Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague

NEW MODELS OF PRESCRIBING (NMOP) – NEXT STEPS

Please find attached for your attention and onward distribution as outlined, correspondence from Dr Brenda Bradley, Pharmacy Lead (HSCB), Co-Chair of NMOP Programme Board and Christopher Garland, Senior Principal, Pharmaceutical Officer (DH), Co-Chair of NMOP Programme Board.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague

*** IMPORTANT UPDATE ***  COMMUNITY PHARMACY SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION (CPFV) SERVICE

Please find attached for your attention, important correspondence from Joe Brogan, Assistant Director of Integrated Care, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management, for all contractors involved in the provision of the HSCB commissioned Community Pharmacy Flu Vaccination Service (CPFV)

Summary of Key Points

To support the next phase of the flu vaccination programme:

  1. Please submit any outstanding CPFV e-record submissions as soon as possible.
  2. If a pharmacy still has residual CPFV stock, contractors are advised to actively promote this service again to local Health and Social Care Workers.
  3. In order to minimise wastage, in instances where the CPFV stock cannot be used locally, contractors may consider the transfer of CPFV QIVc stock between pharmacies providing this process strictly adheres to the principles outlined within the correspondence.

Yours sincerely

Vanessa

Sent on behalf of Dr Vanessa Chambers | Head of Policy & Development

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Dear Colleague

Please see below information sent by HSCB to all pharmacies in relation to European Antibiotic Awareness Day (18th November 2020) and World Antibiotic Awareness Week (18th – 24th November 2020).

HSCB Pharmacy Regional Correspondence 18 November 2020   The 18th November is European Antibiotic Awareness Day marking the start of World Antibiotic Awareness Week (18 – 24th November). Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is still one of the biggest threats facing us globally and locally which remains as important as ever during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The misuse of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic could lead to accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.  

To help stop the spread of antibiotic resistance promote simple measures that can make a huge difference

Promote good hand hygiene- it’s not just for COVID. Download at: http://antibioticguardian.com/Resources/hand-washing-technique/  

Self-care information and fact sheets are available to download from the self-care forum on COVID 19, cough, common cold, sore throat and otitis media (middle ear infection) amongst others. See http://www.selfcareforum.org/fact-sheets/ for the full range of fact sheets.       
Antibiotics should not be used to prevent or treat viral infections, unless bacterial infections are also present. Refer patients to Pharmacy First service if appropriate for winter illnesses.                 

Download the free MICROGUIDE app via the App store or Google Play (select ‘Northern Ireland Primary Care’ when prompted for trust) or for Desktop PC at NI formulary                

If we act now, we can protect the use of antibiotics so that they will continue to work now and well into the future. To become an antibiotic guardian, go to https://antibioticguardian.com for more information.    

Contact Details for Local Integrated Care Offices:      

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

Specials Supplement Newsletter

HSCB has issued a newsletter giving detailed information on the prescribing and dispensing of specials (attached).

Summary

The newsletter is aimed at both prescribers and community pharmacists and covers a number of key areas including:

  • The cost of specials;
  • Legal issues;
  • Manufacturers and suppliers; and
  • Detailed information on specific specials.

The newsletter also describes action points for community pharmacists as below:

  • Alert the GP to the unlicensed nature and cost of any prescribed ‘special’ before it is procured (GPs are often not aware from GP clinical systems that a product is a ‘special’) and advise on alternative licensed products where available.
  • Pharmacists are encouraged to ensure that the Health Service secures good value from its expenditure, and pharmacists should bear this in mind in the procurement of ‘specials’.
  • The price of an individual ‘special’ can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another. Pharmacists should be aware of this when placing an order for a ‘special’.
  • If in doubt about ordering a ‘special’, contact a HSCB Pharmacy Advisor before ordering.
  • Vitamin D nutritional supplements should be ordered via usual pharmacy wholesalers, rather than placing an order for a ‘special’ as this is associated with higher costs.
  • A written Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be in place, detailing the steps involved in the ordering of ‘specials’ including risk assessments of the different options available.

Action

Contractors are asked to:

  1. Be aware of the issues highlighted in the newsletter; and
  2. Bring these to the attention of the dispensary team.

The CPNI team will continue to update you on these matters.

Kind regards

Mike

Sent on behalf of Prof Mike Mawhinney | Head of Regulatory Affairs

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Dear Colleague

Please find attached correspondence from Dr. Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer and Prof. Charlotte McArdle, Chief Nursing Officer.

CPNI continues to engage with Department and HSCB colleagues on COVID-19 vaccination and we are considering the potential role for community pharmacy as part of the wider vaccination programme, noting the significant logistical challenges with some of the vaccine candidates that mean initial efforts are mainly focused on mass vaccination centres at present.

Trained vaccinators can express their interest in supporting the programme on a sessional basis (pharmacy capacity permitting), through the given link  https://www.hscworkforceappeal.co.uk/

Yours sincerely

Vanessa

Sent on behalf of Dr Vanessa Chambers | Head of Policy & Development

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Dear Colleague,

*** Prescribing Management – Contractor Feedback ***

In October 2020, HSCB issued the attached guidance for the management of repeat prescriptions.

The guidance covers the following areas:

  • Arrangements for ordering prescriptions
  • Management of inappropriate requests for prescriptions
  • Prescription collection arrangements from GP practices
  • Quantities on prescriptions/repeat prescription intervals
  • Faxing, phoning or email of prescriptions
  • Management of queries between Community Pharmacy and GP practice

Ahead of a further workshop between CPNI and GP practice representatives, it would be helpful if any contractors who are experiencing ongoing issues with local practices in the management of prescriptions, could complete the attached template and email to CPNI offices info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk by

12 noon on Thursday 19th November 2020.

Please note any feedback received from contractors will be collated and reported on an anonymous basis to the HSCB.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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