Archives: Contractor Email

Reminder: Those community pharmacies who are yet to complete the CPAF declaration form for 24/25, can do so using the following link.
If any contractors are unsure if they have submitted a declaration, please contact Tom Coyle at SPPG for clarification to avoid duplication.
Dear Colleague,
SPPG have issued correspondence regarding the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework on 27 February 2025.

SUMMARY

  • SPPG is seeking completion of the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) declaration form for your pharmacy, for the 2024/25 year.
  • The aim and purpose of the framework is to monitor compliance with Terms of Service, service specifications, related professional standards and best practice guidance.
  • SPPG has recently worked with CPNI to review, update and agree the Assurance framework for the 2024/25 year.
  • The declaration form is now to be completed by Monday 10 March 2025 on MS forms using the following link here.
  • A payment of £1200 will be made to each pharmacy, upon return of the completed declaration for compliance with the CPAF process in 2024/25.
  • Last year community pharmacies will have submitted a copy of their practice leaflet and complaints procedure alongside their CPAF declaration for 2023/24. If either of these has changed since last year’s submission, SPPG have requested a copy to be emailed to your local Primary Care Office by 31 March 2025.
  • The resumed CPAF visits will continue as per the SPPG process, and pharmacies will be contacted directly if selected for a visit.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to review the correspondence issued by SPPG on 27 February 2025 and share with all relevant team members.

Please contact your Pharmacy Advisor at local offices for any queries regarding this correspondence. 

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
**FAO LIVING WELL PHARMACIES ONLY**
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued by SPPG on 14 April 2025 to those pharmacies yet to submit an evaluation survey for the Living Well campaign ‘Look after your mental health’.

SUMMARY

  • All pharmacies contracted to provide the Living Well service must complete an evaluation survey after each campaign, unless otherwise informed.
  • SPPG reserves the right to recoup payment for a campaign if the evaluation survey is not submitted.
  • The survey for the campaign ‘Look after your mental health’ is open and can be accessed here.
  • The survey must be completed by 6pm 28th April 2025, please ensure to reach the final screen to confirm submission.

ACTION

  • Contractors who have yet to complete the Living Well survey for the campaign ‘Look after your mental health’ are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG on 14 April 2025 and share with relevant team members.

For any further information please contact CPNI offices.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Further to the CPNI update on Experiential Learning (EL) which issued on 14 March 2025, contractors are reminded that there is still time to complete the CPNI EL survey.  The survey is open until 16 April 2025.

SUMMARY

  • The CPNI EL survey provides contractors with an opportunity to give their views on what is working well with EL in community pharmacy, and what improvements may be helpful.
  • NICPLD has indicated that EL feedback will be used to inform a review of the programme and the development of an ongoing EL strategy.

ACTION

Contractors are advised to:

EL queries can be sent to the NICPLD programme lead Helen Hirst by emailing h.hirst@qub.ac.uk.  Alternatively, should you wish to speak to a member of the CPNI team please feel free to email Ennis.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS 

DOH(NI) ALERTS 

BSO ALERTS 

Concessionary Price Update for March 2025

  • It has been confirmed that the concessionary prices for Trimethoprim 200mg tablets (6 and 14) have been improved for March 2025.
  • Trimethoprim 200mg tablets (6) revised concessionary price £1.79 (previously £0.88).
  • Trimethoprim 200mg tablets (14) revised concessionary price £4.19 (previously £2.05).
  • The revised price will apply to prescriptions submitted for payment for the dispensing month of March 2025.

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

Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via CPNI’s Medicine Pricing/Supply Reporter and Situation Reporter.

Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
For the Attention of Community Pharmacies Currently Providing the Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) Service
Dear Colleague
SPPG have issued correspondence on 10 April 2025 regarding the community pharmacy OST service.

SUMMARY

  • A new contract for the community pharmacy OST service is being implemented from April 2025.
  • The contract will further enhance governance arrangements for the delivery of the OST service and ensure timely payment of the retainer fee.
  • Pharmacies that currently dispense OST prescriptions are asked to submit a new contract using the MS forms link by 25 April 2025.
  • Service documentation including the new service specification and relevant resources are available on the BSO website here.
  • Pharmacy staff involved in the provision of the OST service are asked to ensure they are familiar with the necessary resources in line with the service specification and contract.
  • The NICPLD live webinar ‘Opioid Substitution Therapy‘ is scheduled for 21 May 2025, and will be recorded for those unable to attend.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to

  • Review the correspondence issued by SPPG on 10 April 2025 and share with all relevant team members.
  • Complete a new contract for the OST service by 25 April 2025.
    • Please note: Those pharmacies who have already completed a new OST service contract recently do not need to resubmit.

Please contact Michael McCabe (michael.mccabe@hscni.net), Pharmacy Adviser if you have any further queries.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
CPNI issued updates on 10 March 2025, 24 March 2025 and 2 April 2025 regarding the NICPLD Independent Prescribing (IP) training application process and the funding available to support community pharmacists in obtaining a DPP.  The closing date for community pharmacist IP applications is 15 April 2025.

SUMMARY

  • Community pharmacists who wish to apply for the NICPLD Independent Prescribing (IP) course can submit applications up to 15 April 2025.
  • Information on the DPP pilot is available here and on the NICPLD IP webpage. 
  • A recorded webinar for prospective applicants or DPPs is available here.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to note the information provided above and share with relevant members of the team.

Queries on the DPP support scheme can be sent to Nicpld-prescribing@qub.ac.uk. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI team or email Ennis.

Kind regards 

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive