The implementation of the Windsor Framework (WF) from 1 January 2025 will have implications for the medicines supply chain across the United Kingdom 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 to be hosted by a range of experts in the field of medicines regulation.
Contractors are urged to ensure that appropriate member(s) of their dispensary teams attend one of these sessions which will also include discussions on supply against EEA prescriptions and the movement of medicines to and from Northern Ireland.
Mr. Canice Ward: Head of Medicines Regulatory Group, Department of Health
Mr. Sean Curley: Principal Pharmaceutical Officer, Department of Health
Catherine Lenihan: Head of Regulatory Reform, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Fionn Craig: Deputy Director of EU Regulations, Devolution and the Union, Department of Health and Social Care
Noah Thorold: Northern Ireland, Gibraltar and Crown Dependencies Policy, Department of Health and Social Care
Maria Jones: Policy Lead on Medicines Regulatory Policy Northern Ireland – Windsor Framework, Department of Health and Social Care
Aim
To enable pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to understand the implications the Windsor Framework Agreement will have on medicines and the pharmacy sector from 1 January 2025.
Learning Outcomes
Having attended this workshop, you will be able to understand:
The new packaging and licensing arrangements for medicines placed on the Northern Ireland market from 1 January 2025
The implication of the Windsor Framework Agreement on the EU Falsified Medicines Directive
The supply of medicines using prescriptions from EEA prescribers from NI pharmacies
Changes to the supply of medicines to and from NI from 1 January 2025
How to raise potential concerns about any future EU legislation that may have an impact on pharmacy and medicine supplies in NI.
Summary
It is important that contractors and their teams are prepared for the implementation of the Windsor Framework on 1 January 2025, and contractors are asked to:
Note the workshops being offered
Try to ensure that appropriate member(s) from their dispensary teams attend one of these sessions.
CPNI colleagues are available to discuss any aspects of the new arrangements. Any questions relating to the venues should be directed to the NICPLD team.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued correspondence on 20th September providing details of the COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza vaccination programme for Autumn 24.
Summary
The Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service (CPVS) COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza – Autumn 2024 will officially begin on 7th October 2024.
Community pharmacies will offer vaccinations to those aged 18 years and above in the following eligible groups:
COVID-19 and Flu
All residents and staff in a care home registered with RQIA
All adults aged 65 years and over
Persons aged 18-64 years in a clinical risk group (as defined in the Green Book) including pregnant women.
Frontline health and social care workers
Flu ONLY
Persons aged 18 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression (as defined in the Green Book)
Carers (as defined in the Green Book)
The service specifications and PGDs are in preparation and will be available shortly at the BSO website.
Community pharmacies who have completed their contract can place orders for COVID-19 Comirnaty JN.1 and Flu- aQIV (65yrs and over) & QIVc (under 65yrs) with Movianto from 23rd September 2024, in preparation for the start date on 7th October 2024. Pharmacies are requested to only order quantities of vaccine to cover 2 weeks anticipated activity.
Full details of the service remuneration (including the vaccination of care homes) are contained in the service letter.
Further details on the regional COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination programme can be found in the relevant letters from the Chief Medical Officer.
Any queries regarding access to the Vaccine Management System (VMS) should be directed to tom.coyle@hscni.net, and all vaccinations must be recorded on the VMS within 24 hours of the vaccination activity.
Action
Review the correspondence and bring to the attention of relevant members within your pharmacy team.
Those pharmacies wishing to participate in the vaccination of care homes should initiate a pairing arrangement with the respective care home. The online pairing form should be completed before 5pm on Friday 27th September 2024.
World Mental Health Day is on 10th October 2024 and the PHA and HSC have launched this year’s mental health and emotional wellbeing campaign urging people to prioritise workplace mental health. People are encouraged to take 10 minutes for mental health self-care using the ‘Take 5 steps to wellbeing’ message.
Further information is available about the HSC mental health campaign and local services that provide mental health and wellbeing support here.
There are also training opportunities to learn about mental health and suicide prevention by attending a training course. Details regarding the training available across NI can be found here.
At a time when community pharmacy teams are under increased pressure, please remember to Take 5.
Focus Groups on Pharmacist Research
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHCR) is sponsoring a series of focus groups exploring the opportunities and barriers for pharmacists in undertaking research. A session for community pharmacists will take place online on Tuesday 24 September 7pm-8.30pm and participants will be offered a £50 voucher in recognition of their time. More information is available here.
Please Note: While the date for expressions of interest has now passed, applications are still being welcomed from NI community pharmacists and technicians. Please email pharmacyincubator@leicester.ac.uk for further information.
ADVANCE NOTICE – CPNI Telephone System Upgrade
Due to CPNI updating the office phone system on Monday 23rd & Tuesday 24th September 2024 there may be temporary disruption to the CPNI telephone lines.
We expect the new system to be fully functional by Wednesday 25th September 2024 and thank you in advance for your understanding.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Please see the attached correspondence from Professor Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, regarding the Autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The eligible criteria for the COVID-19 Autumn vaccination programme in line with the recommendations of the JCVI.
For Autumn 2024, the Department of Health are continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccination to frontline Health and Social Care Workers, and staff working in Care Homes.
Community pharmacies will be responsible for the vaccination of all care home residents and staff, including mop-up visits. Vaccination of care homes can begin from 7th October 2024 with the aim to complete as quickly as possible.
For care homes operated by HSC Trusts, Trusts are asked to ensure local arrangements are made with community pharmacies offering the vaccination service.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to review the correspondence issued 20th September 2024 regarding the COVID-19 Autumn 2024 vaccination programme
Further information from SPPG on the Autumn vaccination programme should be issued imminently.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Reminder: All Stop Smoking 4 and 52 week follow-up consultations that have not expired, i.e. within 12 months, are eligible to be claimed for and must be uploaded on to the Elite system before Friday 27th September 2024.
Dear Colleague
Correspondence dated 30th August 2024 regarding the Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service has been issued by the PHA.
SUMMARY
The delivery of Stop Smoking Services across Northern Ireland has contributed to the reduction of smoking prevalence to 14%.
In the coming months, the PHA will be linking closely with all Stop Smoking Service providers to ensure the service continues to be of high quality and fit for purpose.
From 14th October 2024, the PHA and SPPG will be undertaking a data review of Stop Smoking Services that were delivered between 1st April 2023-31st March 2024.
This review will aim to demonstrate that the work of Community Pharmacy is accurately reported, and is delivered in line with best practice.
The PHA are asking that all Stop Smoking client data is accurately uploaded onto the electronic monitoring system before Friday 27th September 2024.
All 4 and 52 week follow-ups that have not expired, i.e. within 12 months, are eligible to be claimed for.
The PHA/SPPG may contact some service providers at a later date to discuss service activity and PV1 activity for this period.
The PHA wish to remind Stop Smoking Service providers that the Quality Standards for Stop Smoking Services in NI, require carbon monoxide validation for all clients at the 4 week follow-up. This is an area which has been identified as requiring improvement and will be monitored as part of the quality improvement process.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Read and note the PHA correspondence and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Ensure all 4 and 52 week follow-up that have not expired, i.e. within 12 months, have been uploaded onto the electronic monitoring system before Friday 27th September.
Ensure that a carbon monoxide validation is carried out for all Stop Smoking Service users at the 4 week follow-up.
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.
