Further to CPNI contractor update CU#240807A in relation to public disorder, SPPG has today issued correspondence to community pharmacy contractors regarding potential closures required due to protests.
SUMMARY
The SPPG letter states:
The safety of staff and patients is paramount at all times.
If you feel that your Pharmacy needs to close due to safety concerns, please ensure the following steps are implemented where possible:
Assess and action outstanding urgent prescription issues
If your pharmacy provides additional essential services such as palliative care, needle exchange and opioid substitution treatment, consider arrangements to ensure continuity of care for affected patients
Ensure security arrangements are robust and activated in relation to stock
ACTION
Contractors should:
Read and note the SPPG correspondence and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI Office on 028 9069 0444 for further advice or support.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
CPNI wishes to thank all those who have already completed this important survey, the findings of which will help CPNI advocate for equitable technician resourcing for the community pharmacy sector. For those who have not yet completed the survey, the closing date has been extended to Friday 16 August.
To assist contractors, CPNI has developed an 18 minute recorded presentation which provides the background to technician registration, the work carried out to date, the purpose of the CPNI survey and some important points to consider when providing your responses.
SUMMARY
The CPNI Community Pharmacy Survey is available here.
Please note that it is important that Contractors complete this survey as the findings will be crucial for CPNI in advocating for equitable resourcing to support the technician workforce in the community sector, as required to sustain the community pharmacy workforce going forward.
Should you have any queries, please contact a member of the team or email your query to Ennis.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor,
CPNI is facilitating the establishment of Contractor WhatsApp Groups to help support communication and to encourage engagement on key community pharmacy topics, at a local level.
Previously established groups will continue to facilitate day-to-day pharmacy business related discussions.
Contractors are invited to join the WhatsApp groups relevant to their pharmacy(ies) by clicking the link below to the area(s) in which they would like to be included. Please note that these groups are open to contractors only or a nominated staff member. It will be for contractors to decide who they share the joining link with.
We would ask you to please state your name, pharmacy and role when joining the group.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence dated 6 August 2024 giving details of serious shortage protocol SSP072 for cefalexin 500mg tablets.
This SSP is due to expire on Friday 27 September 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.
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Note the serious shortage protocol SSP072 for cefalexin 500mg tablets.
Note that the letter giving the key points (including the need to ensure that the patient/carer is aware that the capsule form of cefalexin may contain gelatine), and the full SSP are available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website.
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.
Ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of this update.
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 has issued correspondence dated 6 August 2024 giving details of serious shortage protocol SSP071 for ramipril 2.5mg tablets.
This SSP is due to expire on Friday 15 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.
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Note the serious shortage protocol SSP071 for ramipril 2.5mg tablets.
Note that the letter giving the key points (including the need to ensure that the patient/carer is aware that the capsule form of ramipril may contain gelatine), and the full SSP are available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website.
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.
Ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of this update.
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
CPNI is aware that the recent incidents of public disorder in areas of Northern Ireland may be a cause of concern for pharmacy contractors and their teams. CPNI has made SPPG aware of these concerns and will continue to liaise with SPPG colleagues in terms of advice for pharmacy contractors.
Contractors are reminded that:
Pharmacy staff and patient safety in the pharmacy is paramount at all times.
Where contractors have concerns regarding the safety of their pharmacy teams or premises they are advised to make contact with their local SPPG office to discuss.
Should there be any abuse directed at staff or if there is a safety risk to staff or members of the public in the pharmacy, the police should be contacted immediately.
Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI Office on 028 9069 0444 for further advice or support.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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