Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor

CPNI are engaging with SPPG colleagues on a review of the Community Pharmacy Rota Service. This relates to the normal weekday evening, weekend and public holiday rotas.  CPNI would like to seek the views of contractors as you will have a better understanding of local needs. Can I ask you to complete the short survey HERE by 5pm on Thursday 23 March 2023?

The information you provide will be used to inform future service provision of rota.

Many thanks for your assistance with this matter.

Kind regards

Dear Contractor

I write to confirm that a contractor meeting will take place on Thursday 23 March 2023 at 8pm at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast,117 Milltown Rd, Belfast BT8 7XP

This will be an ‘in-person’ meeting and an important update will be provided on community pharmacy funding for 2023/24 including adherence services.

I would encourage you all to attend this meeting and ask that you RSVP by 5pm on Tuesday 21 March 2023 by completing this link HERE.

Kind regards

Dear Contractor

The Department of Health NI issued guidance to pharmacists regarding the use of electronic/computerised controlled drug registers on 5 June 2019 and, more recently, on 16 March 2023. Both letters can be found below: Electronic/Computerised Controlled Drug Registers June 2019 Electronic/Computerised Controlled Drug Registers March 2023

ACTION

Contractors are advised to:

• Note the guidance, bring the information to the attention of your dispensary teams, and ensure that your registers comply with the requirements of Misuse of Drugs legislation. 

Any queries should be directed, in the first instance, to the Medicines Regulatory Group, DHNI.

Kind regards – Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY
Head of Regulatory Affairs

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams, including details of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CPNI ALERTS

• NICPLD Update on Application for Accreditation as an FTY Educational Supervisor 16 March 2023
• CPNI Contractor Meeting Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast, Thursday 23 March 2023 at 8pm 16 March 2023
• REMINDER Regional Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service Update 15 March 2023
• First Concessionary Prices – March 2023 15 March 2023
• Important Safety and Recall Information – Medicines Containing Pholcodine 15 March 2023

DOH(NI) ALERTS

• Request for Pairing Information: Spring 2023 COVID-19 Vaccinations for Care Home Residents 16 March 2023
• Electronic/Computerised Controlled Drug Registers 16 March 2023
• Pholcodine: Drug Safety Update – Pholcodine-containing Cough and Cold Medicines: Withdrawal from UK Market as a Precautionary Measure 14 March 2023
• Class 2 Medicines Recall – All Pholcodine-containing Medicines are Being Recalled and Withdrawn from the UK as a Precaution 14 March 2023
• TARGET “How to” Resource on Acne and Accompanying Survey 13 March 2023
• Cost Effective Choices List 10 March 2023

BSO ALERTS

• Weekly Drug Alerts are available here.
  • Medicines Defect Information – Venlafaxine XL 150mg, 225mg, 300mg Tablets 16 March 2023
• Weekly Shortages Information is available here.
  • Capsaicin 0.075% (Axsain®) and 0.025% (Zacin®) Cream 16 March 2023
• Serious Shortage Protocols are available here.

The Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) recently shared their Newsletter on Building the Community-Pharmacy Partnership and it is available to read here.

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is running a pilot training programme: Isolation and Loneliness Experienced by Older People. The programme comprises of free virtual and face to face half day and one day training courses aimed at staff in healthcare and non-healthcare roles, who are directly engaging with older people in the Belfast Trust area. Click on the following links for further information: •    An Introduction to Loneliness and Isolation Experienced by Older People •    OCN NI Level 2 Award in Awareness of Loneliness

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

NICPLD issued correspondence on Monday regarding the application process for those pharmacists who wish to be accredited as an Educational Supervisor for the 2023/24 Foundation Training Year cohort.

SUMMARY

• The application process to become an accredited ES for FTY 23/24 is now open.
• The application process will close on 27 March 2023.
• Regardless of previous accreditation status, all pharmacists intending to act as an ES for the 23/24 FTY cohort must apply for accreditation, using the form which can be found here.
• Applicants should familiarise themselves with the PSNI Standards for Foundation Training Year to ensure they are eligible.
• There are three pathways to accreditation which are dependent on prior accreditation status and experience.  Further detail can be found in the correspondence here.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to:

• Note the NICPLD correspondence on application for ES accreditation.
• Note that the closing date for applications is 27 March 2023.
• Note the PSNI Standards for Foundation Training Year.

Please feel free to contact a member of the CPNI team should you have any questions, or alternatively queries can also be directed to nicpld-fty@qub.ac.uk.

Kind regards

Dear Contractor

I write to confirm that a contractor meeting will take place on Thursday 23 March 2023 at 8pm at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast,117 Milltown Rd, Belfast BT8 7XP

This will be an ‘in-person’ meeting and an important update will be provided on community pharmacy funding for 2023/24 including adherence services.

I would encourage you all to attend this meeting and ask that you RSVP by 5pm on Tuesday 21 March 2023 by completing this link HERE.

Kind regards