Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague

You will be aware of the attached correspondence issued by HSCB and the CPNI Contractor Update in relation to the Community Pharmacy COVID Vaccination service, both issued on Wednesday 3 March.

I write to advise you that CPNI is actively investigating the development of an online COVID booking platform option that could assist Contractors to manage requests for COVID vaccinations. The intention then would be that CPNI could sign-post Contractors to the provider of a bespoke online COVID Vaccination Booking System that could be used by community pharmacies providing the COVID vaccination service.

CPNI is seeking to fast-track this option for Contractors given the commencement of the Community Pharmacy COVID Vaccination service later this month. To further assist you a Contractor meeting will be arranged in advance of the service commencement to provide a further update in relation to the Community Pharmacy COVID Vaccination service, as well as providing further information on the proposed COVID Vaccination Booking System.

To assist in the development of a bespoke Vaccination Booking System for community pharmacy we will write to Contractors separately to obtain consent for the names and addresses of those pharmacies that will be providing COVID Vaccination services to be shared with the software developer.

The provision of the COVID vaccination services from the Northern Ireland Community Pharmacy sector is an exciting development, one that will further enhance the professional service offering to patients and the health service and it is to be very much welcomed.

Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI offices should you require any additional information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

Community pharmacy has been recognised as an important provider in the delivery of the UK-wide Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) Codeword Scheme which was launched earlier this year. The scheme enables victims of domestic abuse to access support within their community, from the safety of their local pharmacy.

I would invite contractors who haven’t yet had the opportunity to find out more about the scheme to access further information, including training materials and posters at the these links (Ask for ANI materials / Ask for ANI & Safe Spaces materials).

Contractors who would like to provide the scheme can complete an online form to confirm their decision and to ensure that staff watch the training animation and read the guidance.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, HSCB has issued a letter giving an update on key elements of the COVID-19 Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service (COVID-CPVS), and which highlights actions required by contractors who have expressed an interest in providing the service. 

Arrangements are currently being finalised, but it is anticipated that the start date for the service will be mid-late March 2021. Due to the short timescales to implement the service, HSCB will be issuing some resources to contractors based on the expression of interest submissions. Any contractors who haven’t yet expressed an interest but decide to provide the service at a later date will receive these resources in due course.

The letter gives further details on:

  • Service specification
  • Pharmacy checklist
  • Appointment booking system
  • Regional vaccination management system
  • Training requirements
  • Indemnity arrangements
  • PGDs
  • Vaccine orders
  • Consumables
  • Clinical waste
  • PPE
  • Promotion of the service
  • Treatment of anaphylaxis
  • Next steps

ACTION

Contractors who have forwarded an expression of interest (or who intend to do so) should:

  1. Ensure that their pharmacy teams are aware of the content of the letter; and 
  2. Immediately begin to put in place procedures to ensure compliance with the various requirements outlined.

The HSCB will be writing out to contractors in the near future with a service specification, PGD, contract and other supporting documents. There will be a closing date for submission of a signed contract.

If you have any queries please in relation to this service contact either: Chris Blayney (chris.blayney@hscni.net) or Greg Miller (greg.miller@hscni.net).

CPNI colleagues will also continue to support you in this programme.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE 
Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

As we move through the 12-month 2021 derogation period for medicines in relation to EU Exit there is the potential for supply of medicines to pharmacies in Northern Ireland being reduced. CPNI continues to liaise with Department of Health (NI), HSCB and supply chain stakeholders in relation to emerging supply challenges and accordingly it is vital that contractors continue to report all instances of medicines shortages, supplier issues and price increases to CPNI.

Contractors and pharmacy team members are encouraged to engage with CPNI in relation to any reports of medicines shortages, supply issues and pricing issues by reporting via the CPNI Medicines Shortage Reporter, or directly to CPNI offices on 028-9069-0444. The CPNI team can then build an evidence base of issues affecting community pharmacies and ultimately patients enabling CPNI to liaise accordingly with the Department of Health (NI) and HSCB.

I would ask that you bring this to the attention of the pharmacy team members involved in the ordering and purchasing of medicines for your pharmacy(-ies).

Thank you for your assistance and support in relation to this important issue.

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.

Dear Colleague

In today’s update:

  1. Weekly drug alerts, shortages information and serious shortage protocols.
  2. Updates of February concessionary prices.
  3. Lessons from community pharmacy inspections.
  4. Update on premises self-assessment.
  5. Cyber security: protecting your business.
  6. DoH launches ‘Be Distance Aware‘.
  7. Weekly publication of Yellow Card safety data for COVID-19 vaccines.
  8. HSCB: changeover to Freestyle Libre 2 sensors.
  9. DoH seeking to appoint the Chair the Pharmaceutical Committee of the Business Services Organisation and four PSNI council members.

BSO ALERTS 

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

CPNI ALERTS 

DoH ALERTS 

HSCB ALERTS 

PSNI ALERTS 

Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s
Contractor Calendar
Contractor Emails
Or report medicine shortages or pricing issues via the CPNI’s
Medicine Shortage Reporter

Many thanks, stay safe – Gareth

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

Dear Colleague

The following concessionary prices have been granted for February 2021:

DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Duloxetine 20mg gastro-resistant capsules28£7.28
Eplerenone 50mg tablets28£31.32
Etoricoxib 60mg tablets28£3.25
Etoricoxib 90mg tablets28£4.10
Lamotrigine 200mg tablets56£7.13
Letrozole 2.5mg tablets14£2.45
Sulfasalazine 500mg gastro-resistant tablets112£11.85
Trimethoprim 100mg tablets28£4.88

This is the 3rd update of concessionary prices for February 2021.

Concessionary prices will be paid against the usual code, no additional endorsements are needed.

Concessionary prices may be granted up until the end of the month so CPNI will notify you of any further concessionary prices as and when they are agreed.

Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our new Medicine Shortage Reporter.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kind regards, stay safe – Gareth

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