Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, HSCB has issued a lettergiving an update on key elements of the COVID-19 Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service (COVID-CPVS), and which highlights actions required by contractors who have expressed an interest in providing the service.
Arrangements are currently being finalised, but it is anticipated that the start date for the service will be mid-late March 2021. Due to the short timescales to implement the service, HSCB will be issuing some resources to contractors based on the expression of interest submissions. Any contractors who haven’t yet expressed an interest but decide to provide the service at a later date will receive these resources in due course.
The letter gives further details on:
Service specification
Pharmacy checklist
Appointment booking system
Regional vaccination management system
Training requirements
Indemnity arrangements
PGDs
Vaccine orders
Consumables
Clinical waste
PPE
Promotion of the service
Treatment of anaphylaxis
Next steps
ACTION
Contractors who have forwarded an expression of interest (or who intend to do so) should:
Ensure that their pharmacy teams are aware of the content of the letter; and
Immediately begin to put in place procedures to ensure compliance with the various requirements outlined.
The HSCB will be writing out to contractors in the near future with a service specification, PGD, contract and other supporting documents. There will be a closing date for submission of a signed contract.
If you have any queries please in relation to this service contact either: Chris Blayney (chris.blayney@hscni.net) or Greg Miller (greg.miller@hscni.net).
CPNI colleagues will also continue to support you in this programme.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
As we move through the 12-month 2021 derogation period for medicines in relation to EU Exit there is the potential for supply of medicines to pharmacies in Northern Ireland being reduced. CPNI continues to liaise with Department of Health (NI), HSCB and supply chain stakeholders in relation to emerging supply challenges and accordingly it is vital that contractors continue to report all instances of medicines shortages, supplier issues and price increases to CPNI.
Contractors and pharmacy team members are encouraged to engage with CPNI in relation to any reports of medicines shortages, supply issues and pricing issues by reporting via the CPNI Medicines Shortage Reporter, or directly to CPNI offices on 028-9069-0444. The CPNI team can then build an evidence base of issues affecting community pharmacies and ultimately patients enabling CPNI to liaise accordingly with the Department of Health (NI) and HSCB.
I would ask that you bring this to the attention of the pharmacy team members involved in the ordering and purchasing of medicines for your pharmacy(-ies).
Thank you for your assistance and support in relation to this important issue.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OFGERARD GREENE Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams, including details of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dear Colleague
In today’s update:
Weekly drug alerts, shortages information and serious shortage protocols.
Updates of February concessionary prices.
Lessons from community pharmacy inspections.
Update on premises self-assessment.
Cyber security: protecting your business.
DoH launches ‘Be Distance Aware‘.
Weekly publication of Yellow Card safety data for COVID-19 vaccines.
HSCB: changeover to Freestyle Libre 2 sensors.
DoH seeking to appoint the Chair the Pharmaceutical Committee of the Business Services Organisation and four PSNI council members.
SENT ON BEHALF OF DR. GARETH C. GILVARY Governance & Support Pharmacist
Dear Colleague
The following concessionary prices have been granted for February 2021:
Drug
Pack Size
Concessionary Price
Duloxetine 20mg gastro-resistant capsules
28
£7.28
Eplerenone 50mg tablets
28
£31.32
Etoricoxib 60mg tablets
28
£3.25
Etoricoxib 90mg tablets
28
£4.10
Lamotrigine 200mg tablets
56
£7.13
Letrozole 2.5mg tablets
14
£2.45
Sulfasalazine 500mg gastro-resistant tablets
112
£11.85
Trimethoprim 100mg tablets
28
£4.88
This is the 3rd update of concessionary prices for February 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.
SENT ON BEHALF OFDR. GARETH C. GILVARY Governance & Support Pharmacist
Dear Colleague
The following concessionary prices have been granted for February 2021:
Drug
Pack Size
Concessionary Price
Eplerenone 25mg tablets
28
£9.48
Loperamide 2mg capsules
30
£1.50
Olmesartan medoxomil 40mg tablets
28
£15.95
Prochlorperazine 5mg tablets
28
£1.64
Trimethoprim 200mg tablets
6
£2.38
Trimethoprim 200mg tablets
14
£5.55
This is the second update of concessionary prices for February 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.
SENT ON BEHALF OF DR. GARETH C. GILVARY Governance & Support Pharmacist
Dear Colleague
Contractors were notified recently of the self-assessment programme being rolled out by the Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG).
NICPLD has contacted pharmacists promoting a webinar on the evening of 3 March 2021 which will aim to support pharmacists to integrate legal frameworks and best practice guidance and standards within their professional practice.
Content covered will include the outcomes measured in the inspection process, steps involved in the new method of inspection including the online assessment, common issues that arise during inspection, how to develop an action plan to address issues identified in inspection and strategies to be implemented to ensure successful outcomes from inspection.
This will be of interest to many contractors and their dispensing teams and will give an opportunity to put any queries regarding the inspection process directly to the inspectors.
ACTION
Contractors are advised to:
Make their dispensary teams aware of the webinar and the associated enrolment details.
The CPNI team will continue to keep you updated on any developments.
Kind regards – Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF. MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
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