For the attention of Community Pharmacies intending to provide the 2023 Community Pharmacy Vaccine Service (CPVS)
SUMMARY
The PHA have rolled out a new Data Quality Dashboard on VMS. This provides information where records may be missing or where data errors may have occurred. The dashboard can be accessed from the VMS homepage under the ‘Reports and Dashboards’ link.
Vaccines Potentially Missing from VMS Then 1st data quality report is for ‘missing vaccines’. This is where a person has provided evidence of a vaccination to the COVID-19 Vaccine Certification team and been issued a COIVD-19 certificate, but it is not recorded on VMS. See Data Quality Handbook.
ACTION
Pharmacies are asked to check their ‘missing vaccine’ data quality report and record the vaccination on VMS if the information the patient provided to the Certification Team is accurate. Please use the ‘Record previously administered vaccination’ at this location option to record missing vaccinations. Using any other option may mean that the relevant vaccine is not available for recording.
If you have any queries about the Data Quality Dashboard or the information contained in the DQ reports please contact Greg Miller (greg.miller@hscni.net).
In Northern Ireland the number of melatonin items prescribed in primary care is significantly higher than any other region in the UK and continues to increase.
There is a lack of large-scale, high-quality evidence to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness, and long term efficacy and safety of melatonin for insomnia.
It is therefore critical that prescribing of melatonin initiated in primary care is reviewed to ensure that:
Any ongoing prescribing is clinically appropriate
Where prescribing is appropriate that a cost effective product is selected.
Community Pharmacies are asked to:
Assess melatonin stock levels in advance of potential prescribing change.
Provide direction and reassurance to patients whose prescription has been changed. In particular, address any concerns a patient may have in respect of any change to the product now prescribed or the evidence base for stopping melatonin.
ACTION
Ensure the information in the SPPG correspondence is brought to the attention of relevant members of the pharmacy team
Kind regards,
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
Please note that this summary covers the period 10 – 21 July 2023 due to the July holidays.
Contractors whose staff members wish to give their feedback on the “Know Check Ask” campaign can do so by completing the survey which is available here.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
PHA have issued an early communicationregarding the Autumn 2023-24 Vaccination Programme. While the exact details and service specifications will take a little longer to be finalised, PHA want to share information about what they expect in this year’s JCVI advice and subsequent letters from the Department of Health to assist you with any planning. Please note, this information is subject to change pending a final statement from JCVI and subsequent HSS letters from the Department of Health.
SUMMARY
The communication outlines:
the expected cohorts eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations;
the timing of the vaccination programme;
the vaccines that are likely to be used.
ACTION
Ensure this communication is brought to the attention of pharmacy team members involved in the community pharmacy vaccination service.
Concessionary prices will be paid against the usual code, no additional endorsements are needed.
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.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence dated 20 July 2023 in relation to the serious shortage protocols in place for clarithromycin products (SSP053 and SSP054), extending the expiry dates until Friday 29 September 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 20 July 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 29 September 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
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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