CPNI has been advised that registered pharmacists in the UK have been invited to participate in an RPS survey examining advanced pharmacist development. CPNI is aware that the number of community pharmacists in NI who engage or enrol in advanced practice development is lower than that of other sectors, for many reasons which are often beyond their control. The open text box at the end of the survey may present an opportunity for community pharmacists to provide their views.
Southern Regional College Pharmacy Support Role Career Programme
CPNI has been advised that the Southern Regional College will be running a free 3-week part-time programme at their Banbridge campus which is designed to help students achieve the skills they need to apply for pharmacy support roles. Further information is available on the SRC facebook page and the course application form can be accessed here.
For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing the Autumn 2023 COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza Community Pharmacy Vaccine Service (CPVS)
Update Seven: 26th October 2023
Dear Contractor
1. BA.4-5 Vaccines: Disposal
The PHA have issued a letter advising that all providers should now dispose of all Comirnaty BA.4-5 (Pfizer) vaccine. For full details see PHA letter available here.
ONLY use Comirnaty XBB.1.5 for COVID-19 CPVS vaccinations, the BA.4-5 is not authorised for further use in Autumn 2023.
2. REMINDER: Deadline for early vaccination payments is approaching – 31st October 2023
PHA are aiming to vaccinate as many eligible patients as possible by 31st October 2023.
Please continue to plan that any outstanding care homes have a vaccination date established on or before 31st October 2023.
Supplementary payments for non-care home eligible patients [walk ins] also remain in place until 31st October 2023.
The vaccination programme for COVID-19 will continue until early December with standard payments payable for vaccinations administered after the 31st October 2023.
To claim the £200 payment for each care home completed by 31st October 2023 contractors should complete the on-line declaration (link below) by 5pm on Friday 3rd November.
3. Vaccination Service [November 2023 – March 2024]
The vaccination programme for COVID-19 will continue in November until early December 2023 with standard payments payable for those vaccinations administered after the 31st October 2023.
The Flu vaccination program will continue through the winter to March 2024.
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 20 October 2023 extending the expiry date of SSP058 Jext® 300mcg/0.3ml solution for injection auto-injector pens to Friday 27 October 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 20 October 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; and when making a supply under this SSP, to ensure the patient/carer/guardian understands how to administer an EpiPen® 300mcg/0.3ml solution for injection auto-injector pen.
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
Dear Contractor
CPNI have been advised that the phone number initially provided within the weekly summary issued on 13 October 2023 was incorrect. This has been corrected below and is highlighted for your convenience. Please update your teams and records accordingly. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
Riluzole 50mg Tablets
CPNI were made aware that community pharmacies were having difficulty sourcing riluzole 50mg tablets.
The Department of Health (NI) has advised that if any patients are currently experiencing difficulties obtaining riluzole 50mg tablets from community pharmacies, they are recommended to contact the Specialist Medicines Department at the Royal Victoria Hospital on 028 9615 2200 (8.30am to 4.30pm). Patients will be aware of this process from before.
It is anticipated that some stock will be with local wholesalers soon.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland has launched a consultation on the draft Code of Conduct, Ethics and Performance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland and the relevant documents can be accessed via this link.
Background
The Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 imposes an obligation on the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland to “set standards relating to the conduct, ethics and performance expected of registered persons”.
The Pharmaceutical Society NI Code (Professional standards of conduct, ethics, and performance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland) (‘the Code’) is used to guide and support pharmacists in their scope of practice, professional development and decision making. It underpins all other professional standards and guidance documents that the Society issues. The Code also informs the public and patients on the professional conduct and behaviours they can expect from their pharmacist.
The Code is regarded as governing the conduct of all pharmacists both within and outside the practice of pharmacy. Breaches of the Code could form the basis of a complaint of misconduct and require an appearance before the Statutory Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society NI which can determine to apply an appropriate sanction.
Draft Code
The Society indicates that the new draft Code requires pharmacists to give an affirmation to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care by abiding by seven Standards. Each of the seven Standards is linked to behaviours which pharmacists must demonstrate in order to meet these Standards.
The Society indicates that much of the content of the Code is unchanged as the fundamental principles of patient care remains as relevant today as in the past. However, the emphasis and language used in the Code has changed and the Society has indicated that it has tried to make the Code more accessible and relevant to both the profession and the public and to allow for broad standards which can be applied in all situations now and in the future life of the Code.
CPNI was included in the Advisory Group which assisted in the review of the Code and we will be studying the draft documents and submitting a response.
The consultation asks the following questions:
Are the principles in the draft Code applicable across all areas of pharmacy practice?
Does the draft Code adequately outline the behaviours and conduct expected from a health professional working as a pharmacist?
Is there anything which is not adequately considered or covered in the draft Code?
Is there anything unnecessary or which should be removed from the draft Code?
Is there any supplementary guidance or information you would require to help your understanding of the information contained in the Code?
Do you have suggestions how we can make the Code better known and understood by pharmacy trainees, pharmacists, patients and the public?
Do any aspects of the draft Code have equality implications for groups or individuals based on one or more of the following categories: age, gender, disability, pregnancy and maternity, race/ethnicity, religion or belief, political opinion, people with dependants, sexual orientation, or marital status?
Action
Contractors are asked to note:
The above consultation; and
That you may respond directly to the Society via the link above or send comments to Ennis or myself for inclusion in the CPNI response. The closing date is 18 December 2023, so comments should reach us by 11 December 2023.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
WhatsApp Business Terms of Service can be found here and privacy policy hereUCA-NI Privacy Policy We take your privacy seriously and do not share or sell any personal details with third parties for commercial purposes. If you have any questions, please contact the CPNI office. You can withdraw your consent to be contacted at any time by calling 028 9069 0444 or by emailing info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk. CPNI Data Protection Policy and Data Retention policy can be found Click Here
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