Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor

SPPG have issued correspondence dated 14th January 2026 regarding prescription management and maintaining supplies of medicines to patients, particularly in relation to the recommended periods of treatment for medicines being prescribed by General Practices.

ACTION

• Contractors are advised to read this correspondence and share with relevant members of their pharmacy team.
• This correspondence is a reminder of the letter that was issued on 28th October 2024.

If you have any queries please contact a Pharmacy Adviser in your local office.

Kind regards

MOIC Evaluation of the Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service

Dear Contractor,

SPPG issued correspondence dated 12 January 2026 regarding the evaluation of the Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service. The correspondence relates to all community pharmacy contractors, including both those who provide the stop smoking service, and those who do not.

SUMMARY

• The SPPG correspondence advises that the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC), has been engaged by DoH to support an evaluation of the current Community Pharmacy Based Stop Smoking Service across NI.
• The correspondence includes a letter issued to community pharmacies in December 2025 providing an overview of the evaluation.
• The evaluation has now commenced and the following surveys are open:
  • The survey for community pharmacies involved in providing the Stop Smoking service is available here.
  • The survey for community pharmacies who are not involved in providing the Stop Smoking service is available here.
• Further information is available on the Stop Smoking webpage.
• All members of the pharmacy team who either assist in the provision of the service or were involved in the decision not to provide the service are encouraged to complete the relevant survey.
• Views provided by pharmacy teams will be essential to the evaluation process and the future commissioning and development of the Stop Smoking service.

ACTION

Contractors should note the SPPG correspondence and the overview letter, and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.

Should contractors have queries about the Stop Smoking service they may contact their local SPPG primacy care office or email the PHA tobacco control team: PHATobaccoAdmin@hscni.net.

Kind regards,

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

• SPPG Correspondence Regarding the Recall of Some SMA Formula Products 8 January 2026
• Living Well TARGET Antibiotic Checklist Service – Final Reminder to Submit Forms 6 January 2026
• LIVING WELL PHARMACIES ONLY: SURVEY REMINDER 5 January 2026

DOH(NI) ALERTS

• Living Well Service Specification 7 January 2026
  • Communication Support Resources
• URGENT: SMA Infant Formula Recall 7 January 2026
• Update Letter to Community Pharmacists: Community Pharmacy Care Home Support Service (CPCHSS) January 2026 6 January 2026

BSO ALERTS

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

BSO Payment 30th January 2026

Reminder – 2nd December Prescription submission must be received by BSO no later than Monday 12th Jan’26 to ensure inclusion in the BSO payment at the end of January.

New HSC Model Complaints Handling Procedure

The new HSC Model Complaints Handling Procedure that was published by the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) on 1st July 2025 should have been implemented by all HSC providers by 1st January 2026.  This was outlined in correspondence issued by SPPG in October 2025.  Further information was provided in CPNI CU#251201B: SPPG Guidance on the Model Complaints Handling Procedure.  As part of this new procedure community pharmacies are required to submit a response each month of all closed complaints from the previous month.  If there are no closed complaints from the previous month a nil return should be submitted.  Contractors and their teams should ensure they are aware of the new requirements.  CPNI is aware that some of the membership bodies, such as the NPA and Numark, have updated SOPs available for community pharmacies in Northern Ireland that reflect the new requirements.

New PFNI Guidance – Pharmacist Authorisation: Supply of Checked and Bagged Medicines

• Letter from the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer
• PFNI Guidance on Pharmacist Authorisation: Supply of Checked and Bagged Medicines

Research Opportunity – Focusing on Recurrent UTI

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the TARGET antibiotic team are currently researching aspects of the support and care provided to patients with recurrent urinary tract infections.

The research team is inviting feedback from healthcare professionals (including community pharmacists) who work with patients affected by recurrent UTIs.  Participation will involve a video call with a member of the research team prior to 26 January 2026.  A £50 shopping voucher will be provided to those who take part.  Further information is available here.

Pharmacy in Focus Awards

Nominations for the Pharmacy in Focus Awards 2026 close on Friday 30th January 2026.

Award categories include: Customer Award | Commitment to Health & Wellbeing | Working in Partnership | Community Pharmacy Service | Advancing Independent Pharmacy | Pharmacist of the Year | Community Pharmacy of the Year.

Everyday community pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland go above and beyond to support the health and well-being of their local communities and the awards are a great opportunity to recognise this.

To support community pharmacy teams in submitting entries, one of the awards team can have a call with you and capture your answers over the phone, without the paperwork.

More information is available 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 Pricing/Supply Reporter and Situation Reporter.

Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).

Kind regards

Dear Contractor,

SPPG issued correspondence dated 07 January 2026 regarding the recall of some SMA formula products.

SUMMARY

• The SPPG correspondence advises that Nestlé has taken the precautionary step of recalling several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula because they may contain cereulide toxin.
• Correspondence from the Foods Standards Agency regarding the above Infant Formula Recall can be accessed here.

ACTION

Contractors should note the SPPG correspondence regarding the recall of some SMA formula products, and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.

Should contractors have queries they may wish to contact their local SPPG primacy care office.

Kind regards,

** FAO LIVING WELL PHARMACIES PARTICIPATING IN TARGET BRIEF INTERVENTION SERVICE  **

Dear Contractor,

Community pharmacies who participated in the TARGET Antibiotic Checklist Brief Intervention service during October/November 2025 are reminded that they are required to submit 25 completed intervention checklists via the online form by 12 January 2026.

SUMMARY

• Service documentation is available on the BSO Living Well webpage.
• 25 completed checklists must be submitted to ensure payment.
• No payment will be made for submission of further checklists, beyond the 25 required.
• The 25 checklists must relate to interventions that were conducted during the service period, which concluded on 30th November 2025.
• The final date for online submission of completed checklists is 12th January 2026.

Should contractors have any queries or difficulty when completing the online form, they are advised to contact paula.mcmaster2@hscni.net.

Please ensure this information is shared with all relevant members of your pharmacy team.

Kind regards,

REMINDER: LIVING WELL CAMPAIGN SURVEY

** FAO: ALL LIVING WELL PHARMACIES INCLUDING PARTICIPANTS IN TARGET BRIEF INTERVENTION SERVICE **

Dear Contractor Correspondence has been issued by SPPG on 29 December 2025 to those pharmacies yet to submit an evaluation survey for the Living Well campaign ‘Stay well this winter‘. The survey will close at 6pm on 12 January 2026. Note: Community pharmacies who participated in the TARGET Antibiotic Checklist Brief Intervention service in November 2025 are reminded that the deadline for ensuring all 25 intervention checklists have been submitted is 12 January 2026. Checklists can be submitted via the online form available here and further information is available here.

SUMMARY

• All pharmacies contracted to provide the Living Well service must complete an evaluation survey after each campaign, unless otherwise informed.
• SPPG reserves the right to recoup payment for a campaign if the evaluation survey is not submitted.
• The survey for the campaign ‘Stay well this winter’ is open and can be accessed here.
• The survey must be completed by 6pm Monday 12th January 2026.  Please ensure to reach the final screen to confirm submission.

ACTION

• Contractors who have yet to complete the Living Well survey for the campaign ‘Stay well this winter’ are asked to read the correspondence, share with relevant team members, and ensure completion prior to 6pm on 12 January 2026.
• Community pharmacies who participated in the Living Well TARGET brief intervention service are reminded that the deadline for online submission of completed checklists is 12 January 2026.

For any further information please contact CPNI offices.

Kind regards