Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor

Further to the contractor update on the risks of epilepsy medicines in pregnancy which issued in July 2020, CPNI wish to remind contractors of the steps to be taken by pharmacists to reduce such risks:

  • Provide a Patient Card every time you dispense a valproate medicine to ALL female patients. The outer boxes of valproate will include a removable patient card, to be detached and given to the patient at the time of dispensing.
  • When dispensing valproate medicines to ALL female patients check that their prescriber has discussed the risks of exposure in pregnancy and they are aware of the requirement to have a pregnancy prevention plan in place.
  • If the prescriber has not discussed these risks with the patient or the patient is not taking effective contraception they should be advised contact their GP or specialist for an urgent follow-up appointment.
  • In the case of a known or suspected pregnancy advise the patient not to stop valproate medication but to immediately contact their GP or specialist.
  • Ask ALL female patients on valproate medicines if they received the Patient Guide and provide a copy if they have not received this or no longer have it.
  • Dispense valproate in the original package with the outer warning and avoid repacking. Where repacking cannot be avoided, always provide a copy of the package leaflet, patient card, and add a warning sticker to the outer box.

UPDATE April 2021: CPNI recently attended the Valproate Stakeholders Network, established in response to the “First do no Harm” report.  The Network highlighted the need for pharmacists to continue to follow the recommendations outlined above and to ensure that all female patients using valproate medicines are informed of the risks, including those who may not present to the pharmacy such as those in residential care settings, custodial settings, or where barriers such as language exist.

To order new or further pregnancy prevention programme materials, please contact Sanofi medical information department on 0845 372 7101 or email UK-Medicalinformation@sanofi.com.

Further information is available on the CPNI website here.

Kind regards – Ennis

SENT ON BEHALF OF
ENNIS SHIELDS
Governance & Support Pharmacist

MHRA AND JCVI ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING ASTRAZENECA VACCINE UPDATED CONTRAINDICATIONS AND NEXT STEPS

Dear Colleague
Please find HERE correspondence from Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer and Mrs Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer.

MHRA and JCVI have stated the balance of risk associated with administration of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine is still very much in favour of vaccination. 

The information, guidance and recommendations provided in the correspondence should be considered carefully by community pharmacists providing this vaccination service, with patients presenting for COVID vaccination at the pharmacy counselled and assessed accordingly.

Over 32,000 vaccinations have been administered by community pharmacists since 29 March 2021. This is a tremendous contribution by our profession to this important public health vaccination programme. 

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Correction to NICPLD Notification: Training Dates 30 April 2021 and 14 May 2021

Dear Contractor

Further to the contractor update on 28 April 2021 in respect of dates for Educational Supervisor (Tutor) training, the information originally included in the attached NICPLD notification was incorrect.

The dates for training are 30 April 2021 and 14 May 2021.

ACTION

Contractors are advised to note:

  1. Contractors are asked to note the correction to the original NICPLD document in respect of training dates (30 April 2021 and 14 May 2021).

Regards – Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Prof. Mike Mawhinney 
Head of Regulatory Affairs

Dear Colleagues,

As per CPNI Contractor Update on 20 April 2021. Please find below further REMINDER correspondence from HSCB Pharmacy & Medicines Management team.

COVID-19 Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) will shortly be made available to primary care staff. The majority of community pharmacies have now registered. If not already done so please register your pharmacy details HERE as soon as possible to prepare for the roll-out. See previous contractor update HERE for further details on the project. 
 
If you have any queries about the registration process contact your local office.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI offices should you require additional information or assistance.

Kinds regards, stay safe – Gareth

SENT ON BEHALF OF
DR. GARETH C. GILVARY
Governance & Support Pharmacist

Dear Contractor

Contractors will have received information on the Foundation Training Year from the Pharmaceutical Society NI (18 March 2021) which can be accessed HERE, and from NICPLD (22 April 2021) which can be accessed HERE.

The correspondence indicates that from July 2021, the Pre-registration Training Year will become known as the Foundation Training Year (FTY).  Most elements of the Pre-registration Training Year will be carried into the 2021 FTY with some new elements introduced. NICPLD provided assurances to employers and to all those who will undertake the role of Educational Supervisors (formerly known as Tutors) within the FTY, that everyone will be supported through the change process. NICPLD indicates that the changes introduced this year will be minimal and NICPLD will run webinars in early-mid June 2021 introducing the FTY programme and the hub.

It is important to remember that Educational Supervisors must be accredited PSNI Tutors.  

If you, or a staff member, need to accredit or reaccredit for this role, training events run by PSNI will take place on 29 April 2021 and 14 May 2021.  Further information and a link to register can be found HERE.

ACTION

Contractors are advised to note:

  1. Information issued on the FTY
  2. Training dates for Educational Supervisors (PSNI Tutors) (29 April 2021, 14 May 2021)

Regards – Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Prof. Mike Mawhinney 
Head of Regulatory Affairs

Dear Colleague

The following concessionary prices have been granted for April 2021:

Drug Pack SizePrice
Lamotrigine 25mg tablets56£2.77
Letrozole 2.5mg tablets14£1.65
Olmesartan medoxomil 20mg tablets28£9.50
Olmesartan medoxomil 40mg tablets28£14.52
Baclofen 10mg tablets84£3.60
Naftidrofuryl 100mg capsules84£7.80
Trazodone 100mg capsules56£4.05

This is the 2nd update of concessionary prices for April 2021.

Concessionary prices will be paid against the usual code, no additional endorsements are needed.

Concessionary prices may be granted up until the end of the month so CPNI will notify you of any further concessionary prices as and when they are agreed.

Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our new Medicine Shortage Reporter.

Concessionary prices are also published on the CPNI website.

Kinds regards, stay safe – Gareth

SENT ON BEHALF OF
DR. GARETH C. GILVARY
Governance & Support Pharmacist