The Department of Health NI issued correspondence dated 17 April 2023. A correction is highlighted within the letter dated 17 April and relates to notification of prescribers.
SUMMARY
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.
As of 6 April 2023 DHNI has added SSP053 and SSP054 relating to Clarithromycin Oral Solutions to the list of SSPs currently in force. The expiry date for both of these SSPs is indicated as 28 April 2023.
Pharmacists should refer to the latest versions of these 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.
Review the letterof 17 April 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of these updates.
Note the details contained within this letter relating to the decision pathways for these SSPs; notification of GPs; “off label” use of medicines, the difference in SSP053 and SSP054 in relation to substitution with Clarithromycin tablets; vigilance with regard to appropriate dosing and quantity; provision of appropriate advice, instructions and measuring devices; the need for patient/carer agreement, and action to take when this is not given; and professional judgement.
Contractors should contact their local SPPG office in the first instance should further information be required. CPNI colleagues are also available for assistance.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF DR. GARETH C. GILVARY Governance & Support Pharmacist
Dear Contractor
You will be aware that correspondence was issued by Mr Joe Brogan on 31 March 2023 providing a Medicines Adherence Update. Correspondence was also issued on 31 March 2023 to GP practices advising of Important Changes to NI Drug Tariff for “Multiple/Instalment Dispensing”. Both communications advise that multiple dispensing endorsements should only be added to prescriptions where the medicines are subject to abuse/misuse. The correspondence also advise that from 1 May 2023 the NI Drug Tariff will be amended to remove “life-threatening non-compliance” from the criteria for multiple dispensing.
CPNI has concerns about the approach that is being taken and the risks it presents not only for community pharmacy teams and general practice, but also for patients. With the Department stating its intention to change the Drug Tariff on 1 May 2023, CPNI is strongly of the view that multiple dispensing endorsements should not be removed prior to that date.
In order to support community pharmacy teams, CPNI have engaged with general practice colleagues and have asked for this letter to be disseminated to all general practices in Northern Ireland to advise against removal of multiple endorsements prior to 1 May 2023. You may share this letter with your local GP practice if they have not received it.
CPNI have also prepared this letter for community pharmacies to send to GP surgeries where MD endorsements are removed for specific patients before 1 May 2023.
CPNI would ask you to ensure that all community pharmacy staff involved with multiple dispensing and adherence services are made aware of the information contained within these letters.
Yours sincerely
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
From 1 April 2023 pharmacies can order LFDs for the Pharmacy Collect NI service and PPE for the pharmacy on the same order form available HERE. Ordering LFDs for the Pharmacy Collect NI service via the new order form replaces ordering from the Alliance wholesaler.
Pharmacies are reminded that stock is now ordered on a weekly basis and where stock of either LFDs for Pharmacy Collect NI service or PPE stock for the pharmacy is required, a completed reorder form must be emailed as an attachment to: pharmPPEorders@hscni.net no later than 5pm on a Wednesday.
Delivery schedule over Easter
Any orders for stock received by 5pm Wednesday 5 April 2023 should be delivered by the courier on Tuesday 11 April 2023 and Wednesday 12 April 2023. (NOTE: Courier will be closed Friday 7 April 2023 and Monday 10 April 2023).
If you have any queries please contact the BSO Customer helpline 02895361301 in the first instance or your local SPPG Primary Care office.
Yours sincerely
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI issued correspondence on 31 March 2023 in respect of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) SSP040-SSP047 relating to phenoxymethylpenicillin preparations.
SUMMARY
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.
DHNI has advised that the expiry dates for SSP040 – SSP047 have been extended to 28 April 2023.
Pharmacists should refer to the latest versions of these SSPs which are now available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website HERE.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Note that DHSC has advised that the expiry dates for SSP040 – SSP047 have been extended to 28 April 2023.
Review the DHNI letter of 31 March 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of these updates.
Note the details contained within this letter relating to the decision pathways for these 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
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