The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence (here) dated 24 June 2025 giving details of SSP083 relating to Venlafaxine 37.5mg Modified Release Tablets.
SSP083 provides that for every venlafaxine 37.5mg modified release tablet that is originally prescribed, one venlafaxine 37.5mg modified release capsule can be supplied.
This SSP is due to expire on Friday 1 August 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.
Ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the key points relating to the SSP as highlighted in the letter;
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 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
Dear Contractor
SPPG has issued an urgent reminder regarding the end of the Spring CPVS service on Monday 30th June.
SUMMARY
The reminder includes the following points:
The Spring 2025 COVID-19 CPVS programme finishes on Monday 30th June 2025.
Providers are not to vaccinate eligible cohorts for the Spring 2025 vaccination programme after this date as the PGD will be expired.
Movianto will close ordering of vaccine stock at 12 noon on Thursday 26th June.
If there are any outstanding vaccination records, these should be added to VMS as a matter of urgency, vaccinations administered between now and the 30th of June should be entered on the date of vaccination.
Please see the recent learning letter learning letter published by SPPG which highlights the risk associated with delayed recording on VMS. The PHA and the DoH closely monitor VMS records to evaluate vaccination uptake.
Pharmacies should dispose of any residual Comirnaty (Pfizer) JN.1 COVID-19 stock after 30th June, in waste bins provided.
ACTION
Contractors providing the Spring CPVS service should review and note the SPPG update, and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Should contractors have any queries they may contact Greg Miller or Grainne McMahon, or alternatively speak to a member of the CPNI team.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
REMINDER: LIVING WELL CAMPAIGN SURVEY
**FAO LIVING WELL PHARMACIES ONLY**
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued by SPPG on 16 June 2025 to those pharmacies yet to submit an evaluation survey for the Living Well campaign ‘Be cancer aware‘.
SUMMARY
All pharmacies contracted to provide the Living Well service must complete an evaluation survey after each campaign, unless otherwise informed.
SPPG reserves the right to recoup payment for a campaign if the evaluation survey is not submitted.
The survey for the campaign ‘Be cancer aware’ is open and can be accessed here.
The survey must be completed by 6pm Monday 30th June 2025, please ensure to reach the final screen to confirm submission.
ACTION
Contractors who have yet to complete the Living Well survey for the campaign ‘Be cancer aware’ are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG on 16 June 2025 and share with relevant team members.
For any further information please contact CPNI offices.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
CPNI has been contacted by a University of Leicester team who are conducting research into pharmacist perceptions on the introduction of prescribing rights for newly qualified pharmacists. The research team are asking pharmacists from all parts of the UK, and all sectors to complete a 10-15 minute survey. Pharmacists who complete the survey will be entered into a draw for a £100 voucher.
SPPG have issued urgent correspondence regarding an EMIS web safety alert and the potential for ‘out-of-practice’ items to be issued on prescription.
SUMMARY
In Northern Ireland, 116 GP practices are moving to EMIS Web, as a result of their previous IT provider i.e. VISION, going into administration. This project began in February 2025 and is expected to be completed by June 2026.
Following reports of a number of medication incidents in GP practices which have recently migrated to EMIS Web, a safety issue has been identified where all repeat medicines in the patient management system on VISION, including those that had been added to a patient’s record as ‘out of practice’ or ‘dispensed by hospital or private clinic’ have transferred across to the repeat medication section of a patient’s record on EMIS Web.
Ensure you are aware of GP practices in your area who are or have previously migrated from Vision Clinical system to EMIS Web. See here for full list of practices.
For practices who have migrated, be vigilant for new prescription items not normally dispensed in community pharmacy e.g. red list medicines, opioid substitution injections, weight loss injections. If you are unsure, query the prescription with the GP practice prior to dispensing.
Be aware that this issue may also affect patients who transfer from one GP practice to another.
Ensure this communication is shared with all relevant members of your pharmacy team.
If you have any query regarding this letter please contact your Pharmacy Adviser.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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