Archives: Contractor Email

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

MHRA UPDATE

Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme NI

Following the Health Minister’s announcement that the new Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme will commence on 2 June 2025, pharmacy teams can use the following factsheet to deal with queries and to signpost patients who may be looking to reclaim costs for eligible treatments received outside Northern Ireland through this scheme.

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
Dear Colleague
The final update of concessionary prices were granted today for May 2025:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Acetazolamide 250mg tablets112£47.22
Cefradine 500mg capsules20£13.44
Conjugated oestrogens 1.25mg tablets84£52.56
Conjugated oestrogens 300microgram tablets84£24.02
Conjugated oestrogens 625microgram tablets84£26.87
Duloxetine 30mg gastro-resistant capsules28£1.69
Estradiol 10microgram pessaries24£10.92
Ferrous gluconate 300mg tablets28£1.85
Fluoxetine 40mg capsules30£2.66
Fluticasone 400microgram/unit dose nasal drops30£17.22
Fusidic acid 1% modified-release eye drops5£35.00
Gabapentin 600mg tablets100£15.73
Levofloxacin 500mg tablets10£10.19
Levofloxacin 500mg tablets5£5.10
Mefenamic acid 250mg tablets28£7.22
Mefenamic acid 500mg tablets28£18.95
Mometasone 0.1% cream100£12.88
Nabumetone 500mg tablets56£53.59
Nitrazepam 5mg tablets28£2.01
Nystatin 100,000units/ml oral suspension30£8.75
Paracetamol 500mg soluble tablets100£20.94
Paracetamol 500mg soluble tablets24£5.02
Pivmecillinam 200mg tablets10£7.76
Pramipexole 88microgram tablets30£3.51
Pregabalin 20mg/ml oral solution sugar free473£32.87
Sitagliptin 100mg tablets28£4.27
Ursodeoxycholic acid 150mg tablets60£73.99
Verapamil 40mg tablets84£1.45

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 Medicine Pricing/Supply Reporter.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor,

The following email has been issued by PSNI reminding all registrants of the delay to this year’s annual retention and the extension to the CPD year.

Please share with any pharmacists working within your team.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 23 May 2025 relating to SSP080 and SSP081 (Estradot® 75mcg patches and Estradot® 100mcg patches) extending their expiry dates to Friday 6 June 2025.

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 here dated 23 May 2025, and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the extension of the expiry dates of SSP080 and SSP081, and that they are also aware of the specific details relating to these SSPs; 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 are reminded of information issued by BSO ‘Serious Shortage Protocols: Submission Information for Contractors’ which can be accessed here.

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

Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI issued correspondence here dated 23 May 2025 extending the expiry dates of SSP060 and SSP061 for Creon® 10,000 and 25,000 gastro-resistant capsules, to Friday 21 November 2025.

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 here dated 23 May 2025, and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the extension of the expiry dates of SSP060 and SSP061 to Friday 21 November 2025, and of the specific details relating to these SSPs;
  • 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 are reminded of information issued by BSO ‘Serious Shortage Protocols: Submission Information for Contractors’ which can be accessed here.

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

For the attention of all community pharmacies who are contracted to provide the Pharmacy First Pilot Service for the Treatment of Shingles

Dear Contractor

  • SPPG have issued correspondence on 28 May 2025 regarding the Pharmacy First Pilot Service for the Treatment of Shingles.
  • SPPG have confirmed that the service will be further extended until 31 August 2025.
  • Pharmacies may wish to continue to promote the service on social media platforms using the resources available on the BSO website, and they may wish to let local GP surgeries know of the extension.

Please contact your Pharmacy Advisor at SPPG offices if you have any further queries.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive