Week 18 / Community Pharmacy Services

Question 1

Q: How many Advanced Services are currently included in the CPCF?

Answer 1

A: 9 Advanced Services.

Question 1

Q: What are the three service tiers in the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF)?

Answer 1

A: Essential Services, Advanced Services, and Enhanced Services.

Question 2

Q: Can all community pharmacies provide Advanced Services?

Answer 2

A: Yes, if they meet the specified requirements for each service.

Question 3

Q: Name all 9 Advanced Services currently included in the CPCF.

Answer 3

A:

Appliance Use Review (AUR)

Lateral Flow Device Service

Smoking Cessation Service

Stoma Appliance Customisation (SAC)

Flu Vaccination Service

Hypertension Case Finding Service

New Medicine Service (NMS)

Pharmacy Contraception Service

Pharmacy First Service

Question 4

Q: Which Advanced Services are more widely adopted in community pharmacies?

Answer 4

A:

New Medicine Service

Flu Vaccination Service

Hypertension Case Finding

Smoking Cessation

Pharmacy First Service

Pharmacy Contraception Service

Question 5

Q: Since when have community pharmacies provided flu vaccinations under a nationally commissioned service?

Answer 5

A: Since September 2015.

Question 6

Q: During which months is the seasonal NHS flu vaccination campaign typically run?

Answer 6

A: From autumn through to March.

Question 7

Q: Approximately how many at-risk patients were vaccinated by community pharmacists in England in 2023/24?

Answer 7

A: Approximately 3.8 million.

Question 8

Q: Name five chronic health conditions that make a person eligible for an NHS flu vaccination.

Answer 8

A:

Chronic respiratory disease

Chronic heart disease

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic liver disease

Chronic neurological disease

Question 9

Q: List at least five other groups eligible for an NHS flu vaccination besides those with chronic conditions.

Answer 9

A:

Over 65 years old

Diabetes

Immunosuppression

Splenic dysfunction/asplenia

Morbid obesity

Pregnant women

Care home residents

Carers

Close contacts of immunosuppressed patients

Frontline workers in social care settings

Hospice workers

Question 10

Q: When was the Hypertension Case Finding Service commissioned?

Answer 10

A: October 2021

Question 11

Q: Who was initially allowed to provide the Hypertension Case Finding Service?

Answer 11

A: Pharmacists or pharmacy technicians

Question 12

Q: As of 1st December 2023, who can provide the service?

Answer 12

A: Any suitably trained and competent staff member

Question 13

Q: What is the leading cause of premature death in England?

Answer 13

A: Cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Question 14

Q: What is the biggest risk factor for cardiovascular disease?

Answer 14

A: Hypertension

Question 15

Q: How many people in England are estimated to have undiagnosed hypertension?

Answer 15

A: Approximately 5.5 million

Question 16

Q: Name the three main aims of the Hypertension Case Finding Service.

Answer 16

A:

Identify and refer people with suspected hypertension (≥40 years, or <40 at staff discretion)

Undertake ad hoc clinic/ambulatory BP checks at GP request

Promote healthy behaviours

Question 17

Q: What are the inclusion criteria for the Hypertension Case Finding Service?

Answer 17

A:

Adults ≥40 years old with no hypertension diagnosis

Patients <40 with family history or who request it (staff discretion)

Patients aged 35–39 requesting or approached for testing (staff discretion)

GP referrals of any age, with or without hypertension diagnosis

Question 18

Q: What are the exclusion criteria for the service?

Answer 18

A:

People <40 years, unless referred or allowed by staff discretion

People already monitored regularly for BP by a healthcare professional

People requiring daily BP monitoring (e.g., 7-day checks)

People with atrial fibrillation or irregular heartbeat history

Question 19

Q: What is the New Medicine Service (NMS)?

Answer 19

A: A service providing support for people with long-term conditions who are newly prescribed medicines, aimed at improving medicines adherence.

Question 20

Q: When did the New Medicine Service (NMS) commence and when was it updated?

Answer 20

A: Commenced in October 2011 and updated in September 2021.

Question 21

Q: What is the main focus of the NMS?

Answer 21

A: Supporting specific patient groups with long-term conditions newly prescribed medicines.

Question 22

Q: Name five conditions covered by the NMS.

Answer 22

A:

Asthma and COPD

Type 2 Diabetes

Hypertension

Hypercholesterolaemia

Osteoporosis

Question 22

Q: Name five more conditions covered by the NMS.

Answer 22

A:

Gout

Glaucoma

Epilepsy

Stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Parkinson’s disease

Question 22

Q: Name the remaining conditions covered by the NMS.

Answer 22

A: Urinary incontinence/retention Heart failure Acute coronary syndromes Atrial fibrillation Coronary heart disease Long-term risks of venous thromboembolism/embolism

Question 23

Q: How do pharmacists know which medicines are suitable for NMS?

Answer 23

A: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) publishes a list of medicines suitable for NMS.

Question 24

Q: Who is eligible for the NMS?

Answer 24

A: Patients newly prescribed a medicine on the NHSBSA list for one of the covered long-term conditions.

Question 25

Q: When was the Pharmacy Contraception Service introduced and what did it initially provide?

Answer 25

A: Introduced in April 2023, initially for ongoing supply of oral contraception.

Question 25

Q: What change was made to the Pharmacy Contraception Service in December 2023?

Answer 25

A: It was amended to include initiation and ongoing supply of oral contraception.

Question 25

Q: What does initiation under the Pharmacy Contraception Service involve?

Answer 25

A: Starting oral contraception for the first time, restarting after a pill-free break, or switching to an alternative pill after consultation.

Question 25

Q: What is the inclusion age range for combined oral contraceptives (COC) in this service?

Answer 25

A: From menarche up to and including 49 years old.

Question 26

Q: What is the inclusion age range for progestogen-only pills (POP) in this service?

Answer 26

A: From menarche up to and including 54 years old.

Question 27

Q: Name two exclusion criteria for the Pharmacy Contraception Service.

Answer 27

A: Under 16 and assessed as not competent using Fraser Guidelines; or 16 and over but lack capacity to consent.

Question 28

Q: What are the future plans for the Pharmacy Contraception Service?

Answer 28

A: Monitoring and managing repeat long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) excluding IUS and IUD, and initiation of LARCs.

Question 29

Q: When did the Pharmacy First Service commence?

Answer 29

A: 31st January 2024.

Question 30

Q: What service does the Pharmacy First Service incorporate?

Answer 30

A: Community Pharmacist Consultation Service.

Question 31

Q: What types of consultations does the Pharmacy First Service include?

Answer 31

A: Minor illness consultations and supply of urgent medicines following referral from NHS111 and other authorised healthcare providers (not General Practice).

Question 32

Q: Under what circumstances can pharmacists supply medication without a prescription under this service?

Answer 32

A: When the patient has had the medication before and specific circumstances allow it.

Question 33

Q: Name three of the seven common conditions covered by the Pharmacy First Service.

Answer 33

A: Sinusitis (12+ years), Sore throat (5+ years), Acute otitis media (1-17 years). (Others include infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, uncomplicated UTI)

Question 34

Q: Which patients are eligible for consultations under the Pharmacy First Service?

Answer 34

A: Patients who present at the pharmacy or are referred by NHS111 or GP practice.

Question 35

Q: What are the possible outcomes of a consultation under the Pharmacy First Service?

Answer 35

A: Advice, supply of prescription-only treatment under a PGD, or supply of an over-the-counter medicine under a clinical protocol.

Question 36

Q: What is the future plan for the Pharmacy First Service regarding prescribing?

Answer 36

A: Independent prescribers may be able to provide medicines outside the scope of PGDs.