The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 2 May 2025 relating to SSP079, SSP080, SSP081 and SSP082 (Estradot® 25mcg patches, Estradot® 50mcg patches, Estradot® 75mcg patches and Estradot® 100mcg patches) extending their expiry dates as detailed in the correspondence.
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 dates of SSP079, SSP080, SSP081 andSSP082 to the dates noted in the correspondence, and that they are also aware of the specific details relating to these SSPs; 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
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
£1million month-end hit will cripple Community Pharmacy
CPNI issued a press release on 30th April 2025 detailing the financial impact of the new minimum wage and national insurance changes (NIC) in the first month alone. The statement is available here and across CPNI social media channels: Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
Contractors are invited to share these posts on their social media channels.
Independent Pharmacy Awards 2025
Nominations are open for The Independent Pharmacy Awards which will take place on Thursday 2nd October 2025, at the House of Commons. The awards are an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the brilliance and endurance of community pharmacy teams across the UK.
There are six categories including Pharmacy Team of the Year, an award previously won by McCartans Pharmacy in Newry.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) sets the curriculum for Post-Registration Foundation Pharmacist development programmes such as the NICPLD Post-Registration Foundation course.
As a result of reforms to the GPhC/PSNI Initial Education and Training Standards, all newly qualifying pharmacists from 2026 onwards will be annotated prescribers at the point of registration. RPS is therefore planning to revise the Post-Registration Foundation curriculum to align with the evolving roles undertaken by pharmacists in all sectors. When finalised, the new curriculum will be referred to as the Enhanced Curriculum.
To inform development of the new curriculum, RPS is conducting a survey and would particularly welcome the views of community pharmacists. The survey will remain open until Friday 16th May 2025.
FAO Community Pharmacies in the Belfast Area: Falls Prevention Roadshow
Community pharmacy teams may wish to share this FLYER relating to an upcoming roadshow on falls prevention with relevant patients.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
NICPLD issued correspondence today which advises that the opt-in window for involvement in FTY 2026/2027 has been extended to 5pm on 9 May 2025. Earlier correspondence had indicated that the window would close on 25 April 2025.
SUMMARY
If a pharmacy chooses to opt-in they will receive a link asking them to complete a second step where they upload their training placement details and accept the Terms of Participation.
The closing date for the second step is 16 May 2025.
IMPORTANT CONTRACTOR CONSIDERATIONS
We would ask contractors who “opt-in” to be aware that should they then complete the second step and accept the Terms, they are considered to have given their commitment to providing the relevant placement(s) to any trainee allocated to them by the NICPLD selection process.
Contractors must be aware that some important aspects of the FTY2026/2027 programme have not been finalised by NICPLD and are not likely to be available until 2026, such as the 2026/2027 Framework, Curriculum, Salary, Training Grant and programme SOPs.
CPNI contractor meetings will take place on 14 May (Belfast) and 15 May (Cookstown), at which arrangements relating to the 2026/2027 FTY process will be discussed.
ACTION
Contractors considering participation in the FTY 2026/2027 programme should ensure that they take the following steps prior to opting-in, uploading placement details, or accepting the Terms of Participation:
Take time to review, consider, and where necessary take HR, indemnity and legal advice on all aspects of the programme, including (but not limited to):
For the Attention of Community Pharmacies Currently Providing the Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) Service
Dear Colleague
SPPG issued correspondence on 10 April 2025 regarding the community pharmacy OST service. Note: The link for return of OST contracts will now remain open until 9 May 2025.
SUMMARY
A new contract for the community pharmacy OST service is being implemented from April 2025.
The contract will further enhance governance arrangements for the delivery of the OST service and ensure timely payment of the retainer fee.
Pharmacies that currently dispense OST prescriptions are asked to submit a new contract using the MS forms link.
Note: The link for return of OST contracts will now remain open until 9 May 2025.
Service documentation including the new service specification and relevant resources are available on the BSO website here.
Pharmacy staff involved in the provision of the OST service are asked to ensure they are familiar with the necessary resources in line with the service specification and contract.
The NICPLD live webinar ‘Opioid Substitution Therapy‘ is scheduled for 21 May 2025, and will be recorded for those unable to attend.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to:
Review the correspondence issued by SPPG on 10 April 2025 and share with all relevant team members.
Complete a new contract for the OST service by 9 May 2025.
Please note: Those pharmacies who have already completed a new OST service contract recently do not need to resubmit.
Please contact Michael McCabe (michael.mccabe@hscni.net), Pharmacy Adviser if you have any further queries.
Further to the CPNI update on Experiential Learning (EL) which issued on 14 March 2025, contractors are reminded that there is still time to complete the CPNI EL survey. The survey has been extended and will now close on 30 April 2025.
SUMMARY
The CPNI EL survey provides contractors with an opportunity to give their views on what is working well with EL in community pharmacy, and what improvements may be helpful.
NICPLD has indicated that EL feedback will be used to inform a review of the programme and the development of an ongoing EL strategy.
EL queries can be sent to the NICPLD programme lead Helen Hirst by emailing h.hirst@qub.ac.uk. Alternatively, should you wish to speak to a member of the CPNI team please feel free to email Ennis.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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