Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor

PSNI CONSULTATION: DRAFT GUIDANCE ON PHARMACY STAFFING LEVELS

On 14 October 2022, PSNI issued an eight-week public consultation on “Draft Guidance on Pharmacy Staffing Levels” which closes on 9 December 2022.  This is very similar in format and content to GPhC guidance issued in 2018.

CPNI will be responding to the consultation questions and would welcome any initial comments which you may have to inform this response.

PSNI CONSULTATION: DRAFT GUIDANCE ON PHARMACY STAFFING LEVELS CALL FOR EVIDENCE: REVIEW OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT, ETHICS AND PERFORMANCE 2016

The Pharmaceutical Society NI has begun a review of the Pharmaceutical Society NI Code (Professional Standards of Conduct, Ethics and Performance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland) 2016.  CPNI has secured a place on the Advisory Group associated with this review.

PSNI has issued a Call for Evidence HERE which will be used to inform the proposed revision (the Call for Evidence will close on the 30 November 2022). The draft revised Code will be the subject of a public consultation in early 2023.

Contractors may wish to respond to the Call for Evidence directly via the link provided in the document.  Alternatively, you can send comments to CPNI and these will be used to inform our input and response.

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

BSO ALERTS 

CPNI ALERTS 

DOH(NI) ALERTS 

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar or Contractor Emails.

Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via the CPNI’s Medicine Shortage Reporter or Situation Reporter.

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

Please see attached correspondence from Canice Ward, Head of Medicines Regulatory Group, Department of Health.

SUMMARY

The Department of Health NI issued a letter on 25 October 2022 giving details in respect of the supply of controlled drugs under the Community Pharmacy Emergency Supply Service.

The letter underscores that the governing legislation is permissive in respect of supplies of controlled drugs in Schedules 4 and 5, (provided that the conditions outlined in the Regulations are met and quantities do not exceed those for five days treatment).   However, it is very important to note that supplies of controlled drugs in Schedule 4 Part 1 are not permitted under the terms of the Community Pharmacy Emergency Supply Service.

Details are also given regarding labelling and record keeping requirements. 

ACTION

Contractors are advised to:

  • Note the correspondence from the Department of Health; and 
  • Ensure that their dispensing teams are aware of the issues highlighted.

CPNI colleagues will continue to update you on these matters.

Kind regards – Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY
Head of Regulatory Affairs 

Dear Contractor

It has been brought to our attention that posters for the Pharmacy First for UTIs service are being distributed this week and next to all community pharmacies. While the posters may arrive, this service is not yet commissioned and CPNI are still working through some details with SPPG colleagues on the service.

Please ensure that your pharmacists and pharmacy teams are aware to store the posters appropriately until such time that the service may be introduced. CPNI will keep you updated on any developments with this service.

Kind regards 

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
The fourth update of concessionary prices were granted today for October 2022:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Amoxicillin 500mg capsules15£1.42
Amoxicillin 500mg capsules21£1.99
Carvedilol 6.25mg tablets28£1.22
Colecalciferol 1,000unit capsules30£7.95
Fluoxetine 10mg capsules30£27.26
Gabapentin 400mg capsules100£4.10
Prednisolone 5mg soluble tablets30£53.48
Tamoxifen 20mg tablets30£2.95
Temazepam 10mg tablets28£31.00
Travoprost 40micrograms/ml / timolol
5mg/ml eye drops		2.5£5.75
Valsartan 40mg capsules28£3.50
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

Please see attached correspondence from SPPG Pharmacy and Medicines Management.

SUMMARY

  • Following up from previous correspondence, on the prioritisation of care home vaccinations, it is necessary for programme planning to provide the requisite level of assurance to the PHA, on the timely completion of care  home vaccinations for COVID-19 and Flu, to both the residents and staff of all care homes.
  • All CPs who are planning vaccination visits to care homes from today, are urgently requested to provide the information below:
    • Complete the table enclosed and return this information to the SPPG.
    • Please provide the relevant RQIA codes for the care homes which still require to be vaccinated as referenced from your data response to question 1.  A separate listing is required for each care home.
    • Please do not complete data for care homes which have been recorded on VMS prior to today, 24 October 2022.
    • Please return all data for each Care Home with the requested detail on the planned dates for vaccinations by 3pm Tuesday 25 October 2022. The data should be returned directly to Brendan Kerr (Brendan.kerr@hscni.net).
    • Please ensure that all vaccinations are recorded as quickly as possible on the VMS to ensure that the vaccinations are visible to all medical professionals utilising the VMS and to the PHA. 

ACTION

  • Contractors involved in the provision of the vaccination services within care homes are asked to review the attached correspondence.
  • Should you require any further clarity please contact Brendan Kerr (Brendan.kerr@hscni.net).
  • If you have any further queries, please contact the CPNI office.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive