Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor

The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued correspondence to registrants on 20 July 2023 with regard to meeting regulatory standards during periods of global and national shortage of medicines.

SUMMARY

  • The PSNI statement has been issued jointly with the following regulatory organisations:
    • General Pharmaceutical Council
    • General Medical Council 
    • Health and Care Professions Council
    • Nursing and Midwifery Council
  • The statement refers specifically to concerns that patients with Type 2 diabetes are experiencing problems accessing GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), while it is known that these are being widely prescribed for weight loss purposes and in some cases prescribed off-label.
  • The statement reminds health and care professionals, including prescribers, that they are expected to take account of the RPS ‘Competency Framework for all Prescribers’ and apply this to reflect different areas of practice or situations. 
  • The statement reminds health and care professionals of recent alerts and resources regarding the GLP-1 RA shortage including:

ACTION

Contractors should:

  • Review the PSNI statement and share the information with relevant members of the pharmacy team.

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
Dear Contractor,
SPPG issued correspondence on 20 July 2023 in relation to the de-prescribing of vitamins (excluding Vitamin D) and minerals in adults.
 SUMMARY 
The SPPG Correspondence advises:
– In addition to the ongoing work around cost-effective prescribing across all therapeutic areas, a focus of activity for this year in primary care will be “deprescribing”.
– This will include the deprescribing of vitamins and mineral preparations  in Primary Care.
– PrescQIPP Vitamins and Minerals Guidance has been adopted for use in N Ireland and should be referred to for further information.
– Community Pharmacies are asked to: 
> Assist patients who want to take vitamins and minerals for dietary supplementation or as a “pick-me-up” to select appropriate over-the-counter products.
> Ensure all staff, including counter assistants, reinforce healthy eating messages and are able to signpost to relevant patient support materials.
 ACTION 
– Ensure the information in the SPPG correspondence and guidance is brought to the attention of relevant members of the pharmacy team

Kind Regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor,
SPPG issued correspondence on 20 July 2023 in relation to Pharmacy Collect NI lateral flow distribution service.
 SUMMARY 
– From Monday 31st July, free lateral flow tests will no longer be available to order online.
– Members of the public will remain eligible to collect free lateral flow tests under the “Pharmacy Collect” service from participating community pharmacies if they are:
•    Eligible for COVID-19 treatments
•    A carer who provides close personal care for someone who is at higher risk from COVID-19 and has symptoms of COVID-19.
– Health and social care workers may still be able to access free lateral flow tests through their employer.
– There continues to be no requirement for community pharmacies to check eligibility for collection of LFDs through the service.
– Community pharmacies are asked to please remove any “HSC Treatments for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Patient Information Leaflets” from public display as these now contain outdated information on eligibility and access to lateral flow tests.
– Participating community pharmacies are asked to continue to have LFD stock available to provide tests to members of the public.
– Full information on eligibility criteria is outlined here.
 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

Dear Contractor

Contractors and their staff are reminded to remove all patient identifiable details e.g. PMR labels from Oxygen cylinders when they are returned to the pharmacy by patients, their representatives or by the pharmacy delivery driver.  This will ensure that no patient identifiable information is present when the cylinders are subsequently collected by BOC.

Contractors and staff are reminded of their obligations to protect patient confidentiality and comply with GDPR obligations at all times.

Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI Offices if you require any further information.

Kind Regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor,

The Department of Health issued correspondence on 18 July 2023 in relation to supply of Glucagon 1mg Powder for Injection kit (GlucaGen®).

 SUMMARY 

The DoH correspondence advises:

  • There are two glucagon preparations available – GlucaGen® (1mg powder for injection kit) and Ogluo® (0.5mg and 1mg pre-filled auto-injector pens)
  • There will be intermittent supply of GlucaGen® 1mg powder for injection kit until 2024.
  • Ogluo® 0.5mg and 1mg pre-filled auto-injector pens can be used for the treatment of severe hypoglycaemic episodes; however, is not suitable for treatment of beta blocker or other drug overdoses.
  • Ogluo® is available to order from the wholesaler, Alliance. 
  • Guidance on ordering unlicensed and imported GlucaGen® is provided in the correspondence.
  • The correspondence advises that all stock must be conserved as much as possible and used carefully as outlined in the correspondence.
  • Ogluo® instruction videos for patient counselling can be found on the manufacturer’s website.

 ACTION 

  • Ensure the information in the DoH correspondence is brought to the attention of relevant members of the pharmacy team.
  • Advise patients that there will be intermittent supply of GlucaGen® 1mg powder for injection kit until 2024.
  • Patients should contact their GP to discuss their options.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

SPPG issued correspondence today providing an update in relation to the Adherence Echo Session which took place on 29th June 2023.

SUMMARY

  • An SPPG Echo Session on Adherence took place on 29th June 2023.
  • A number of questions were raised using the chat function during the Echo session.
  • As there was not sufficient time to address the questions, SPPG have now provided a follow up document.
  • Where questions were of a similar theme, they have been grouped together and answers provided.

ACTION

  • Contractors should note the information in the SPPG correspondence and share it with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
  • Contractors may also wish to refer to CPNI contractor update CPNI CU#230622B which includes answers to frequently asked questions on Adherence.

Please contact CPNI offices if you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive