Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has informed CPNI that updated training will be made available to service providers involved in smoking cessation programmes in Northern Ireland, including those providing the community pharmacy “Stop Smoking” service.  The training will include updated information in consideration of updates to NICE Guideline NG209 “Tobacco: Preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence” and in recognition of the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes in Northern Ireland.

SUMMARY

Contractors will note:

  • The letter of invite to stop smoking service providers is available here.
  • A flyer outlining the training aims, dates and locations is available here.
  • The PHA have indicated that further dates may be added and information on these will be shared when confirmed.

ACTION

Contractors should:

  • Note the details in the correspondence.
  • Share the information flyer with relevant members of the pharmacy team.

Contractors should contact CPNI offices should they have any queries.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI issued correspondence dated 9 June 2023 in relation to the serious shortage protocol in place for Progynova TS 100mcg/24hours transdermal patches (SSP052), extending the expiry date until Friday 8 September 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 9 June 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of this update.
  • Note that the expiry date of the existing SSP in place for Progynova TS 100mcg/24hours transdermal patches (SSP052) has been extended until Friday 8 September 2023.
  • Before supplying the alternative product, FemSeven® 100micrograms/24hours transdermal patch, the pharmacist must ensure the total quantity supplied under this protocol is equivalent to the number of days supplied on the original prescription.
  • 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

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
As you will be aware SPPG issued correspondence on Friday 9th June providing a Medicines Adherence Update.

SUMMARY

Multiple Dispensing Transitioning to Instalment Dispensing

  • As described in the SPPG correspondence, Drug Tariff amendments came into place on 1st May 2023.
  • In light of the Drug Tariff changes GPs have been asked to review patients on an individual basis to ensure that the use of Multiple Dispensing (MD) endorsement on prescriptions is restricted to circumstances (and medicines) associated with a risk of misuse or abuse.  GPs have been asked to remove and no longer initiate MD endorsement for the purposes of life threatening non compliance.
  • The new Drug Tariff arrangements aim to separate and distinguish between:
    • the provision of MD endorsement for instalment dispensing for prevention of misuse/abuse, from
    • the provision of adherence support for prevention of non-compliance. 
  • However, it is acknowledged that some patients will have needs which fall under both arrangements.
  • Therefore, some patients who previously had an MD endorsement for non-compliance issues who have now had this endorsement removed, may require assessment by their community pharmacist and where necessary they may need to be transitioned on to appropriate adherence support.  Guidance on the management of these patients is provided on Pages 9-10 of the SPPG guidance document.
  • CPNI is working with SPPG to finalise a transitionary payment arrangement for contractors in light of the gradual removal of MD endorsement.  This is subject to approval and further information will be provided in due course.

Guidance

  • It will be for community pharmacy providers to assure that they are compliant with their statutory requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. 
  • No other Health Care Practitioner can direct a community pharmacy to provide a patient with adherence support (this would include social care/domiciliary care providers).
  • The SPPG guidance includes practical advice in relation to the provision of adherence support, and the relevant DDA  obligations.  Please note the DoH guidance is advisory.  It aims to provide support to community pharmacy providers and their staff in relation to these obligations.  The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (www.equalityni.org) can also be contacted for further advice.
  • Contractors will be aware that DDA legislation has been in place since 1995 and does not represent any new obligations on community pharmacy.  The full legislation can be accessed here.

Declaration

  • SPPG request a declaration and quarterly return from community pharmacy providers.
    • The declaration is available here and should be completed and returned to local offices by 30th June 2023.
    • The quarterly return form is available here.  The return for the April – June period should be completed and returned to local offices by Friday 7th July 2023.

Communication between Community Pharmacies and General Practices

  • CPNI received queries and concerns from community pharmacies in the immediate aftermath following the changes to the Drug Tariff on 1st May 2023.
  • These concerns focused on patient safety.
  • CPNI previously provided information and templates for contractors in CU#230503B: Multiple Dispensing Update.  In light of ongoing collaboration between SPPG and CPNI, CPNI have agreed that the correspondence and attached guidance within this email supersede CU#230503B.
  • Local working is encouraged between community pharmacy and GP practices to ensure effective communication in advance of any changes.

ACTION

Contractors should:

  • Review the SPPG correspondence and liaise with GP practices accordingly.
  • Note that the declaration is to be returned to local offices by 30th June 2023.
  • Note that the return for the April – June period should be completed and returned to local offices by Friday 7th July 2023.

Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI offices if you have any queries.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

You will be aware from recent media reports that a cyber attack was carried out on a payroll provider serving a number of major businesses – including a multinational pharmacy chain.

This update is to remind you that you can take some simple steps to protect your business against such online security threats. Having good cyber security measures in place will help protect your cash flow, your customer data and your reputation.

A full range of guidance and support can be found on the National Cyber Security Centre website.  Some of the key pieces of advice are outlined below.

Cyber Aware offers simple advice to help small businesses stay safe online.

Cyber Action Plan offers sole traders and small businesses a simple, personalised ‘to do’ list to help protect your business.

The Small Business Guide shows how to improve cyber security within your organisation quickly, easily and at low cost.

Free Online Training – Top Tips for Staff  This online learning module helps you and your staff understand why cyber security is important and shows how to take practical steps to protect against fraud and cyber crime.  It’s totally free, easy-to-use and takes less than 30 minutes to complete.

Small Business Guide to Response and Recovery helps small to medium sized organisations prepare their response to, and plan their recovery from, a cyber incident.

Cyber Essentials shows you how to put technical measures in place to protect your business against the most common internet threats.

ACTION

Contractors are advised to:

  • Note the guidance available above and
  • To continue to review and improve their cyber security.

Don’t delay – take action to protect your business now.  Further information can be accessed via the New Cyber Protect webpage HERE.

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

Online Asthma Information Session – 21st June 2023

NI Chest Heart and Stroke has asked CPNI to share, with pharmacy teams, details of an online Asthma Information Session that they are facilitating at 6.30pm on Wednesday 21st June 2023.  Further information can be found in the NICHS flyer here.

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

Further to previous notifications (CU#230517B: Preliminary Notice CPNI AGM and CU#230523B: REMINDER – Preliminary Notice CPNI AGM) advising that the CPNI AGM will take place at 4pm on Thursday 8th June 2023 in CPNI Offices, 5 Annadale Avenue, Belfast, TEAMS joining details are provided below for those CPNI Contractors wishing to join the meeting remotely.

Members are asked to confirm their attendance, or otherwise, to info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk for administrative purposes before 1pm on Thursday 8th June 2023.

Please note that admission to this meeting will be restricted to pharmaceutical contractors and superintendents of bodies corporate (Limited Companies) only.

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 377 228 544 736
Passcode: w6ZjPd

Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI offices should you require any additional information.

Yours sincerely

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive