The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP059) in response to current concerns across the UK regarding the availability of Monomil® XL 60mg tablets.
This SSP, which is detailed in the attached letter from DHNI, came into operation in all parts of the UK on 26 March 2024 and has an expiry date of 3 May 2024.
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.
DHSC has issued an SSP in response to current concerns across the UK regarding the availability of Monomil® XL 60mg tablets.
It is important to note that there are two groups of alternatives listed in the SSP, and contractors should refer to the letter and the BSO website for the full details.
Contractors must also note the conditions attached to this SSP including the direction that ‘patients should be made aware of the change and be warned of possible adverse events that they may experience particularly in the first few days. The most important is hypotension (low blood pressure) as well as faster heart rate. Also, headache may get worse. If they have concerns, they should contact their doctor.’
ACTION
Contractors are asked to:
Note the issue of SSP059 relating to Monomil® XL 60mg tablets.
Review theattached letterfrom DHNI and ensure that their dispensing teams are familiar with this new protocol.
Note the guidance specific to this SSP detailed in the letter.
Note general SSP operational guidance on the BSO website HERE.
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
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued an important update on the 26th March 2024 regarding the Pharmacy First EHC Service
SUMMARY
Approximately 30,000 consultations for EHC have now been undertaken by community pharmacists since July 2022.
A number of the resources have been reviewed and updated, and these must be used from 1st April 2024.
The consultation form and the monthly claim form have been updated to capture further information on the ages of those using the service. These can be found on the BSO website.
The current PGDs for desogestrel and levonorgestrel expire on 30th April and updated versions will be available from 1st May 2024.
The service specification has been updated and is also available on the BSO website.
Contractors may be asked to submit records to the local office as the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) will be undertaking a review of the service this year.
NICPLD has updated the training module on Emergency Contraception and this is referenced in the updated service specification.
A copy of the Knowing Your Options patient leaflet must be given as part of every consultation. Colour copies can be requested by emailing your local office.
Service users can complete the on-line survey following their consultation using the following link or alternatively using the QR code in the correspondence.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to review the correspondence issued by SPPG 26th March 2023 and share with all relevant members of the team.
The consultation form and monthly claim form have been updated and are available on the BSO website. These must be used from 1st April 2024.
The service specification has also been updated. Please review the revised documentation which can be accessed here.
An updated training module on Emergency Contraception is now available on the NICPLD website and can be accessed here.
Please ensure that the Knowing Your Options patient leaflet is given out with every consultation.
SPPG requests that service users are encouraged to complete the on-line survey following their consultation using the QR code included in the correspondence.
If there any any queries regarding the Pharmacy First EHC Service please contact your pharmacy advisor.
All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy Meeting – Tuesday 19 March
This week, CPNI representatives briefed members of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy on the deepening crisis in the community pharmacy sector. This follows the recent CPNI presentation to the Assembly Health Committee.
At the meeting, CPNI asked the Members to call on the Department of Health (NI) to further stabilise the Community Pharmacy sector and to re-set the funding going forward. This will enable community pharmacy teams to build on the care they deliver in their communities and to also play an enhanced transformative role that benefits the patients and the health service.
Diabetes UK have been in touch with some leadership training opportunities which may be of interest to local community pharmacists. These are free courses, one online and one hybrid, and the deadlines are 7th and 8th of April. Further information is available here.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Colleague,
DoH(NI) has invited CPNI to nominate a Community Pharmacist, representative of Contractor members of CPNI, to join each of the new shadow Area Integrated Partnership Boards (AIPBs). These shadow AIPBs are being rolled out by the Department of Health across the five Trust geographical areas (Belfast, Southern, South-Eastern, Northern and Western areas) over the coming months as the next step in the implementation of a new Integrated Care System (ICS) for Northern Ireland.
ICS is the new Commissioning Framework for Northern Ireland. It is a single planning system that will help the health service to improve the health and well-being of the NI population and to address demand.
An AIPB is a planning partnership for the given geographical area with its over-arching aim being one of improving health and social care outcomes and reducing health inequalities for its local population.
The proposed membership of each shadow AIPB will include representation from across organisations and sectors who have a responsibility and/or interest in the health and social well-being of the population. The membership of each AIPB will therefore include representation from Community Pharmacy, Service Users and Carers, HSC Trusts, GP, local Councils and the Voluntary and Community Sectors. A test AIPB has been in operation in the Southern area since May 2023, with Mr. Sheelin McKeagney being the Community Pharmacy representative on the Southern area test AIPB.
This is a unique opportunity for Community Pharmacy representatives to play pivotal roles on these important new multi-sectoral AIPB structures within the ICS model that is being taken forward by the Health Minister Mr. Robin Swann MLA and the Permanent Secretary Mr. Peter May and led by Martina Moore, Director of the ICS NI Programme at DoH(NI). ICS and AIPBs are further evolutions of the Local Commissioning Group (LCG) and Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) bodies that were previously in place, of which many contractors and community pharmacists were members and played hugely important roles while serving on the LCGs or ICPs.
The letter requesting nominations from CPNI for the Community Pharmacy representative is available (here) with the Role Description for the Community Pharmacist Representative available (here) for your consideration and information.
Contractor Action:
You are asked to read the letter of request to CPNI and the Role Description document and to consider completing the Expressions of Interest form (here) if you, or one of your community pharmacy employee(s) or representatives would like to be considered for nomination as the Community Pharmacy AIPB representative in your Trust area. Completed EoI forms should be returned to CPNI on, or before Tuesday 9th April 2024.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any additional information.
Yours sincerely,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued by SPPG 21st March 2024 regarding LFD distribution.
SUMMARY
Further to the information provided 6th March 2024 (CPNI CU#240306A), the order form for the LFDs for Pharmacy Collect NI has been updated.
Pharmacies can order one carton (30 boxes of 7) per week.
Due to reduced demand for LFDs after recent changes to testing guidance, stock is to be checked before ordering to prevent stockpiling.
ACTION
Please review the correspondence issued by SPPG 21st March 2024 regarding the LFD ordering form.
An updated ordering form is available on the BSO website and all copies/downloads of the previous version should no longer be used.
If you have any queries in relation to the changes outlined in this email please contact your local Primary Care Office.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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