Archives: Contractor Email

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

NPA & McLernon’s Webinar – Digitising Medicine Delivery Services to Patients

NPA & McLernon’s are hosting a Webinar at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10th October 2023 entitled ‘Digitising your Delivery Service using ProDeliveryManager (PDM) & McLernon’s’.  The webinar will also provide information on digital options for contractors who may be introducing delivery charges.

Please use this link to register for the event.

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Future Regulation and Development of Pharmacy Technicians in Northern Ireland

Contractors and their teams will be aware following the recommendations of the Pharmacy Workforce Review, work is ongoing to introduce the professional regulation and development of Pharmacy Technicians in Northern Ireland.  The project team leading this work will be producing monthly newsletters to provide updates to all stakeholders.  The September edition of the newsletter is available here and further information on the background to the project can be found on the Pharmacy Workforce Review webpage.  Contractors may wish to share the newsletter with Technicians and other support staff who may wish to remain updated about these changes.

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar and Contractor Emails.
Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via the CPNI’s Medicine Shortage 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
**FAO LIVING WELL PHARMACIES ONLY**
Dear Contractor
SPPG issued the following correspondence today – please share with relevant pharmacy team members.

SPPG CORRESPONDENCE:  COMMUNITY PHARMACY SERVICE: LIVING WELL SERVICE UPDATES

Dear Colleague,

  • New survey submission information:
  • In order to improve the survey submission and follow up process, SPPG is testing a new process where surveys must be submitted using HSCNI email addresses only. This will:
    • Provide the pharmacy with a proof of submission
    • Prevent duplicate responses being submitted
    • Improve processes for follow-up of non-responders by SPPG
  • On clicking the survey link on the BSO website or in any email reminder, the respondent will be directed to sign into their Microsoft HSCNI account using their pharmacy HSCNI email address (i.e., pharmacy.xxxx@hscni.net) and password.
  • This will then link to the Microsoft Forms survey for completion.
  • Once the survey is completed it is recommended that the box for a receipt as proof of submission is clicked prior to clicking ‘submit’.
  • If a pharmacy goes to enter their response again at a later date, they will be prompted that they have already completed the form and will not be able to submit again.
  • The “Childhood immunisation” survey is now  live and is available here.
    • The closing date is Friday 3rd November 2023.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

SPPG issued correspondence today seeking expressions of interest from community pharmacies to provide the Pharmacy First Sore Throat Pilot Service.

ACTION

  • Pharmacies contractors should read the correspondence and share with relevant pharmacy team members.
  • If you wish to be considered for providing this pilot service, the expression of interest form available here should be submitted no later than 5pm on Friday 13th October.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
CPNI are pleased to inform the network that at yesterday’s HSC Winter Summit it was announced that two new clinical services will be introduced to community pharmacy to support the health service in managing the pressures it will face this winter. The Pharmacy First Service for Urinary Tract Infections that is currently a pilot in 62 pharmacies will be expanded to the entire network. The Pharmacy First for Sore Throat ‘Test and Treat’ Service is going to be offered in 40 pharmacies across the region on a pilot basis. It is anticipated that both will commence in November. Further details will be communicated by SPPG in the coming days.

This is an important development for community pharmacy that demonstrates the clinical skills the community pharmacy team has to offer and the integral role community pharmacy can play within primary care.

CPNI recognises the mounting funding and operational difficulties that contractors and their teams are facing. We continue to make representations to DoH(NI) senior officials expressing the urgent need for these matters to be addressed.

We will keep you updated as further information becomes available.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Northern Ireland Cyber Crime Centre has issued an alert in respect of ‘Quishing’.

This is the use of QR codes as part of a phishing email, and the attached graphic shows two recent examples detected in Northern Ireland here.

Background

  • Actors send phishing emails containing a pdf or png image of a QR code.  This can reduce the possibility of the email being classed as phishing.
  • As with other phishing campaigns, the recipient is taken to a URL which may be hosting malware or a credential harvesting “sign-in” page.
  • URL redirects from legitimate online providers increase the likelihood of a recipient trusting the link displayed.
  • The requirement to scan a QR code increases the likelihood of a recipient using a personal device outside the web or anti virus protection offered by the organisation.

Action

Contractors are asked to note:

  1. The attached alert from the Cyber Crime Centre, and to ensure that their teams are aware that this is a variation of phishing email scams.
  2. That organisations can obtain advice on safeguarding against phishing attacks at www.ncsc.gov.uk/phishing.
  3. That Cyber Crime can be reported to Action Fraud 24/7 at www.actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040.
Further information can be accessed via the links on the Cyber Protect webpage HERE.

Kind regards

Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY
Head of Regulatory Affairs

Dear Contractor

The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence dated 29 September 2023 in relation to the serious shortage protocols (SSPs) in place for clarithromycin products (SSP053 and SSP054), extending the expiry dates until Friday 17 November 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 versions of the existing SSPs which are now available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website.
  • Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website.

ACTION

Contractors should:

  • Review the letter dated 29 September 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of this update.
  • Note that the expiry dates of the existing SSPs for clarithromycin products (SSP053 and SSP054) have been extended until Friday 17 November 2023.
  • 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