Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor
DHNI has written to contractors (here) enclosing a link to the online controlled drug declaration and self-assessment for 2025 which is mandated under The Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.

Action

Contractors are reminded that this online questionnaire must be completed by 11 April 2025.

If you have any queries regarding the completion of the questionnaire, in the first instance please contact Michelle Keatings (02890 520230) michelle.keatings@health-ni.gov.uk or Claire O’Reilly (02890 520219) claire.oreilly@health-ni.gov.uk.

Kind regards

Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY
Head of Regulatory Affairs

Dear Colleague
The final update of concessionary prices were granted today for February 2025:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Desmopressin 240microgram sublingual tablets sugar free30£36.32
Paracetamol 500mg effervescent tablets100£6.99
Purified water5000£3.55
Water for injections 10ml ampoules10£2.95
The following concessionary prices granted in February 2025 have rolled over to March 2025:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Calamine lotion200£1.78
Colestyramine 4g oral powder sachets50£15.95
Nitrazepam 5mg tablets28£1.70
Rizatriptan 10mg orodispersible tablets sugar free3£8.18

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 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 launched a consultation on the introduction of a ‘Being Open Framework’ in Northern Ireland.  The closing date is 21 March 2025 at 5.00pm.  The full suite of documents may be accessed here on the DoH website.

CPNI will be responding to the consultation.  We would welcome any comments which you may have to inform this response which should be sent to Mike or Ennis before 12 March 2025.  Alternatively, you can respond directly to the consultation via the link provided in the consultation document.

Kind regards

Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY
Head of Regulatory Affairs

Dear Contractor
The DHNI has issued a letter (here) dated 28 February 2025 reminding contractors of the requirements pertaining to the management of private prescriptions and private stock requisitions for controlled drugs.

The letter gives information on:

  • Management of forms originating in Northern Ireland
  • Management of forms from elsewhere in the UK
  • Dispensing privately prescribed CDs and requisitions

Action

Contractors should ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the content of this letter.

If you have any queries in relation to the letter, please contact the Medicines Regulatory Group or your local SPPG Pharmacy Adviser.  CPNI colleagues are also available for advice.

Kind regards

Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY
Head of Regulatory Affairs

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.

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

Pharmacy First Service: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) in women aged 16-64 years

  • The Pharmacy First Service for uncomplicated UTIs has been available in pharmacies across NI since November 2023.
  • Recent data has shown that over 21,000 consultations have been provided by community pharmacies from November 2023 to December 2024.
  • Resources for the service can be found on the BSO website, and CPNI has also developed a short PowerPoint presentation that may be of use to community pharmacists who are or wish to provide the UTI service.

Transforming Medication Safety NI Project Echo: Transitions of care – The safe journey of medicines

  • An ECHO session is being provided by TMSNI on Wednesday 5 March 2025 10-11.30am to discuss medication safety during transitions of care.
  • Further information can be found here.
  • The agenda and joining links can be found here.

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 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