SPPG issued correspondence today providing updates on the governance arrangements in place for community pharmacist IP prescribing ciphers and prescription pads.
SUMMARY
The SPPG letter outlines an updated process by which community pharmacist IPs can apply for a HS21 prescription cipher and pad.
Information is also provided on the process to be followed for deactivation and prescription security.
The letter provides clarification on the use of community pharmacist IP HS21 prescriptions.
ACTION
Contractors are advised to:
Review the correspondence and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
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
SPPG issued correspondence today to community pharmacies informing that all community pharmacist NIECR access accounts were reactivated on 29 November 2024.
SUMMARY
The NIECR team noted a high volume of Community Pharmacist NIECR accounts were deactivated.
NIECR accounts automatically deactivate after 90 days of inactivity.
All deactivated community pharmacist accounts were reactivated on the 29th November.
Pharmacists can log in to their NIECR account regularly to prevent deactivation from occurring.
The NIECR team advise that there is no requirement to access a patient record in order to remain active.
Login issues can be raised using the vFire link contained within the HSCNI Portal.
Requests for password resets/reactivation of accounts take on average 1 day to be actioned by the NIECR team.
The Community Pharmacy NIECR – FAQ Document is available here.
Review the correspondence and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Should you have any queries please contact a member of the CPNI team.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
** FAO Pharmacies Providing the Vaccination Service to Care Homes **
Dear Contractor
SPPG and PHA would like to know if there are options to improve and support community pharmacists in the delivery of the Vaccination Service to Care Homes and would greatly value your feedback through a short survey.
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 10 December 2024 detailing the issuing of SSP077 and SSP078 relating to cefalexin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspensions sugar free respectively. These SSPs are due to expire on Friday 31 January 2025.
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.
DETAIL
These two SSPs provide for the supply of non sugar free suspensions in place of the sugar free suspensions. Contractors and their dispensary teams should be aware of the key points outlined in the letter, particularly as they relate to the supply to patients with diabetes.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Review the letter here dated 10 December 2024 relating to SSP077 and SSP078 (cefalexin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspensions sugar free respectively);
Note the key points specific to these two SSPs and note the 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; and
Ensure that their dispensary teams are fully briefed.
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
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
**FOR THE ATTENTION OF PHARMACY COLLECT NI (LFD DISTRIBUTION) PHARMACIES ONLY**
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued a reminder today regarding the Pharmacy Collect NI LFD Christmas and New Year ordering and delivery arrangements.
SUMMARY
Communication from BSO has been issued to outline the Pharmacy Collect NI LFD ordering deadlines over the Christmas and New Year period.
No orders will be processed the week commencing 23 December 2024.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to:
Read the correspondence issued by SPPG regarding the Pharmacy Collect NI LFD ordering deadlines over the Christmas and New Year period.
Please share this reminder with all relevant team members including staff who may cover this role due to annual leave etc.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
Chronic Underfunding in the Northern Ireland Community Pharmacy Sector Raised Directly with UK Government
A delegation has travelled to London to seek UK Government NIO Minister Fleur Anderson MP’s support for vital community pharmacy services that are in financial crisis and at risk of collapse in Northern Ireland.
Representatives from Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), including local pharmacy owners were led by Ulster Unionist peer Lord Rogan as they met the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to seek stabilisation of the community pharmacy network.
Community pharmacy employers have been invited by the DoH (NI) regional task and finish group on selection into FTY 2026/27 to attend an information and engagement webinar at 7.30pm on Wednesday 11 December 2024.
The webinar will be hosted by NICPLD and attendees can register by logging in here.
Background information on the work of the Task and Finish group is provided in their letter to employers.
A paper summarising the options for discussion at the event is available here.
Suicide Prevention Training Available to Community Pharmacy Teams
CPNI has been made aware of upcoming suicide prevention training supported by the Public Health Agency which will be available to community pharmacy teams in the Belfast, Southern and South Eastern areas.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
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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