Archives: Contractor Email

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

• Final Concessionary Prices – June 2023 30 June 2023
• Medicine Supply Notification: GLP-1 receptor agonists used in the management of type 2 diabetes 29 June 2023
• SSP Expiry Date Extensions – Clarithromycin preparations 26 June 2023

DOH(NI) ALERTS

• MHRA Drug Safety Update – Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) – Potential Risks Following Prolonged Use After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy 30 June 2023
• MHRA Drug Safety Update: Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIS): New Guidance and Resources for Safe Use 30 June 2023
• COVID-19 Treatments: Amended Independent Advisory Group Report of Highest Risk Groups 30 June 2023
• Hayfever – Supplement 2023 30 June 2023
• ‘Know Check Ask’ Staff Survey 27 June 2023
• Community Pharmacy Service: Living Well Campaigns Social Media Schedule Updated 28 June 2023

BSO ALERTS

• Weekly Drug Alerts are available here.
• Weekly Shortages Information is available here.
  • Paracetamol Suppositories 29 June 2023
  • Diazepam 10mg/2.5ml Rectal Solution Tubes 29 June 2023
  • GLP-1 Receptor Agonists 27 June 2023
• Serious Shortage Protocols are available here.

MHRA UPDATE

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): potential risks following prolonged use after 20 weeks of pregnancy

We want to let you know that the MHRA published a Drug Safety Update on 27 June 2023 to remind healthcare professionals that the use of oral and injectable NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac is contraindicated in the last trimester of pregnancy (after 28 weeks of pregnancy).

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

Dear Colleague

The final update of concessionary prices were granted today for June 2023:

Drug	Pack Size	Concessionary Price
Alginate raft-forming oral suspension sugar free	500	£3.80
Amiloride 5mg tablets	28	£13.46
Amoxicillin 125mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free	100	£2.68
Benzoyl peroxide 5% / Clindamycin 1% gel	60	£22.22
Buprenorphine 8mg sublingual tablets sugar free	7	£11.36
Calamine lotion	200	£1.86
Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops	10	£12.51
Chlorphenamine 2mg/5ml oral solution sugar free	150	£4.01
Clotrimazole 500mg pessary and Clotrimazole 2% cream	1	£10.79
Co-careldopa 12.5mg/50mg tablets	90	£4.93
Co-trimoxazole 80mg/400mg tablets	28	£2.34
Docusate 50mg/5ml oral solution sugar free	300	£18.81
Flucloxacillin 250mg capsules	28	£2.45
Isoniazid 100mg tablets	28	£60.00
Ivabradine 5mg tablets	56	£28.33
Letrozole 2.5mg tablets	14	£6.66
Methylphenidate 5mg tablets	30	£3.45
Mometasone 0.1% cream	30	£3.60
Mycophenolate mofetil 500mg tablets	50	£7.69
Pantoprazole 20mg gastro-resistant tablets	28	£6.62
Pantoprazole 40mg gastro-resistant tablets	28	£9.23
Paracetamol 500mg effervescent tablets	100	£10.34
Pregabalin 300mg capsules	56	£4.02
Promethazine hydrochloride 25mg tablets	56	£29.32
Quinine sulfate 200mg tablets	28	£7.97
Risperidone 500microgram tablets	20	£2.98
Rosuvastatin 20mg tablets	28	£4.98
Sodium chloride 0.9% nebuliser liquid 2.5ml unit dose ampoules	20	£11.04
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment	60	£41.69
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment	30	£22.36
Tamsulosin 400microgram / Dutasteride 500microgram capsules	30	£14.53
Tolterodine 2mg tablets	56	£3.55
Topiramate 100mg tablets	60	£16.53
Tramadol 37.5mg / Paracetamol 325mg tablets	60	£7.38
Trazodone 50mg capsules	84	£3.45
Venlafaxine 75mg tablets	56	£11.51
Zolmitriptan 2.5mg tablets	6	£18.85
Zolmitriptan 2.5mg tablets	12	£37.70

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

Dear Colleague,

Further to CPNI CU#230623A please see below the Teams joining details for tonight’s CPNI Contractor Update meeting at 8.15pm: Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer, mobile app or room device Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 344 404 459 89 Passcode: NaAzjC

This update Contractor meeting will start approximately 15 minutes after the SPPG Adherence ECHO meeting has ended.

Yours sincerely,

Dear colleague,

The Zoom joining details for this evening’s SPPG Adherence ECHO, taking place between 7-8pm, are as follows: Zoom Meeting ID: 599 000 0342 Passcode: 100019 Zoom Link: https://echo.zoom.us/j/5990000342pwd=SWtTd1diVytqWmcxNisrTTR5WGRidz09

For those pharmacists who have not previously registered on to the ECHO network you are asked to register here in advance.

Yours sincerely,

Dear Contractor,

On 27th June MPS 3058 was issued outlining a medicine supply notification: GLP-1 receptor agonists used in the management of type 2 diabetes.

SUMMARY

• There are very limited, intermittent supplies of all glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) licensed in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).
• Supply is not expected to return to normal until at least mid-2024.
• The supply issues have been caused by an increase in demand for these products for licensed and off-label indications.
• Please refer to the SPS Tool for Medicines Shortages for an up-to-date supply stock situation and clinical guidance on alternative treatment options.

ACTION

• Ensure MPS 3058 is brought to the attention of your pharmacy teams.
• Advise patients that supplies will be very limited and intermittent until at least mid-2024.
• Patients should contact their GP to discuss their options.

Kind regards,

Dear Contractor

The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence dated 23 June 2023 in relation to the serious shortage protocols in place for clarithromycin products (SSP053 and SSP054), extending the expiry dates until Friday 21 July 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 HERE.
• Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website HERE.

ACTION

Contractors should:

• Review the letter dated 23 June 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of this update.
• Note that the expiry dates of the existing SSPs for clarithromycin products (SSP053 and SSP054) have been extended until Friday 21 July 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