CPNCommunity Pharmacy News – December 2015

LPCs in the spotlightFrom flu campaigns to a lung cancer detection pilot, Local

Pharmaceutical Committees have been busy this season

Controlled Drug supply changes | PSNC answers your queries | Dispensing factsheet

2 Community Pharmacy News – December 2015

lpcs psnc’s work funding and statistics

As soon as the flu vaccination service was announced in the

2015/16 funding settlement, Local Pharmaceutical Committees

(LPCs) began preparing to get the message out to the public and

what a variety of work was undertaken!

Provider maps

Derbyshire LPC has

developed an interactive map

of local flu vaccination

providers (see picture

opposite). Graham Archer,

Chief Officer of Derbyshire

LPC, explained that as one of

the few areas of the country

which had never had a local

pharmacy flu vaccination service, the LPC “wanted more than just a

press release” and to focus on the public service message.

After compiling a spreadsheet listing all the pharmacy providers

across this vast county, the LPC started thinking about how they

could make it easier for the public to make use of it. “We pulled out

the localities and I’d heard about geo-mapping software which

turned out to be quite easy to use,” said Graham. “Once the

spreadsheet is right, you just drop it into the software and it does it

for you – I couldn’t believe it did so much with no cost!”

View the interactive map of Derbyshire’s pharmacy flu vaccination

providers at: tinyurl.com/derbyfluproviders

Web TV

David Bearman and Mark Stone of Devon LPC made an appearance

on web TV health channel Hiblio to discuss the difference between

colds and flu, the importance of getting vaccinated and how to

look after yourself if you do get a cold or flu.

Watch the programme on-demand at: tinyurl.com/o2y294f

Text alerts

Some LPCs, including Devon, Somerset

and West Yorkshire, have made use of a

text message service developed by

PharmOutcomes. This information service

provides contact details and, approximate

distance, for the nearest three

participating pharmacies to a person once

they have texted ‘pharmacy flu’ and their

postcode to 80011 (see example

opposite).

Robbie Turner, Chief Executive Officer of Community Pharmacy

West Yorkshire, who first came up with the idea, explains: “One of

the challenges of promoting pharmacy services, such as flu, is that

not all pharmacies provide them. We needed a mechanism to easily

enable people to find their closest pharmacy in which they would

be able to access the service. We soon decided that the best way to

help patients find their local pharmacy was the geographic text

message and we worked with PharmOutcomes who made it

possible.”

Gary Warner, co-founder of Pinnacle Health Partnership which

manages the PharmOutcomes system, told us:

“As a social enterprise, we saw this as breaking down one of the

barriers for community pharmacy to deliver services to patients;

the commissioner can also gauge how effective any promotion

campaign has been as they have real-time access to usage reports.”

LPC flu heroesPSNC has spoken to a group of LPCs who have promoted the national

pharmacy flu vaccination service through a variety of innovative campaigns.

What else have LPCs been up to?Avon LPC conference engages commissioners

Avon LPC held its third annual conference

in October, following an afternoon of

pharmacy visits with local commissioners,

to showcase the great work community

pharmacy delivers on a daily basis.

The conference, hosted by LPC Chair Lisa

Fisher, welcomed PSNC Chief Executive

Sue Sharpe who spoke about the wider

role community pharmacy can play in

enhancing patient outcomes. Other

speakers included LPC CEO Richard Brown

and Kevin Gibbs, Clinical Pharmacy

Manager at University Hospitals Bristol.

The conference aimed to highlight the

role community pharmacy plays as part of

the wider integrated health team through

celebrating local successes such as new

Healthy Living Pharmacies and a hospital

discharge project.

Many delegates commented that the

conference left them feeling inspired to

do more for their local community and

local commissioners have

already initiated

discussions with the

LPC about potential

new and

innovative

services to help

drive outcomes

for patients and

utilise the expertise

in pharmacy.

Have you run an innovative flu campaign? If so emailmelinda.mabbutt@psnc.org.uk to share your story.

Share your story

psnc.org.uk 3

dispensing and supply services and commissioning the healthcare landscapecontract and it

MPs show support for local pharmaciesMPs have been visiting their local community pharmacies to find out about

the flu vaccination service and for ‘Ask Your Pharmacist Week’.

Early lung cancer detection by Doncaster pharmacists

A pilot scheme taking place in Doncaster

is enabling community pharmacists to

refer patients presenting with

symptoms of lung cancer for an urgent

chest x-ray.

People aged over 40 who are, or have

been, smokers will be targeted as they

are considered those most at risk. After

an at-risk patient has been identified by

a member of the pharmacy team, they

will be approached by the pharmacist

for a consultation

to find out if they

are having or

displaying any

potential

symptoms.

More than 30 pharmacists have been

trained to identify signs of lung cancer

for the 12 month pilot, funded by NHS

Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group

(CCG). One of the pharmacists taking

part in the pilot, Laura Sharp, explains

the benefits of the service:

“It is an additional avenue for patients

to discuss concerns which they may not

do with their GP. It provides potential

for the early detection of cases. And if

we identify cases earlier and help

patients access the treatment they

need, we can be saving lives – that’s the

key here.”

Yorkshire MPs learn about pharmacy flu jabs

Last month Yorkshire MPs Julian Sturdy, Kevin Hollinrake and

Robert Goodwill were invited by North Yorkshire LPC to visit local

pharmacies to learn more about the first ever national pharmacy

flu vaccination service.

During the visits, the MPs discussed how the service has been

received, the numbers of patients taking advantage and benefits

of the new national service.

Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer, visited Hepworth’s Pharmacy in

Fulford, York and commented: “The service is proving to be hit

with patients. Numbers have already surpassed last year’s North

Yorkshire total with an increase of more than 200%”.

Thirsk and Malton MP,

Kevin Hollinrake,

visited Easingwold’s

Boots Pharmacy, and

said: “As winter draws

nearer many people

will suffer with ill

health. Older people

aged 65 and over, and

adults with certain

medical conditions

can benefit from the

NHS flu vaccination service now being offered in pharmacies. The

scheme will help protect people from health complications

through the winter months by making sure they have their flu jab.”

Lastly, Robert Goodwill, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, visited

Scarborough Delivery Chemist, commenting: “I myself will be

adding to the numbers by also taking advantage of the service as I

did last year.”

Cambridgeshire MPs ask their pharmacist

As part of the national ‘Ask Your Pharmacist Week’ (organised by

the NPA), Cambridgeshire MPs Lucy Frazer and Steve Barclay

were invited to visit local pharmacies by Cambridgeshire and

Peterborough LPC to find out more about the range of services

they provide.

Lucy Frazer, MP for

South East

Cambridgeshire,

enjoyed a visit to

Waterbeach Pharmacy,

commenting: “It was

very interesting to visit

Waterbeach Pharmacy

and find out more

about the wide range

of services available in

community

pharmacies. While

most people will go

first to their pharmacy for medicines advice, many don’t know

about the range of other healthcare services provided and the

level of expertise there. I was pleased to see a whole range of

services on offer including the flu jab. Waterbeach Pharmacy

provides a great service to its community.”

Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, being shown

around a Boots Pharmacy in March, said: “Community

pharmacies are often unsung heroes, especially during the

winter months. We are all aware of the health dangers the

winter season can bring, especially for the vulnerable.

Community pharmacies are effective in alleviating the pressures

on local hospitals and doctors and maintain the same standard

of care.”

Kevin Hollinrake MP receives a pharmacyflu jab

Lucy Frazer MP visits Waterbeach Pharmacy

4 Community Pharmacy News – December 2015

contract and it dispensing and supply services and commissioning th

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the General Medical

Council (GMC) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland

have responded to recent claims that patients and the public have

been inappropriately influenced by health professionals when

making decisions about where to access services such as flu

vaccinations or dispensing of prescriptions.

The statement is intended to make clear the duty that pharmacy

professionals and doctors have in supporting informed decision

making by patients and ensuring that they do not inappropriately

influence patients’ choices. Anyone who has a specific concern in

regards to this should contact NHS England or their local health

board in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The GPhC, GMC

and Pharmaceutical Society of NI are working closely with the

NHS in each part of the UK and there is a clear process whereby

concerns can be referred to them if it is deemed that the required

standards may not have been met by individual health

professionals.

Read the joint statement in full at:

tinyurl.com/patientchoicestatement

Steve Lutener, PSNC Director of Regulation and

Support, said:

“We welcome this statement by the regulators of

the pharmacy and medical professions, that patient

choice must not be inappropriately influenced.

Now that the professional regulators have publicised their

position, we hope that the minority of pharmacists and medical

practitioners who have sought to inappropriately influence

patient choice will now remedy their practices and ensure that

patients can exercise their own free choice.”

Patients will be supported tomake informed decisionsRegulatory healthcare bodies state their intent to

‘support informed decision making by patients’ by

working with doctors and pharmacy professionals.

New mandatory CD requisition form

A Home Office update "Circular 027/2015: Approved mandatory

requisition form and Home Office approved wording" confirms

that, with effect from Monday 30th November 2015, a mandatory

requisition form must be used for the purposes of requisitioning

Schedule 2 and 3 Controlled Drugs (CDs) in the community. This

change applies to England, Scotland and Wales but the latter two

countries have their own approved CD requisition forms which

professionals should continue to use.

In England, a new mandatory requisition form (FP10CDF) has been

introduced which incorporates the information currently required

under the Regulations. The requirement to use the mandatory

requisition form applies to pharmacy contractors. Find out more

about the change and the new requisition form at: dld.bz/dZXTE

Availability of Naloxone widened

As of 1st October 2015, a range of drug

treatment services can order Naloxone

from a wholesaler so that persons engaged

or employed in their services can, as part of

their role, make a supply of Naloxone

available to others without a prescription.

This change applies to pharmacies

commissioned to provide opiate

substitution treatment such as supervised consumption of

methadone schemes or a needle and syringe exchange scheme.

Recent guidance 'Widening the availability of Naloxone' explains

the relevant changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

Learn more and download the guidance from: dld.bz/eavNV

Have you completed your annual clinical audit yet?An easy to complete clinical audit – hydration messages to prevent Acute Kidney Injury – has been added to PharmOutcomes to

help pharmacy contractors to comply with the clinical audit requirement of the pharmacy contract.

The audit, developed by the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) medicines use and safety team, may be of particular use to

any pharmacy team who have not yet undertaken a clinical audit during 2015/16.

The audit focuses on the provision of hydration advice for people with urinary tract infections or those presenting in the

pharmacy seeking advice about urinary symptoms.

It provides an easily deliverable option for pharmacy teams that will also make a real difference to patient safety and will help

the profession to amass further evidence of the impact that community pharmacy interventions can have.

Step by step instructions on completing the audit can be found at: psnc.org.uk/audit

Important regulatory changes to Controlled Drug supply

psnc.org.uk 5

lpcs psnc’s work funding and statisticshe healthcare landscape

NHS Choices is the online presence for the NHS, providing the

public with access to searchable databases of NHS providers to

help them locate their nearest healthcare provider, including

community pharmacies. As such your NHS Choices profile may

provide the first impression of your pharmacy to members of the

public and so it is vital to ensure it is kept up-to-date.

Don’t forget, utilising this free resource could also help promote

your pharmacy by letting potential patients know your opening

hours and all the services you offer, as well as other useful

information such as car parking arrangements. Of course your

pharmacy may have its own website which already provides this

function, but you can easily direct people to it from your profile in

this national pharmacy database.

Your NHS Choices profile is also a way for the public to provide

feedback on their experiences of your pharmacy. Whilst positive

reviews can help promote your pharmacy, negative ones can

provide opportunities to acknowledge where improvements need

to be made and demonstrate how you are willing to make changes

where necessary.

How do I get started?

If you are an independent community pharmacy contractor and

have not already been fully set up on NHS Choices, contact the

NHS Choices helpdesk (call 0845 650 4865 or email

thechoicesteam@nhschoices.nhs.uk) who will be able to get the

process started.

CCA and AIMp member companies have generally co-ordinated

registration at Head Office level.

Is your NHS Choices profile up-to-date?The NHS Choices database provides the public with a comprehensive list of

all the community pharmacies in their area – does your profile truly reflect

the service you offer?

From 1st November 2015, changes

regarding eligibility to claim Help with

Health Costs under the Universal Credit

benefit system have come into effect.

Patients are now only eligible to receive

help with their health costs (for example,

free NHS prescriptions) if:

• they are receiving Universal Credit AND

had no earnings or net earnings up to

£435 during the most recent

assessment period; or

• they are receiving Universal Credit which

includes an element for a child and/or

limited capability for work or limited

capability for work related activity, AND

had no earnings or net earnings up to

£935 during the most recent

assessment period.

Whilst Universal Credit has yet to be rolled

out everywhere, because patients can get

their prescriptions dispensed from any

NHS community pharmacy in the country,

all pharmacy teams should be aware of

these arrangements.

If a patient wants to claim exemption from

the NHS prescription charge under

Universal Credit, pharmacy staff must

make sure that they:

• Check that the patient has a valid

Universal Credit award letter notice

bearing their name (either as the

recipient or because they are a partner

or child of the recipient).

• Ask the patient to tick the “income-

based Jobseeker’s Allowance”

exemption (until the back of

prescription forms

are updated to

include Universal

Credit) and sign the

declaration.

• Remind the patient

they should make

sure they are still

eligible each

month, i.e. in case

their circumstances

change or check if

their earnings are

still within the threshold limits during

their most recent monthly assessment

period.

• Inform the patient that it is their

responsibility to determine the accuracy

of the declaration they make.

Universal Credit update

Where to go for further supportMore information on using NHS Choices profiles, including

details of what you can edit and tips on responding to

patient feedback, can be found at: psnc.org.uk/nhschoices

PSNC has produced some templates which can be used on

your pharmacy’s profile to help explain the NHS services you

provide; these can be found at:

psnc.org.uk/nhschoicestemplates

Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs) met for their annual national conference in

Birmingham last month discussing current community pharmacy problems,

successes and priorities for the future. The conference was held before PSNC’s

planning meeting later in November so that the views of LPCs and the contractors

they represent could be taken into account by PSNC as discussed its plans for 2016.

The conference, chaired by

PSNC Chairman Sir Michael Pitt, opened with a wide ranging report from PSNC’s

Chief Executive Sue Sharpe updating LPCs on PSNC’s work on IT, discretionary

payments, the national flu vaccination service, prescription direction and pricing

accuracy. Sue also spoke about the pressures on NHS funding and the compelling

evidence to use community pharmacy to relieve costs elsewhere: PSNC’s

Pharmacy 5 Point Plan being an important part of the case to make better use of

pharmacy.

