Archives: Contractor Email

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Northern Ireland Public Health Research Network

CPNI have been made aware of an upcoming series of free seminars based on NI public health research with a focus on pharmacy.  One of the presentations will include data from the community pharmacy Living Well service.  Further information including how to register to view the seminars is available the flyer attached.

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar and Contractor Emails.
Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via 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
For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing vaccination services and/or needle exchange services

Dear Contractor

  • CPNI and SPPG are in the process of identifying the numbers of staff who require Hepatitis B vaccination due to participation in vaccination and/or needle exchange services.
  • CPNI are requesting Contractors to please fill in the survey to collate the numbers of staff that require Hepatitis B vaccination.
  • Multiple Pharmacy Groups may choose to complete the survey by filling in the attached Excel file and emailing the response back to contractorupdate@communitypharmacyni.co.uk.
  • To avoid duplication for those pharmacists that provide services to both vaccinations and needle exchange, and who require Hepatitis B vaccination, please only submit numbers on the vaccination services question.
  • CPNI appreciates Contractors taking the time to fill out this survey and requests returns to be submitted by Friday 17th November 2023.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Correspondence was issued by SPPG on 09 November 2023 to advise pharmacy contractors of the recommencement of Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) visits.  The correspondence can be viewed here.

SUMMARY

  • CPAF consists of an annual declaration completed by each community pharmacy contractor, and a visit undertaken by SPPG staff.
  • The overall aim and purpose is to monitor compliance with the Terms of Service, service specifications, related professional standards and best practice guidance.
  • Information on the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework, including the visit protocol and guidance is available on the BSO website here.
  • The SPPG letter advises that visits will be recommencing, and that pharmacies which have never received a visit as part of CPAF, will be prioritised.
  • 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 SPPG letter and share the information with relevant members of the pharmacy team.

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
For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing
the Autumn 2023 COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza
Community Pharmacy Vaccine Service (CPVS)
Dear Contractor
The following communication was issued 08.11.23 by SPPG to those pharmacies involved in the community pharmacy vaccination service.  Please ensure this information is shared with relevant members of your pharmacy team.

Urgent Reminder: Declaration of Completion of Care Home Vaccinations by 31St October 2023: Claim for additional £200 payment

  • As per the COVID-CPVS service specification community pharmacies are reimbursed an additional £200 fee where vaccination of residents of a Care Home has been fully completed by 31st October 2023.
  • To claim this payment contractors should complete the on-line declaration (link below) by 5pm on Friday 3rd November  https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/additional-fee-for-completion-of-care-home-vacs
  • Each of the care home(s) completed by 31st October should be selected from the drop-down list. Contractors are asked make a single return selecting multiple care homes where required.
  • If you have any queries relating to this declaration please contact Tom Coyle (Tom.Coyle@hscni.net).
  • If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact a member of the CPNI team.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer issued correspondence on 07 November 2023 which includes information on the MHRA Drug Safety Update on Valproate dispensing.  The CMO’s letter is available here.

SUMMARY

  • The CMO’s letter of 07 November 2023 includes information relating to the MHRA Drug Safety Update on Valproate which can be accessed here.
  • The letter refers to earlier correspondence dated 12 October 2023 which can be accessed here.
  • Contractors will be aware that information relating to Valproate dispensing was issued by SPPG on 31 October 2023, which can be accessed here.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to:

  • Review the correspondence referred to above and to ensure that relevant members of their pharmacy team are aware of the content.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact a member of the CPNI team.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
CPNI have been advised that a licensed version of Omeprazole 1mg/1ml oral suspension sugar free (75ml) with a list price of £111.00 was recently launched in the market by Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

SUMMARY

  • BSO have allocated a new code for this product, 98740, and this code should be used for all prescriptions for Omeprazole 1mg/ml oral suspension sugar free from November 2023 prescriptions onwards.
  • The Northern Ireland Drug Tariff has designated that this product is a special container.
  • CPNI have confirmed with BSO that this product will have zero discount (ZD) status.
  • The full correspondence released by BSO on Friday 03.11.23 can be found here

ACTION

  • Contractors should read the correspondence issued by BSO here
  • The new code 98740, should be used for all prescriptions for Omeprazole 1mg/ml oral suspension sugar free from November 2023 onwards
  • If you have any queries, please contact Mark Nelson on mark.nelson@hscni.net
  • CPNI colleagues are also available for assistance.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive