| Weekly News Digest - 12th September 2024 |
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| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (FHFT) is moving toward initiating Trurapi insulin as a replacement for Novorapid; Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Surrey Heartlands have already made this transition. Frimley ICB is expected to follow next year, however, the hospital has started the move in advance, so prescribing will now be coming out of the hospital. Sanofi would remind community pharmacies that the DTP Portal for allocations and prescription overrides may be used for the Allstar PRO silver and blue insulin pens, which are currently in short supply and may be used with Trurapi. For more information to access the portal click here. |
| The MHRA has released a Drug Safety Update, providing information and guidance for both healthcare professionals and patients which advises men taking valproate and their partners to use effective contraception. This advice follows new data indicating a potential small increased risk of harm to children if valproate is used by the father at conception. See here for more information and resources. |
| From September 2024, the NHS will offer vaccines for RSV to those aged 75 to 79 and pregnant women from 28 weeks to protect their child. This is in addition to the existing flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. NHS have provided resources to help promote the service. Click here. |
| Starting from 1 January 2025, pharmacies can dispense up to 10% more or less than the prescribed amount for the NHS prescriptions, similar to the current rule for private prescriptions. Click here. |
| From 1 October 2024, community pharmacies can get Pertussis vaccines from national stocks without having to buy them. This system, already used for COVID-19 vaccines and antivirals, now includes MMR and RSV vaccines. This change helps pharmacies support local vaccination programmes more effectively . Click here. |
| Starting from 1 October 2024, opening a new NHS pharmacy will be easier. The requirement for references in the fitness information application will be removed as it caused unneccessary delays. This change applies to both new and existing applications, but if the ICB finds it necessary, they can still request a reference. Click here. |
| ITV News Meridian has been speaking to pharmacies in the South of England to ask why so many are closing. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said closures in rural towns and villages will mean people having to travel further for medication as it urged the Government to reverse budget cuts. Watch the news item. |
| NPA is holding a second day of action across community pharmacy in support of the Save our Pharmacies campaign on 19th September 2024. For more information click here. |
NHS Frimley is delivering a training event: End of life, palliative care, to support community pharmacies who look after individuals at the end of their life. The training will be led by Palliative Care Consultant Cate Seaton-Jones from Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. The aim of this session is to empower pharmacy professionals with the knowledge and tools to support patients at the end of their life and their carers. This training is opened to all pharmacy professionals including pharmacy technicians. For agenda details and meeting joining link please click here.
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Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) is hosting an online drop-in session on 24th September 2024, from 13:00- 14:00pm. This session will cover the fundamentals of temperature-controlled storage. All pharmacy and dispensary teams are welcome to attend. Click here.
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Get free tickets to the Pharmacy show from 13-14 October at the NEC Birmingham. Learn more about the future plans for the sector and network with other pharmacy professionals. Community Pharmacy England invite you to visit their stand #J68 where committee members will be on hand to answer your questions. Click here to register.
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| Due to annual leave the next edition of the weekly digest will be on 26th September 2024. |
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