With over 200 attendees there followed two lively discussions on the priorities for

pharmacy IT and how the core pharmacy contract should evolve to facilitate service

development; both topics selected by LPC regional groups as being the top areas for

debate and LPC input. The day concluded with a summary of key points flowing from

the discussions (see key points box).

6 Community Pharmacy News – December 2015

lpcs psnc’s work funding and statistics

LPC conference inputs into PSNC strategy for 2016LPC members embrace their opportunity to feed into PSNC’s work for the

next year during their annual conference.

PSNC statement on centralised dispensing

In response to a call for more centralised dispensing of

prescriptions by NHS England's Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

Keith Ridge, PSNC issued the following statement.

Remote assembly of medicines could benefit community

pharmacies as a means of outsourcing, freeing up staff time to

provide greater support to patients. However, centralised

dispensing on any scale in the UK is untested, and it is not clear

whether it is possible to make cost savings within our current

medicines supply regulations. The cost and service levels will be

critical to the business viability of this innovation, and it is by no

means certain that in the tight financial environment for

community pharmacy the figures will stack up.

While we would support moves to create a level playing field for

pharmacies, our great concern is that this proposal, and the

statement that two thirds of medicines could be dispensed

centrally or remotely, is being seen by some as an opportunity

to replace the community pharmacy service with a remote

supply operation. This would be extremely detrimental,

primarily in reducing the care and support provided to patients,

and particularly older people.

Key points from the 2015 LPCConference• LPCs support a strong national contract with services linked to

medicines supply and better integration with GPs and the rest

of the NHS, whilst remaining diverse and accessible for patients.

• LPCs want PSNC to continue to press for resolution to:

prescription direction, pricing accuracy, discretionary payments,

branded generics, the burden of increase demands for MDS and

to ensure fair treatment of contractors.

• LPCs look to PSNC to be as supportive as possible to LPCs (e.g.

facilitating even more sharing of experience and using our

resources for and staying close to LPCs).

• LPCs say there is no more slack in the system and this must be

recognised.

PSNC LeadershipAcademy launched

To support the development of future LPC leaders

who can meet the needs of community pharmacy in an

evolving NHS, the PSNC Leadership Academy was

launched at this year’s LPC Conference.

Details of what is involved, how LPC members can

apply and the selection process can be found in the

LPC Members Area of the PSNC website. The deadline

for applications is 6th January 2016.

psnc.org.uk 7

dispensing and supply services and commissioning the healthcare landscapecontract and it

Community pharmacy statistics

The Health & Social Care Information

Centre has published General

Pharmaceutical Services in England -

2005/06 to 2014/15 (dld.bz/ecaks),

which provides

data on

community

pharmacy and

appliance

contractors in

England.

Healthcare devolution briefing

As more areas sign up to devolution deals,

the King’s Fund has published a briefing,

Devolution: what it means for health and

social care in England (dld.bz/edf5q).

Free HIV home test kits launched

Public Health England (PHE)

has launched the first

nationally available HIV kit

for testing those at higher-

risk, alongside announcing

new funding for innovative

HIV prevention projects.

The NHS spending gap

NHS Confederation has produced an

infographic (dld.bz/ecakk) which

explains why the NHS is expected to have

a £30bn funding gap by 2020/21 and

how the gap could be filled.

Drug user infections report

PHE’s annual report Shooting up:

infections among people who inject drugs

in the UK (dld.bz/ecakj) found that

almost half of people (48%)

who are injecting drug

users were unaware of

having hepatitis C,

although rates of

HIV among this

group remain

low (1%).

PHE data and analysis tools

PHE has brought together the many high

quality data and analysis tools and

resources for public health professionals

(dld.bz/ecakn). The listings cover a wide

range of public health areas, including

lifestyle risk factors such as smoking.

PSNC regularly receives questions from LPCs and

pharmacy contractors about what is going on in the

wider health and care landscape beyond community

pharmacy. In this round-up we cover the latest news

from the past month.

Manufacturer and wholesaler opening hoursduring the Christmas holiday periodDo you know the days and times your regular supplier is open over Christmas?

PSNC has put together a quick reference guide for pharmacy teams.

Telephone number Thurs 24th Dec Tues 29th Dec Weds 30th Dec Thurs 31st Dec

Alliance HealthcareDepends on your depot –see our website if unsure.

09.00 – 18.00 09.00 – 18.00 09.00 – 18.00 09.00 – 18.00

Alloga UK 01773 510 123 08.30 – 17.30 08.30 – 17.30 08.30 – 17.30 09.00 – 18.00

AstraZeneca 0800 783 0033 09.00 – 12.00 09.00 – 15.00 09.00 – 15.00 09.00 – 15.00

Boehringer-Ingelheim 01244 586 250 09.00 – 16.00 09.00 – 16.00 09.00 – 16.00 09.00 – 16.00

Chiesi 0161 488 5521 08.30-12.00 Closed Closed Closed

Daiichi Sankyo 01753 893 600 09.00 – 12.00 Closed Closed Closed

Eli Lilly 0800 012 1178 09.00 – 17.00 09.00 – 17.00 09.00 – 17.00 09.00 – 17.00

Genzyme 01753 893 600 No orders takenOrders taken for

deliveryOrders taken for

deliveryNo orders taken

GSK 020 8990 9000 08.00 – 12.30 09.30 – 12.30 09.30 – 12.30 09.30 – 12.30

Novartis 0845 741 9442 08.00 –14.30 09.00 – 16.00 09.00 – 16.00 08.00 – 14.30

Pfizer 0845 608 8866 09.00 – 17.15 09.00 – 17.00 09.00 – 17.00 09.00 – 17.00

Phoenix 01322 619930 08.00 – 16.00 08.00 – 20.00 08.00 – 20.00 08.00 – 16.00

Sigma 0800 358 4427 08.30 – 18.00 08.30 – 19.00 08.30 – 19.00 08.30 – 19.00

Waymade 01268 535 200 09.00 – 14.00 Closed Closed Closed

Further notices and details of cut-off times for deliveries can be found at: tinyurl.com/xmaswholesaler15. The PSNC Dispensing and

Supply Team will continue to add to this page as more information becomes available.

8 Community Pharmacy News – December 2015

services and commissioning the healthcare landscape lpcs

In this section of Community Pharmacy News we have highlighted some keynotices for you and your team to be aware of in the coming weeks and months.

Pharmacy notice board

Pharmacy's role in urgent careNHS England has published ‘Quick Guide: Extendingthe role of community pharmacy in urgent care’.It includes examples of services which could becommissioned on a local basis, as well as highlightingnationally commissioned services.Read the guide at: dld.bz/dZXDv

Sexual health e-courseThe Centre for PharmacyPostgraduate Education (CPPE) haslaunched a new sexual health in pharmacies e-learning programme which will equip pharmacistsand their teams to deliver a sexual health service.Find out more about the course at: dld.bz/eauy3

Consultation skills newsletterThe latest issue of CPPE's Consultation Skills for

Pharmacy Practice (CSfPP) newsletter includes

information on what's new and what's on the

horizon for CSfPP.

It also includes top messages toshare with colleagues aboutdeveloping their consultation skills.

Read more, including how to getyour copy, at: dld.bz/eb4ZK

Useful pages of PSNCwebsiteAntibiotic Guardians – new webpage aboutantibiotic resistance providing furtherinformation for pharmacy teams at:dld.bz/eam7Y

Prescribing rights – handy guide to helpidentify which products differentprescriber types are entitled toprescribe at: psnc.org.uk/prescribing

Children and young people e-courseCPPE has launched a new e-learning programme –‘Consulting with children and young people’ – as an expansionof their consultation skills portfolio.

The e-learning programme has been developed toencourage pharmacy professionals to place children at thecentre of their own care. As many children are notincluded in discussions of their health, involving them mayhelp improve wellbeing and encourage ownership of health.

It describes the skills and knowledge neededto engage with children and young peoplesuccessfully as well as the behaviours todemonstrate to ensure a patient-centredapproach is maintained.

Find out more about the course at: dld.bz/ebUDz

Check34 WebinarPSNC held a webinar, supported

by the NPA, to demonstrate how

the Check34 analysis tool can be

used to better understand your

prescription business, showing

contractors how to get the most

out of the data in the system.

If you missed it, you can now

access an on-demand version at:

psnc.org.uk/webinar

psnc.org.uk 9

funding and statistics contract and it dispensing and supplypsnc’s work

1. I have a prescription for Sigvaris Comfort class 1 below knee

open toe normal and Sigvaris Comfort class 2 below knee open

toe normal; how many prescription charges will apply?

Two prescription charges will apply. Multiple prescription charges

for lymphoedema garments apply where completely different

base garments (i.e. open toe, closed toe) or the same garment

of differing compression sizes (i.e. Class 1, Class 2) are ordered.

Only one prescription charge is payable if the base garments or

compression sizes are the same (i.e. both open toe or both class

1). If the size (i.e. S, M, L, XL or I, II, III, IV, V) or length (i.e.

standard, petite, short or long – not below knee or thigh high) or

colour is different, this would still be one prescription charge

regardless of quantity.

2. If an optional extra is prescribed with a lymphoedema

garment on the same prescription, will an extra prescription

charge apply?

No, optional extras are classed as no charge items. No additional

fees or charges are payable because all that is being dispensed is

the base garment with optional modifications.

For example: Jobskin MTM Premium class 2 armsleeve

lymphoedema garment FP0501-2 = 1 patient charge and 1

dispensing fee. Reimbursement is made for both the base

garment and the optional extra at the Drug Tariff list price.

3. I am working in an English pharmacy but have a prescription

originating from elsewhere in the UK, do I need to collect the

NHS prescription charge?

Prescription charges vary depending on where in the UK the

prescription was issued. Here’s our simple guide to help you

determine when you need to collect a prescription charge:

Note: only certain types of prescription forms are allowed to be

dispensed in England. The full list is available on our website at:

psnc.org.uk/prescriptionforms

Look out for more frequently asked questions next month...

Ask PSNCPSNC gets asked many questions every month, from the latest Drug Tariff

updates to how to claim payment for national services. Here we answer

some of the most commonly asked questions in recent months.

If you would like more information on any of the topics covered,

the PSNC Dispensing and Supply Team will be happy to help

(0844 381 4180 or 0203 1220 810 or e-mail info@psnc.org.uk).

English prescriptions

Collect NHS prescription chargesaccording to English rules.

Welsh prescriptions

Scottish prescriptions

Northern Irishprescriptions

No prescription charges.

Pharmacy bodiesaddress low flu jab rates concernAfter the Royal College of General

Practitioners raised concerns that their

members have given 6% fewer flu jabs

than this time last year, PSNC, Pharmacy

Voice and the Royal Pharmaceutical

Society highlighted the great work

community pharmacy teams have been

doing to reach more patients in eligible

groups.

An extract from their joint statement:

“Community pharmacy offers a convenient

high street access as an alternative for

people including historically hard to reach

groups and we will continue to work with

GPs to try to increase overall uptake of the

vaccination.” (Read in full: dld.bz/ean77)

1. Can a vaccination be provided to a patient in an eligible group who is registered

with an NHS GP practice and lives elsewhere in England or one of the other home

countries, e.g. Scotland?

There are no geographical restrictions placed on provision of the service to eligible

patients registered with an NHS GP practice.

2. Does a pharmacy contractor have to make a ‘prescription register’ entry for

each administration of vaccine under the national Patient Group Direction (PGD)?

No. The records required to be maintained by the PGD, which are those included in

the Flu Vaccination Record and Consent Form, made on the date of administration

meet the requirements to make records in the Human Medicines Regulations.

These records may be kept as a paper record or electronically.

3. Will the flu vaccination service be commissioned on an ongoing basis?

As with any service commissioned by the NHS, it will be necessary to demonstrate

that the service is offering value for money and having a positive impact on patient

care. The existing evidence on locally commissioned flu vaccination services is

however very strong and PSNC anticipates that this will also be the case for the

national flu vaccination service.

More FAQs on the flu vaccination service can be viewed at psnc.org.uk/flufaqs

Dispensing and Supply

National flu service

10 Community Pharmacy News – December 2015

dispensing and supply services and commissioning the healthcare landscape lpcs

Below is a table outlining how to source commonly required resources for community pharmacy teams.

Dispensing Factsheet: Where to Obtain External Resources

Resource Where to obtain the resource from

British NationalFormulary (BNF)

Community pharmacies receive hard copy versions of the BNF once a year (in September). Pharmacies withone registered pharmacist will receive a single copy of BNF/BNFc, and pharmacies with two or moreregistered pharmacists will receive two copies. Those who have not received any copies should call Binleys on01268 495 609 or email BNF@Binleys.com to ensure they are registered.The March print edition can be purchased online using the Pharmaceutical Press website (pharmpress.com)or via their fulfilment company Macmillan Distribution (call 01256 302 699 or email direct@macmillan.co.uk).Please also note that BNF and BNFc content can be accessed online via the MedicinesComplete website:medicinescomplete.com/about/publications.htm.

Controlled DrugRequisition Forms(FP10CDF)

Requisitions not received on the new mandatory form after 30th November 2015 cannot be processed by thePricing Authority. The new mandatory form can be obtained online from the Pricing Authority’s website:nhsbsa.nhs.uk/PrescriptionServices/1120.aspx. They can be downloaded, completed online, printed andsigned in wet ink.

Department of HealthPublications

A number of publications are available from the Department of Health Publications Order line. You can orderby calling 0300 123 1002 or download copies from their website: orderline.dh.gov.uk.

Dispensing Tokens(FP10DT)

Your local office of Primary Care Support Services is responsible for the issuing of Dispensing Tokens(FP10DT). If you need copies, please contact your local office of Primary Care Support Services or emailpcsengland@capita.co.uk.

Drug Tariff Copies of the Drug Tariff are sent out every month to all pharmacy contractors in England. If you don’t receiveyour copy, please contact your local office of Primary Care Support Services or emailpcsengland@capita.co.uk. Some pharmacy teams find it useful to use the online version which can beaccessed from the Pricing Authority’s website: psnc.org.uk/dt.

Equality Act Toolkit(Formerly DDA Toolkit)

NHS Primary Care Commissioning published a toolkit to assist pharmacy contractors to comply with theirobligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. Whilst the legislation has now been consolidated into theEquality Act 2010, the toolkit may still be used to help pharmacy teams identify the adjustments that may beneeded. The toolkit, plus further information about the Equality Act, can be found at: psnc.org.uk/ea.

