Archives: Contractor Email

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

DRUG TARIFF NEWS

  • Following representation by CPNI, the following products have been granted Zero Discount status from January 2025 prescriptions onwards and a retrospective payment for November 2024 prescriptions onwards will be made as part of the January 2025 payment:
    • Advagraf 0.5mg capsules
    • Brivaracetam 10mg tablets
    • Cabergoline 0.5mg tablets
    • Clexane 20mg
    • Ensure Plus milkshake style and yoghurt style liquid
    • Fortisip and Fortisip Compact
  • In addition, the following products will also be added to the Zero Discount list from January 2025:
    • Aymes liquid, powder, ActaCal crème dessert. ActaSolve, Actagain, Shake Compact, Shake Fibre powder, Shake powder (including starter pack), ActaJuni
    • Foodlink Aqua and Complete
    • Altrajuice, including starter pack
    • Altraplen Compact, Energy
    • Ensure Shake
  • These products are listed in the ZD list in the February 2025 Drug Tariff Zero Discount List.

All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy

The All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy met on Tuesday 28th January 2025 to discuss issues facing pharmacy including National Insurance Contribution rises and Winter Pressures. Community Pharmacists shared their first hand experiences of these key issues with the group.

Read more here.

Transforming Medication Safety NI

The TMSNI group are providing a training opportunity via ECHO on Look-Alike Sound-Alike (LASA) medicines.  The Echo session has been scheduled for Wednesday 5th February 2025 10-11.30am.

The link to join the meeting can be accessed here.

Survey on Pharmacist Involvement in Research

The Pharmacy Professionals Research incubator team, supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has asked CPNI to make contractors and their teams aware of a survey they are currently undertaking to explore the challenges facing pharmacists wishing to undertake or engage with research.  The survey is open to all UK-registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and  will close on the 17th February 2025.

Community Pharmacies providing the Pharmacy First Pilot Service for Shingles

CPNI have developed a training PowerPoint presentation that can be accessed on the CPNI website under Pharmacy First Pilot Service for the Treatment of Shingles to further aid contractors and pharmacists in offering the service.

Pharmacy First Sore Throat Service

With the extension of the Pharmacy First Sore Throat service to 31st March 2025, participating community pharmacies are invited to publicise the service using the following resources.

Service Promotion

Pharmacy First Sore Throat – Instagram/Facebook
Pharmacy First Sore Throat – X
Poster

Additional Resources: Training Presentations

CPNI PowerPoint Presentation
GP Practice Staff Training Presentation

Further information is available here.

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 Shortage 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
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 31 January 2025 in respect of SSP077 relating to cefalexin 125mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free.  The expiry date of SSP077 has been extended to Friday 2 May 2025.

It should be noted that SSP078 relating to cefalexin 250mg/5ml oral suspension will still expire on 31 January 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 31 January 2025 relating to SSP077 (cefalexin 125mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free);
  • Note that the expiry date for SSP077 has been extended to Friday 2 May 2025;
  • Note that SSP078 relating to cefalexin 250mg/5ml oral suspension will still expire on 31 January 2025;
  • Note the key points specific to this SSP and note the 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; and
  • Ensure that their dispensary teams are fully briefed.

