For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing the Autumn 2023 COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza Community Pharmacy Vaccine Service (CPVS)
Dear Contractor
The following communication was issued 08.11.23 by SPPG to those pharmacies involved in the community pharmacy vaccination service. Please ensure this information is shared with relevant members of your pharmacy team.
Urgent Reminder: Declaration of Completion of Care Home Vaccinations by 31St October 2023: Claim for additional £200 payment
As per the COVID-CPVS service specification community pharmacies are reimbursed an additional £200 fee where vaccination of residents of a Care Home has been fully completed by 31st October 2023.
Each of the care home(s) completed by 31st October should be selected from the drop-down list. Contractors are asked make a single return selecting multiple care homes where required.
If you have any queries relating to this declaration please contact Tom Coyle (Tom.Coyle@hscni.net).
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact a member of the CPNI team.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer issued correspondence on 07 November 2023 which includes information on the MHRA Drug Safety Update on Valproate dispensing. The CMO’s letter is available here.
SUMMARY
The CMO’s letter of 07 November 2023 includes information relating to the MHRA Drug Safety Update on Valproate which can be accessed here.
The letter refers to earlier correspondence dated 12 October 2023 which can be accessed here.
Contractors will be aware that information relating to Valproate dispensing was issued by SPPG on 31 October 2023, which can be accessed here.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to:
Review the correspondence referred to above and to ensure that relevant members of their pharmacy team are aware of the content.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact a member of the CPNI team.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
CPNI have been advised that a licensed version of Omeprazole 1mg/1ml oral suspension sugar free (75ml) with a list price of £111.00 was recently launched in the market by Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
SUMMARY
BSO have allocated a new code for this product, 98740, and this code should be used for all prescriptions for Omeprazole 1mg/ml oral suspension sugar free from November 2023 prescriptions onwards.
The Northern Ireland Drug Tariff has designated that this product is a special container.
CPNI have confirmed with BSO that this product will have zero discount (ZD) status.
The full correspondence released by BSO on Friday 03.11.23 can be found here
ACTION
Contractors should read the correspondence issued by BSO here
The new code 98740, should be used for all prescriptions for Omeprazole 1mg/ml oral suspension sugar free from November 2023 onwards
If you have any queries, please contact Mark Nelson on mark.nelson@hscni.net
CPNI colleagues are also available for assistance.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
SPPG have released an important update letter which has been uploaded to the BSO website regarding the Living Well service.
SUMMARY
A letter for the attention of Living Well Pharmacies has been issued by SPPG to the BSO website and can be accessed here
Living Well information on current and recent campaigns can be accessed here
ACTION
Contractors who provide the Living Well Service should ensure that they read and review the letter issued 06.11.23
The survey for Childhood Immunisations is currently available and can be completed here
For any queries in relation to the Living Well service, please contact katie.blair@hscni.net.
CPNI colleagues are also available for assistance required.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
NPA Pro-Delivery Manager and McLernons Webinar Recording
A recording of the NPA Pro-Delivery Manager and McLernons Webinar held on Tuesday 10 October 2023 is available at https://youtu.be/HRvjGzWphQs.
Contractors who are considering the use of the PDM app to help in the management of medicines delivery to patients are encouraged to view the webinar for an overview of both the PDM app and payment systems that can be used.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 3 November 2023 extending the expiry date of SSP057 Estradot® (estradiol hemihydrate) 100micrograms/24 hour patch, until Friday 1 December 2023.
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 3 November 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the specific details relating to this SSP;
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 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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