You may be aware that DOH has launched a UK-wide consultation seeking views on the proposal to enable registered pharmacy technicians to supply and administer medicines under a patient group direction (PGD).
CPNI will be submitting a response to this consultation, and comments from contractors are welcomed. The consultation closes on 29 September 2023 and comments should be submitted to Ennis or myself by 22 September 2023. Alternatively, contractors can respond directly using the link above.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
Community pharmacies have been made aware of the forthcoming rollout of NIECR to the network. This will be done in a phased approach that has been based on logistical reasons and to ensure rollout happens in the most efficient way possible. CPNI wishes to reassure contractors and their teams that there will be no particular advantage/disadvantage from a service perspective being earlier or later within the rollout plans. There is also a commitment from SPPG to ensure full rollout happens as soon as possible.
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 providing the Autumn 2023 COVID-19 & Seasonal Influenza Community Pharmacy Vaccine Service (CPVS)
Dear Contractor
SUMMARY
PGDs are now available on the BSO website. The PGD for COVID-19 can be found here and the PGD for influenza can be found here.
The COVID-19 PGD is not valid until 18th September. No COVID vaccines can therefore be administered before this date under the CPVS service.
Orders for QIVc have exceeded the anticipated volumes required by community pharmacy. Quotas have therefore been put in place. Any orders above the levels stated below need prior approval from SPPG. The quotas in place are:
5 boxes (50 doses) for pharmacies vaccinating Care Homes.
1 box (10) for pharmacies vaccinating walk-in patients.
Please note the seasonal influenza programme for 23/24 does not include patients aged 50-64yrs (unless in an at-risk category – see eligibility criteria).
ACTION
Please ensure this information is shared with relevant members of your pharmacy team.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has today issued correspondence (HERE) dated 8 September 2023 extending the expiry date of Serious Shortage Protocol SSP058.
Effective from 21 August 2023, SSP058 enables community pharmacists to supply patients with one EpiPen® 300mcg / 0.3ml solution for injection auto-injector pen for every Jext® 300mcg / 0.3ml solution for injection auto-injector pen originally prescribed. Note: it is important that the patient / carer / guardian understands how to administer an Epipen® 300mcg / 0.3ml solution for injection auto-injector pen when making a supply under this SSP.
The expiry date for SSP058 has been extended to Friday 20 October 2023.
BACKGROUND
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.
Pharmacists should refer to the latest version of the existing SSP which is now available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website (HERE).
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website (HERE).
ACTION
Contractors should:
Review the letter dated 8 September 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the specific details relating to SSP058; and
Note guidance relating to the decision pathways for SSPs; notification of GPs; the need for patient/carer agreement, and action to take when this is not given; professional judgement; and actions regarding unclear quantities.
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
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
This website is a platform which encourages patients to share their experiences of health or care services and is an opportunity for patients attending community pharmacies to provide their own feedback.
If you have a patient who has expressed particular thanks to your pharmacy team for the care and support received, please make them aware of this website. By doing so, it can help to raise the profile of the community pharmacy network and give recognition to some of the interactions which happen every day in a pharmacy.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
In June CPNI shared correspondence from SPPG inviting contractors and their teams to participate in a collaborative workshop focusing on reducing the prescribing of high dose opioids in the management of chronic non-cancer pain. It was recognised that attendance at the in-person workshop in August was challenging for community pharmacy teams.
For those who were unable to attend, the slides from the workshop are available here. The Opioid Improvement project team have advised CPNI that they are considering other ways to engage with community pharmacy to ensure they are fully informed. Further details will be provided when they become available.
Joint correspondence issued on 04 September from Professor Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, NI and Dr Aideen Keaney, Director for HSCQI Hub and Network, explaining the background and purpose of the HSCQI Opioid Improvement Collaborative Programme. The correspondence also outlines how healthcare staff and teams can register to be involved in project teams.
Summary
Northern Ireland is the highest prescriber of opioids across the four UK regions.
The evidence for using opioids, particularly strong opioids, in chronic non-malignant pain is insufficient to justify either their use for this indication or the high levels of usage that we see in NI.
The opioid improvement collaborative programme will create the conditions for a shared regional approach for both Primary and Secondary Care teams to learn and apply quality improvement methodology to improving the management of non-malignant pain.
The programme aims to encourage the establishment of project teams.
Project teams are invited from both Primary Care (e.g. GP Practices, Community Pharmacies or joint working initiatives) and Trusts (both inpatient and outpatient settings).
Projects should identify an improvement opportunity related to initiating, monitoring, reviewing, reducing or stopping high risk opioid prescribing for non-malignant pain.
Should you have any queries please contact a member of the CPNI team.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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