At this extremely busy time of year, CPNI would like to remind contractors of the December submission dates for prescriptions to BSO for payment.
Submission 1 of December 2025 prescriptions to be paid January 2026 must be received by BSO within the three day delivery schedule: Tuesday 23rd December 2025, Wednesday 24th December 2025 and Monday 29th December 2025.
Submission 2 of December 2025 prescriptions to be paid January 2026 must be received by BSO within the three day delivery schedule: Thursday 8th January 2026, Friday 9th January 2026 and Monday 12th January 2026.
A submission delivery after the final date, noted above, will be marked as a late submission risking your monthly payment.
For those contractors using any 3rd party to deliver the prescription submission to BSO, such as DX courier, the three day collection window for submission 1 commences on Monday 22nd December 2025 and for submission 2 commences on Wednesday 7th January 2026. This is to ensure your prescriptions reach BSO for processing within the three day delivery schedule detailed above.
Where your submission has not been collected and/or where there is a risk of a late submission, it is your responsibility to contact the courier or deliver your submission directly to the BSO.
CPNI would encourage all contractors ensure their prescriptions reach BSO within the agreed timeframes so that December prescription payments can be processed on time.
CPNI previously issued CU#250314A that included some guidance for those who are involve in preparing and submitting prescriptions to BSO.
Please share this information with relevant members of your pharmacy team.
Kind regards,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 22 December 2025 in respect of SSP084 and SSP085 (Adipine® XL (nifedipine) 30mg modified-release tablets and Adipine® XL 60mg modified-release tablets).
These SSPs are due to expire on Friday 6 February 2026.
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.
Note the specific key points relating to these SSPs which include quantity to be supplied; order of substitutions; counselling patients; monitoring of patients; cultural and religious considerations; using professional skill and judgement; and patient consent;
Note the requirements regarding notification of the patient’s prescriber and/or GP practice; and
Ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the specific details relating to these SSPs.
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 has issued correspondence here dated 22 December 2025 in respect of SSP086 (Fixapost® (latanoprost 50 mcg/ml / timolol 5mg/ml) 0.2ml unit dose preservative free eye drops).
This SSP is due to expire on Friday 6 February 2026.
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.
Note the specific key points relating to this SSP which include quantity to be supplied; product presentation; PIL information; patient counselling; using professional skill and judgement; and patient consent; and
Ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the specific details relating to this SSP.
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
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