Contractor Email Archive - Page 280 of 311

Dear Colleague,

Please see information below which is being sent to all community pharmacies and GP practices from Mr Joe Brogan.

HSS(MD)62/2020 – LITHIUM CARBONATE (PRIADEL®) 200MG AND 400MG MODIFIED RELEASE TABLETS – SUPPLY DISRUPTION ALERT – Further update

Further to Department of Health (NI) correspondence HSS(MD)62/2020 issued on 24th August 2020, GP Practices and Community Pharmacists are advised that a Regional Steering Group is to be established which will work with relevant key stakeholders to effectively manage the discontinuation of Lithium Carbonate ( Priadel ®) 200mg and 400mg Modified Release tablets. This is to ensure that affected patients in primary and secondary care have their treatment switched to a suitable alternative in a safe and coordinated way. It is expected that further advice on this will be issued to GP practice and Community Pharmacists no later than the end of October. In the interim, GP practices are therefore asked not to refer patients back to secondary care, or request a review or advice in relation to this discontinuation from secondary care colleagues.

GPs and Community Pharmacists should advise any concerned patients to continue on their existing lithium regimen until they are contacted directly by their prescriber, and assure them that arrangements are being put in place for a managed switch.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Dear Colleague,

You will be aware that funding was secured for up to a 2 month extension for pre-registration students who were due to sit their examination in June (depending on whether pre-registration was commenced on 1/7/2019 or 1/8/2019). Further information can be found in the following letter:

http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/pdf/300620_Letter%20to%20CPs_Pre_reg_19_20_extension.pdf

The claim form can be accessed at this link:

Pre-Registration Trainees in Community Pharmacies

The claim form can only be completed after the registration date so you should now be able to do this.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

ADHERENCE SUPPORT: COMMUNITY PHARMACY REVIEW OF PATIENTS RECEIVING MONITORED DOSAGE SYSTEMS (MDS)

Please find attached for your attention, correspondence from Joe Brogan, Assistant Director of Integrated Care, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management.

Given the challenges faced within the wider system, there is a need to urgently address the current and ongoing need for pharmacy adherence support particularly in order to plan for a potential second surge of COVID-19. The letter outlines the process for a community pharmacy-led review and the associated remuneration.

The purpose of the community pharmacy-led review is to identify patients for whom MDS must continue as it is deemed vital in order for them to manage their medicines safely. This review process should help to identify patients where use of MDS may not be necessary or where other options may be safely considered

A review of all eligible patients should be completed and the summary template and claim form returned to your local HSCB office by Friday 16th October 2020.

Please bring the attached letter and associated documentation to the attention of your pharmacist(s) involved in review of MDS patients.

If you have any queries in relation to this correspondence, please contact your local HSCB Pharmacy Adviser in the first instance or the CPNI office.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Contractor

Update to Serious Shortage Protocols: Fluoxetine 40mg Capsules

The Department of Health has released updated information (attached) on the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) which was issued on 20 May 2020 in respect of fluoxetine 40mg capsules.

Summary

The SSP was issued with an end date of Monday 20 July 2020, which was extended until 4^th September 2020. The SSP has now been further extended until 25^th September 2020.Details of the SSP are available on the BSO website and can be accessed via this link: www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3063.htm

Action

Contractors should:

Brief their dispensing teams on the extension of the SSP.

CPNI colleagues will continue to support contractors on these matters.

Kind regards

Mike

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

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Dear Colleague,

The attached MPS has just been issued and is also available on the BSO website: http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/2156.htm

Can I ask that you read this and share with your pharmacy staff who are involved in preparing prescriptions for submission to BSO? We appreciate the last number of months have been challenging in so many ways, but need to remind you of the importance of having your prescriptions submitted to BSO on time to ensure your pharmacy payment is not compromised.

Kind Regards,

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague,

The final update of concessionary prices for August 2020 have been released and are as follows:

Drug	Pack Size	Concessionary Price
Senna 7.5mg/5ml oral solution sugar free	500ml	£10.61
Valsartan 80mg capsules	28	£11.32
Valsartan 160mg capsules	28	£15.69
Zonisamide 100mg capsules	56	£43.96

The full list of concessionary prices can be found on our website www.communitypharmacyni.co.uk

Kind regards,

Katherine

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF KATHERINE KIDD | Head of Pharmacy Development