Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague

It is nearly a year since the stark reality of COVID-19 became part of our everyday lives, changing the face of healthcare overnight. During this time, the dedication and commitment displayed by community pharmacy teams in supporting their local communities has been clearly visible and recognised in both public and political arenas. As one of the key primary healthcare providers on the ground, community pharmacy teams worked tirelessly to maintain the safe supply of medicines, whilst helping to ensure patients and communities were looked after.  As we approach this one-year mark, I would like to thank you and your pharmacy teams for the outstanding contribution you have made throughout the challenges of the past twelve months.   I would also like to make a call to the network to share with CPNI examples of their experiences of the pandemic. By sharing your story, we can show through the eyes of community pharmacy teams, the important role played by each staff member.    Examples of this could be a delivery driver bringing medicines to those who are socially isolated, in many cases the only person some patients see, or an important intervention made by a pharmacist to diagnose, refer or prevent significant patient harm. Community pharmacy often takes these occurrences in its stride, part of everyday life, but it is important to capture these examples as they demonstrate the accessibility and importance of community pharmacy and the many layers of support provided to local communities, particularly during a pandemic.   I have attached a media example which provides an insightful look into some of work carried out by a local contractor, Anita Gribben who kindly shared some of her team’s experience during COVID-19.   If you would like to share your story, or the story of one of your team members, or if you want to find out more information, please contact Jude Austin, CPNI Communications Manager – judea@communitypharmacyni.co.uk.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

For the immediate attention of the manager in charge of payroll/human resources

Dear Contractor

Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management, HSCB, has written to all community pharmacies confirming that the Health Minister has asked for the establishment of a bonus scheme, up to the value of £500 per individual, for those who have completed a minimum of one full month’s employment in the delivery of HSC services during the period 17 March 2020 – 31 January 2021.

The community pharmacy workforce is included in this scheme in further recognition of their critical role during the COVID pandemic, and this is most welcome.

Action

Contractors are asked to urgently:

• Note the content of the letter
• Ensure that this is brought to the immediate attention of the manager in charge of payroll/human resources; and
• Ensure that the survey is completed and returned by 5pm, Friday 19 February 2021.

Any queries should be directed to your local HSC Office.

Regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive

This daily update contains important information for community pharmacy teams, including details of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Colleague

In this weeks update:

1. Weekly Drug Alerts, Shortages Information and Serious Shortage Protocols.
2. Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) – SecurMed Support.
3. Controlled drugs: Private Prescriptions and Private Stock Requisitions.
4. COVID-19 Community Pharmacy ECHO – Save the Date Tuesday 23 February 2021 from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.
5. Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service – Expression of Interest.
6. The PSNI Council launches new guidance on the provision of services.

BSO ALERTS 

• Weekly Drug Alerts are available here.
  • MPS 2753 – Medicines Recall – Palexia 20mg/ml Oral Solution.
  • MPS 2757 – Medicines Notification – Ambisome Liposomal 50mg
• Weekly Shortages Information is available here.
  • Levothyroxine 12.5mcg tablets.
  • Acetazolamide 250mg MR capsules.
  • Midazolam 10mg/2ml solution for injection ampules.
• Serious Shortage Protocols are available here.
  • SSP – Fluoxetine 40mg Capsules.

CPNI ALERTS 

• CPNI CU#210209A RE: Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) – SecurMed Support.
  • SUMMARY
    • SecurMed UK, the not for profit organisation which set up and managed the UK national repository for the FMD safety features requirements, is continuing to support the FMD operation in Northern Ireland.
    • CPNI welcomes this supportive approach by SecurMed and askes contractors to be alert for any communications from them on these issues.  Further information can be found at the following links including an email address for any FMD queries.
    • https://securmed.org.uk/
    • https://securmed.org.uk/uk-mvs-end-users/
  • ACTION
    • Advise their teams of the continuing need to adhere to the requirements of FMD;
    • Ensure that the pharmacy is registered with SecurMed, and ensure that equipment and procedures are in place to facilitate compliance; and
    • Make their dispensing team aware of possible contact by the SecurMed team and to prioritise it appropriately.
• CPNI CU#210212A RE: Reminder CONTROLLED DRUGS: PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS AND PRIVATE STOCK REQUISITIONS
• COVID-19 Community Pharmacy ECHO – Save the Date Tuesday 23 February 2021 from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.
  • Please find attached: 
    • Save the Date Document including our Zoom Meeting ID and Passcode.
    • Attendee/Moodle Guidance Notes.
    • Enhanced Security Measures.
  • Agenda will be issued shortly.

DOH ALERTS 

CONTROLLED DRUGS: PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS (PCD1s) AND PRIVATE STOCK REQUISITIONS (CDRF1s) – REMINDER.