FP34C SubmissionDocument

Copies of Form FP34C, which is used when submitting NHS prescription forms for pricing, are sent outmonthly by the Pricing Authority. If the form hasn’t arrived by the end of the month, please call the NHSPrescription Services Help Desk on 0300 330 1349.

FP34PCD SubmissionDocument

Private prescription forms for Controlled Drugs (FP10PCD) must be submitted to the Pricing Authoritymonthly along with a special FP34PCD submission document. The submission document can be downloadedfrom the Pricing Authority’s website: nhsbsa.nhs.uk/PrescriptionServices/1120.aspx.

FP57 (Receipt and RefundForms)

Your local office of Primary Care Support Services is responsible for issuing the FP57 (Receipt and RefundForms) to pharmacy teams, on request. If you need copies, please contact your local office of Primary CareSupport Services or email pcsengland@capita.co.uk.

FP95 Application for aPrescription Pre-paymentCertificate

Your local office of Primary Care Support Services is responsible for issuing the FP95 Application for aPrescription Pre-payment Certificate to pharmacy teams, on request. If you need copies, please contact yourlocal office of Primary Care Support Services or email pcsengland@capita.co.uk.

Help with Health CostsPromotional Material

A range of information materials for patients on ‘Help with Health Costs' can be found on the PricingAuthority’s website: nhsbsa.nhs.uk/792.aspx.

Hints & Tips Newsletter The Pricing Authority produces a quarterly newsletter which is published on the Pricing Authority’s website(nhsbsa.nhs.uk/3191.aspx), where you can also sign up for emails alerting you when a new edition is released.

NHS Prescription Services“Ask Us” database

A database created by the Pricing Authority which enables pharmacy teams to find answers to some commonqueries. This can be found on the Pricing Authority’s website: tinyurl.com/nhsbsahelp.

Patient Safety IncidentReporting Form

Contractors can report patient safety incidents to the National Reporting and Learning Service (NRLS) at:eforms.nrls.nhs.uk/staffreport. PSNC guidance on patient safety incident reporting and template forms to use in the pharmacy are availableon our website: psnc.org.uk/patientsafety.

Prescription RecheckRequest Form

If a contractor requires a prescription bundle rechecked from the preceding 18 months, they must request sousing the appropriate form. The Pricing Authority’s recheck request form can be downloaded from the PricingAuthority’s website: nhsbsa.nhs.uk/PrescriptionServices/3456.aspx.

Smartcards Local NHS England teams are responsible for establishing local Registration Authorities (RAs) to manage theissuing of smartcards to access the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). Find RA contact details at:psnc.org.uk/RAs

psnc.org.uk 11

psnc’s work funding and statistics contract and itlpcs

Pharmacy teams may wish to check PSNC’s ‘Dispensing on an FP10 database’ (available at: psnc.org.uk/FP10database) for more information on

whether an item can be dispensed on an FP10, and we have listed some products below that we have recently received queries about.

Product Is the item Does it Is it Can it be Additional listed in the have a ‘CE’ in the dispensed information Drug Tariff? mark? blacklist? on an FP10?

Can it be dispensed on an FP10?

Deep Heat Patch

Soffban Bandages

Medihoney barrier cream

Flexitol Heel Balm

56 gram

No

No

Yes

No

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

This item is a medical device (CE

marked) and is not listed in Part

IX of the Drug Tariff.

This item is a medical device (CE

marked) and is not listed in Part

IX of the Drug Tariff.

This item is a medical device (CE

marked) and appears in Part IX

of the Drug Tariff.

This item is a medical device (CE

marked) and is not listed in Part

IX of the Drug Tariff.

Please note: only pack sizes

listed in Part IXA of the Drug

Tariff are allowed.

Deletion of Co-proxamol 32.5mg/325mg

tablets

Co-proxamol 32.5mg/325mg tablets have

been removed from Part VIIIA of the Drug

Tariff as of 1st December.

Therefore, prescriptions for Co-proxamol

32.5mg/325mg tablets will need to be

endorsed as an unlicensed medicine which is

not listed in Part VIIIB of the Drug Tariff. For an

unlicensed medicine which is not listed in Part

VIIIB of the Drug Tariff and has been sourced

under a manufacturer’s specials/importer’s

licence issued by the MHRA, endorse:

• Amount dispensed over pack size used;

• Invoice price per pack size (e.g. “£30/pack”)

from which the order was supplied, less any

discount or rebate;

• Manufacturer’s/importer’s MHRA specials

license number;

• Batch number of unlicensed product; and

• SP

Prescriptions forms for unlicensed specials

and imports should be separated from the rest

of the bundle and placed in the red separator

for submission. Recording requirements for

unlicensed specials and imports should

continue to be made as required by the

MHRA.

Further information can be found on

endorsing unlicensed medicines on our

Dispensing Factsheet: Unlicensed Specials

and Imports, which can be downloaded from:

tinyurl.com/unlicensed-imports

Removal from Part VIIIB

Methotrexate 10mg/5ml oral solution and

suspension have been removed from Part VIIIB

of the Drug Tariff as of 1st December. There is

now a listing for a licensed alternative,

Methotrexate 2mg/ml oral solution sugar free

(available as a special container in 35ml and

65ml) which can be found in Part VIIIA.

Drug Tariff listing changesChanges to the Drug Tariff impact on

reimbursement so it's important to take

note when amendments are made to

product listings. Below are some

changes which took effect recently.

Problems obtaininga medicine orappliance?Pharmacy teams who

experience problems in

obtaining medicines (generic or

branded) or appliances are

reminded to feed this back to

the PSNC Dispensing and Supply

Team to support PSNC’s

ongoing representation of

issues in the supply chain.

PSNC passes a monthly

summary of the feedback

received to the Department of

Health to support their

monitoring of the situation. This

information is also used as an

evidence base in discussions

with manufacturers on

manufacturer-specific problems,

for example highlighting

problems with contingency

arrangements and promoting

solutions.

Please make sure you let us

know about any supply issues by

using our online feedback forms

at: psnc.org.uk/feedback

dispensing and supply services and commissioning the healthcare landscape

PSNC websiteFor up to date information and news on community pharmacy issues, visit the PSNC website at psnc.org.uk

PSNC Community Pharmacy News is published by:The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, Times House, 5 Bravingtons Walk, London N1 9AWCommunity Pharmacy News is edited by:Melinda Mabbutt who can be contacted at the above address or by email at: mmabbutt@psnc.org.uk © PSNCPSNC Office: 0844 381 4180 or 0203 122 0810

Drug Tariff Watch

Part XX – Requsitions and private

prescriptions for Controlled Drugs

Contractors should note changes made to

this Part – see article on page 4.

Part VIIIA additions

Category C Additions:

• Oxybutynin 2.5mg/5ml oral solution

sugar free (150ml) Category C - Thame

Laboratories Ltd

• Oxybutynin 5mg/5ml oral solution sugar

free (150ml) Category C - Thame

Laboratories Ltd

Part VIIIA amendments

• Naproxen 375mg gastro-resistant

tablets (56) is changing to Category C

Actavis UK Ltd

• Pethidine 100mg/2ml solution for

injection ampoules (10) is changing to

Category C Martindale Pharmaceuticals

Ltd

• Prednisolone 25mg tablets (56) is

changing to Category A

• Tolfenamic acid 200mg tablets (10) is

changing to Category A

• Wild cherry syrup (2000ml) is changing

to Category C J M Loveridge Ltd

Part VIIIA deletions

If a medicinal product has been removed

from Part VIIIA and has no other pack sizes

listed, it can continue to be dispensed, but

it will need to be endorsed fully (i.e. brand

or supplier name from whom the product

was purchased and the pack size from

which the item was dispensed) and price

paid in future.

• Chloroform and Morphine tincture

(500ml) Category C - J M Loveridge Ltd

• Lithium carbonate 250mg tablets (100)

Category C - Camcolit 250

Part IX Deletions

It is important to take careful note of removals from Part IX because if you dispense a deleted product, prescriptions will be returned

as disallowed and therefore payment will not be made for dispensing the item.

Manufacturer Product description Product code

Coloplast Ltd Conveen EasiCath, Paediatric, 8-10Ch 5008-5010

Conveen Easicath 30cm, 8-10Ch 5088-5090

SpeediCath Complete, Female, 10-14Ch 28430-28434

SpeediCath Complete, Male, 10-14Ch 28460-28464

DreamSkin (formerly DreamSkin Silk)

Body Suit, 0-6 months n/a

Baby Leggings with foldaway feet (formerly Leggings), 0-6 months n/a

CliniMed Ltd BioDerm XLS (Oval) 20026/starter

Opus Healthcare Ultra Cleanse Skin Cleanser 4400-4401

ConvaTec Ltd

Vitala, Continence Control Device (for end colostomy), 45mm (for 45mmCombihesive Natura flange)

413211

Vitala, Continence Control Device (for end colostomy), 57mm (for 57mmCombihesive Natura flange)

413212

The first section of the Drug Tariff is the Preface. The Preface contains valuable information relevant for both the current edition and

the next. It lists additions, deletions and any other alterations to the Drug Tariff. The Preface should ideally be checked each month to

identify products which are entering or being removed from the Tariff as well as those products changing between categories or, in

the case of Category C items, changes to the brand used for pricing.

During dispensing, it is important to note which products are listed in the Drug Tariff as well as which category products are entering

into and the pack sizes being included in these entries. This is because reimbursement will be based on this classification and its

endorsement requirements. Incorrect endorsement can lead to incorrect or delay in payment.

It is also important to know the category of an item when claiming certain payments (e.g. OOP expenses) because these are not

allowed for some categories. For more information visit psnc.org.uk/oop

Below is a quick summary of some the changes due to take place from 1st January 2016.

All details correct at time of printing.

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