November 2017 CPN

CPN

Community Pharmacy News – November 2017

Pharmacy Winter campaign

Sector will be working hard to keep community pharmacy at forefront of people’s minds this winter PSNC CEO reflects on funding | Quality Payments checklist | NHSBSA digitisation project

PSNC’s WORK

FUNDING AND STATISTICS

CONTRACT AND IT

A message from Sue Sharpe, PSNC Chief Executive Officer PSNC’s CEO examines future for community pharmacy two years on from the Government’s decision to cut funding.

We are approaching the two-year anniversary of the Department of Health’s unprecedented open letter to community pharmacy dated 17th December 2015, and for very many community pharmacy contractors the outlook for the immediate future must appear very bleak indeed.

also been raising wider market issues with the Department of Health. We do need intelligence from you to support our efforts to secure concessions, and thank you to all who use the online reporting form to communicate with us.

the All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG) of Parliamentarians that NHS England does not plan to respond to the Murray Review.

Whilst we have yet to begin negotiations for 2018/19, pharmacy minister Steve Brine has taken several opportunities to say that community pharmacy is not being used properly. Encouragingly he has said that he wants to reset relations between Government and the pharmacy profession and to make use of the “tremendous skills and knowledge that pharmacists and pharmacy teams have”.

We know many pharmacies are struggling Led by demands for to survive at present. For some cuts from the Treasury, the problem is immediate the December 2015 cashflow which they may be It was letter marked a period to resolve. For others the disappointing to able of irrational, untested combination of funding cuts hear that NHS decision-making from and reduced reimbursement Government officials England does not prices may be unmanageable. who were ignorant to The threat to the community In a meeting with the minister we pressed plan to respond the value of the role pharmacy network is becoming the need to move away from the recent NHS community pharmacy all too real. We have already position of seeing community pharmacy to the Murray teams provide. But seen some news of closures, as simply offering supply to recognising, Review the sector acted fast and fear more will follow. rewarding and developing the care role, and to launch a campaign we will continue to highlight the plans laid and eventually, faced with intransigence We have also lost two precious years of out in the sector’s Community Pharmacy and the failure to undertake a meaningful community pharmacy development whilst Forward View. In particular, we hope to take consultation, both PSNC and the NPA the Department of Health enforced a policy forward a care plan service and to show sought Judicial Review of the process. to deliver a quick financial fix for the NHS, how we can help ease NHS winter pressures.

The contractors who comprise PSNC were that we believe will increase costs of NHS We are also currently working with NHS unanimous in deciding to take this action, care significantly in future. The problems England to extend the national pharmacy and eventually the judge concluded that the facing the NHS are now at flu vaccinations service to process had been unfair, although not so crisis level, and its leaders care workers. unfair as to be unlawful. appear to be following a Pharmacy minister policy of reducing what PSNC will continue its Steve Brine has But now contractors are experiencing the NHS provides for the work to raise awareness the full impact of the cuts, and this has future. Whether increased of the value and taken several been made worse by margin reductions waiting lists, or future future potential of the opportunities and increases in the prices of generics. blocks in prescribing of community pharmacy to say that The payment mechanisms applied by the OTC medicines, or access service. We all recognise NHSBSA, in the situation contractors have to GP appointments, it that NHS England and the community faced in recent months, exacerbate cashflow all appears to be going Department of Health’s pharmacy is problems, and we needed to appeal to the downhill. Perhaps it is no approach to the sector new pharmacy minister, Steve Brine MP, to wonder when they have in recent years has been not being used authorise a 15p per item increase in advance so determinedly ignored a real setback, but what properly payment made on 1st November. We were the role and value of we have seen and heard pleased that he agreed, but this alone does community pharmacy. from the minister so far not resolve the cashflow problems. gives us some hope that we will be able to Under pressure from the community restore the constructive relationships that Meanwhile we continue to receive many pharmacy lobby, NHS England in 2016 underpinned our work before 2015. This contacts from contractors reporting large commissioned a review from Richard cannot come at a more important time, both numbers of shortages. The team at PSNC Murray of the Kings Fund. His report was for struggling community pharmacies and an is working within the current system to both positive and constructive, so it was NHS preparing for a difficult winter. negotiate price concessions, but we have disappointing to hear during a session of

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2 Community Pharmacy News – November 2017

DISPENSING AND SUPPLY

SERVICES AND COMMISSIONING

THE HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE

LPCs

Preparations underway for Pharmacy Winter campaign day PSNC Communications Team prepares a range of resources to support community pharmacy teams and LPCs to get involved in national day of action.

The upcoming pharmacy political campaigning day on Tuesday 21st November is now just one week away, and there are lots of ways that community pharmacy teams can get involved.

The action day will focus on community pharmacy and winter pressures, aiming to promote the role that community pharmacy can play in helping people to stay healthy through winter and reducing pressure on other NHS services.

The day will offer a chance to renew media and political interest in community pharmacy, and community pharmacy teams will play a vital role in that. There are lots of ways to get involved, whether by adding a Twibbon to your social media account, joining our Tweetchat, or inviting a local councillor to visit your pharmacy.

The PSNC Communications Team has been working hard to prepare resources for community pharmacy teams and LPCs. The campaigning resources available include template Tweets and press releases.

Webpage We have also created a dedicated webpage so information and resources can be found easily. You can visit the page using the shortlink: psnc.org.uk/wintercampaign (or click the #pharmacywinter logo from our homepage) Twitterchat PSNC is pleased to announce that we will be co-hosting a WePharmacists Twitterchat between 8–9pm on 21st November to mark the day. Details are available at: ow.ly/ZIUt30gr7l7

Getting involved We are always grateful for any support that community pharmacy teams can provide and here are a few suggested actions: • Add a ‘Twibbon’ to your social media profile – please visit ow.ly/zPKQ30gr7qe for guidance on how to do so.

• Use the #pharmacywinter hashtag on social media (tweet templates are available from psnc.org.uk/wintercampaign).

• Join the WePharmacists chat on 21st November, 8-9pm: ow.ly/ZIUt30gr7l7 • If you would be interested in hosting a councillor visit at your pharmacy, please let your LPC know.

• If you would like to invite your MP to the Parliamentary reception, please coordinate with your LPC.

Over a million NHS flu vaccinations given in community pharmacies Community pharmacists have now administered over one million NHS flu vaccinations during this season’s Flu Vaccination Advanced Service.

In just over two months pharmacy teams have surpassed last winter’s total of 950,765 vaccinations and, as of 31st October 2017, 9,387 contractors had signed up to provide the Flu Vaccination Service on the NHS Business Services Authority’s website.

LPC Conference 2017 Earlier this month PSNC held its annual LPC Conference in Manchester, bringing together 130 LPC representatives from across the country to discuss current challenges and plans for the future. The impact of the government imposed funding cuts were at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and PSNC Chief Executive Sue Sharpe spoke of the very real risks to community pharmacy (see CPN page 2).

Sue’s address to the conference included PSNC’s future policy and the way forward for community pharmacy, and she emphasised the need to keep lobbying to develop allies for the sector. This theme was also covered by Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Pharmacy Group Sir Kevin Barron MP who shared his first-hand experience and advice on national influencing and lobbying. The LPCs also heard from Lancashire LPN Chair and community pharmacist Linda Bracewell, who described the successes resulting from local lobbying, networking and relationship building in her area.

Looking to the future, a presentation from James Kingsland, President of the National Association of Primary Care with Michael Lennox of Somerset LPC set out a new integrated care provider model that is showing impressive results, outlining how community pharmacy can be involved. Find out more from James’s presentation on the PSNC website (psnc.org.uk/LPCconf2017) along with the other PowerPoints from the day.

psnc.org.uk 3

FUNDING AND STATISTICS

CONTRACT AND IT

DISPENSING AND SUPPLY

November 1st advance payment rose by 15p per item Pharmacy minister responds positively to PSNC’s request for urgent measures to offer contractors some relief from cashflow issues.

Community pharmacy contractors received an increase in their November 1st advance payments of 15p per prescription item.

PSNC had been seeking urgent intervention to offer some relief for contractors, and this measure was taken in recognition of the extraordinary cashflow challenges highlighted.

The increase has been confirmed for one month only, and full and final payment for services provided in September will be reconciled as usual at the end of November.

This means that contractors will not receive any additional funding overall, but the impact of the reduction expected to be seen in the November 1st payment, following Drug Tariff price reductions put in place from August, will be smoothed out.

No news had been given about the December 1st payment as CPN went to press.

Q. Why was the increase applied to the November payment?

A. At the beginning of October, a pharmacy would have received an advance payment for the dispensing month of August. This was an estimated payment, taking into account the pharmacy’s number of declared items for August, and the pharmacy’s average item value (AIV) from the dispensing month of July.

Because of the reductions in Category M prices in that month, the advance for August is likely to have overstated the value of August’s prescriptions. Subsequently in the November 1st

payment*, the pharmacy receives a balancing payment for August, and the advance payment is recovered. This means that the November 1st payment is the point at which the impact on contractors would have been most significant as the balance for August would have been lower than the recovery of the advance.

As well as the November 1st balancing payment, contractors received an advance payment at the same time for declared items for September. By increasing the value of this payment by 15p per item, the impact of the expected drop in payment was smoothed out. *The November 1st payment could in practice be received from the end of October to early November.

Q. How does this increase help?

A. The aim of the increase to the November 1st advance payment (paid for declared items for September) was to smooth out the effect of the expected reduction in value of payments, to reduce the impact on cashflow. PSNC remains concerned that for some contractors the measure will be too little, and perhaps too late, and that some business will still struggle to manage the cashflow impact over the next few months.

Q. What else is PSNC doing about these cashflow issues?

A. PSNC is continuing to press for improvements to the systems used to measure and deliver margin to ensure fair access to funding for all contractors and to smooth delivery where possible.

PSNC would also like to see the NHS making accurate payments to contractors at the end of each month, removing the need for the advance payments system.

Top up payments deadline The deadline for claiming top-up payments for Establishment or Practice Payments for the period of April 2016 – November 2016 is approaching. Community pharmacy contractors in England are reminded that they must submit claims to NHS England by 30th November 2017. Find out more at: psnc.org.uk/topup

190 LloydsPharmacies to cease trading

Single Activity Fee increases to £1.29 per item

LloydsPharmacy owner Celesio UK plans to cease trading in approximately 190 of its LloydsPharmacy premises in England, it has announced.

The Single Activity Fee (SAF) increased to £1.29 per item from November 2017.

Celesio UK said the decision had been made as a result of “recent Department of Health and NHS England cuts to reimbursement policy and increases in retrospective clawback” with changes in policy gradually making operations at many LloydsPharmacy stores commercially unviable.

The 4p increase was agreed following work undertaken by PSNC which revealed a need to address an under-delivery on fees due under the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) for 2017/18.

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SER

RVICES AND COMMISSIONING

THE HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE

LPCs

PSNC’s WORK

Quality Payments: Are you ready for the review point?

As online declaration portal opens for Quality Payments, the PSNC Services Team guides contractors through the declaration process.

Community pharmacy contractors can now start entering data for their Quality Payments declaration on the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website, but the final submission must be made before the portal closes on Friday 8th December 2017 at 11.59pm.

Quality Criteria

Important: Once a contractor has submitted their online declaration, it cannot be altered. As the contractor is responsible for the information declared, it is recommended that they check the declaration thoroughly before submission.

Community Pharmacy Patient Questionnaire 2016/17 results are publicly available on NHS Choices.

More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPCPPQ

Use this summary checklist to monitor your progress: Gateway Criteria

I meet this criterion

Provision of one specified Advanced Service.

More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPAdvanced

I meet this criterion

These can be claimed for at one review point only: Written patient safety report available for inspection.

More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPsafetyreport

The pharmacy has achieved Healthy Living Pharmacy level 1 status.

More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPHLP These can be claimed for at both review points: 80% of pharmacy professionals have achieved level 2 safeguarding status.

More info at: psnc.org.uk/safeguarding

NHS Choices entry updated and/or verified. More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPNHSChoices

The pharmacy has demonstrated a total increase in access to Summary Care Records (between period 1 and period 2). More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPSCR

Pharmacy staff able to send and receive NHSmail.

More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPNHSmail

The pharmacy’s NHS 111 Directory of Service entry is up to date. More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPDoS

Ongoing utilisation of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPEPS

The pharmacy has evidence of referring eligible patients for an asthma review.

More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPasthma

Important: If you do not meet all the gateway criteria, you are not eligible for any quality payment, even if you meet other criteria.

Top tips for contractors Do… Retain any emails regarding queries you have raised about the Quality Payments Scheme, for example emails to the NHSmail helpdesk. This written evidence may help in case your declaration is queried.

Ensure that the opening hours, services and facilities pages on your NHS Choices profile are updated and/ or verified.

If you are providing MURs and/ or NMS, ensure these services are shown on your NHS Choices profile services page.

Print out or take a screenshot of your public pharmacy profile pages on the NHS Choices website when you have updated and/or verified the content.

Don’t…

Submit your Healthy Living Pharmacy registration to the Royal Society for Public Health too close to the day of the review, as without the logo and e-certificate you are not certified.

Upload your Community Pharmacy Patient Questionnaire (CPPQ) results as a Word document; you must follow the instructions set out in the NHS England guidance for naming and uploading your CPPQ result on NHS Choices as a PDF. Let your NHSmail account become dormant as inactive accounts will get de-activated or removed from the service if passwords are not changed at least every 90 days.

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80% of all pharmacy staff working in patient facing roles are ‘Dementia Friends’.

More info at: psnc.org.uk/QPdementiafriends

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Remember… l Distance Selling Pharmacies (DSPs) have a different process for the NHS Choices gateway criterion – please read PSNC Briefing 065/17: Quality Payments – Process for DSP contractors to meet the NHS Choices gateway criterion (find it at: psnc.org.uk/briefings). l All criteria must be met by the review point of 24th November 2017, which is different to the closing date of the declaration process. l Contractors can submit their declaration before the review point, if they know they will definitely meet the criteria they are claiming for. It is for the contractor to decide if it is appropriate to submit their declaration before the review point.

Further support for completing the Quality Payments declaration is available at: ow.ly/s8IE30g3JFa

psnc.org.uk 5

SERVICES AND COMMISSIONING

THE HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE

LPCs

Flu vaccinations for care home workers Work in progress to allow community pharmacists to vaccinate care home workers and domiciliary care workers as part of the Flu Vaccination Advanced Service.

Last month NHS England announced new proposals to manage winter pressures which included a decision to add care home workers to the group of people eligible for NHS flu vaccinations.

Following the announcement, NHS England and Public Health England (PHE) have been making the necessary arrangements to add this group to the community pharmacy and general practice flu vaccination services.

This work includes making minor amendments to the service specification and the patient group direction (PGD) for the NHS Community Pharmacy Flu Vaccination Advanced Service. These updated documents will be published as soon as they have been approved by NHS England and PHE, but in order to help community pharmacy teams to start planning how they may offer vaccinations to people within the new group, the new target group definition is as follows:

Adult health and social care staff (aged 18 years and over), employed by a registered residential care/nursing home or registered domiciliary care provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/ clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza, meaning those patients/clients in a clinical risk group (see Appendix A of the PGD) or aged 65 years and over.

Important: Pharmacy contractors cannot vaccinate people in the new target group under the NHS Community Pharmacy Flu Vaccination Advanced Service until the revised service specification and PGD are published and become effective. The effective date is anticipated to be in mid-November. When the new PGD is published, pharmacists providing the service will need to read and sign it before vaccinating patients.

Please keep an eye on the PSNC website (psnc.org.uk/flu) or sign up for our email alerts (psnc.org.uk/enews) for updates.

Are you checking your flu payments?

PSNC has received a number of queries from community pharmacy contractors regarding their Flu Vaccination Service claims from the 2016/17 flu season. Where their payment queries have fallen outside of the flu vaccination season 2016/17 (after 31st March 2017), pharmacies have had to make claims directly to NHS England instead of to the Pricing Authority which can be time consuming to resolve and may result in non-payment.

To mitigate any flu payment issues during the 2017/18 season, PSNC has created a list of recommended actions for contractors to take: ow.ly/Eppg30gfEpg

Mary Seacole Leadership Programme The Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) is offering a new community pharmacy leadership programme funded by the Pharmacy Integration Fund.

We are collaborating with NHS “Leadership Academy to offer the Mary

delivered locally, allowing you to put your learning into practice.

Seacole Leadership Programme. This programme is available to all pharmacists or pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacy for at least 40% of their working week, and is fully-funded by the Pharmacy Integration Fund.

The Mary Seacole Leadership Programme is accredited by the NHS Leadership Academy, and completing and passing the programme results in an NHS Leadership Academy Award in Healthcare Leadership.

Lesley Grimes

If you are an aspiring or first-time leader wanting to achieve the best you can in your role, then the Mary Seacole Leadership Programme is the perfect opportunity for you and your career. The programme will help you recognise your own personal value to deliver the best outcomes for your patients and improve their experience of community pharmacy.

CPPE lead pharmacist, learning development

The programme runs for six months, and is comprised of 12 online modules supported by an online tutor, as well as three workshops

6 Community Pharmacy News – November 2017

To apply for the programme, you need to register an account with NHSx at: https://nhsx.uk – then complete your application at: https://nhsx.uk/programmes/mary-seacole-programmecommunity-pharmacy Applications for our first cohort are now closed, and there are limited spaces available in all other cohorts. In order to secure your place, complete your application today.

For further details on why you should apply, a full list of dates, and frequently asked questions, visit CPPE’s dedicated webpage at: www.cppe.ac.uk/services/leadership-community

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PSNC’s WORK

FUNDING AND STATISTICS

CONTRACT AND IT

DISPENSING AND SUPPLY

Did you know that NHSBSA Prescription Services is going digital?

This is the first in a series of articles discussing how the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is improving prescription pricing through digitisation.

• Simplify management of your resubmissions and therefore earlier payment of these items where applicable; • Allow you to view historical submissions in one place; and • Enable easier post-payment verification of your prescription bundle when your bundle has been processed and you receive your Schedule of Payment.

Since the beginning of 2017 the NHSBSA has been working on digitising the prescription submission form (FP34C) and prescription returns referred back items, a process which currently is very paper heavy.

As a community pharmacy contractor, you will know that bundling your prescriptions at the end of the month along with processing referred back prescriptions forms for re-submission can take up a significant amount pharmacy staff time. The NHSBSA has been aiming to reduce some of the workload pressures on pharmacies when it comes to sending through their ‘end of month’ claim, so in order to do so, they have been developing an online platform to replace the current FP34C submission form.

What are the NHSBSA’s aims?

• To provide a secure online alternative to the current paper based submission of the FP34C; • To reduce the number of disallowed items and unpaid items; and • Save time for pharmacies and reduce operating costs at the NHSBSA. What has the NHSBSA produced to date?

The NHSBSA has developed an application called ‘Manage Your Submissions’, an online platform which has been designed using pharmacy user feedback. The platform has so far been built and tested, and moved to a secure environment. It is now undergoing private beta testing with 31 community pharmacies across the sector.

How will ‘Manage Your Submissions’ affect my pharmacy?

Once deployed, pharmacies will be able to complete their end of month prescription submission completely online, i.e. through an online equivalent to the FP34C. Of course, paper prescriptions will still need to be sent to the NHSBSA as normal. However, the new platform aims to: • Dramatically reduce anomalies which might occur with the paper FP34C;

PSNC’s role PSNC has, for a number of years, been pressing for changes to the FP34C submission document in order to improve transparency of payments for pharmacies, we therefore welcome this piece of work.

The PSNC Transparency Group (a small subgroup of the PSNC committee) has been working closely with the NHSBSA Digitisation Group to make improvements to ‘Manage Your Submissions’, and regularly provides feedback to the NHSBSA. We are also helping to shape some of the value-added features of the platform which will be useful to contractors as well as their staff.

How can my pharmacy get involved?

Keep an eye out for future PSNC articles on the ‘Manage Your Submissions’ portal so that you can use this portal as soon as it becomes public. If you have any specific suggestions or comments feed them into us via info@psnc.org.uk What does the roadmap for ‘Manage Your Submissions’ look like?

Sept 2017

Oct 2017

Q1 2018

2018

• Security testing of the platform • Private Beta Testing begins with test logins and historical submission data being made visible • Private Beta Users can begin to receive EPS referred back items (re-submissions) • Private Beta Users will begin seeing paper prescription referred back items (re-submissions) • Digital Prescription Submissions to be tested • Smartcard Implementation for the online platform • Public Beta – the platform will be available to all pharmacies to be able to use whilst further testing and monitoring is undertaken

• The platform is deployed to fully live

psnc.org.uk 7

PSNC’s WORK

FUNDING AND STATISTICS

CONTRACT AND IT

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

NUMSAS update and request for feedback

revealed Data from NHS England on the NHS Urgent Medicine Supply Advanced Service (NUMSAS) pilot has as pharmacies community by supplied been that, between December 2016 and July 2017, 12,982 items have part of the service. provide NHS England is also now inviting community pharmacy contractors, pharmacy teams and LPCs to 0fVXbJ feedback on NUMSAS. Find out more at: ow.ly/7yZA3

CPAF full questionnaire

acy Community pharm reminded are s tor ac contr weeks, g min co the in t, tha rmacies pha some community lete mp co to d will be invite armacy Ph ty uni mm Co ll the fu ork (CPAF) Assurance Framew questionnaire. ire will The full questionna ected be available for sel lete mp co pharmacies to r be vem No 1st between 3rd and December

Annual Self Care Week

Self Care Week is an annual national aware ness week that focusses on establishing suppor t for self-care across communities, families and generations.

It will be running aga in on 13-19th November 201 7.

Learn more and dow nload resources from: ow .ly/ sE6 H30 fV WE t

2017.

‘Keep Antibiotics Working’ Public Health England (PHE) has launched

the ‘Keep Antibiotics Working’ campaign across England to help tackle antibiotic resistance by reducing demand for them in the fight against infection.

Community pharmacy teams can order free resources from PHE’s campaign resource centre. Find out more at: ow.ly/F vk530 gftdH

Processes for 2018 PSNC elections announced Election proceedings for 13 Regional Representatives and three non-CCA Multiple Representatives to the PSNC Committee have been announced.

Routine elections for these committee members are held on a four-yearly basis, with the current term of office due to expire on 31st March 2018. PSNC is therefore making initial preparations for the election process which will begin early in the New Year.

Find out more about the election process, including actions required for those seeking to stand or vote in the elections, at: ow.ly/SD2z30gsTJa 8 Community Pharmacy News – November 2017

DISPENSING AND SUPPLY

SERVICES AND COMMISSIONING

THE HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE

LPCs

Dispensing and Supply News Our Dispensing and Supply Team highlights the latest news, information and guidance that community pharmacy teams should be aware of.

PSNC responds to consultation on prescribing restrictions PSNC has published its response to the NHS England and NHS Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC) consultation on Items which should not routinely be prescribed in primary care: A Consultation on guidance for CCGs. In its response, PSNC has supported the proposals for restricting the prescribing of 18 products, as evidence-based clinical rationales have been provided.

PSNC is however concerned about a range of potential unintended consequences and other issues that it highlights may occur as a result of NHS England and NHSCC’s proposals to restrict the prescription of various over-the-counter products.

Read the response in full at: ow.ly/5DBC30g3IoZ Sanofi announce distribution changes Sanofi have announced that as of 1st November 2017 AAH Pharmaceuticals Limited and Phoenix Healthcare

(Distribution) Limited are the distributors for the majority of Sanofi medicines to all dispensing points in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

If you would like to discuss these changes in more detail, or have any further queries, please contact the Sanofi Customer Services team on 0800 854430 or email gb-customerservices@sanofi.com Find out more, including the list of affected products, at: ow.ly/jWlt30gfsKx Contractors reminded to store FP57 forms carefully Following reports of inappropriate use of FP57 refund and receipt forms, community pharmacy contractors are reminded of the need to store these forms securely and process claims carefully.

NHS England recently received allegations of misuse of FP57 forms, which are used to issue appropriate refunds to persons who have paid the prescription charge. FP57 forms should not be left in locations where

they may be accessed by the public; PSNC recommends that they are locked away when not required and only authorised staff should process prescription refunds.

Further information is available at: ow.ly/Hw3O30g3K9b Hints & Tips newsletter The Pricing Authority produces a quarterly newsletter called “Hints & Tips for dispensing contractors”. We would like to draw your attention to the latest edition (Issue 29) which contains some really useful information and advice regarding: • New medical devices; • How to help your patients avoid costly mistakes; • Ordering stationery from the NHS; and • Products now available as licensed medicines.

All editions of the Hints & Tips newsletter can be found at: tinyurl.com/ybcun4fg

Can it be dispensed on an FP10?

When pharmacy teams receive NHS prescriptions, they must check whether the items prescribed are allowed on the NHS before dispensing otherwise the pharmacy contractor may not be paid for them. Below is a list of some products that we have recently received queries about.

Product

Is the item listed in the Drug Tariff?

Is it Does it Can it be in the have a ‘CE’ dispensed blacklist?* mark? on an FP10?

Additional information

Milton No.2 sterilising fluid

No

No

No

Yes

This item is not a medical device (CE marked) and is not listed in Part XVIIIA (the ‘blacklist’) of the Drug Tariff.

Milton Sterilising Tablets

Yes

Yes

No

No

This item is listed in Part XVIIIA (the ‘blacklist’) of the Drug Tariff.

Carnation finger and toes bandage

No

n/a

Yes

No

This item is a medical device (CE marked) and is not listed in Part IX of the Drug Tariff.

Haleraid

No

n/a

Yes

No

This item is a medical device (CE marked) and is not listed in Part IX of the Drug Tariff.

*n/a is because medical devices are not listed in the blacklist.

Please note: If the prescription is an FP10CN or FP10PN (community nurse prescriber), an FP10D (dental prescriber) or an FP10MDA (instalment dispensing), please visit psnc.org.uk/prescriptionforms for more information.

psnc.org.uk 9

DISPENSING AND SUPPLY

SERVICES AND COMMISSIONING

THE HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE

Ask PSNC The team at PSNC provides pharmacy teams with support and advice on a range of topics related to dispensing and NHS IT. Questions asked in recent weeks have included: Q. How can I have the SCR role added to my Smartcard?

A. Community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at sites going live with access to the Summary Care Record (SCR), will need to have SCR roles added onto their Smartcard. The changes can be made remotely.

Once you have completed the SCR CPPE e-assessment, you can tick the box under the ‘SCR assessment registration process’ heading in your profile on the My CPPE section of the website. This will allow the Registration Authority to see that you have passed the assessment and then allow you access to the SCR using your Smartcard.

Q. I have a Smartcard with the FFFFF locum code, how can I have the SCR role added to my Smartcard?

A. Locum pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with the FFFFF Smartcard code may follow NHS Digital guidance in order to gain access to the Summary Care Record (SCR).

If locums with the FFFFF Smartcard code work in regular sites, they may have the site added to their card to reduce the need to use the generic code each time. The Registration Authority (RA) may check this when SCR access is requested.

If there is no longer the business need for the FFFFF, this may be removed. If the FFFFF code is not present but may be needed, this could be raised with the RA (in situations where many pharmacies are worked at, at short notice). Locums which may work at multiple sites at short notice can apply for SCR locum access using the NHS Digital application form.

Q. If the pharmacy ODS code changes, do I need to update my Smartcard? (i.e. will the Smartcard stop working at that premises) A. Yes, all pharmacy staff will be registered linked to ODS codes of the pharmacy sites where they operate the service on a regular basis. The exception to this model is the case of community pharmacists/ dispensing technician locums who may need to work within many community pharmacies at short notice. In such cases, they will also have a user role profile registered against a generic organisation ODS code for a “locum pharmacy” that allows them to operate the system from any pharmacy.

If the pharmacy ODS code changes, all users need to have the new ODS code added to their profile. An RA02 form needs to be completed and sent to the Registration Authority Manager to be actioned. This can be done before the removal of the old ODS code to aide transition.

To minimise the disruption caused by changes in ODS codes, a new ODS code should only be requested when a change of ownership occurs and the contractor buys out a business on a non-debts and liabilities basis (i.e. the outgoing contractor requires payment for all items dispensed up to the date of sale). More information on ODS codes is available at: psnc.org.uk/ODScode

Q. What should I do if I’m experiencing supply issues?

A. Community pharmacy teams who experience problems in obtaining medicines or appliances are asked to feed this back to PSNC’s Dispensing and Supply Team.

PSNC reports the feedback received to the Department of Health to support their monitoring of the situation. It is also used in discussions with manufacturers, for example, highlighting problems with contingency arrangements.

Please report using our online feedback forms: psnc.org.uk/feedback

Look out for more frequently asked questions next month…

If you would like more information on any of the topics covered, the team at PSNC will be happy to help (0203 1220 810 or e-mail info@psnc.org.uk).

10 Community Pharmacy News – November 2017

LPCs

PSNC’s WORK

FUNDING AND STATISTICS

CONTRACT AND IT

Drug Tariff Watch The Preface lists additions, deletions and alterations to the Drug Tariff. Below is a quick summary of the changes due to take place from 1st December 2017.

Part VIIIA additions Category A: • Busulfan 2mg tablets (25) • Glucosamine sulfate 1.5g oral powder sachets sugar free (30) • Labetalol 100mg/20ml solution for injection ampoules (5) Category C: • Acetylcysteine 600mg effervescent tablets sugar free (30) – Aceteff • Budesonide 9mg gastro-resistant granules sachets (60) – Budenofalk • Co-magaldrox 175mg/200mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free (250ml) – Maalox • Ferric maltol (iron 30mg) capsules (56) – Feraccru • Isopropyl alcohol 70% liquid (500ml) – J M Loveridge Ltd • Lurasidone 18.5mg tablets (28) – Latuda • Lurasidone 37mg tablets (28) – Latuda • Lurasidone 74mg tablets (28) – Latuda • Nepafenac 1mg/ml eye drops SC (5ml) – Nevanac • Nepafenac 3mg/ml eye drops SC (3ml) – Nevanac • Opicapone 50mg capsules (30) – Ongentys • *Paracetamol 120mg/5ml oral solution paediatric sugar free (2000ml) – Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Ltd • Progesterone micronised 100mg capsules (30) – Utrogestan • Progesterone micronised 200mg vaginal capsules (21) – Utrogestan • Somatropin (rbe) 1.2mg powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices (7) – Genotropin MiniQuick • Somatropin (rbe) 1.4mg powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices (7) – Genotropin MiniQuick • Somatropin (rbe) 1.6mg powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices (7) – Genotropin MiniQuick • Somatropin (rbe) 1.8mg powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices (7) – Genotropin MiniQuick • Somatropin (rbe) 12mg powder and solvent for solution for injection cartridges SC (1) – Genotropin

KEY: SC Special container R Item requiring reconstitution * This pack only (others already available)

