Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor

Serious Shortage Protocols: Submission Information for Contractors 

Northern Ireland implemented the first Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) on 20 May 2020 for fluoxetine 40mg capsules. This SSP has an expiry date of 20 July 2020 and can be accessed via the following link:

http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3063.htm

BSO has issued further guidance in relation to endorsement and submission of prescriptions (attached).

Summary

In respect of the current SSP for fluoxetine 40mg:

  1. Prescriptions should be endorsed with the annotation “Supplied in line with SSP 06”; and the prescription coded for fluoxetine 20mg capsules.
  2. Contractors should submit the prescriptions that have an SSP endorsement at the top of theamended bundle with the second submission, clearly separated from other prescriptions in the amended bundle.
  3. The number of prescriptions submitted with SSP endorsement should be noted at the bottom of the second submission (HS30).

Action

Contractors should:

  • Familiarise their dispensing teams with the guidance and take the appropriate steps when dealing with prescriptions covered by the SSP.

CPNI colleagues will continue to support contractors and their staff throughout the coming weeks.

Kind regards

Mike

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

Download

MPS 2664 - SSP submission info 270520

Dear Colleague,

Updated HSCB Interim Protocol for COVID-19 Testing

We have been asked by HSCB to circulate the above updated interim protocol that was released over this weekend.

A number of aspects have been updated within this version of the protocol and they are easily identifiable.  Please bring this updated interim testing protocol to the attention of all your Pharmacy teams.

Please do not hesitate to contact your local HSCB office should you require any additional information.

Contact Details for Local Integrated Care Offices:           
BelfastSouth EasternSouthernNorthernWestern
12-22 Linenhall StreetBelfast BT2 8BS12-22 Linenhall StreetBelfast BT2 8BSTower Hill
Armagh. 
BT61 9DR		County Hall 
182 Galgorm Road
Ballymena BT42 1QB		Gransha Park House
15 Gransha Park Clooney Road
Londonderry BT47 6FN
Tel: 028 9536 3926Tel: 028 9536 3926Tel: 028 9536 2104Tel: 028 9536 2812Tel: 028 9536 1082
pharmacyservicesbelfast@hscni.netpharmacyservicesse@hscni.netpharmacyservicessouth@hscni.netpharmacyservicesnorth@hscni.netpharmacyserviceswest@hscni.net

 Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Interim_Protocol_Testing_NI_Version5_FINAL_22 05 2020

Dear Colleague

Further to the attached correspondence that was issued by the Department on 14th May we have been asked to provide you with the following additional advice:

  • The visors and frames delivered from BSO (which may not contain details of the product codes) are included in the scope of this recall and should not be used
  • Eye protection is not routinely recommended in the current PPE guidance for community pharmacies and should only be used in the circumstances outlined in the PHE and HSCB guidance, e.g. supervision of OST consumption where 2 metres cannot be maintained
  • Pharmacies that do require replacement eye protection for use in line with the current PPE guidance should contact their local HSCB office to request a supply

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Download

TIGER EYE PROTECTOR PRODUCT REMOVAL FROM THE SUPPLY CHAIN IN RESPECT OF COVID19 USE (2)

Dear Colleague,

Thank you to those who completed the CPNI COVID survey, which has now closed.

Once we have collated the findings, we will update you in due course.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Dear colleague

Northern Ireland Serious Shortage Protocol for Fluoxetine 40mg capsules activated on 20 May 2020

CPNI previously alerted contractors to the issuing of guidance by the Department of Health NI in relation to the introduction of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) in the event of a serious shortage of medicines.  Detailed information can be found at the following link:

www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3063.htm

Training slides with voice-over are also available at the following link:

On 20 May 2020, an SSP was activated relating to Fluoxetine 40mg capsules(see details via link above).

Key points (not an exhaustive list)

1. Pharmacists who receive a prescription for Fluoxetine 40mg capsules must consider SSP06.

2. The supervising pharmacist may supply the alternative strength and quantity stipulated on the SSP if, having exercised his/her professional skill and judgement, he/she is of the opinion the supply is reasonable and appropriate for the patient, and the patient agrees and consents to the alternative supply.

3. There are additional considerations associated with supply under an SSP, including:

a. Dosage should remain as originally prescribed;

b. The total quantity supplied should be equivalent to the duration of treatment as in the original prescription;

c. Labelling should include ‘supplied against SSP number [state number];

d. Submission for payment – see additional guidance from BSO on link above;

e. Record-keeping – the alternative supply should be recorded on the PMRs as per your usual SOP;

f. GP notification is not required for this SSP but may be professionally/clinically appropriate in certain cases; 

g. Patient consent/agreement – if a patient declines the alternative under an SSP you should advise them to return to the prescriber.

