Archives: Contractor Email

Class 2 Recall of CRESCENT PHARMA LIMITED RAMIPRIL 5 MG CAPSULES, Batch number: GR164099
Dear Contractor,
SPPG issued correspondence dated 6 March 2026 regarding the recall of a specific batch of Crescent Pharma Limited Ramipril 5mg Capsules. The recall information is available here.

Action

Contractors should note the SPPG correspondence and recall information, including the advice for healthcare professionals, and ensure this information is shared promptly with relevant members of the pharmacy team.

Should contractors have queries they may wish to contact their local SPPG primacy care office.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor,

Further to the update issued on Friday (CPNI CU#260306A), this is a reminder that the deadline for the second February prescription submission is tomorrow, 11/03/26.

All pharmacy contractors must ensure that their prescriptions are received by BSO on or before the submission deadline.  Prescriptions received after this date will not be processed in time for the relevant payment schedule.

As highlighted previously, a number of contractors’ second January prescription submissions were received after the processing deadline last month. Unfortunately, these prescriptions could not be processed in time and the contractors did not receive their full January BSO prescription payment at the end of February.

If your courier has not yet collected your pharmacy prescriptions, contractors should make alternative arrangements today to ensure delivery to BSO by the deadline.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE 
Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Applications are Invited for Registered Pharmacists to Apply to Join the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland Council

The Department of Health has launched a public appointment competition seeking to appoint three Members (Registrant) to the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.  The closing date is Thursday 26 March 2026 at 12 noon.  Please find further information 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 Pricing/Supply 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,

We would like to remind all pharmacy contractors that they must ensure that their second February prescriptions are received by BSO on or before the submission deadline of 11/03/26.

Last month, a number of contractors’ second January prescription submission were not received by BSO before the processing deadline.  As a result, those prescriptions could not be processed by BSO in time and the contractors did not receive their full January BSO prescription payment at the end of February.

To avoid any delays, or risk of not receiving payment, please ensure that all prescriptions are dispatched from the pharmacy in sufficient time to be received by the BSO for the deadline of 11/03/26.

Contractors are also advised to ensure, where appropriate, that they use a reliable courier service for delivery, or alternatively arrange to deliver prescriptions directly to BSO, to minimise the risk of delays.

I would ask pharmacy contractors to share this update with all staff responsible for submission of your prescriptions to BSO, including locum or relief staff and that pharmacy contractors are notified no later than 10/03/26 if the courier has not collected the pharmacy prescriptions so that contractors can make alternative arrangements, if relevant.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE 
Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
The following concessionary prices granted in February 2026 have rolled over to March 2026:
DrugPack SizeConcessionary Price
Quinine sulfate 300mg tablets28£2.01
Venlafaxine 37.5mg tablets56£2.60

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 Pricing/Supply Reporter.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Reminder –  MOIC Evaluation of the Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service
Dear Contractor,
SPPG issued correspondence dated 12 January 2026 regarding the evaluation of the Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service.  The correspondence relates to all community pharmacy contractors, including both those who provide the stop smoking service, and those who do not.

SUMMARY

Pharmacy Team Survey

  • The evaluation has now commenced and the following surveys are open:
    • The survey for community pharmacies involved in providing the Stop Smoking service is available here.
    • The survey for community pharmacies who are not involved in providing the Stop Smoking service is available here.
  • All members of the pharmacy team who either assist in the provision of the service or were involved in the decision not to provide the service are encouraged to complete the relevant survey.
  • Views provided by pharmacy teams will be essential to the evaluation process and the future commissioning and development of the Stop Smoking service.

Service User Survey

  • Materials for the service user surveys will have arrived in pharmacies at this point, and pharmacies may wish to use these to encourage relevant clients to participate.

ACTION

Contractors should note the SPPG correspondence and the overview letter, and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.

Should contractors have queries about the Stop Smoking service they may contact their local SPPG primacy care office or email the PHA tobacco control team: PHATobaccoAdmin@hscni.net.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive