Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague,

CPNI COVID Update #133 (1st Oct), outlined the updated process for reordering of PPE and CPNI Contractor Update 201002B (2nd Oct), outlined the PPE requirements for the flu vaccination service.

For CPNI contractor emails click: here

PPE for Pharmacy Staff

  • Pharmacy teams are reminded that a fluid resistant surgical mask is the recommended PPE when working in an area with possible or confirmed case(s) and unable to maintain 2 metres social distance.
  • Face visors or Eye/face protection may be worn, but this should be in addition to the face mask where it has been risk assessed e.g. Flu vaccination clinic or when supervising OST consumption.
  • For more information click on the following links:

Community Pharmacy Flu Vaccination Service

Face Visors

  • NI direct website advises the general public: face visors do not offer the same protection as a face covering which covers the nose and the mouth.
  • The use of cloth face coverings are therefore recommended, as they provide much better protection from the risk of infection from the COVID-19 virus.

Please share this information with your pharmacy team(s).  For any PPE queries please contact your local HSCB office or alternatively the CPNI office.

For all COVID related queries and advice, please phone the PHA duty room 0300 555 0119.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

LITHIUM CARBONATE (PRIADEL®) 200MG AND 400MG MODIFIED RELEASE TABLETS – UPDATED SUPPLY DISRUPTION ALERT

On 24 August 2020, CPNI forwarded contractors a letter from the Department of Health NI in respect of the discontinuation of Priadel 200mg and 400mg tablets.  A further letter from Joe Brogan on the matter was forwarded to contractors on 8 September 2020.

Attached is an update from the Department of Health which indicates that Essential Pharma has informed the Department of Health and Social Care of its decision to reverse the discontinuation of Priadel 200mg and 400mg tablets from the UK market with immediate effect, whilst facilitating pricing discussions. As such, the discontinuation notice issued to DHSC earlier this year has been withdrawn.

In light of this, clinicians across all healthcare settings are advised that there is no longer a need to implement system wide switching of patients from Priadel tablets to an alternative lithium carbonate preparation until further notice.

The letter also gives further details on supplies, ordering and quotas.

Action

Contractors are asked to read the attached letter and advise their dispensary teams.

CPNI will continue to update you on these matters.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague,

COMMUNITY PHARMACY INFRASTRUCTURE – FACILITATION OF REMOTE CONSULTATIONS – HSCB GRANT FUNDING ALLOCATION

Please find attached a HSCB Grant Funding Allocation and declaration/claim form in respect of a mobile tablet device to facilitate remote consultations.

Payment of £800 is available to each community pharmacy contract upon submission of Appendix A – Grant Application Form to your local HSCB office and subsequent approval. The closing date for declaration/claim forms is Friday 30th October 2020.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague,

CURRENT MEDICINES SHORTAGE

Please find attached information from HSCB in relation to a drug shortage which is relevant to primary care services for information and action as appropriate.

This notification relates to a current shortage of :

Salazapyrin EN 500mg tablets

Practices and Community Pharmacies are encouraged to liaise re. local stock situation and plans for management.

Note: Information on this and previous shortages is also posted at http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3065.htm

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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FOR THE ATTENTION OF: CONTRACTORS PROVIDING FLU VACCINATION SERVICE FOR HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE WORKERS

Dear Colleague,

CPNI is delighted with how community pharmacy teams have again stepped up during this challenging pandemic period to provide the newly commissioned Flu Vaccination service, for health and social care workers (HSCWs) launched last week (w/c 28th Sept).

A flu vaccination service update, provided by HSCB colleagues yesterday highlighted:

  • 10,000 flu vaccines orders placed by community pharmacies.
  • 1,028 vaccines administered by community pharmacists in the first week (based on numbers of electronic forms submitted to BSO).
  • 84% of HSCWs who had vaccines administered in the first week by community pharmacists to be female, with the majority designated as Non-Trust Employed HSCWs.

HSCB will continue to monitor flu vaccines stocks within community pharmacy for the commissioned service over the coming weeks to ensure sufficient vaccine remains available within the sector, while at the same time minimising the risk of potential waste.

Primarily, I would like to thank contractors and pharmacy teams for your tremendous initial effort and enthusiasm in engaging with this important service. It is vitally important that we continue to work together to make this a success.  

I would also like to remind you that a dedicated CPNI webpage (available here) has been created on our new website, which will be updated with all relevant correspondence, relating to this year’s Flu Vaccination service.

CPNI has also produced a support training video for service providers which can be assessed on our YouTube channel here.

We hope you find these resources useful and please share them with your pharmacy team(s) involved in providing this year’s flu service.

If you have any queries in relation to this service, please contact Greg Miller, HSCB Pharmacy Adviser, (email: greg.miller@hscni.net) or alternatively the CPNI office.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

COVID-19 ESCALATION PLANNING – COMMUNITY PHARMACY SERVICES

Please see attached guidance issued by HSCB in relation to escalation planning including ‘clustering/buddying’ arrangements.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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