This SSP commenced on 20 May 2020 and is currently due to expire on 20 July 2020.  The expiry date may be brought forward or extended so the validity of the SSP should be checked on the BSO website, as appropriate.  

Action

Contractors should:

  1. Note the issue of an SSP;
  2. Familiarise their dispensing teams with the exact detail and requirements of the SSP;
  3. Re-familiarise themselves with the guidance and take any actions which they may need to prepare their dispensing teams; and
  4. Take the appropriate steps when dealing with prescriptions covered by the SSP.

CPNI colleagues will continue to support contractors and their staff throughout the coming weeks.

Kind regards

Mike

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

Dear Colleague,

The following concessionary prices have been granted for May 2020:

Drug Pack Size Concessionary Price
Aciclovir 400mg tablets 56 £3.44
Aciclovir 800mg tablets 35 £4.65
Amiloride 5mg tablets 28 £24.50
Amiodarone 200mg tablets 28 £2.90
Azathioprine 25mg tablets 28 £4.55
Azathioprine 50mg tablets 56 £5.30
Betahistine 16mg tablets 84 £5.00
Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension 70ml £3.69
Co-careldopa 25mg/100mg tablets 100ml £16.18
Diamorphine 10mg powder for solution for injection ampoules 5 £16.56
Donepezil 10mg tablets 28 £2.80
Esomeprazole 20mg gastro-resistant capsules 28 £2.30
Esomeprazole 40mg gastro-resistant capsules 28 £2.75
Estradiol 1mg tablets 84 £6.89
Estradiol 2mg tablets 84 £6.89
Ezetimibe 10mg tablets 28 £3.10
Gabapentin 600mg tablets 100 £14.21
Hydroxychloroquine 200mg tablets 60 £7.39
Hydroxyzine 10mg tablets 84 £1.93
Ibuprofen 400mg tablets 24 £1.56
Ibuprofen 400mg tablets 84 £5.45
Imipramine 25mg tablets 28 £5.65
Irbesartan 150mg tablets 28 £8.84
Irbesartan 300mg tablets 28 £4.78
Lamotrigine 100mg dispersible tablets sugar free 56 £8.95
Lamotrigine 25mg dispersible tablets sugar free 56 £5.30
Lymecycline 408mg capsules 28 £6.60
Meloxicam 15mg tablets 30 £5.40
Meloxicam 7.5mg tablets 30 £3.15
Metoclopramide 10mg tablets 28 £1.21
Metronidazole 400mg tablets 21 £5.15
Mometasone 0.1% cream 30g £3.48
Montelukast 10mg tablets 28 £3.15
Naftidrofuryl 100mg capsules 84 £6.49
Naproxen 250mg tablets 28 £3.10
Naproxen 500mg tablets 28 £2.91
Nitrazepam 5mg tablets 28 £5.51
Olmesartan medoxomil 10mg tablets 28 £2.00
Oxytetracycline 250mg tablets 28 £4.99
Perindopril erbumine 2mg tablets 30 £2.80
Perindopril erbumine 4mg tablets 30 £4.50
Perindopril erbumine 8mg tablets 30 £4.80
Pizotifen 1.5mg tablets 28 £4.99
Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60mg tablets 100 £9.38
Quetiapine 100mg tablets 60 £4.19
Quinine bisulfate 300mg tablets 28 £6.99
Quinine sulfate 300mg tablets 28 £6.50
Rosuvastatin 20mg tablets 28 £2.22
Sertraline 100mg tablets 28 £14.32
Sertraline 50mg tablets 28 £8.50
Sulpiride 200mg tablets 30 £7.53
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment 30g £25.92
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment 60g £45.99
Tamoxifen 20mg tablets 30 £5.43
Tetracycline 250mg tablets 28 £5.08
Tolterodine 1mg tablets 56 £20.93
Tolterodine 2mg tablets 56 £19.86
Tranexamic acid 500mg tablets 60 £8.36
Trihexyphenidyl 2mg tablets 84 £8.29
Trimethoprim 50mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free 100ml £4.99
Valaciclovir 500mg tablets 10 £20.59
Venlafaxine 37.5mg tablets 56 £4.75
Venlafaxine 75mg tablets 56 £11.67

This is the first update of concessionary prices for May 2020.

Concessionary prices will be paid against the usual code, no additional endorsements are needed.

Concessionary prices may be granted up until the end of the month so CPNI will notify you of any further concessionary prices as and when they are agreed.

Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website www.communitypharmacyni.co.uk

Kind regards,

Katherine

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