Archives: Contractor Email

Dear colleague,
The Zoom joining details for this evening’s SPPG Adherence ECHO, taking place between 7-8pm, are as follows:

Zoom Meeting ID: 599 000 0342
Passcode: 100019
Zoom Link: https://echo.zoom.us/j/5990000342pwd=SWtTd1diVytqWmcxNisrTTR5WGRidz09

For those pharmacists who have not previously registered on to the ECHO network you are asked to register here in advance.

Yours sincerely,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor,
On 27th June MPS 3058 was issued outlining a medicine supply notification: GLP-1 receptor agonists used in the management of type 2 diabetes.

SUMMARY

  • There are very limited, intermittent supplies of all glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) licensed in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).
  • Supply is not expected to return to normal until at least mid-2024.
  • The supply issues have been caused by an increase in demand for these products for licensed and off-label indications.
  • Please refer to the SPS Tool for Medicines Shortages for an up-to-date supply stock situation and clinical guidance on alternative treatment options.

ACTION

  • Ensure MPS 3058 is brought to the attention of your pharmacy teams.
  • Advise patients that supplies will be very limited and intermittent until at least mid-2024.
  • Patients should contact their GP to discuss their options.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence dated 23 June 2023 in relation to the serious shortage protocols in place for clarithromycin products (SSP053 and SSP054), extending the expiry dates until Friday 21 July 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 dated 23 June 2023 and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of this update.
  • Note that the expiry dates of the existing SSPs for clarithromycin products (SSP053 and SSP054) have been extended until Friday 21 July 2023.
  • 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

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

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar and Contractor Emails.
Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via the CPNI’s Medicine Shortage 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
I write to advise that a contractor update meeting will take place on Thursday 29th June 2023, at 8.15-9.15pm, by TEAMS.

You will be aware that SPPG are holding an Adherence Echo on Thursday 29th June 2023 at 7-8.00pm, and the CPNI contractor update meeting will take place immediately after the SPPG Adherence Echo meeting.

An update on current issues, including Adherence support, will be provided at the CPNI update meeting and you are encouraged to attend both the Echo and then the CPNI update meeting if you are available.

We are conscious that the holiday period will commence the following week and the decision has been taken to hold the CPNI update meeting immediately after the Adherence ECHO to facilitate attendance by as many contractors as possible.

The TEAMS link to join the CPNI Update meeting will be issued next week.

Contractors are asked to confirm attendance/non-attendance by email to info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk by 12noon on Wednesday 28th June 2023.

Should you have any queries please contact a member of the CPNI team.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
CPNI has developed a summary of frequently asked questions (FAQs) in relation to recent updates on provision of community pharmacy adherence support.  These FAQs aim to address some of the initial queries during this period of transition.

Summary

  • CPNI issued Contractor Update CPNI CU#230612B on Monday 12th June in relation to updates to community pharmacy adherence.  This update also provided links to the guidance, declaration and quarterly returns form.
  • In response to queries raised by contractors, FAQs have been developed by CPNI to support contractors and their teams in understanding these transitionary arrangements.
  • Further updates will be provided to the network as required.
  • An ECHO session has been scheduled for Thursday 29th June 7-8pm to provide an overview of the adherence arrangements.

Action

Contractors should:

  • Read the FAQs and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
  • If available, attend the ECHO session scheduled for Thursday 29th June 7-8pm (details including the link will be circulated by the ECHO team shortly).

Please contact CPNI offices if you have further queries or require further assistance.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive