Archives: Contractor Email

**FOR THE ATTENTION OF LIVING WELL PHARMACIES ONLY**

Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued by SPPG on 06 October 2025 regarding the launch of the Living Well survey for the campaign ‘Move more feel better’.

SUMMARY

  • The survey for the campaign ‘Move more feel better’ is open and can be accessed here.
  • The survey must be completed by 6pm on Monday 3rd November 2025. Please ensure to reach the final screen to confirm submission.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the SPPG correspondence issued on 06 October 2025 and share with all relevant members of the pharmacy team.

For any further information please contact CPNI offices.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 2 October 2025 relating to the extension of SSP079, SSP080, SSP081 and SSP082 (Estradot® 25mcg patches, Estradot® 50mcg patches, Estradot® 75mcg patches and Estradot® 100mcg patches).  The letter advises that these SSPs have been extended to Friday 5 December 2025.

BACKGROUND

  • SSPs made under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 are an additional tool to manage and mitigate medicines shortages.
  • SSPs enable community pharmacists to supply specified medicines in accordance with a protocol rather than a prescription, without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber – saving time for patients, pharmacists and prescribers.
  • Pharmacists should refer to the latest versions of the existing SSPs which are now available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website HERE.
  • Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website HERE.

ACTION

Contractors should:

  • Review the letter here dated 2 October 2025, and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the extension of SSP079, SSP080, SSP081 and SSP082, and that they are also aware of the specific details relating to these SSPs; and
  • Note guidance relating to the decision pathways for SSPs; notification of GPs; the need for patient/carer agreement, and action to take when this is not given; professional judgement; and actions regarding unclear quantities.

Contractors are reminded of information issued by BSO ‘Serious Shortage Protocols: Submission Information for Contractors’ which can be accessed here.

Contractors should contact their local SPPG office in the first instance should further information be required.  CPNI colleagues are also available for assistance.

Kind regards

Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY
Head of Regulatory Affairs

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has marked One Million patient consultations delivered through community pharmacies

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt launches the latest Living Well campaign: ‘Stay well this winter’

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt joins Campaign Champion and Community Pharmacist Joanne McMullan at the campaign launch at Portaferry Pharmacy.

The campaign runs throughout October and November 2025, and highlights the role community pharmacies play in providing advice and support on a wide range of winter illnesses that can help the public during the colder months.

The ‘Stay well this winter’ social media schedule is available here.

Contractor Resources

  • A Pharmacy First promotional clip is available here.
  • Vaccination Eligibility Criteria social media card is available here.

Research Participation

CPNI has been contacted by a researcher at the University of the West of England, Bristol, regarding a project to identify priorities for future research into the workforce of same day and urgent care services in the UK.  Community pharmacies in Northern Ireland have been recognised as a provider of this type of care, and as such the research team are keen to ensure the sector is represented.  Information on how to participate is available here: https://surgeworkforce.uk/priority-setting-partnership/

Breastfeeding Welcome Here

The PHA breastfeeding team would like to remind community pharmacies about the ‘Breastfeeding welcome here’ scheme.  The initiative aims to provide supportive environments for mothers to breastfeed when they’re out and about in public places.  Many community pharmacies have already signed up, and others who wish to join can do so by visiting the ‘For Business’ section of www.breastfedbabies.org.

‘JUST IN CASE’ BOXES: Information for Community Pharmacists

Just in Case’ boxes have been introduced to many areas of NI and are expected to be fully implemented over the next year.  These boxes, see examples above, contain the anticipatory medicines commonly used for end of life care such as morphine sulfate and midazolam injections.  The boxes are placed in the patients homes ‘just in case’ they are needed, to ensure prompt symptom control.  Community pharmacy staff may hear healthcare professionals or carers refer to the Just in Case box, but the medicines are ordered on a HS21 by the normal routes and then the district nurse will supply the Just in Case box the next time they are in the patients home.  If the Just in Case box is no longer needed e.g. after the patient’s death, the family may return any unused medication to their community pharmacy as normal.  The actual Just in Case box itself will be removed from the home by the district nurse.  If counselling carers on any injectable medication for end of life care, including Just in Case boxes, please advise that these are to be used solely by healthcare professionals and are not to be administered by family.

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
Correspondence to Registered Pharmacists from i) Aaron McKendry, MRG and ii) Laura Hughes, PSNI

Dear Contractor,

Contractors and all pharmacists are asked to read and consider correspondence issued by:

  1. Aaron McKendry, Interim Head of Medicines Regulatory Group, DoH(NI) here.
  2. Laura Hughes, Registrar PSNI here.

It is important that the information provided in both letters is considered by all pharmacists providing services from your pharmacy(-ies).

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor,

Following representation by CPNI, we have received confirmation from SPPG that the September reimbursement price for Dapagliflozin 5mg and 10mg will be retained at £36.59 for both strengths, rather than the reduced prices that are published in the September Drug Tariff.

We trust this is a helpful update.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor,

This is a reminder to please submit your completed Community Pharmacy Daily Interventions Survey Master Form.

The data collected is vital to demonstrate the breadth of non-commissioned activity delivered by community pharmacies, highlight unmet needs, and provide robust evidence to support future funding and service development discussions.

Please ensure that:

  • The Master Form is completed in FULL.
  • There are multiple tabs at the bottom of the Master Form (See image below): please check that ALL tabs are completed before submission.  If you have already submitted your Master Form without realising there were multiple tabs please submit an updated complete version as soon as possible.
  • Please include all activity, no matter how routine it may seem, to avoid under-representing the vital work taking place in your pharmacy.

Your participation is essential to ensure that the full contribution of community pharmacy is captured and recognised.  We greatly appreciate the time and effort you and your teams have dedicated to completing this important survey.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive