Page 15 - P4403.59-V50_Numark Magazine April 24

As a support network and voice for our members, Numark has written to the
government in Northern Ireland to express concern that the Revised Discount
Arrangements applicable from April will have a detrimental financial impact on
their ability to provide essential care services for people and patients in Northern
Ireland. This is clearly a cause for concern as pharmacy is – and should be – the
first port of call for many people with healthcare concerns.

In the letter we noted that we are aware CPNI remains opposed to the new
discount clawback arrangements in the context of historic underfunding and drug
tariff arrangements which make it near impossible for pharmacy owners to plan for
the future. It simply cannot be right that pharmacy owners face unexpected and
unpredictable peaks and troughs in income.

We understand that the principle of clawback is not in dispute, but it needs to
be simple, clear, predictable and appropriate for the contractual model allowing
pharmacies to adjust to financial flows over a reasonable period of time. Financial
shocks to the system work in nobody’s interests: the sector; the NHS; or patients.

Therefore, we have asked that the Department works with CPNI to determine
and agree any clawback arrangements that should apply to NI in a manner which
provides funding certainty and fairness.

“I recognise that the notification of the reinstatement
of the return of the COVID monies clawback will cause
a cash flow crisis for the pharmacy owners in Northern
Ireland. Couple this with the changes to Category M
that are due to take place, the increase in the national
minimum living wage and the general cost of living
pressure that is facing everyone. The community
pharmacy network will be under extreme pressure. I would
urge the new Northern Ireland Assembly to look at this as
a matter of priority, to ensure the community pharmacy
network is supported to continue to deliver excellent Chairman of
pharmaceutical care to the citizens of Northern Ireland.” Numark,
Harry
McQuillan

We have since had a response from Joe Brogan, Assistant Director of Primary
Care, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management, who states the below:

“Thank you for your correspondence, of 25 January 2024, to the Permanent
Secretary who has asked me to respond to the issues that you have raised.

I agree that community pharmacies should be the first port of call for people with
healthcare concerns and the strategic direction for community pharmacy is to
offer more clinical services that utilise the skills of community pharmacy teams
and offer safe, convenient and faster access to care.

I note the concern you have raised in relation to the impact of the discount
clawback arrangements. The Department of Health (DoH) consulted on
new discount clawback arrangements which would remove the sliding scale

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