• Save our Pharmacies campaign gains momentum

    Pharmacy leaders are set to brief MPs on the severe challenges facing community pharmacies this week as part of a wave of #SaveOurPharmacies campaign activities. Tomorrow’s (Tuesday 21st March) roundtable summit will include discussions on the urgent action needed to address the current severe challenges being faced by community pharmacy, as well as the sector’s

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  • SSP issued for Paracetamol 240mg suppositories

    In response to a significant ongoing disruption to the supply of Paracetamol 240mg suppositories , a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) has been issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Effective today, 17 March 2023, SSP051 provides that for every Paracetamol 240mg suppository originally prescribed, one Paracetamol 250mg suppository must be supplied. SSP051, authorised by the

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  • Contractor Notice: Expiry of SSP049 Estradot® 100mcg patches

    The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that sufficient stock of Estradot® 100mcg patches are now available to meet normal demand. As a result the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP), SSP049 Estradot® 100mcg patches expires at 23.59pm on Friday 17 March 2023. After this date, any prescriptions for Estradot® 100mcg patches must be

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  • MHRA Class 4 Medicines Defect Information: Venlafaxine XL 150mg, 225mg, 300mg prolonged-release tablets (Macarthys Laboratories t/a Martindale Pharma)

    Class 4 Medicines Defect Information: Venlafaxine XL 150mg, 225mg, 300mg prolonged-release tablets (Macarthys Laboratories t/a Martindale Pharma) Drug alert number: EL (23)A/10 Date issued: 16 March 2023 The Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a class 4 medicines defect information notice for: Venlafaxine XL 150mg prolonged-release tablets, PL01883/0340 SNOMED Code: 41468211000001100 Batch

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  • Free clinical examination skills training for community pharmacists

    Health Education England (HEE) has announced a new NHS-funded training course for 10,000 community pharmacists on clinical examination skills. The training, which will be coordinated by HEE with the Pharmacy Integration Programme at NHS England, will be provided by CliniSkills. The training will be delivered online, with optional face-to-face attendance for pharmacists who would find

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  • Medicine Supply Notification: Capsaicin 0.075% (Axsain®) and 0.025% (Zacin®) cream

    Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Capsaicin 0.075% (Axsain®) and 0.025% (Zacin®) cream. MSN/2023/028 Tier 2 – medium impact Date of issue 16th March 2023 Following intermittent supplies of capsaicin 0.075% (Axsain®) and 0.025% (Zacin®) cream, these are now out of stock until end of June 2023.

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  • PSNC Elections – Just over a week left to make your vote

    Elections for the non-CCA Multiple Representatives and Regional Representatives started on 9th March. Voting contractors were sent an email to either the head office contact or premises shared NHSmail address detailing who is standing for election and a unique link to the voting portal. We are asking contractors to make their vote as soon as

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  • Budget brings VAT changes but no wider relief for community pharmacy

    The Chancellor has announced his Spring Budget today, including within it two VAT changes related to community pharmacy services, which PSNC had been pressing for over several years and was a focus within our CPCF negotiations. From 1st May 2023, Government will extend the VAT exemption on healthcare to include medical services carried out by

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  • Redetermination for Mebeverine 50mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free

    The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced that that the following product will have a redetermination due to late notification of a price increase, this will apply from December 2022 to February 2023: Mebeverine 50mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free (300ml) – £205.70 (instead of £187.00) Pharmacy contractors should note that this is

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  • March 2023 Price Concessions 1st Update

    The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has today (15/03/2023) granted the following initial list of price concessions for March 2023. Drug Pack size Price concession Amisulpride 100mg tablets 60 £20.29 Amisulpride 200mg tablets 60 £33.92 Amisulpride 50mg tablets 60 £13.09 Amoxicillin 125mg/5ml oral suspension 100 £4.32 Amoxicillin 125mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free 100 £3.80

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