Registrants received an email from NICPLD earlier this week inviting invitations from Pharmacists in NI to apply to two fully funded places on the UK’s CPO sponsored Pharmacy Leaders Programme taking place in 2026.
This pharmacy leaders development programme is for experienced pharmacists who aspire to lead large and complex NHS departments, community pharmacies, services, teams or systems of care to benefit patients and local communities. It aims to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to help experienced pharmacy professionals become outstanding, compassionate and inclusive leaders, and improve the performance of the teams and the people who work with them to deliver improved outcomes for patients and the public.
This programme aims to create a cohort of senior pharmacy professionals ready for challenging senior leadership roles and to develop networks to sustain their professional leadership practice. A key objective is to make a positive contribution to improving the diversity of those in senior pharmacy professional leadership positions in the NHS.
It offers a comprehensive mix of residential workshops, optional online specialist study days, and small group support to build capability, confidence and networks across the wider system.
This programme is developed by CPPE in collaboration with senior leaders and in 2026, two places will be available for pharmacists working in Northern Ireland.
NICPLD will hold an information webinar on 18 December 2025 at 7pm to explain more about the programme and the application process for pharmacists in NI.
Further information on this unique opportunity is available here or can be obtained by contacting either NICPLD or CPNI offices directly.
Yours sincerely,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Colleague,
CPNI is aware of the ongoing pressure that can be put on community pharmacies to supply medicines in monitored dosage systems to new patients. These requests can come from Trusts, carers, family members, the patient themselves or others. With the mounting pressure on the Health Service it is likely that these requests will grow.
When faced with these requests contractors and pharmacy teams are asked to consider the following:
The information and clarification previously provided by CPNI in CPNI CU#240126B: Community Pharmacy Adherence Support and specifically point 3 in the letter which remains valid and may be useful when dealing with such requests from Trust colleagues or domiciliary care providers.
The clarification and information contained in SPPG letters issued in September 2025 and included in CPNI CU#250922B: Adherence Support remain in place.
Contractors are reminded that funding associated with dispensing of medicines is unchanged from the SPPG letters referred to in (b) above and also in the SPPG Funding Update letter, dated 23rd July 2025.
Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI offices if you require any additional information.
Yours sincerely,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
SPPG issued correspondence on 28 November 2025 regarding the new Model Complaints Handling Procedure (MCHP) which will be fully implemented on 1st January 2026.
SUMMARY
The MCHP has been developed by the Northern Ireland Public Service Ombudsman (NIPSO) and will be a mandatory requirement for providers of public service health and social care, including community pharmacies.
To help community pharmacies comply with the MCHP, and reduce some of the administrative burden, SPPG has developed a guidance pack including:
The legislation introduces a ban on the sale and supply of wet wipes including plastic in NI but includes some exceptions for sale from community pharmacies. Further information is available here on the DAERA website. An FAQ document which includes information on the exemption for community pharmacies is available here.
Below is a summary of pharmacy-related consultations which community pharmacy contractors and their teams may wish to consider.
Post Registration Training and Development The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is currently updating the existing post-registration Foundation curriculum. The revised curriculum will be re-named the RPS Enhanced curriculum and will launch in Summer 2026 to align with the first cohort of FTY trainees registering as IP pharmacists. NICPLD is developing an Enhanced pharmacist programme, which will deliver the new RPS curriculum. This is expected to be available from October 2026 and more information is available here. In preparation for the changes, RPS is conducting a consultation on the first two domains of the new Enhanced curriculum and survey responses are welcomed from all sectors of the profession before the closing date on 1 December 2025.
Pharmacist Flexibilities when Dispensing Prescribed Medicines The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is currently consulting on changes to medicines legislation to increase pharmacist flexibilities when dispensing medicines. The proposals include enabling pharmacists working in a community pharmacy to supply a different strength or formulation (which may mean a different quantity) of a prescribed medicine, in certain circumstances. Further information is available here, and responses can be submitted via the online survey before the closing date on 11 December 2025.
GPhC Pharmacy Technician Education Standards The GPhC as the regulator of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in England, Scotland and Wales, is currently consulting on revised education and training standards for registered pharmacy technicians. Responses are welcomed via the online survey before the closing date of 24 December 2025. Note: While pharmacy technicians in NI are not yet registered health professionals, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and PSNI Chief Executive are jointly leading work towards technician registration. The project newsletters are available here, and a recent update from the project Chairs is available here.
PSNI
Consultation on Draft Guidance for Prescription Collection and Delivery
The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a consultation on draft guidance for prescription collection and
delivery in Northern Ireland. The draft guidance, equality impact
assessment and consultation questions are available on the PSNI website here, and responses will be accepted up to the closing
date on 2 February 2026.
Daffodil Standards – Further to CPNI CPNI CU#250923A The Daffodil Standards are a joint initiative between the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Marie Curie and are supported by the Department of Health, Pharmacy Forum NI and Community Pharmacy NI. Designed to build on the high level of care already provided to palliative care patients and their families by community pharmacy teams, the Daffodil Standards provide a clear, practical framework to help plan and deliver end-of-life care during these challenging months.
Since launching at the end of March, 90 community pharmacies in Northern Ireland have signed up to the initiative and the feedback has been positive, with pharmacists commenting that they would encourage pharmacy teams to get involved, as by doing so they will get additional information and support to help build their confidence in providing palliative and end of life care.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
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