Correspondence has been issued by SPPG on 17 February 2025 to those pharmacies yet to submit an evaluation survey for the Living Well campaign ‘Stay well this winter’.
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 ‘Stay well this winter’ is open and can be accessed here.
The survey must be completed by 6pm 3 March 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 ‘Stay well this winter’ are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG on 17 February 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.
REMINDER Consultation on Valuing Medicines – DoH Stakeholder Engagement Webinar
A webinar is being held on Friday 21 February 2025 12-2pm by the Department to discuss Valuing Medicines – A Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Medicines in Northern Ireland.
The webinar will give attendees the opportunity to learn more about the consultation and share any views.
Further information including joining details can be found here.
The consultation can be found here and closes on 26 February 2025.
Cancer Research UK: Screening Campaign 2025
From 17 February to 30 March 2025, Cancer Research UK are running a screening campaign to help raise public awareness of the national cancer screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer in Northern Ireland. The campaign will run on TV, radio, in cinema, billboards, social media, digital display adverts and regional media.
Health professionals including community pharmacists play a key role in supporting access to screening and Cancer Research UK will share information and resources with community pharmacy teams to support conversations relating to screening which may occur with patients.
The Department of Health has announced that they will host an ECHO webinar on IP on 18 February 2025. The agenda is available here.
Pharmacists can register to join the community pharmacy ECHO network by emailing e.kane@hospiceuk.orgor
CURRENT POSITION IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY
50 NICPLD IP training places are available for community pharmacy applicants in the 25/26 cohort.
As of w/c 27 January 2025, only 4 community pharmacists have submitted completed applications. Note: Applications are not considered “complete” until a DPP has been secured.
CPNI is aware that the number of community pharmacists wishing to undertake IP training is significantly higher than those who have been able to complete applications.
Many community pharmacists are unable to apply due to the difficultly in obtaining a suitable DPP. This was evidenced by a survey conducted by CPNI in December 2023.
BSO data indicates that at present, there are approx. 26 community pharmacist IPs who are actively prescribing with HSCNI prescription pads.
It is likely that there are other community pharmacist IPs who are not currently using their IP skills.
Community pharmacist IPs can obtain a HSCNI cipher and prescription pad by following the updated process outlined in the SPPG letter of 12 December 2024, available here.
Community pharmacist IPs may also be involved in the provision of private services that utilise their IP skills. This prescribing activity may also be considered relevant for those considering acting as a DPP for a fellow pharmacist.
CPNI CONSIDERATION
In early February, CPNI wrote formally to the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and met with NICPLD to outline the ongoing difficulties experienced by community pharmacists who are unable to access IP training, and requested that specific supports are now put in place to allow all 50 community pharmacy IP training places to be filled.
In parallel, CPNI has called on the Department to further develop IP services in the community pharmacy sector, to:
Utilise and develop the existing IP skills in the network.
Prepare the sector for the new pharmacists from 2026 onwards who will join the register as IPs.
Enable existing community pharmacist IPs to act as a DPP for a fellow pharmacist or an FTY undertaking IP training, and thus remove the reliance on other health professionals and sectors for DPP support.
While CPNI welcomes any potential expansion or extension to community pharmacy prescribing services, we continue to underscore that this must happen at pace and in a manner which also fully supports IP training and career development for the existing community pharmacy network.
As such, CPNI considers that the Department and NICPLD must now provide specific supports, actions and timelines in relation to developing IP in community pharmacy.
Those attending the Department of Health ECHO may have an opportunity to raise questions on matters of concern, such as those referred to above.
CPNI would welcome a similar degree of urgency, support and flexibility for the development of IP in the community pharmacy sector as has been extended to the Hospital sector in preparation for the integration of IP training into the new FTY programme, and in providing DPP support for up to 200 FTY trainees per year.
ACTION
Contractors are advised to:
Review the information provided above and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team, including any pharmacists who are considering IP training or DPP roles.
Please contact NICPLD if you have any questions or queries relating to IP. Additionally, should you wish to speak to a member of the CPNI team please call or email Ennis.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
CODING OF PART 1 ADAPALENE 0.1% / BENZOYL PEROXIDE 2.5% GEL 45g AND ADAPALENE 0.3% / BENZOYL PEROXIDE 2.5% GEL 45g
CPNI made representation to SPPG to highlight that the only available pump packs of both adapalene 0.1% / benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel and adapalene 0.3% / benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel is a 60g pack size.
As an interim solution for February 2025 prescriptions, contractors may dispense the 60g pump pack size against a 45g prescription.
Prescriptions for the product adapalene 0.1% / benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel (45g) should be coded using the generic code 14915 over 60, or multiples thereof if the prescribed quantity is greater than 45g (e.g. 2 packs (90g).
Prescriptions for the product adapalene 0.3% / benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel should be coded using the generic code 73987 over 60, or multiples thereof if the prescribed quantity is greater than 45g (e.g. 2 packs (90g).
Prescriptions must be placed in the amended batch of your submission to ensure the correct reimbursement is processed.
Please note: the price of 60g pump pack for both strengths is £27.80, which is 133% the price of the 45g pump pack (£20.85).
All information regarding this can be seen in the MPS issued by BSO.
DHSC are discussing arrangements beyond February 2025, and CPNI will continue to inform contractors accordingly.
Consultation on Valuing Medicines – DoH Stakeholder Engagement Webinar
A webinar is being held on Friday 21 February 2025 12-2pm by the Department to discuss Valuing Medicines – A Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Medicines in Northern Ireland.
The webinar will give attendees the opportunity to learn more about the consultation and share any views.
Further information including joining details can be found here.
The consultation can be found here and closes on 26th February 2025.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing Community Pharmacy Care Home Support Service (CPCHSS)
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued 7 February 2025 by SPPG to those pharmacies involved in the Community Pharmacy Care Home Support Service (CPCHSS).
SUMMARY
A requirement for the Community Care Home Support Service is to complete two care home visits each financial year.
The second care home visit is due to be completed by the end of March 2025.
SPPG have introduced a process for partial recuperation of payments made to community pharmacists who are contracted to provide the service but have not completed the required visits in line with service specification.
SPPG will be in contact in early April to seek confirmation and dates of the visits completed during 24/25 year.
ACTION
Contractors should read the correspondence issued by SPPG 7 February 2025.
Any pharmacy yet to complete the second required care home visit should organise a date before the end of March 2025.
Please share this information with all relevant members of the team.
WhatsApp Business Terms of Service can be found here and privacy policy hereUCA-NI Privacy Policy We take your privacy seriously and do not share or sell any personal details with third parties for commercial purposes. If you have any questions, please contact the CPNI office. You can withdraw your consent to be contacted at any time by calling 028 9069 0444 or by emailing info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk. CPNI Data Protection Policy and Data Retention policy can be found Click Here
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
