You will have received correspondence from DHNI (dated 23 February 2024) in respect of the reclassification of codeine linctus to a prescription only medicine (POM).
Background
Recent safety information has revealed that codeine linctus is being used recreationally for its opioid effects, rather than for its intended use as a cough suppressant. This carries a serious risk of addiction and overdose which can be fatal.
Following the results of a public consultation and the further advice of the CHM, codeine linctus will no longer be supplied without a prescription. This is a risk minimisation measure to protect the health of patients in need of treatment, to prevent recreational use, and to enable the identification of individuals who may have become unintentionally addicted to codeine. Patients will still be able to access codeine linctus with a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional. This will ensure that the medicine is used safely and appropriately under medical supervision.
All market authorisation holders (MAH) are in the process of updating their product licences to reflect the change to POM. Once the licences have been updated, the MAHs have committed to implement the changes to their product information within 3 months. The MHRA made a public announcement as soon as possible in the interests of public safety. To avoid any ‘stockpiling’, all existing codeine linctus stock should now be treated as POM.
Action
Contractors should:
Review the correspondence issued by DHNI and bring this to the attention of their pharmacy teams;
Note that DHNI has indicated that to avoid any ‘stockpiling’, all existing codeine linctus stock should now be treated as POM;
Note the advice for healthcare professionals contained within the letter;
Note the advice for healthcare professionals to provide to patients contained within the letter; and
Follow the advice in respect of the reporting of any suspected adverse drug reactions through the Yellow Card scheme.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued by SPPG 23rd February 2024 regarding LFD distribution.
SUMMARY
On 29th February 2024 Care Homes and Primary Care users will no longer be able to order LFDs.
From 1st March 2024 Care Homes, primary care, and associated services who require LFDs for patients and/or staff who are eligible as outlined by PHA/DoH will now access these via the Pharmacy Collect NI service.
ACTION
Contractors should read and review the correspondence received from SPPG regarding the LFD Distribution Service.
Contractors can supply one box of test kits per transaction as stated in the service specification, however given that Care Homes may have many residents to test at one time a max of 10 LFD kits may be supplied to a Care Home in one transaction.
Please share this information with all relevant team members.
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
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
Yesterday’s meeting with the Health Minister and senior DoH(NI) officials will result in some additional funding being made available to community pharmacy contractors during the remainder of 2023/24. This will amount to c£10.1m. This is comprised of £6.1m associated with the annual uplift to the dispensing fee budget for 2023/24 and a further £4m support payment associated with medicines supply.
Approximately 5/6th of this funding (for the period Apr’23 – Jan’24) is being fast-tracked for inclusion in the BSO payment on 29th February 2024; this is a direct consequence of the representations made by contractors and CPNI to the Health Minister, elected representatives and officials following the contractor meeting on 6th February 2024.
£10.1m, while significant and helpful, does however fall significantly short of what is required to stabilise the community pharmacy service in 2023/24 and beyond.
A contractor meeting will be held next Wednesday evening to provide contractors with further information on the meeting with the Health Minister, on-going community pharmacy funding concerns and next steps.
Details for next week’s contractor meeting, which will be held in Belfast, will be provided in due course.
Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI offices should you require further information in the meantime.
Yours sincerely,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The survey for the Living Well campaign ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ is due to close at 6pm on 1st March 2024.
SUMMARY
The survey for the campaign ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ can be accessed here
Living Well information and resources on the current campaign ‘Know Your Units’ can be accessed here.
ACTION
Contractors who provide the Living Well Service and have yet to complete the online survey for the campaign ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ can access the survey here.
Please ensure the survey is completed by 6pm on 1st March 2024
In the event that a survey is not completed, SPPG may seek to recover all, or part of, the associated funding via an adjustment to the pharmacy’s BSO payment account.
Please be aware from 1st December 2023 to 31st March 2024 a quality assurance pilot on the Living Well service is being undertaken by SPPG. Further information can be accessed from the letter issued by SPPG on 6th November 2023.
For any further information please contact CPNI offices.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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