Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague

The Department of Health (NI) has asked us to make pharmacy contractors aware of the UK-wide Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) Codeword Scheme which will be launched nationally in early January.

This domestic abuse codeword scheme is being established in pharmacies to enable victims of domestic abuse to access support within their community, from the safety of their local pharmacy.

Contractors wishing to participate in the scheme may access training materials and posters at the given links (Ask for ANI materials / Ask for ANI & Safe Spaces materials) and are asked to complete an online form to confirm their decision to provide the scheme and to ensure that staff watch the training animation and read the guidance.

Yours sincerely

Vanessa

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF DR VANESSA CHAMBERS | Head of Policy & Development

DRUG ALERTS available here: BSO Communications (Drug Alerts)

SHORTAGES INFORMATION available here: BSO Shortages Information

Guidance on Shortages for Primary Care

Sancuso 3.1mg/24hr transdermal patches (MPS 2750)

Prednisolone 5mg Supp (RPH Pharmaceuticals) (MPS 2667) 

Konakion MM (phytomenadione) 10mg/ml amps (MPS 2749) 

OTHER INFORMATION

DOH CORRESPONDENCE: HSS(MD) 6/2021: COVID-19 THERAPEUTIC ALERT – INTERLEUKIN-6 INHIBITORS (TOCILIZUMAB OR SARILUMAB) FOR PATIENTS

MHRA Yellow Card Reporting of side effects from COVID vaccines

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated with drug alerts, shortages information and other information via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar or via the BSO website.

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

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

Kind regards,

Kerry

SENT ON BEHALF OF KERRY GRIMES |  Governance & Support Pharmacist

SAVE THE DATE Tuesday 26 January 2021 @ 7:30pm 

Dear Colleague

Please see ‘Save the Date’ document below ahead of the next Echo Session, scheduled to take place on

Tuesday 26th January 2021 from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.

SAVE THE DATE

Please use the meeting ID and passcode below to access the meeting:

Meeting ID: 730 081 2723 Passcode : 888561

Please see below ECHO Attendee & Moodle Guidance Notes and Project ECHO Enhanced Security Measures.

Guidance Notes

Security Measures

An agenda will be issued shortly.

Please share this with your pharmacist(s).

Yours sincerely

SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE |  Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

The Department of Health has issued a letter reminding contractors, GPs and others of the need to comply with the requirements of the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD).

SUMMARY

From 1 January 2021, medicines in Northern Ireland continue to be aligned with EU regulation and legislation as a requisite of the NI Protocol.  This includes the requirement for NI to continue to comply with the Falsified Medicines Directive and to continue to verify and decommission medicines at the end point of supply.

ACTION

Contractors are reminded of the need to:

  • Advise their teams of the continuing need to adhere to the requirements of FMD; and
  • Ensure that the pharmacy is registered with SecureMed, and ensure that equipment and procedures are in place to facilitate compliance.

Further information is available on the CPNI website and at SecurMed.

Yours sincerely

Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF. MIKE MAWHINNEY|Head of Regulatory Affairs

FAO ALL CONTRACTED CPFV PHARMACIES

Dear Colleague

Please find for your attention, correspondence from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, HSCB.

Posters have been developed to promote the extended flu service and will be sent to your pharmacy in due course by HSCB.

CPNI will be sharing promotional messages via our social media channels and we encourage you to share these posts, to promote the community pharmacy flu service, to your eligible patients.

Also, for your information, Department of Health press release is available here.

Yours sincerely

SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE| Chief Executive

* * *   R E M I N D E R   * * *

Dear Colleague

Globally, it is estimated that there is a successful ransomware attack every 14 seconds. This means that every 14 seconds, businesses and individuals become victims of cyber-crime.  Police cyber security specialists indicate that cyber criminals have seized upon COVID-19 as an opportunity to target small businesses.

You can reduce your risk and make your business more resilient. The key is to stay informed.

Recent CPNI correspondence, included guidance issued by the police, covering the following areas:

  • Backing up your data
  • Protecting your organisation from malware
  • Keeping your smartphones (and computer tablets) safe
  • Using passwords to protect your data
  • Avoiding phishing attacks

Following the relevant advice in the guidance will significantly increase your protection against the most common types of cybercrime.  The topics covered are easily understood and cost little to implement.  While this guidance cannot guarantee protection from all types of cyber-attack, it does demonstrate how simple steps can greatly contribute to the protection of your data, assets, and reputation.

CPNI plans to host a virtual training evening led by the police cyber security team in the coming months which will be linked to the release of an NICPLD eLearning programme.

In the interim, a dedicated CPNI webpage is available  and the CPNI team and police colleagues will be happy to further assist you where necessary.

Yours sincerely

Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF. MIKE MAWHINNEY|Head of Regulatory Affairs