I write to update you on a number of funding matters as follows:
CPNI is liaising with DoH(NI)/SPPG in relation to the final 2023/24 funding position and the funding arrangements for 2024/25. A number of aspects including Drug Tariff changes from 1st April 2024 Category-A changes, possible changes to Concessionary price arrangements, as well as the fees payable within the Global Sum (ordinary dispensing, instalment dispensing and Professional Allowance) and Medicines Adherence funding will be discussed by CPNI Directors at the 11th April Board meeting, with Contractors being updated thereafter.
CPNI is aware that several Contractors have this week expressed concern at the insufficiency of the BSO payment received on 29th March relative to business costs payable at month-end. It is important that you advise CPNI offices if the payment received does not cover medicine wholesaler accounts due on 29th March 2024, and/or associated business costs.
CPNI has provided the anonymised and collated payroll/salary information received from contractors in relation to the impact of recent NMW/NLW increases on the sector. I want to acknowledge the information received by CPNI from Contractors; the information provided was extremely important evidence to support SPPG as they prepare business cases for funding to offset additional NMW/NLW costs.
SPPG has issued correspondence confirming that the eligibility criterion for funding associated with the Rural Pharmacy Access Scheme (RPAS) will change from 1st April 2024, with the main change being that the requirement for pharmacies, in receipt of RPAS funding, to be open 6 days per week is being removed. Contractors in receipt of RPAS funding who wish to close on e.g. Saturday but are contracted to be open on Saturday will be required to seek a variation in contracted opening hours using the Variation in Opening Hours Application Form.
CPNI continues to make representations to DoH(NI), SPPG and the Minister for Health in relation to current funding difficulties. In addition to CPNI’s attendance at the NI Assembly Health Committee meeting on 7th March, CPNI representatives met with the NI Assembly All Party Group (Community Pharmacy) on 19th March 2024. Contractor representation and correspondence to the Minister and MLAs is raising awareness of the difficulties in the sector and the next phase of the current comms strategy is the launch of a Public Awareness campaign in all pharmacies post-Easter. Further information on this will be provided to you after Easter.
I would ask that you read and note the points contained in this Contractor Update and the associated documentation contained within the links to this CU.
It continues to be a very difficult and fraught environment within community pharmacy but I have seen, during numerous recent pharmacy visits, the professionalism and dedication exhibited by contractors and your pharmacy teams in continuing to support and protect your patients during these difficult times; and I want to acknowledge that.
I hope that you and your teams can take time over the Easter break to enjoy time with family and friends.
Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI offices if you require any additional information.
Employers are asked to print and display the poster in staff areas, and bring to the attention of relevant members of the team.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Note the contents of the Pharmacy Technician Newsletters and bring to the attention of relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Advise technician and support staff to join the Technician Regulation Project mailing list to receive all relevant updates.
Contractors should contact CPNI offices should they have any queries on the Pharmacy Technician Regulation Project.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing the Spring 2024 COVID-19 Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service
Dear Contractor
The PHA issued correspondence dated 21 March 2024 relating to the COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccination Service. The letter provides information on the wider COVID-19 Spring Booster Programme, in addition to that provided in CPNI updates issued yesterday:
CU#240327D Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service Spring 2024
CU#240327F Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service Spring 2024 Care Home Pairing
SUMMARY
In Northern Ireland, the vaccination programme will begin on 15th April 2024 and end on 30th June 2024.
Contractors may participate in this service on submission of contracts.
The eligible cohorts for the community pharmacy COVID-19 Spring Booster Programme include:
Care Home Residents
All over 75 years old
Those aged 18 years old and over immunosuppressed
The programme will use Moderna mRNA (Spikevax) XBB.1.5 vaccine. Dose: 50 micrograms (0.5ml).
Pharmacies providing the service can place orders from Movianto from the 3rd April 2024.
The PHA letter states that orders should only be placed within 2 weeks of clinics taking place. Additionally:
Once thawing has been initiated by Movianto, Spikevax XBB.1.5 (Moderna) has a shelf life of 30 days. The new thawed expiry date will be added by Movianto.
The Spikevax XBB 1.5 vaccines which are deployed at the start of the spring 2024 vaccine programme have an earlier expiry date.
All patients vaccinated as part of the CPVS must be recorded on the VMS, including details of eligibility.
Queries relating to the COVID-19 Spring Booster programme can be directed to pha.immunisation@hscni.net, and queries relating to the Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service should be directed to Greg Miller or Grainne McMahon.
ACTION
Contractors should review the PHA correspondence and share this information with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Contractors should review the previous CPNI updates on the Spring Booster programme: CU#240327D, CU#240327F
Community pharmacies who wish to participate in the vaccination service should submit a completed contract by 5pm 12th April 2024.
Pharmacies who have completed their contract can place orders for Spikevax XBB.1.5 with Movianto from 3rd April 2024 and officially begin the vaccination programme on 15th April 2024.
Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact a member of the CPNI team.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
The third update of concessionary prices were granted today for March 2024:
Drug
Pack Size
Concessionary Price
Amoxicillin 250mg/5ml oral suspension
100
£2.49
Aripiprazole 5mg tablets
28
£5.64
Benzylpenicillin 600mg powder for solution for injection vials
SPPG have issued correspondence relating to the Pharmacy First for UTI service.
SUMMARY
The SPPG letter confirms that the service will continue.
There are 451 pharmacies contracted to provide the service and over 4,000 patients have benefited since November 2023.
Any pharmacy that has not yet signed up to provide the service and wishes to do so can complete a contract here.
Some contracted pharmacies have not yet provided the service to patients. The CPNI team is happy to assist contractors who’ve not yet started or submitted returns. Queries can be directed to the office on 028 9069 0444.
A new patient feedback survey has been developed and contractors are asked to encourage users of the service to complete it. A QR code is included in the letter and the link is available here.
Resources and information relating to the service is available on the BSO website here, and contractors are asked to ensure they are using the most up to date PGDs for Nitrofurantoin and Trimethoprim.
Ensure the most up to date versions of the service PGDs are in operation.
Please do not hesitate to contact a member of the CPNI team should you have any queries.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing the Spring 2024 COVID-19 Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued correspondence relating to the COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccination Service 27th March 2024.
SUMMARY
SPPG have issued correspondence regarding the COVID-19 Spring 2024 programme requesting community pharmacies who are vaccinating Care Homes to complete the online pairing survey by 15th April 2024.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG 27th March 2024 regarding Care Home pairings for the Spring vaccination programme.
Those pharmacies that are vaccinating Care Homes are asked to complete the online pairing survey by 15th April 2024.
Each contracted pharmacy should select all care home(s) for which they will be paired with.
WhatsApp Business Terms of Service can be found here and privacy policy hereUCA-NI Privacy Policy We take your privacy seriously and do not share or sell any personal details with third parties for commercial purposes. If you have any questions, please contact the CPNI office. You can withdraw your consent to be contacted at any time by calling 028 9069 0444 or by emailing info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk. CPNI Data Protection Policy and Data Retention policy can be found Click Here
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