Archives: Contractor Email

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams, including details of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BSO ALERTS 

  • Weekly Drug Alerts are available here.
  • Weekly Shortages Information is available here.
  • Serious Shortage Protocols are available here.

CPNI ALERTS 

DOH(NI) ALERTS 

Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar or Contractor Emails

Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via the CPNI’s Medicine Shortage Reporter or Situation Reporter.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
DR. GARETH C. GILVARY
Governance & Support Pharmacist
Dear Colleague
Please find correspondence HERE from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, Strategic Planning and Performance Group.

SUMMARY

  • In December 2021 HSCB confirmed that lunchtime closure of 1 hour would be allowed to facilitate staff breaks and pharmacies could consider a later opening time of 10am. As workforce challenges continue SPPG (formerly HSCB) remind community pharmacy contractors of the following options that remain available:
  • Lunchtime closure: The facility for pharmacies to close at lunchtime remains in place. SPPG would like to emphasise the importance of staff breaks and would encourage pharmacies to avail of this.
  • Delayed opening time: It is recognised that it may be helpful at times for pharmacies to delay opening until 10am. That is permitted and, if required, SPPG would be grateful if you could advise your SPPG local office accordingly.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the correspondence.
  • If you have any queries please contact a Pharmacy Advisor at your local SPPG office.
  • Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

  • CPNI is liaising with the Department of Health, SPPG, Pharmacy Wholesalers and PMR providers in relation to the current acute supply shortages affecting NI licensed medicines as well as the consequential PIP-code and DM&D code issues that have also arisen.
  • It is important that any product supply shortages and price increases, especially where the medicine cost price exceeds the tariff price are notified to CPNI via the CPNI Medicine Shortage Reporter.
  • This information will enable guidance to be issued to pharmacy and GP teams in relation to how shortages associated with prescribed medicines should be handled, especially as we are approaching the July holiday period.
  • Issues associated with PIP-codes and DM&D codes are also being escalated to ensure safe medicine supply and reimbursement arrangements are also factored in by the relevant authorities.
  • Please ensure that you and your Teams use the CPNI Medicine Shortage Reporter.
  • Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Please see attached correspondence from SPPG Pharmacy & Medicines Management team.

SUMMARY

  • Health Minister Mr. Robin Swann MLA announced an extension to current lateral flow testing availability. This will mean the continuation of the existing eligibility criteria until to 31 July 2022. 
  • Community pharmacies are asked to please continue to have LFD stock available to provide tests to members of the public.
  • There continues to be no requirement for community pharmacies to check eligibility for collection of LFDs through the service.
  • If discussions with members of the public arise regarding requirements for testing, please ensure staff are aware of current eligibility criteria and the most up to date recommendations as laid out in the links below.
  • Full information on eligibility criteria is outlined HERE and the Minister’s statement is also available HERE.

ACTION

  • Contractors and pharmacy teams involved in the provision of the Pharmacy Collect NI service are advised to review the attached correspondence.
  • If you have any queries in relation to the changes outlined in this communication, please contact your local Integrated Care Office.
  • If you have any further queries, please contact the CPNI office.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

  • Further to the announcement by Health Minister Mr. Robin Swann MLA on Friday 1 July 2022 (CU220701C) regarding COVID-19 testing and isolation guidance, and public health advice for those with symptoms of respiratory infection for the general population, the SPPG has issued guidance that can be found HERE.
  • However, guidance in relation to test, trace and isolation for health and care workers, and testing for visitors to health and care settings; and testing to support clinical pathways remains in place at this time.
  • Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams, including details of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BSO ALERTS 

CPNI ALERTS 

DOH(NI) ALERTS 

NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER AWARDS 2022 – ‘PHARMACY OF THE YEAR’ 

The Neighbourhood Retailer Awards are taking place on Friday 28 October 2022 at Crowne Plaza Belfast and this year a ‘Pharmacy of the Year’ category is included.
If you would like to enter the Awards and showcase some of the work carried out by your pharmacy(cies), more information can be found here.
Please note due to demand the closing date for entries has been extended to Midnight Monday 4 July 2022.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar or Contractor Emails.

Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via the CPNI’s Medicine Shortage Reporter or Situation Reporter.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
DR. GARETH C. GILVARY
Governance & Support Pharmacist