• Somatropin (rbe) 1mg powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices (7) – Genotropin MiniQuick • Somatropin (rbe) 200microgram powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices (7) – Genotropin MiniQuick • Somatropin (rbe) 400microgram powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices (7) – Genotropin MiniQuick • Somatropin (rbe) 5.3mg powder and solvent for solution for injection cartridges SC (1) – Genotropin • Somatropin (rbe) 5.3mg powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices SC (1) – Genotropin GoQuick • Somatropin (rbe) 600microgram powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices (7) – Genotropin MiniQuick • Somatropin (rbe) 800microgram powder and solvent for solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices (7) – Genotropin MiniQuick Part VIIIA amendments • Co-codamol 15mg/500mg capsules (100) – Codipar is changing to Category A • Dexamethasone 4mg tablets (50) is changing to Category C – Consilient Health Ltd • Docusate 12.5mg/5ml oral solution sugar free (300ml) – Docusol is changing to Category C – Typharm Ltd • Dutasteride 500microgram capsules (30) – Avodart is changing to Category A • Piperacillin 2g / Tazobactam 250mg powder for solution for injection vials SC (1) – A A H Pharmaceuticals Ltd is changing to Catergory C – Tazocin Part VIIIA deletions *Paracetamol 120mg/5ml oral solution paediatric sugar free (500ml) - A A H Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Part IX deletions Take careful note of removals from Part IX because if you dispense a deleted product, prescriptions will be returned as disallowed.

Product

Size, type and product code

Transparent Semi Permeable Dressing LMJTD

9cm x 11cm

Molutrex 5% solution

10ml

Provox FreeHands HME System – Replacement Kit (Device & Fitted Membrane)

Light (7716), Medium (7717), Strong (7721)

Provox FreeHands HME System – Replacement Membrane

Light (7713), Medium (7714), Strong (7715)

GlucoMen Sensor testing strips

50

GlucoMen Visio testing strips

50

psnc.org.uk 11

PSNC’s WORK

FUNDING AND STATISTICS

CONTRACT AND IT

PSNC resources library In this section of Community Pharmacy News we have provided details of some of the resources that PSNC has produced this month.

PSNC Briefings PSNC Briefing 068/17: Services Infographic – Community Pharmacy NHS Flu Vaccination Service 2016/17: The patient verdict Results from the patient questionnaire for the Flu Vaccination Service in 2016/17 have shown that the community pharmacy service was highly valued by patients last year. This infographic summarises the main results of the patient questionnaire.

Download from: ow.ly/kOdC30goatQ PSNC Briefing 070/17: EPS Prescription Tracker new Business Continuity Mode feature This PSNC Briefing provides guidance for pharmacy contractors and pharmacy teams about NHS Digital’s new EPS Prescription Tracker ‘Business Continuity Mode’ feature.

Download from: ow.ly/IpOp30goaCy PSNC Briefing 071/17: Pharmacy EPS costs and benefits study: key points for community pharmacy teams This PSNC Briefing summarises the key findings from the study which will be of interest to pharmacy team members, including those which may help pharmacy teams to reflect on their use of EPS and potential ways to make their EPS processes more efficient.

Download from: ow.ly/SPi930goaLj See all our PSNC Briefings in our database at: psnc.org.uk/briefings

Other resources #PSNCtalk video: Working with GPs The latest video in the #PSNCtalk series from PSNC and PharmacyTALK sees Rosie Taylor and Zainab Al-Kharsan, both members of the PSNC Services Team, discuss how to use the ‘Walk in my Shoes’ toolkit and why working with GPs is important. They also highlight a number of useful materials available for community pharmacy teams to use in developing relationships with their local GP practices.

Watch now: psnc.org.uk/PSNCtalk Look out for additional resources as you explore our website: psnc.org.uk

Email news alerts Quality Payments: Have you reviewed your NHS Choices profile yet? (4th October 2017) Reminding community pharmacy contractors of the need to edit or validate their NHS Choices entry for their pharmacy by the 24th November Quality Payments Scheme review date. The email also provided details of what needs verifying and how to do it.

Read now: ow.ly/VCtm30goc15 Advance payments to rise by 15p per item in 1st November payment (23rd October 2017) The Department of Health confirms a 15p per item increase for November 1st advance payments and PSNC Chief Executive Sue Sharpe issues a statement in response.

Read now: ow.ly/EA4z30gocpr Not receiving our emails? Sign up now at: psnc.org.uk/enews PSNC website For 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, 14 Hosier Lane, London, EC1A 9LQ Community Pharmacy News is edited by: Melinda Mabbutt who can be contacted at the above address or by email at: mmabbutt@psnc.org.uk PSNC Office: 0203 122 0810

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