This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Independent Pharmacy Magazine 2024 Awards

Reminder – entries & nominations for this year’s Independent Pharmacy Awards are open for another few weeks until 15th July 2024.  There are 6 categories and the link to enter is here: Enter IPA 24

PHA Training Needs Assessment (Alcohol and Drugs)

This survey is part of a wider assessment of the training needs of those who come into contact with individuals who experience problems due to (own or others) substance use.  The survey is being conducted by Social Market Research (SMR) on behalf of the Public Health Agency.

PHA wishes to ensure that the training needs of professionals and other staff who come into contact with those using substances, or their family members, continue to be met. This survey will help to support this objective and provides those working in the sector with an opportunity to say what is working well, as well as an opportunity to identify gaps in training provision, particularly as needs are changing.

Lunch and Learn; Time to Take Your Medicine

The following invitation has been shared with CPNI for onwards circulation to our members to bring this lunchtime seminar to your attention as it may be of interest:

30th July 2024, 1pm-2pm

A discussion with Vicki Swanton (Partner, DWF Healthcare) and Pharmacist Richard Brown on the role of the pharmacist, their interactions with clinicians and patients, and the pit falls that can lead to claims.

Questions may be submitted in advance via Rebecca.Walton@dwf.law

RSVP

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 Colleague
The second update of concessionary prices were granted today for June 2024:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Benzydamine 0.15% mouthwash sugar free300£4.74
Brimonidine 0.2% eye drops5£2.98
Carbamazepine 100mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free300£13.46
Chlorphenamine 2mg/5ml oral solution sugar free150£2.61
Co-amoxiclav 250mg/62mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free100£1.99
Erythromycin 250mg gastro-resistant tablets28£23.50
Erythromycin 40mg/ml / Zinc acetate 12mg/ml lotion30£16.78
Erythromycin 40mg/ml / Zinc acetate 12mg/ml lotion90£40.04
Fluticasone furoate 27.5micrograms/dose nasal spray120£12.37
Fusidic acid 2% cream15£1.98
Fusidic acid 2% cream30£3.70
Lamotrigine 5mg dispersible tablets sugar free28£9.47
Lercanidipine 10mg tablets28£2.50
Lercanidipine 20mg tablets28£5.66
Levetiracetam 500mg tablets60£3.40
Losartan 12.5mg tablets28£3.52
Nefopam 30mg tablets90£4.13
Olanzapine 2.5mg tablets28£2.59
Olanzapine 7.5mg tablets28£1.89
Olopatadine 1mg/ml eye drops5£3.97
Oxytetracycline 250mg tablets28£2.18
Pregabalin 225mg capsules56£2.11
Pregabalin 25mg capsules56£1.51
Propantheline bromide 15mg tablets112£107.49
Quinagolide 50microgram tablets and Quinagolide 25microgram tablets6£40.40
Risperidone 2mg tablets60£1.92
Ropinirole 2mg tablets28£29.56
Sertraline 100mg tablets28£1.78
Sertraline 50mg tablets28£1.02
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment30£22.52
Tamoxifen 20mg tablets30£5.94
Venlafaxine 75mg modified-release tablets30£2.73

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

Further to CPNI CU#240610A: Proposed Rota Changes CPNI are aware that a number of contractors raised concerns with their local SPPG office on the proposed changes to rota in their area.

Local offices have now issued letters to those contractors affected by the proposed rota changes. For those areas where there was no objection the changes are proceeding as proposed. In areas where issues were raised, the current rota arrangements will be continuing until further notice. Local offices have communicated the rota arrangements over the coming weeks with the community pharmacies involved.

CPNI is disappointed by the lack of notice contractors were given regarding the proposed rota changes, the timelines for providing feedback, the uncertainty there has been around rota provision moving into the summer period and the lack of additional funding to support this service at this time.

SPPG has issued letters to community pharmacies that stated: “CPNI were content with the approach to the review, and agreed to consult with the affected pharmacies as required.  At that time, CPNI did not raise any concerns from contractors potentially affected by the proposed changes.”

CPNI is disappointed at this misrepresentation. CPNI advised SPPG that it was for local offices to consult with the pharmacies involved in rota in their area to determine how rota should be taken forward in each area. CPNI has continually raised concerns, including specific contractor concerns, on the arrangements for rota provision moving forward. CPNI had also asked to discuss the rota arrangements further once local offices had collated the feedback. CPNI did not have sight of the letters that were issued to contractors in advance and have asked SPPG to correct the paragraph quoted above.

CPNI will continue to work with SPPG to try and arrive at workable rota arrangements moving forward that are fairly planned, communicated and remunerated.

Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI office should you have any questions.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued by SPPG 27th June 2024 regarding LFD distribution.

SUMMARY

  • Due to a recent significant increase in orders for LFDs, pharmacies that have placed orders this week will receive a quantity of 15 boxes, as opposed to the normal 30.
  • PHA are currently procuring additional stock.

ACTION

  • Please review the correspondence issued by SPPG 27th June 2024 regarding the ordering of LFDs and share with all relevant team members.
  • Due to a recent rise in the ordering of LFDs, pharmacies who have placed an order this week will receive 15 boxes, as opposed to 30.
  • SPPG have requested pharmacies to check stock before ordering to avoid stockpiling.

If you have any queries in relation to this email, please contact your local Primary Care Office.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued an important update on 27th June 2024 to remind contractors that the Spring COVID-19 CPVS programme is to finish on 30th June 2024.

SUMMARY

  • The Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme is finishing on 30th June 2024.
  • Pharmacies should dispose of any residual Spikevax® XBB.1.5 COVID-19 stock after 30th June 2024 into waste bins.
  • Pharmacies that have completed the Spring COVID-19 vaccinations in Care Homes must complete the online declaration to receive the additional Care Home payment by 30th June 2024.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG 27th June 2024 regarding the Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme and share with all relevant team members.
  • Any residual Spikevax® XBB.1.5 COVID-19 stock should be disposed of in waste bins after 30th June 2024.
  • The online declaration for completion of Spring COVID-19 vaccinations in Care Homes should be completed by 30th June 2024 to receive the additional payment.

If you have any queries relating to this correspondence please contact Gráinne McMahon (Grainne.McMahon4@hscni.net) or Greg Miller (Greg.Miller@hscni.net).

