As you will be aware, CPNI has been working closely over a number of years with the Police Service of Northern Ireland Cyber Security Lead, and with the Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre (NICSC) to help community pharmacy contractors recognise and address cyber security threats. Currently a number of contractors are engaging with cyber security experts in a sponsored Cyber Essentials Programme.
October 2024 marks the 21st year of Cyber Security Awareness Month and, as part of this, NICSC have issued three fact sheets each highlighting key messages:
Note the three fact sheets issued through the NICSC and assess what measures should be adopted to further strengthen your cyber security.
Contractors are reminded that the storage and back up of patient sensitive data and any amendments to your systems should be carried out in line with advice from your PMR system provider and in line with Data Protection legislation.
CPNI team and police colleagues will be happy to further assist you where necessary.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society on behalf of the joint Royal Colleges has led the development of a series of webinars on Human Factors and Medication Safety.
The first webinar starts on 22nd October 2024 and is open to community pharmacists in NI.
For more information and to book a place please use the following link.
Reminder: Windsor Framework Workshops
The implementation of the Windsor Framework from 1 January 2025 will have implications for the medicines supply chain across the UK and in Northern Ireland in particular. The outworkings of the Framework will introduce new packaging and licensing arrangements for medicines placed on the Northern Ireland market and will have implications for the Falsified Medicines Directive.
NICPLD has arranged three workshops for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and this is an opportunity to learn from a range of experts in the field of medicines regulation.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
CPNI has been liaising with BSO and DOH(NI) colleagues in relation to various issues that have been reported to us by contractors, and we can provide the following update:
Water for Irrigation 1L
Over the last number of months CPNI has been monitoring water for irrigation 1L due to significant volatility with regards to pricing and stock availability in NI.
Contractors have been providing invoices with respect to current prices of water for irrigation 1L.
CPNI has used this information to liaise with BSO colleagues and can confirm the following reimbursement prices:
May 2024 prescriptions: £2.49 June 2024 prescriptions: £2.49 July 2024 prescriptions: £2.49 August 2024 prescriptions: £2.49 September 2024 prescriptions: £2.49 October 2024 prescriptions: £1.87
Contractors should be aware that the current October 2024 Drug Tariff will list the price of water for irrigation 1L as £1.68 however, the reimbursement price is £1.87.
The reimbursement price for water for irrigation is being reviewed by BSO colleagues each month, please continue to inform CPNI of pricing and stock availability issues.
Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our Medicine Shortage Reporter.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor,
Ask Your Pharmacist Week is taking place from 4 November to 11 November 2024.
This year’s theme is “Professional and convenient healthcare, from your local pharmacy team”. The National Pharmacy Association annual campaign is a great opportunity to highlight the skills and knowledge of community pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team, and their track record of safely delivering clinical services, including treatment for common illnesses.
During this campaign we would like to raise the profile of community pharmacy across multiple media platforms and we are inviting community pharmacy teams to get involved by sharing examples of some of the work you do.
This could include:
Promoting the role of the team in delivering services such as Pharmacy First and Vaccinations.
Communicating some of the ‘unseen contributions’ the community pharmacy network makes by highlighting the everyday health interventions carried out by community pharmacy teams.
It could be a good opportunity to interview an FTY student who has stayed on with the team.
If you or some team members would like to get involved, please do get in touch as I can discuss some of the opportunities and draft any case studies/examples.
Kind regards,
Jude
SENT ON BEHALF OF JUDE AUSTIN Communications Manager
Dear Colleague
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has re-determined the September 2024 concessionary price for the following medicine:
Drug
Pack Size
Concessionary Price
Metformin 500mg modified-release tablets
56
£3.26 (previously £2.00)
This improved price will apply to prescriptions submitted for payment for the dispensing month of September 2024. Please note that this revised price does not apply to October 2024 prescriptions. The first concessionary prices for October 2024 will be published soon.
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.
NICPLD has asked CPNI to remind community pharmacies participating in the foundation training programme for 2025/2026, that correspondence has been issued by email relating to the confirmation of trainee placements.
The correspondence asks pharmacies involved in FTY 25/26 to complete and submit the form by noon today, Wednesday 09 October.
ACTION
Contractors involved in FTY 25/26 are asked to:
Read the NICPLD correspondence and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Provide the necessary information to NICPLD.
Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.
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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