Archives: Contractor Email

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Remember to Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing

World Mental Health Day is on 10th October 2024 and the PHA and HSC have launched this year’s mental health and emotional wellbeing campaign urging people to prioritise workplace mental health.  People are encouraged to take 10 minutes for mental health self-care using the ‘Take 5 steps to wellbeing’ message.

Further information is available about the HSC mental health campaign and local services that provide mental health and wellbeing support here.

There are also training opportunities to learn about mental health and suicide prevention by attending a training course.  Details regarding the training available across NI can be found here.

At a time when community pharmacy teams are under increased pressure, please remember to Take 5.

Focus Groups on Pharmacist Research

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHCR) is sponsoring a series of focus groups exploring the opportunities and barriers for pharmacists in undertaking research.  A session for community pharmacists will take place online on Tuesday 24 September 7pm-8.30pm and participants will be offered a £50 voucher in recognition of their time.  More information is available here.

Please Note: While the date for expressions of interest has now passed, applications are still being welcomed from NI community pharmacists and technicians.  Please email pharmacyincubator@leicester.ac.uk for further information.

ADVANCE NOTICE – CPNI Telephone System Upgrade

Due to CPNI updating the office phone system on Monday 23rd & Tuesday 24th September 2024 there may be temporary disruption to the CPNI telephone lines.

We expect the new system to be fully functional by Wednesday 25th September 2024 and thank you in advance for your understanding.
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
Please see the attached correspondence from Professor Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, regarding the Autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccination programme.

SUMMARY

  • The correspondence details:
    • The eligible criteria for the COVID-19 Autumn vaccination programme in line with the recommendations of the JCVI.
    • For Autumn 2024, the Department of Health are continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccination to frontline Health and Social Care Workers, and staff working in Care Homes.
    • Community pharmacies will be responsible for the vaccination of all care home residents and staff, including mop-up visits. Vaccination of care homes can begin from 7th October 2024 with the aim to complete as quickly as possible.
    • For care homes operated by HSC Trusts, Trusts are asked to ensure local arrangements are made with community pharmacies offering the vaccination service.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the correspondence issued 20th September 2024 regarding the COVID-19 Autumn 2024 vaccination programme
  • Further information from SPPG on the Autumn vaccination programme should be issued imminently. 

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Reminder: All Stop Smoking 4 and 52 week follow-up consultations that have not expired, i.e. within 12 months, are eligible to be claimed for and must be uploaded on to the Elite system before Friday 27th September 2024.
Dear Colleague
Correspondence dated 30th August 2024 regarding the Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service has been issued by the PHA.

SUMMARY

  • The delivery of Stop Smoking Services across Northern Ireland has contributed to the reduction of smoking prevalence to 14%.
  • In the coming months, the PHA will be linking closely with all Stop Smoking Service providers to ensure the service continues to be of high quality and fit for purpose.
  • From 14th October 2024, the PHA and SPPG will be undertaking a data review of Stop Smoking Services that were delivered between 1st April 2023-31st March 2024. 
  • This review will aim to demonstrate that the work of Community Pharmacy is accurately reported, and is delivered in line with best practice.
  • The PHA are asking that all Stop Smoking client data is accurately uploaded onto the electronic monitoring system before Friday 27th September 2024.
  • All 4 and 52 week follow-ups that have not expired, i.e. within 12 months, are eligible to be claimed for.
  • The PHA/SPPG may contact some service providers at a later date to discuss service activity and PV1 activity for this period.
  • The PHA wish to remind Stop Smoking Service providers that the Quality Standards for Stop Smoking Services in NI, require carbon monoxide validation for all clients at the 4 week follow-up. This is an area which has been identified as requiring improvement and will be monitored as part of the quality improvement process.

ACTION

Contractors should:

Any queries regarding this letter can be directed to   PHATobaccoAdmin@hscni.net

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
The second update of concessionary prices were granted today for September 2024:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Amiloride 5mg tablets28£15.94
Benzoyl peroxide 5% / Clindamycin 1% gel30£12.16
Benzoyl peroxide 5% / Clindamycin 1% gel60£24.32
Bimatoprost 300micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops3£7.99
Cefalexin 500mg capsules21£2.45
Cinacalcet 30mg tablets28£7.75
Codeine 15mg tablets28£0.94
Codeine 15mg tablets100£3.36
Cyclizine 50mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules5£4.82
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo120£24.95
Labetalol 100mg tablets56£4.50
Lactulose 3.1-3.7g/5ml oral solution500£4.09
Lamotrigine 200mg tablets56£4.99
Metformin 1g / Sitagliptin 50mg tablets56£10.65
Mometasone 0.1% ointment30£3.60
Naproxen 500mg gastro-resistant tablets56£17.79
Olanzapine 2.5mg tablets28£1.50
Olanzapine 5mg tablets28£2.99
Olanzapine 7.5mg tablets28£1.35
Pregabalin 25mg capsules56£1.48
Pyridostigmine bromide 60mg tablets200£17.76
Quetiapine 100mg tablets60£15.90
Quetiapine 150mg tablets60£19.12
Rizatriptan 10mg tablets3£8.15
Ropinirole 500microgram tablets28£12.37
Spironolactone 50mg tablets28£3.49
Zonisamide 50mg capsules56£20.84

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
Reminder: Many thanks to those contractors who have joined the contractor WhatsApp groups to date. For those who still wish to join a group, please click the link(s) corresponding to your area.

Dear Contractor,

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

Previously established groups will continue in the interim to facilitate day-to-day pharmacy business related discussions.

Contractors are invited to join the WhatsApp groups relevant to their pharmacy(ies) by clicking the link below to the area(s) in which they would like to be included. 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.

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,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear colleague,
SPPG issued correspondence on 18 September 2024 in relation to the removal of urgent pandemic packs from nursing homes.

SUMMARY

  • The SPPG letter advises that Urgent Pandemic Packs are being withdrawn with immediate effect.
  • Details of the actions to be taken by Community Pharmacy, General Practice and Nursing Homes are included in the letter.

ACTIONS

  • Contractors should read the SPPG letter and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.

Please contact a member of the CPNI team should you have any queries.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive