technicians to take primary responsibility for the preparation, assembly and dispensing of medicinal products in hospital aseptic facilities; and
enable pharmacists to authorise any member of the pharmacy team to hand out checked and bagged prescriptions in the absence of a pharmacist.
The first two proposals will not yet apply to Northern Ireland as Pharmacy Technicians are not currently a registered health profession here. However, the Department of Health (NI) has established project structures to progress the regulation and registration of Pharmacy Technicians in Northern Ireland and make the necessary legislative changes to enable this. Information on this project work can be found using the following link to the Pharmacy Technician Newsletter which will be updated by the Department on a quarterly basis.
The CPNI team will be drafting a response to this consultation and are happy to take views from contractors or for you to respond directly to the address given in the consultation documents.
The consultation closes on 29 February 2024.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Correspondence was issued by SPPG on 08 December 2023 to advise pharmacy contractors that the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework Visit Guidance has been updated. The updated guidance can be viewed here.
SUMMARY
CPAF consists of an annual declaration completed by each community pharmacy contractor, and a visit undertaken by SPPG staff on a three yearly basis.
SPPG have previously advised that visits to Community Pharmacy are recommencing.
Pharmacies which haven’t received a visit as part of CPAF will be prioritised first as detailed in this letter issued 9th November 2023.
If your pharmacy is selected for a visit you will be contacted by your local office to make the necessary arrangements.
ACTIONS
Contractors should note the contents of the updated CPAF Visit Guidance here and share the information with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Further information regarding CPAF can be found on the BSO website here.
Should contractors have any queries regarding CPAF they may wish to contact their local SPPG pharmacy adviser, or alternatively they may contact a member of the CPNI team.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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