Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor
The police cybercrime unit has advised CPNI of a phishing campaign detected in Northern Ireland recently.

Details

The police indicate that the phishing emails contain similar links structured as:

google.co.uk/amp/s/[sendercompany name]notion.site/[sender company name – alphanumeric string]

Clicking the link then redirects the user to a spoofed Microsoft ‘Sign In’ page looking to capture and compromise credentials.

Similar to previous campaigns, attackers exploit the compromised account by sending phishing emails to contacts within the victims email account.

Action

Contractors are advised to:

(a)  Inform staff of these reported incidents;
(b)  Note the advice and guidance given on the CPNI website cyber security page (here) in respect of steps you can take to protect your data and businesses; and
(c)  Report any incidents of email compromise to www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Contractors and their IT support will have their own internal procedures to follow when a system is compromised, and the police would encourage users to report any such incident, secure the account and notify any interested parties to help minimise the risk of further compromises.

Contractors are also reminded that the storage and back up of patient sensitive data and any amendments to your systems should only be carried out in line with advice from your IT or email supplier, PMR system provider and in line with Data Protection legislation.

CPNI colleagues will continue to keep you updated on these matters.

Kind regards

Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY
Head of Regulatory Affairs

Dear Contractor
DHSC and MHRA have updated the list of medicines which, because they are needed for UK patients, cannot be exported from the UK or hoarded.

The following have been added to the list of medicines:

16 June 2023

  • Semaglutide, all strengths, tablets; Dulaglutide, all strengths, solution for injection; Exenatide, all strengths, solution for injection; Liraglutide, 6mg/ml, solution for injection; Insulin degludec + Liraglutide, 100units/ml + 3.6mg/ml, solution for injection.

24 May 2023

  • Progesterone, 100mg oral capsules.

The updated list can be accessed here.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to:

  • ensure their team is aware of the updated list where appropriate.

CPNI colleagues are available for further advice.

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 first update of concessionary prices were granted today for June 2023:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
 Amisulpride 100mg tablets60£18.15
 Atorvastatin 10mg tablets28£1.09
 Atorvastatin 40mg tablets28£1.20
 Atorvastatin 80mg tablets28£1.55
 Benzoyl peroxide 5% / Clindamycin 1% gel30£10.90
 Bicalutamide 150mg tablets28£3.67
 Bimatoprost 100micrograms/ml eye drops3£3.89
 Bisacodyl 5mg gastro-resistant tablets60£4.45
 Bisoprolol 2.5mg tablets28£0.85
 Brimonidine 0.2% eye drops5£3.80
 Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops5£2.19
 Calcipotriol 0.005% / Betamethasone dipropionate
 0.05% ointment		30£9.21
 Chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment4£5.20
 Chlorpromazine 50mg tablets28£23.86
 Clarithromycin 250mg tablets14£4.20
 Clarithromycin 500mg tablets14£9.48
 Clonidine 25microgram tablets112£18.76
 Clotrimazole 1% cream20£2.11
 Co-amilofruse 2.5mg/20mg tablets28£4.51
 Co-careldopa 25mg/100mg tablets100£7.20
 Cyclizine 50mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules5£9.74
 Doxycycline 100mg capsules8£0.95
 Flucloxacillin 125mg/5ml oral solution100£2.70
 Flucloxacillin 250mg/5ml oral solution100£3.91
 Flucloxacillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free100£3.60
 Fluoxetine 20mg/5ml oral solution70£10.49
 Frovatriptan 2.5mg tablets6£12.93
 Hydroxocobalamin 1mg/1ml solution for injection
 ampoules		5£11.35
 Hydroxychloroquine 200mg tablets60£5.09
 Ivabradine 2.5mg tablets56£47.16
 Lansoprazole 15mg orodispersible tablets28£3.06
 Leflunomide 20mg tablets30£3.43
 Levetiracetam 100mg/ml oral solution sugar free300£10.45
 Lofepramine 70mg tablets56£13.23
 Mebeverine 135mg tablets100£6.46
 Mometasone 0.1% ointment30£4.36
 Mometasone 50micrograms/dose nasal spray140£2.88
 Naftidrofuryl 100mg capsules84£10.79
 Nebivolol 2.5mg tablets28£13.03
 Nitrofurantoin 100mg tablets28£12.24
 Nitrofurantoin 50mg tablets28£12.25
 Omeprazole 10mg gastro-resistant capsules28£1.78
 Omeprazole 20mg gastro-resistant capsules28£2.04
 Perindopril erbumine 2mg tablets30£1.27
 Perindopril erbumine 4mg tablets30£1.75
 Perindopril erbumine 8mg tablets30£2.40
 Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution100£9.30
 Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution100£10.20
 Pramipexole 180microgram tablets30£8.22
 Pregabalin 150mg capsules56£2.68
 Pregabalin 75mg capsules56£2.17
 Prochlorperazine 3mg buccal tablets50£8.43
 Prochlorperazine 5mg tablets28£2.01
 Quetiapine 300mg tablets60£4.08
 Sodium cromoglicate 2% eye drops13.5£2.59
 Spironolactone 100mg tablets28£5.10
 Spironolactone 25mg tablets28£1.97
 Tamsulosin 400microgram modified-release capsules30£1.75
 Telmisartan 80mg tablets28£2.86
 Terbinafine 1% cream30£3.78
 Terbinafine 1% cream15£3.27
 Tolterodine 1mg tablets56£2.73
 Topiramate 25mg tablets60£8.99
 Topiramate 50mg tablets60£17.79
 Valsartan 40mg capsules28£6.75
 Valsartan 80mg capsules28£7.94
 Zopiclone 3.75mg tablets28£1.95
 Zopiclone 7.5mg tablets28£1.75

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
From Monday 19 June 2023, Community Pharmacy NI will run a week-long campaign to raise public awareness of the sustained pressures the local community pharmacy network is experiencing and highlight the value of community pharmacy for the public and the wider health service.

The week-long campaign will consist of:

  • Articles in local print and online media outlets
  • Social media activity
  • Radio advertisements
  • Engagement with political representatives

How can community pharmacists get involved?

We will be issuing a range of social media assets throughout the week including social media cards, videos, and articles. Community pharmacists are encouraged to engage with and support the campaign to maximise its impact by:

Following CPNI on social media and share activity on:

  • Twitter @compharmacyni
  • Facebook @communitypharmacyni
  • Instagram @compharmacyni
  • Linkedin Community Pharmacy NI

Writing to local elected representatives

You are also encouraged to share your own personal experience and perspective on what it is like to work as a community pharmacist in the current environment either on your own social media or by getting in touch with your local Councillor, MLA or MP.

We have drafted some key messages to help inform your posts or correspondence should you decide to write to your elected representative.

Political Representatives Contact Details

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

CPNI issued contractor updates (CPNI CU#230428A and CPNI CU#230605A) on 28th April and 5th June respectively, regarding the Department of Health NI Technician and Support Staff Survey.  The information is provided again below along with an updated survey link.  The closing date for completion of the survey was originally 31st May.  The closing date was extended to 14th June and now has been extended again to 30th June 2023.

The Department of Health NI issued correspondence on 6th April 2023 inviting all individual pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff to complete an online survey.  The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer has advised that the survey is designed to provide a better understanding of the current numbers and skills mix in the pharmacy workforce, and to provide an opportunity for pharmacy colleagues to share their views.  The Department has also developed a printable flyer containing background information for pharmacy personnel and a QR link to the survey.

SUMMARY

Contractors will note:

  • The survey is aimed at pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff in all sectors, including community pharmacy.
  • The survey branches into different sets of questions depending on the area in which the respondent works, their role, and any qualifications they may hold.  Therefore staff members may be asked different questions depending on their individual circumstances.
  • The closing date for completion is extended to 30th June 2023.
  • DoH advises that the results of the survey will be used in the implementation of the Pharmacy Workforce Review 2020, which seeks to deliver a sustainable pharmacy workforce for the future.
  • In addition, DoH indicates that the survey will also support work to establish pharmacy technicians as a regulated healthcare profession in Northern Ireland, as announced by the Minister for Health in June 2022.

ACTION

Contractors should:

  • Note the details in the correspondence.
  • Share the updated survey flyer and survey link with pharmacy technicians and support staff, noting the extended closing date of 30th June 2023.

Contractors should contact CPNI offices should they have any queries or should their staff experience any difficulties in accessing or completing the survey.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive