Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague
The second update of concessionary prices were granted today for March 2023:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Bisoprolol 2.5mg tablets28£1.18
Calcipotriol 0.005% / Betamethasone
dipropionate 0.05% ointment		30£10.29
Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension70£5.54
Clotrimazole 1% cream20£2.29
Co-codamol 30mg/500mg effervescent tablets32£3.37
Co-codamol 30mg/500mg effervescent tablets100£10.52
Colecalciferol 1,000unit capsules30£7.95
Cyclizine 50mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules5£12.95
Flucloxacillin 250mg capsules28£2.80
Hydroxychloroquine 200mg tablets60£3.27
Leflunomide 20mg tablets30£3.50
Metoprolol 50mg tablets28£2.30
Nitrofurantoin 50mg tablets28£12.95
Norethisterone 5mg tablets30£6.74
Omeprazole 10mg gastro-resistant capsules28£2.53
Paroxetine 20mg tablets30£1.58
Perindopril erbumine 2mg tablets30£1.96
Perindopril erbumine 4mg tablets30£2.90
Pregabalin 100mg capsules84£3.08
Tamsulosin 400microgram / Dutasteride
500microgram capsules		30£17.37
Temazepam 10mg tablets28£24.44
Temazepam 20mg tablets28£25.00
Tolterodine 1mg tablets56£3.13
Tranexamic acid 500mg tablets60£7.10
Valsartan 80mg capsules28£7.94
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 Colleague
As you may be aware, SPPG issued correspondence on 23 January 2023 to those pharmacies providing the Regional Stop Smoking Service.

SUMMARY

  • The rolling forward of the “Stop Smoking” service contract due to be returned to the PHA on 30 January 2023. 
  • All providers that have purchased, or in the process of purchasing a carbon monoxide monitor via the PHA Reimbursement Scheme, goods need to be receipted no later than 31 March 2023. PHA will require a pharmacy reimbursement invoice in addition to the supplier invoice.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to note:

  • The contents of the letter and bring it to the attention of relevant staff
  • Submit a pharmacy reimbursement invoice in addition to the supplier invoice to PHA for a carbon monoxide monitor purchased via the PHA Reimbursement Scheme, goods need to be receipted no later than 31 March 2023. 

For queries in relation to the service please contact your PHA local Tobacco coordinator.

Kind regards 

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Please see attached correspondence from the Department of Health NI outlining JCVI advice on 2023 COVID-19 spring booster programme and significant changes to the primary course offer.

SUMMARY

  • The current COVID-19 autumn 2022/23 booster programme, which began in the week commencing 19 September 2022 will come to an end on 31 March 2023.
    • Providers are not required to vaccinate those eligible for an autumn booster from that point onwards.
  • In addition to the spring programme, two significant changes to the COVID-19 vaccination programme will be implemented from the end of the spring programme on the 30 June 2023:
    • The offer of a primary course of vaccination for any healthy persons aged 5-49 years of age who have yet to take up the offer will cease.
    • And the ongoing offer of a primary course of vaccination for eligible individuals who have yet to take up the offer (i.e those aged 50 years and over and those aged 5 to 49 years of age in a clinical risk group) will only be available to coincide with a seasonal programme such as a spring or autumn programme.

ACTION

CPNI will provide you with further updates on the Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

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

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

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

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
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