Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor,

Further to the CPNI contractor update issued on 18 April 2025 regarding community pharmacy funding and contractor meetings, CPNI wishes to confirm that the meeting will be held in Belfast on 14 May 2025 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaws Bridge, Belfast, commencing at 8pm sharp. Tea and coffee will be available from 7.30pm.

Note: While it had been proposed that a second meeting may be held in Cookstown on 15 May 2025, this will not now proceed due to logistical and scheduling clashes.  All contractors are welcome to attend the Belfast meeting.

Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office or the CPNI Director representative for your area if you require any additional information at any stage.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor,

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has today announced £4m for community pharmacy to provide support towards the recent increases in National Insurance.  The full announcement can be read HERE.

CPNI has been lobbying extensively for funding to mitigate the recent National Insurance hikes and welcomes today’s announcement.

CPNI will be working with the Department of Health and SPPG colleagues to ensure the mechanism for allocating this funding is implemented as soon as possible.

A further update will be provided at tomorrow evening’s contractor meeting.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor

The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence dated 9 May 2025 reactivating the serious shortage protocol SSP078 for cefalexin 250mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free.

The SSP is due to expire on Friday 8 August 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.
  • Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website.

ACTION

Contractors should:

  • Note that the serious shortage protocol SSP078 for cefalexin 250mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free has been reactivated. 
  • 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

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Common Disallowed Items

  • Contractors have been providing CPNI with useful information regarding some common disallowed items.
  • The following excel spreadsheet is available for contractors to review, showing some of the items that have been recently disallowed.  Please note: there may be only certain packs sizes that are disallowed.
  • If any contractor wishes to add to this list, please email the CPNI office so that this list may be updated and shared with the network accordingly.

Epilepsy Action NI Training

Epilepsy Action NI has advised CPNI that they will be running an information session on Sodium Valproate / Epilim on 14 May at 7pm online.  The training will be provided by Belfast Trust Valproate Lead Nurse, Patrice McKenna.

The session is open to members of the pharmacy team, and to patients, families and carers of those with Epilepsy or who are prescribed Sodium Valproate.  Registration is available through the Eventbrite link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-support-ni-sodium-valproate-epilim-information-session-tickets-1329809719669?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Daffodil Standards Northern Ireland

Reminder: Community Pharmacies across Northern Ireland can now sign up to the Daffodil Standards for palliative and end of life care.

The Daffodil Standards are a joint initiative between the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Marie Curie – Northern Ireland and provide a framework for pharmacy teams to use to build on the high standard of care already provided to palliative care patients and their families.

An ECHO session regarding palliative care and the Daffodil Standards was provided on 29 April 2025.  For those unable to attend, a recording of the session can be viewed on the ECHO moodle website here.

More information on how pharmacy teams can sign up to the Standards 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 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
Update – Contractor Meeting Date

Dear Contractor,

Further to the CPNI contractor update issued on 18 April 2025 regarding community pharmacy funding and contractor meetings, CPNI wishes to confirm that the meeting will be held in Belfast on 14 May 2025 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaws Bridge, Belfast, commencing at 8pm sharp.  Tea and coffee will be available from 7.30pm.

Note: While it had been proposed that a second meeting may be held in Cookstown on 15 May 2025, this will not now proceed due to logistical and scheduling clashes.  All contractors are welcome to attend the Belfast meeting.

Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office or the CPNI Director representative for your area if you require any additional information at any stage.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 2 May 2025 relating to SSP077 (cefalexin 125mg/5ml oral suspension) extending the expiry date to Friday 1 August 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 2 May 2025, and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the extension of the expiry date of SSP077 to Friday 1 August 2025, and that they are also aware of the specific details relating to this SSP; and
  • Note 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.

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