Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued two letters (here and here) both dated 21 August 2023 in relation to two serious shortage protocols (SSPs):

Effective from 21 August 2023, SSP057 provides that for every Estradot® (estradiol hemihydrate) 100 micrograms / 24 hours patch that is originally prescribed, one Evorel® 100 micrograms / 24 hours patch OR Estraderm MX® 100 micrograms / 24 hours patch can be supplied.  This SSP is due to expire on Friday 8 September 2023.

Effective from 21 August 2023, SSP058 provides that for every Jext® 300mcg / 0.3ml solution for injection auto-injector pen originally prescribed, one EpiPen® 300mcg / 0.3ml solution for injection auto-injector pen can be supplied.  It is important that the patient / carer / guardian understands how to administer an Epipen® 300mcg / 0.3ml solution for injection auto-injector pen when making a supply under this SSP.  This SSP is due to expire on Friday 15 September 2023.

CORRECTION

CPNI has been in discussions with SPPG colleagues and it has been agreed that the wording in the covering letters and in the SSPs with regards to notifying the prescriber is incorrect. It should reflect the agreed guidance which states:

“Where a therapeutic equivalent is supplied (or where it is required within the terms of the specific SSP), a pharmacist will need to inform the patient’s prescriber.  There is no time limit in legislation but, where it is practicable, pharmacists should aim to forward details within 3 working days.  A form which can be used to notify prescribers is attached at Annex 2 of this guidance but pharmacists may consider other methods of notification to be appropriate”.

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.

ACTION

Contractors should:

  • Review the letters (here and here) dated 21 August 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the specific details relating to each SSP;
  • Note confirmation above in respect of notifying prescribers;
  • 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

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar and Contractor Emails.
Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via the CPNI’s Medicine Shortage Reporter and Situation Reporter.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

The third update of concessionary prices were granted today for August 2023:

DrugPack
Size		Concessionary Price
 Atorvastatin 10mg tablets28£2.05
 Betahistine 16mg tablets84£8.85
 Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension70£4.10
 Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension70£5.50
 Clonazepam 2mg tablets100£24.29
 Dorzolamide 20mg/ml eye drops5£3.57
 Eplerenone 25mg tablets28£11.20
 Glycopyrronium bromide 200micrograms/1ml solution
 for injection ampoules		10 £9.93
 Hydrocortisone 1% cream15£1.75
 Hydrocortisone 1% cream30£3.50
 Lansoprazole 30mg orodispersible tablets28£5.40
 Mebeverine 50mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free300£214.96
 Mercaptopurine 50mg tablets25£9.42
 Methylphenidate 10mg tablets30£3.08
 Metoprolol 50mg tablets28£3.20
 Midazolam 10mg/2ml solution for injection ampoules10£6.19
 Mometasone 0.1% cream30£3.70
 Montelukast 10mg tablets28£1.50
 Moxonidine 200microgram tablets28£5.35
 Naftidrofuryl 100mg capsules84£10.65
 Pantoprazole 40mg gastro-resistant tablets28£5.50
 Rosuvastatin 5mg tablets28£1.03
 Tamsulosin 400microgram / Dutasteride 500microgram
 capsules		30£16.91

Concessionary prices will be paid against the usual code, no additional endorsements are needed.

Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our new Medicine Shortage Reporter.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 25 August 2023 in relation to the serious shortage protocol SSP052 Progynova® TS 100 microgram patches.

The correspondence states:

“Because of an improvement in the supply situation, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is withdrawing the UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP052) currently in place for Progynova® TS 100mg patches, which is due to end on Friday 8 September.

The end date will now be today, Friday 25 August.  Community pharmacies should ensure that supplies are not made under this SSP after this date.”

ACTION

Contractors should:

  • Note the correspondence dated 25 August 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the withdrawal of SSP052.

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
The second update of concessionary prices were granted today for August 2023:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Amiloride 5mg tablets28£14.25
Amisulpride 100mg tablets60£18.46
Atorvastatin 20mg tablets28£2.75
Benzoyl peroxide 5% / Clindamycin 1% gel30£12.07
Benzoyl peroxide 5% / Clindamycin 1% gel60£23.79
Bimatoprost 100micrograms/ml eye drops3£3.88
Chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment4£5.05
Clarithromycin 250mg tablets14£3.24
Clotrimazole 500mg pessaries1£9.60
Cyclizine 50mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules5£9.30
Docusate 50mg/5ml oral solution sugar free300£18.32
Dorzolamide 20mg/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops 0.2ml
unit dose preservative free		60£19.56
Enalapril 2.5mg tablets28£8.98
Febuxostat 80mg tablets28£3.27
Isotretinoin 20mg capsules30£11.50
Pantoprazole 20mg gastro-resistant tablets28£4.45
Perindopril erbumine 2mg tablets30£1.26
Pramipexole 180microgram tablets30£9.00
Prochlorperazine 3mg buccal tablets50£8.12
Quinine sulfate 200mg tablets28£8.56
Risperidone 1mg/ml oral solution sugar free100£3.13
Rosuvastatin 20mg tablets28£4.45
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment60£39.41
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment30£19.23
Zolmitriptan 2.5mg orodispersible tablets sugar free6£20.69
Zolmitriptan 2.5mg tablets6£16.50
Zolmitriptan 2.5mg tablets12£33.00

Concessionary prices will be paid against the usual code, no additional endorsements are needed.

Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our new Medicine Shortage Reporter.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar and Contractor Emails.
Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via the CPNI’s Medicine Shortage Reporter and Situation Reporter.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive