The Department of Health NI issued correspondence here dated 15 November 2024 extending the expiry date of SSP071 relating to ramipril 2.5mg tablets, to Friday 29 November 2024.
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 heredated 15 November 2024, and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the extension of the expiry dates of SSP071 to Friday 29 November 2024, and of the specific details relating to this SSP;
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
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI issued correspondence here dated 15 November 2024 extending the expiry dates of SSP060 and SSP061 for Creon® 10,000 and 25,000 gastro-resistant capsules, to Friday 23 May 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.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Review the letter here dated 15 November 2024, and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the extension of the expiry dates of SSP060 and SSP061 to Friday 23 May 2025, and of the specific details relating to these SSPs;
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
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
Dear Colleague
The first update of concessionary prices were granted on 15 November 2024 for November 2024:
Drug
Pack Size
Concessionary Price
Apixaban 2.5mg tablets
60
£4.20
Cefalexin 500mg capsules
21
£2.67
Chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment
4
£3.68
Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension
70
£8.64
Fenofibrate micronised 200mg capsules
28
£3.83
Flucloxacillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar-free
100
£5.63
Glimepiride 4mg tablets
30
£1.19
Isotretinoin 20mg capsules
30
£12.99
Methylphenidate 54mg modified-release tablets
30
£73.62
Mometasone 0.1% ointment
30
£3.22
Naproxen 500mg gastro-resistant tablets
56
£19.88
Nefopam 30mg tablets
90
£3.86
Nicorandil 20mg tablets
60
£13.82
Olanzapine 2.5mg tablets
28
£1.35
Olanzapine 7.5mg tablets
28
£1.29
Perindopril erbumine 4mg tablets
30
£1.68
Perindopril erbumine 8mg tablets
30
£3.32
Quetiapine 100mg tablets
60
£11.10
Quetiapine 150mg tablets
60
£11.35
Quetiapine 200mg tablets
60
£15.50
Quetiapine 25mg tablets
60
£2.85
Quetiapine 300mg tablets
60
£12.10
Sodium cromoglicate 2% eye drops
13.5
£3.14
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment
30
£25.92
Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment
60
£47.28
Telmisartan 20mg tablets
28
£2.29
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 Medicine Shortage Reporter.
Prescriptions must be endorsed clearly stating the number of fees being claimed and the date of first dispensing beside each instalment item.
The 54321 code should be added to the coding column over the number of additional fees being claimed.
A worked example of how to code an instalment prescription is available here.
Please ensure this is brought to the attention of all relevant pharmacy staff.
Please note: It does not make any difference if the items on the instalment prescription are controlled drugs as the prescription is still coded in the same way.
BSO will automatically pay any CD fees due based on the number of fees being claimed by the contractor for each item on the prescription form.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
For the attention of those contractors who have applied to offer the Pharmacy First Sore Throat Service Winter 24/25
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued 13 November 2024 regarding the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat.
SUMMARY
The Pharmacy First Sore Throat Service will launch on 1 December 2024 for two months initially.
Pharmacy contractors meeting the service specification are eligible to offer the service and must submit an electronic contract to notify SPPG of the intention to provide the service.
NB there is no requirement to return a signed copy of the contract.
Pharmacies that provided the pilot service last year should familiarise themselves with the revised service specification and guidance and must submit a new contract to provide the service for Winter 24/25.
Live training was provided at an ECHO session which has been recorded and is now available to view on the ECHO Moodle site for those unable to attend the live session.
For any issues with accessing the training please contact Elaine Kane at e.kane@hospiceuk.org or 02895582393
A copy of the presentation slides are available at the BSO website.
All resources in relation to the service including promotional material will be available on the BSO website. Service posters will be provided by SPPG and should be displayed in the pharmacy.
The fees payable to pharmacy contractors for this service are:
A one-off service set-up payment of £200 per pharmacy contractor
A consultation fee of £32 per consultation. This includes the cost of RADTs and other consumables.
The cost of the medicine supplied will be reimbursed on submission of prescriptions or pharmacy vouchers to BSO.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG regarding the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 and share with all relevant members of the team.
Those pharmacy contractors who have applied to offer the Pharmacy First Sore Throat Service are requested to return an electronic contract using the following link.
Please contact your Pharmacy Advisor if you have any queries regarding this letter.
CPNI issued a media statement (here) in response to the Autumn Budget announcement and the changes to E’er NIC and NMW/NLW arrangements from 2024/25.
Winter Preparedness Plan
On Wednesday 6th November 2024 the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA released the DoH(NI) 2024/25 Winter Preparedness Plan. The full plan is available here, with the role of Community Pharmacy outlined on pages 8-12. The associated DoH(NI) press release and CPNI media statement are available here.
UK COVID-19 Inquiry and Community Pharmacy
Nick Kaye (Chair of the National Pharmacy Association) appeared at the UK COVID-19 Inquiry this week. The public hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Systems in the 4 Nations of the UK included questions from the Northern Ireland brief, on behalf of local families. The recording is available here with Mr. Kaye’s evidence session starting at 33’ 35”.
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
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