• SUMMARY
  • MRG and HSCB have issued jointly issued a reminder to contractors to forward to the BSO all private prescriptions and stock requisitions for S2 and S3 CDs, and to retain private prescriptions and requisitions for S4 and S5 CDs in the pharmacy.
  • The letter also reminds contractors of the need to exercise caution when dispensing prescriptions for CDs and to have in place, and adhere to, standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the dispensing services they provide, for both HSC (HS21) and private prescriptions.
• ACTION
  • Contractors are advised to note the content of the letter, advise their dispensary teams and ensure that proper procedures are in place and are being followed.

HSCB ALERTS 

Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service – Expression of Interest

• SUMMARY
  • The HSCB in agreement with CPNI are considering launching a Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccination Service initially using the AstraZenecaCOVID-19 Vaccine.
  • The HSCB is seeking expressions of interest from pharmacy contractors wishing to participate in this service.
• ACTION
  • Contractors are asked to review the correspondence.
  • If interested in provision of a Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccination Service initially using the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, please complete the expression of interest form here as Annex A and return to local offices.
  • 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).

PSNI ALERTS 

Council launches new guidance on the provision of services.

• The Council of the Pharmaceutical Society NI has approved the publication of new guidance on the Provision of Services for pharmacists in Northern Ireland. Council considered the responses to its 12-week public consultation at its meeting in January 2021 and has moved to launch the new guidance for all pharmacists in Northern Ireland.

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar and Contractor Emails.

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

Many thanks – stay safe – Gareth

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

Dear Contractor

Canice Ward, Head of the Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG), has written to contractors detailing the method of inspection which will be deployed from mid-February 2021 (view here).

You will be aware that pharmacy inspections carried out by MRG were suspended in 2020 to allow contractors and their teams to concentrate on continuity of service in the light of additional pressures due to the COVID pandemic, and to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination.  This was welcomed by CPNI Board members and contractors.

The Department’s position is that it is important that a degree of external governance is now reintroduced to protect the public and contractors, but is also agreed that a resumption of full inspections is not appropriate at this time.

Canice Ward, Head of MRG, has been working closely with CPNI to develop a self-assessment document which ensures governance activity – but with the least possible imposition on a pressurised sector in a COVID environment. 

This document has been evaluated and the process trialled by representatives from the CPNI Board.  It was agreed that the assessment criteria covers the statutory and professional parameters within which community pharmacy operates and that the proforma has been stripped back to the bare essentials.  It appears to be a pragmatic and acceptable process for reintroducing external governance to the sector. 

When the self-assessment has been completed, returned and assessed, the inspectorate will follow up, where appropriate, with a much shortened inspection visit arranged with the contractor and which is designed to check selected key areas.  Inspectors will abide by COVID-related restrictions and will wear PPE during the visit.

Not all premises will be covered in the first tranche, but the process will be rolled out in line with the existing inspection schedule.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to: 

• Note the content of the letter;
• Prioritise the completion of the self-assessment form if contacted by MRG, and return it as directed within the specified time frame; and
• Work with the MRG Inspectorate to facilitate a short follow-up visit as required.

Any issues should be flagged up with Canice Ward and his team in the first instance, or with me at CPNI.

Kind regards – Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF Prof Mike Mawhinney
Head of Regulatory Affairs

Dear Colleague

MRG and HSCB have issued jointly issued a reminder to contractors to forward to the BSO all private prescriptions and stock requisitions for S2 and S3 CDs, and to retain private prescriptions and requisitions for S4 and S5 CDs in the pharmacy.

The letter also reminds contractors of the need to exercise caution when dispensing prescriptions for CDs and to have in place, and adhere to, standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the dispensing services they provide, for both HSC (HS21) and private prescriptions.

ACTION

Contractors are advised to:

1. Note the content of the letter, advise their dispensary teams and ensure that proper procedures are in place and are being followed.

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar or Contractor Emails.

Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Colleagues in CPNI will continue to keep you up to date on these matters.

Kind regards – Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF Prof Mike Mawhinney
Head of Regulatory Affairs

Dear Colleague

Please find correspondence here for your attention, from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, Health and Social Care Board.

SUMMARY

• The HSCB in agreement with CPNI are considering launching a Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccination Service initially using the AstraZenecaCOVID-19 Vaccine.
• The HSCB is seeking expressions of interest from pharmacy contractors wishing to participate in this service.

ACTION

• Contractors are asked to review the correspondence.
• If interested in provision of a Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccination Service initially using the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, please complete the expression of interest form here as Annex A and return to local offices.
• 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).

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive