SPPG issued correspondence today which outlines changes to clawback arrangements.
SUMMARY
The letter states that:
As of the April 2024 prescription payment, there will be a transition to the second transitional phase whereby the old system weight will be 70% and the new system weight will be 30%.
Contractors will continue to receive their accounts from BSO which will document the discount applied. During the transition to the new discount model, both the old(“legacy”) rate and new (“revised”) rates of discount will be detailed on your payment report(s).
The letter also confirms that generic medicines granted a concessionary price, from April 2024, will be granted Zero Discount status – this will be reflected in April 2024 prescription payment (at the end of May’24), and in subsequent months.
CPNI welcomes and acknowledges the removal of clawback on those generic medicines granted concessionary prices but nonetheless we are aware that issues still remain with the reimbursement prices for many generic medicines and also in relation to insufficiency of concessionary prices granted.
CPNI will continue to make representations to HSC in this regard.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to read the correspondence and take note of the changes.
Should you have any queries a member of the CPNI team will be happy to assist you.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
REMINDER: Pharmacies who have not yet sent in a return with the number of patients currently being provided with adherence support, may still do so using this link, up to Wednesday 5th June. Information previously issued in relation to adherence support is copied below for your convenience.
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued by SPPG 4th April 2024 regarding Community Pharmacy Adherence Support.
SUMMARY
Since 1st May 2023 the Drug Tariff has been changed so that instalment dispensing is an exception facility for use only where the prescriber considers it essential to prevent abuse or misuse.
As public funding is being utilised to support community pharmacies in meeting their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), SPPG are requesting information on the number of patients currently being provided with adherence support.
Adherence support includes provision of a Monitored Dosage System (MDS), pill crushers, reminder charts/alarms, or dexterity aids.
All patients receiving adherence support should be included with the following exceptions:
Patients who reside in Care Homes whose medicines are provided via MDS.
Patients with an instalment endorsement to prevent misuse or abuse of their medicines i.e. dispensing in skillets for daily or weekly patients. Please note: where these patients receive a form of adherence support such as MDS, they should be included on your list. There are instances where a patient receives both instalment dispensing and adherence support.
Patients who do not require support as a reasonable adjustment under DDA but for whom the pharmacy still provide adherence support e.g. requested for convenience.
The quarterly adherence return which was previously required will now be stood down.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to review the reminder issued by SPPG 26th April 2024 regarding Community Pharmacy Adherence Support and share with relevant team members.
SPPG are requesting those pharmacies who have yet to send a return to do so by using the following link by Friday 3rd May 2024.
The quarterly adherence return will now be stood down and is no longer required.
Guidance is available which provides information to community pharmacies in relation to their statutory requirements under DDA.
For any further information please contact CPNI offices.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Further to CU#240524B I want to thank you and your teams for participating in this important community pharmacy public awareness campaign and to ask you to arrange for the signed petitions in your pharmacy(-ies) to be returned securely to CPNI at 5 Annadale Avenue, Belfast, BT7 3JH no later than Friday 31st May 2024.
CPNI will be meeting with MLAs at the All Party Group on Community Pharmacy meeting in Parliament Buildings, Stormont on Tuesday 4th June 2024 at which we will present the signed petitions to the MLAs to demonstrate the level of public support for both community pharmacy and fair funding being provided to the community pharmacy sector in Northern Ireland.
I want to thank you again for participating in this important public awareness campaign, with thanks also being extended to those contractors who have already returned their signed petitions to CPNI.
Thank-you once again for your support.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence dated 24 May 2024 indicating that in response to current supply disruptions of Creon 10,000 and 25,000 gastro-resistant capsules, two SSPs (SSP060 and SSP061) have been issued.
Both SSPs are due to expire on Friday 22 November 2024.
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.
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Note the issue of SSP060 and SSP061.
Note that the letter giving the key points, and the full SSPs are available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website.
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.
Ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of this update.
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
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