Archives: Contractor Email

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Pharmacist Prescribing Survey

CPNI has been contacted by a University of Leicester team who are conducting research into pharmacist perceptions on the introduction of prescribing rights for newly qualified pharmacists.  The research team are asking pharmacists from all parts of the UK, and all sectors to complete a 10-15 minute survey.  Pharmacists who complete the survey will be entered into a draw for a £100 voucher.

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

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
The first update of concessionary prices were granted today for June 2025:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Alfuzosin 2.5mg tablets60£6.21
Amiodarone 200mg tablets28£2.39
Betamethasone 500microgram soluble tablets sugar free100£36.00
Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension70£6.08
Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension70£10.52
Gabapentin 600mg tablets100£8.78
Imipramine 25mg tablets28£3.22
Isosorbide mononitrate 10mg tablets56£2.05
Isosorbide mononitrate 20mg tablets56£3.35
Isosorbide mononitrate 40mg tablets56£5.80
Letrozole 2.5mg tablets28£3.98
Mefenamic acid 500mg tablets28£34.99
Metronidazole 400mg tablets21£1.29
Mometasone 0.1% cream30£4.06
Mometasone 0.1% cream100£12.32
Mometasone 0.1% ointment30£4.32
Mometasone 0.1% ointment100£12.44
Morphine sulfate 10mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules10£4.53
Naftidrofuryl 100mg capsules84£11.74
Nefopam 30mg tablets90£4.09
Oxybutynin 2.5mg tablets56£1.45
Oxybutynin 5mg tablets56£3.50
Pivmecillinam 200mg tablets10£8.19
Pramipexole 88microgram tablets30£4.45
Prochlorperazine 3mg buccal tablets50£19.00
Sitagliptin 50mg tablets28£2.37
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment30£25.92
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment60£47.28
Trimethoprim 200mg tablets6£2.54
Trimethoprim 200mg tablets14£5.93
Trospium chloride 20mg tablets60£20.47
Ursodeoxycholic acid 150mg tablets60£73.99

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

Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our Medicine Pricing/Supply Reporter.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued urgent correspondence regarding an EMIS web safety alert and the potential for ‘out-of-practice’ items to be issued on prescription.

SUMMARY

In Northern Ireland, 116 GP practices are moving to EMIS Web, as a result of their previous IT provider i.e. VISION, going into administration.  This project began in February 2025 and is expected to be completed by June 2026.

Following reports of a number of medication incidents in GP practices which have recently migrated to EMIS Web, a safety issue has been identified where all repeat medicines in the patient management system on VISION, including those that had been added to a patient’s record as ‘out of practice’ or ‘dispensed by hospital or private clinic’ have transferred across to the repeat medication section of a patient’s record on EMIS Web.

Further details are provided within the correspondence.

ACTION

  1. Ensure you are aware of GP practices in your area who are or have previously migrated from Vision Clinical system to EMIS Web.  See here for full list of practices.
  2. For practices who have migrated, be vigilant for new prescription items not normally dispensed in community pharmacy e.g. red list medicines, opioid substitution injections, weight loss injections.  If you are unsure, query the prescription with the GP practice prior to dispensing.
  3. Be aware that this issue may also affect patients who transfer from one GP practice to another.
  4. Ensure this communication is shared with all relevant members of your pharmacy team.

If you have any query regarding this letter please contact your Pharmacy Adviser.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Pharmacy Practices Committee Meeting – Wednesday 2nd July 2025 at 10.00am

The Pharmacy Practice’s Committee meeting is open to Pharmacists who have received an official invitation to attend. This is not a public meeting.

For details of the application and more information, please visit 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

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive
DoH Correspondence on New HS21S Health Service Stock Order Requisition Forms
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health (DoH NI) has issued correspondence regarding new HS21S Health Service Stock Order Requisition forms.

SUMMARY

  • The DoH letter includes information on the new HS21S Health Service Stock Order Requisition forms which will be available and in use from 1 July 2025.
  • The letter also includes:
    • Guidance on the requirements relating to stock orders and requisitions in primary care, out of hours and private services.
    • Guidance on prescription security in primary care.

ACTION

  • Contractors should read and note the information in the DoH correspondence and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.

Should you have any questions please speak to a member of the CPNI team.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
SPPG has issued an urgent update today regarding the community pharmacy vaccination service.  The update contains a community pharmacy learning letter.

SUMMARY

1. Vaccine Stock and Service Delivery

  • SPPG has confirmed that vaccine stock is available.
  • Community Pharmacies contracted to deliver the Spring CPVS are required to provide the service until the end date of 30th June 2025.
  • Community pharmacies can increase their vaccine order quota by emailing Grainne.McMahon4@hscni.net.
  • If the pharmacy temporarily or permanently ceases to provide the service, they must notify the SPPG immediately.
  • Where a community pharmacy is unable to vaccinate a patient, they should be signposted to an alternative provider, details are available at: https://vaccinations.covid-19.hscni.net/location-search

2. Spring 2025 COVID-19 Vaccination in Care Homes

  • Community pharmacy contractors are asked to ensure all Care Homes have their vaccinations completed by the end of the programme.
  • Any outstanding vaccination records should be added to VMS as a matter of urgency.
  • Community pharmacy teams should note the recent learning letter published by SPPG which highlights the risk associated with delayed recording on VMS.
  • Should any community pharmacies experience issues regarding the arrangement or completion of care home vaccinations they are asked to email Grainne.McMahon4@hscni.net.

ACTION

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive