Contractors whose staff members wish to give their feedback on the “Know Check Ask” campaign can do so by completing the survey which 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 Contractor
PHA have issued an early communicationregarding the Autumn 2023-24 Vaccination Programme. While the exact details and service specifications will take a little longer to be finalised, PHA want to share information about what they expect in this year’s JCVI advice and subsequent letters from the Department of Health to assist you with any planning. Please note, this information is subject to change pending a final statement from JCVI and subsequent HSS letters from the Department of Health.
SUMMARY
The communication outlines:
the expected cohorts eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations;
the timing of the vaccination programme;
the vaccines that are likely to be used.
ACTION
Ensure this communication is brought to the attention of pharmacy team members involved in the community pharmacy vaccination service.
Concessionary prices will be paid against the usual code, no additional endorsements are needed.
Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our new Medicine Shortage Reporter .
Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence dated 20 July 2023 in relation to the serious shortage protocols in place for clarithromycin products (SSP053 and SSP054), extending the expiry dates until Friday 29 September 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 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 20 July 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 29 September 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
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued correspondence to registrants on 20 July 2023 with regard to meeting regulatory standards during periods of global and national shortage of medicines.
SUMMARY
The PSNI statement has been issued jointly with the following regulatory organisations:
General Pharmaceutical Council
General Medical Council
Health and Care Professions Council
Nursing and Midwifery Council
The statement refers specifically to concerns that patients with Type 2 diabetes are experiencing problems accessing GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), while it is known that these are being widely prescribed for weight loss purposes and in some cases prescribed off-label.
The statement reminds health and care professionals, including prescribers, that they are expected to take account of the RPS ‘Competency Framework for all Prescribers’ and apply this to reflect different areas of practice or situations.
The statement reminds health and care professionals of recent alerts and resources regarding the GLP-1 RA shortage including:
Guidance from the Primary Care Diabetes Society (PCDS) and Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD), to support clinical decision making during this period.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Review the PSNI statement and share the information with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
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
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor,
SPPG issued correspondence on 20 July 2023 in relation to the de-prescribing of vitamins (excluding Vitamin D) and minerals in adults.
SUMMARY
The SPPG Correspondence advises: – In addition to the ongoing work around cost-effective prescribing across all therapeutic areas, a focus of activity for this year in primary care will be “deprescribing”. – This will include the deprescribing of vitamins and mineral preparations in Primary Care. – PrescQIPP Vitamins and Minerals Guidance has been adopted for use in N Ireland and should be referred to for further information. – Community Pharmacies are asked to: > Assist patients who want to take vitamins and minerals for dietary supplementation or as a “pick-me-up” to select appropriate over-the-counter products. > Ensure all staff, including counter assistants, reinforce healthy eating messages and are able to signpost to relevant patient support materials.
ACTION
– Ensure the information in the SPPG correspondence and guidance is brought to the attention of relevant members of the pharmacy team
Kind Regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
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