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Colleague
The first update of concessionary prices were granted today for June 2024:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Anastrozole 1mg tablets28£1.25
Aripiprazole 15mg tablets28£4.25
Aripiprazole 5mg tablets28£4.45
Azithromycin 250mg capsules6£4.50
Baclofen 10mg tablets84£2.62
Bimatoprost 300micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops3£8.14
Bumetanide 1mg tablets28£2.26
Calcipotriol 0.005% / Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointment30£10.98
Cefalexin 250mg capsules28£2.07
Cefalexin 500mg capsules21£2.90
Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops10£5.26
Cinacalcet 30mg tablets28£7.44
Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension70£5.10
Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension70£6.95
Co-amoxiclav 250mg/125mg tablets21£3.04
Co-amoxiclav 500mg/125mg tablets21£3.72
Co-codamol 15mg/500mg tablets100£3.16
Co-codamol 30mg/500mg capsules100£5.14
Colecalciferol 1,000unit capsules30£6.25
Digoxin 125microgram tablets28£2.57
Digoxin 250microgram tablets28£2.57
Digoxin 62.5microgram tablets28£2.46
Dorzolamide 20mg/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops5£5.63
Dorzolamide 20mg/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops 0.2ml unit dose preservative free60£22.46
Dorzolamide 20mg/ml eye drops5£3.43
Duloxetine 20mg gastro-resistant capsules28£8.29
Duloxetine 40mg gastro-resistant capsules56£8.93
Duloxetine 60mg gastro-resistant capsules28£2.65
Enalapril 10mg tablets28£0.79
Escitalopram 10mg tablets28£1.25
Escitalopram 20mg tablets28£1.55
Escitalopram 5mg tablets28£3.38
Esomeprazole 40mg gastro-resistant capsules28£3.41
Estradiol 10microgram pessaries24£10.75
Etoricoxib 30mg tablets28£4.32
Etoricoxib 60mg tablets28£9.10
Etoricoxib 90mg tablets28£8.50
Ezetimibe 10mg tablets28£6.00
Fenofibrate micronised 160mg tablets28£3.53
Haloperidol 1.5mg tablets28£3.84
Haloperidol 5mg tablets28£3.31
Irbesartan 300mg tablets28£1.53
Isotretinoin 20mg capsules30£11.03
Itraconazole 100mg capsules15£8.56
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo120£18.43
Lactulose 3.1-3.7g/5ml oral solution500£3.95
Lamotrigine 200mg tablets56£4.62
Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops2.5£5.50
Lofepramine 70mg tablets56£21.27
Mebeverine 200mg modified-release capsules60£6.64
Memantine 10mg tablets28£1.25
Memantine 10mg/ml oral solution sugar free50£31.90
Memantine 20mg tablets28£1.45
Metformin 1g modified-release tablets56£3.01
Metformin 500mg modified-release tablets56£1.74
Methylphenidate 10mg tablets30£4.05
Metoclopramide 10mg tablets28£0.91
Mometasone 0.1% ointment30£3.57
Mometasone 50micrograms/dose nasal spray140£9.20
Montelukast 10mg tablets28£1.75
Morphine sulfate 10mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules10£6.50
Nebivolol 2.5mg tablets28£10.87
Nebivolol 5mg tablets28£4.52
Nicorandil 10mg tablets60£7.31
Nicorandil 20mg tablets60£9.30
Nortriptyline 10mg tablets100£4.49
Olanzapine 10mg tablets28£7.16
Olanzapine 15mg tablets28£3.99
Olanzapine 20mg tablets28£5.69
Olanzapine 5mg tablets28£4.13
Potassium aminobenzoate 3g oral powder sachets40£68.77
Pregabalin 100mg capsules84£2.58
Pregabalin 150mg capsules56£2.53
Pregabalin 200mg capsules84£4.31
Pregabalin 300mg capsules56£2.84
Pregabalin 50mg capsules84£20.94
Pregabalin 75mg capsules56£1.74
Primidone 250mg tablets100£88.02
Prochlorperazine 5mg tablets28£1.64
Pyridostigmine bromide 60mg tablets200£17.36
Quetiapine 100mg tablets60£16.04
Quetiapine 150mg tablets60£13.94
Quetiapine 200mg tablets60£19.21
Quetiapine 25mg tablets60£3.97
Quetiapine 300mg tablets60£11.99
Quinine sulfate 200mg tablets28£7.36
Quinine sulfate 300mg tablets28£3.02
Rasagiline 1mg tablets28£29.99
Rizatriptan 10mg tablets3£7.35
Ropinirole 1mg tablets84£33.47
Ropinirole 500microgram tablets28£15.00
Salbutamol 2.5mg/2.5ml nebuliser liquid unit dose vials20£18.50
Salbutamol 5mg/2.5ml nebuliser liquid unit dose vials20£20.88
Simvastatin 20mg tablets28£0.84
Sodium chloride 0.9% nebuliser liquid 2.5ml unit dose ampoules20£9.50
Temazepam 10mg tablets28£24.32
Terbinafine 250mg tablets14£11.40
Trospium chloride 20mg tablets60£14.98
Zolmitriptan 2.5mg tablets6£16.66
Zolmitriptan 2.5mg tablets12£33.31
Zonisamide 100mg capsules56£33.16
Zonisamide 50mg capsules56£23.00

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