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

Dear Colleague
The final update of concessionary prices were granted today for January 2025:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Alendronic acid 70mg tablets4£1.21
Alfacalcidol 250nanogram capsules30£2.56
Amantadine 100mg capsules56£14.46
Ascorbic acid 500mg tablets28£37.49
Bromocriptine 2.5mg tablets30£57.00
Buprenorphine 2mg sublingual tablets sugar free7£1.43
Buprenorphine 8mg sublingual tablets sugar free7£8.49
Captopril 50mg tablets56£29.19
Carbimazole 5mg tablets100£6.69
Desmopressin 240microgram sublingual tablets sugar free30£39.26
Dexamethasone (base) 3.3mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules10£9.25
Diclofenac diethylammonium 1.16% gel100£5.55
Flucloxacillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free100£5.20
Haloperidol 1.5mg tablets28£7.56
Isosorbide mononitrate 10mg tablets56£1.74
Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops2.5£3.05
Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml eye drops2.5£1.53
Lercanidipine 10mg tablets28£2.38
Lofepramine 70mg tablets56£24.38
Lorazepam 1mg tablets28£3.20
Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution sugar free150£25.56
Melatonin 2mg modified-release tablets30£2.86
Memantine 10mg tablets28£2.43
Memantine 10mg/ml oral solution sugar free50£21.50
Memantine 20mg tablets28£4.65
Metformin 1g / Sitagliptin 50mg tablets56£8.02
Metformin 500mg/5ml oral solution sugar free150£15.71
Mometasone 0.1% cream30£3.20
Olanzapine 10mg orodispersible tablets sugar free28£12.63
Olanzapine 15mg tablets28£3.25
Ondansetron 4mg tablets10£4.95
Pregabalin 150mg capsules56£2.33
Pregabalin 20mg/ml oral solution sugar free473£58.80
Pregabalin 50mg capsules84£7.63
Pregabalin 75mg capsules56£1.54
Prucalopride 2mg tablets28£10.00
Quetiapine 200mg tablets60£12.06
Ropinirole 2mg tablets28£25.99
Sitagliptin 100mg/5ml oral solution sugar free150£31.01
Tadalafil 2.5mg tablets28£12.08
Tadalafil 20mg tablets4£1.04
Tadalafil 5mg tablets28£6.07
Telmisartan 80mg tablets28£9.93
Vardenafil 20mg tablets4£20.03
Venlafaxine 225mg modified-release capsules28£18.40

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

Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our Medicine Shortage Reporter.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

SUMMARY

  • SPPG have issued correspondence 31 January 2025 regarding support that is available to those that are still affected by Storm Eowyn.
  • Approximately 8000 people are still without power and Community Assistance Centres have been set up in each council area.
  • A list of council contact details are available here for anyone you may be aware of who may be or become vulnerable without utilities.
  • The contact details are to be shared with individuals affected and are not for display or sharing publicly.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to read the SPPG correspondence issued today and share with all relevant staff members.
  • Please contact SPPG offices if you require further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor,

CPNI previously facilitated the establishment of Contractor WhatsApp Groups to help support communication and to encourage engagement on key community pharmacy topics, at a local level.

Contractors who haven’t had the opportunity to join the WhatsApp groups relevant to their pharmacy(ies) are invited to do so by clicking the link(s) below which are applicable to the area(s).

Please note that these groups are open to contractors only or a nominated staff member. It will be for contractors to decide who they share the joining link with.

Existing groups will continue to facilitate day-to-day pharmacy business related discussions.

We would ask you to please state your name, pharmacy and role when joining the group.

Contractor WhatsApp Groups:

LCGArea
NorthernAntrim/Ballymena
Causeway
East Antrim
Mid Ulster
South EasternArds
Down
North Down
Lisburn
BelfastNorth Belfast
East Belfast
South Belfast
West Belfast
SouthernArmagh and Dungannon
Craigavon and Banbridge
Newry and Mourne
WesternNorthern Sector
Southern Sector

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Jude

SENT ON BEHALF OF
JUDE AUSTIN 
Communications Manager

Dear Colleague
The fourth update of concessionary prices were granted today for January 2025:
DrugPack
Size		Concessionary Price
Calcium and Ergocalciferol tablets28£7.41
Clomethiazole 192mg capsules60£34.66
Cyanocobalamin 50microgram tablets50£3.21
Desmopressin 10micrograms/dose nasal spray60£35.76
Diclofenac potassium 50mg tablets28£7.41
Gabapentin 600mg tablets *100£46.62 (previously £28.99)
Haloperidol 5mg tablets28£7.75
Ibandronic acid 150mg tablets1£1.52
Methylphenidate 54mg modified-release tablets30£73.62
Mycophenolate mofetil 500mg tablets50£6.36
Ondansetron 4mg orodispersible tablets10£19.95
Orlistat 120mg capsules84£23.88
Riluzole 50mg tablets56£361.07
Salbutamol 100micrograms/dose inhaler CFC free200£1.97
Ursodeoxycholic acid 300mg tablets60£54.22

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

Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our Medicine Shortage Reporter.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive