For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing the Autumn 2023 COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza Community Pharmacy Vaccine Service (CPVS): Update Six (20th October)
Dear Contractor
Please see the update below that has been issued today relating to the vaccination service.
1. BA.4-5 vaccines
ONLY use Comirnaty XBB.1.5 for COVID-19 CPVS vaccinations, the BA.4-5 is not authorised for further use in Autumn 2023.
PHA will shortly provide advice to providers on the next steps for any Comirnaty BA.4-5 (Pfizer) vaccine, still quarantined in pharmacy fridges.
2. Pharmacy Vaccination Delivery
Community pharmacies have responded quickly and efficiently in the autumn programme to provide vaccinations for eligible patients after the programme was commenced three weeks earlier than planned.
There have been circa 44,000 vaccinations administered by community pharmacy since the start of the autumn campaign.
23k Flu
21k COVID-19
3. REMINDER: Deadline for early vaccination payments is approaching – 31st October 2023
PHA are aiming to vaccinate as many eligible patients as possible by 31st October 2023.
Please continue to plan that any outstanding care homes have a vaccination date established on or before 31st October 2023.
Supplementary payments for non-care home eligible patients [walk ins] also remain in place until 31st October 2023.
The vaccination programme for COVID-19 will continue until early December with standard payments payable for vaccinations administered after the 31st October 2023.
4. VMS entries:
Vaccinations should be recorded on VMS within 24 hours.
Payments are based on VMS entry for the dates of administration.
Are clinical records and should be contemporaneous.
Provide assurance to PHA and other agencies on the success of the vaccination programme.
Can be edited in the pharmacy to correct any errors.
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 13 October 2023 extending the expiry date of SSP057 Estradot® (estradiol hemihydrate) 100micrograms/24 hour patch, until 3 November 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 (here) dated 13 October 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the specific details relating to this SSP;
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 were made aware that community pharmacies were having difficulty sourcing riluzole 50mg tablets.
The Department of Health (NI) has advised that if any patients are currently experiencing difficulties obtaining riluzole 50mg tablets from community pharmacies, they are recommended to contact the Specialist Medicines Department at the Royal Victoria Hospital on 028 9615 0736 (8.30am to 4.30pm). Patients will be aware of this process from before.
It is anticipated that some stock will be with local wholesalers soon.
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