News

IPU have increased their employee membership fee by a very significant 25% from €245 for last year to €307.50 for 2017.

In its circular dated 22nd December 2016, the HSE informed pharmacists that in the rare event of a High-Tech medicine costing under €144 for a month's supply and dispensed under the DPS scheme, the patient should be charged the cost price of the medicine only, while paying in the normal way for any other medicines that they or their DPS linked family members have received.

Consilient Health Ireland have announced that Azalia® 75mcg desogestrel has become available on the GMS Reimbursement Scheme from 1st January 2017. Azalia® will be reimbursed at €7.47 for three months’ supply. Azalia® contains the same active ingredient as Cerazette® and is a high quality cost effective equivalent which offers patients savings on their contraceptive prescription. Further information on Violite™ can be found here.

In March 2017 the PSI will host a further six information events aimed to support you in completing the new Pharmacy Assessment System. Like the events held in October and November, these will offer practical advice about using the Assessment System.
 

IPU reports that the PCRS is carrying out an increasing number of inspections of pharmacies. Some inspections are announced while others are unannounced. You may be notified the day before that the PCRS is looking at a specific item such as High Tech Medicines or they may look at all aspects of the pharmacy’s business with the PCRS. It is highly recommended that the pharmacist on duty should always establish the identity of the person carrying out the inspection.

If you've recently had an inspection from the PCRS please share your experience in the comments below.

One supplier of vitamins and food supplements recently sent a letter to pharmacies regarding the VAT rate on vitamins and food supplements, referring to the Revenue Commissioner’s rules on these products.

IPU are reviewing the correct VAT rates at present and will include any updates in the February product file.

The Revenue rules are set out below.

The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign takes place from 22-28 January during European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and highlights the importance of free regular screening, through smear tests, to prevent cervical cancer.
 
During the week, CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme, in association with the Irish Family Planning Association, will distribute free Pearl of Wisdom pins, the symbol of cervical cancer prevention, and invite women to support the campaign by posting a selfie with their Pearl on social media using the hashtag #ShareTheWisdom.
 

PSI are seeking to appoint two Senior Pharmacists on a 9 month full-time fixed term contract basis to cover maternity leave.

The purpose of the position is to support the work of the PSI Council in improving the profession of pharmacy and to support and fulfil the Council’s strategic objectives to continue to assure high standards of patient care and good pharmacy practice, and to facilitate the development of pharmacy as a profession in Ireland. The successful candidate will report to the Head of Pharmacy Practice Development.