Class 4 Drug Caution in use - AMOXICILLIN SF SOLN 500MG/5ML

Brown & Burk UK Limited would like to notify you of an error regarding specific batches of Amoxicillin 500 mg/ 5 ml Powder for oral suspension, sold and distributed in the UK. The product information incorrectly states the quantity of the excipient sodium benzoate. The actual quantity of sodium benzoate is 3.75mg/5ml. On the PIL it is incorrectly reported as 7.5mg/5ml and in the SmPC it is 15mg/5ml (1.5mg/ml)

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-4-medicines-defect-information-amoxicillin-500-mg-slash-5-ml-powder-for-oral-suspension-pl-25298-slash-0248-el-21-a-slash-18?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=f29a9822-cac1-4ec1-b4d9-743ca644267c&utm_content=immediately   

This may have been supplied by AHDL. Unfortunately we are not providing specific batch information you will  be required to follow the instructions as per the drug alert.

This is a caution in use only we are not accepting stock returns.

For more information, medical information queries please contact:

Email: pv@bbukltd.com

For stock enquiries please contact:

Email: customercare@bbukltd.com

Tel: 0203 384 7188.

Company Led - Field Safety Notice - BAUSH & LOMB

Bausch + Lomb is conducting a recall of certain lots of Biotrue®, ReNu® and ReNu® MultiPlus Boston® and Boston® Simplus Multi-action, Sensitive Eyes™ and EasySept® contact lens solution since we cannot confirm the compliance of the supplier’s sterilization process used for some components of these products.

MHRA drug alert link: N/A   

If you have any questions, please contact Bausch + Lomb Customer Service.

Email: Pharma_CS@bausch.com

Phone: 0845 602 2350

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

If you have any questions, then please contact your local Service Centre Customer Services team.

National Driver shortage

HGV drivers

It has been widely covered in the UK press that there is a shortage of HGV drivers available across the country.

As a business, Alliance Healthcare and all subsidiary companies have a strong network of HGV drivers. One third of our workforce have achieved long service awards, with more than ten years’ experience, and tremendous loyalty to the business. This gives us confidence that we are in a safe place with regard to employment in this sector and our role in supporting the UK patient.

Van drivers

With our daily driver population we are experiencing two main issues: COVID absence rates due to isolations and a recruitment shortage across the country. With one of these complications in isolation our service levels would be maintained, however with both at once, it does cause some difficulties.

You may have recently experienced some missing deliveries on occasion from certain service centres for which we apologise and hope this has not significantly impacted supply to your patients. Please be assured that where this has occurred, we have endeavoured to, and will continue to let you know as soon as possible and provide information through the myahprtal.

How we are mitigating the situation

On a day by day basis, teams across operations are working hard to ensure that these challenges impact service as little as possible. This includes dynamic route changing, prioritisation and altering staffing. There is also an ongoing recruitment drive to encourage drivers to join our business. We encourage you all to refer any individuals to us if they could be suitable for a role.

Committed to supporting our customers and patients

Despite these current challenges, maintaining a stable service to customers remains our priority and we thank you for your continued support. The UK patient is at the heart of everything we do and we appreciate your continued dedication.

We will continue to keep you updated on the situation as it evolves.

Class 4 Drug Caution in use - SEVREDOL 10 MG AND 20MG TABLETS

Napp Pharmaceuticals Limited would like to notify you of an error regarding specific batches of Sevredol 10 mg Tablets and Sevredol 20 mg Tablets, sold and distributed in the UK. The error identified relates to approved safety-related variations to the PIL that were not implemented, resulting in an older version of artwork being used and packed within finished batches

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-4-medicines-defect-information-sevredol-10-mg-and-20mg-tablets-pl-16950-slash-0063-pl-16950-slash-0064-el-21-a-slash-17?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=584858cd-3f8d-4b3f-8bf2-768eb8caa361&utm_content=immediately

Alliance healthcare do not stock this product therefore we are not accepting stock returns.

For more information, medical information queries or replacement PIL enquiries, please contact: medicalinformationuk@napp.co.uk

For stock control queries, please contact:supplies.uk@napp.co.uk

If you have any questions, then please contact your local Service Centre Customer Services team.

Alliance Healthcare Team Member Along with Owner of Peel Green Pharmacy Recognised with the Mayor of Preston's Coronavirus Community Hero Award

We are delighted that Zak Patel, our Leigh Service Centre Manager, and Nasim Patel, owner of Peel Green Pharmacy, have received this special award, along with associates, for establishing Fulwood Foodbank, to support Preston residents in need through the pandemic.

On a weekly basis the group delivered food parcels to families that had been referred to them by Preston City Council, schools and colleges, and local charities.  Supermarkets in the area donated essential food items, as well as nappies and formula, while other local businesses and residents made generous financial contributions – some weeks it was in excess of £7,000!

At the height of the pandemic, they were supporting 2,000 families with three meals a day, seven days a week – that’s a staggering 42,000 meals a week!

Commenting on the award, Managing Director Julian Mount says: “It is fantastic recognition that Zak Patel, our Leigh Service Centre Manager, has been formally recognised by the Mayor of Preston for his local community support work in the height of the pandemic.  Zak is a true example to us all in selflessly putting his community first.  I want to thank Zak for being such a great example to us all.”

Zak Patel says: “I’m proud of how we have been able to help our community and it’s an honour to be recognised. The pandemic has quashed the myth that food banks are just for those sleeping rough as people with homes and jobs have been reliant on them through COVID. It’s heartening to see what can be achieved when we work together.”

Nasim Patel, Peel Green Pharmacy, says: “As a pharmacist I could see that patients were experiencing hardship and struggling before the pandemic. I knew that COVID would amplify the situation and wanted to be able to support the most vulnerable in our community.”

Alliance Healthcare is proud of the vital role its team members play to support the NHS, independent pharmacy and the communities it serves.

Monday 12 July 2021 Bank Holiday Opening Hours - Northern Ireland

Dear Customers

Please note that Belfast Service Centre will be closed on Monday 12 July and is offering full service on Tuesday 13 July.

Any orders placed over the weekend between 10-11 July will be delivered Tuesday 13 July AM.  If a customer is closed, delivery will be made on Wednesday 14 July.

Any orders placed on Monday 12 July, will be delivered on Tuesday 13 July.  If a customer is closed, delivery will be made on Wednesday 14 July.

In the event of an emergency (i.e., urgent CD lines being required) when Belfast Service Centre is open or closed, please call customer service on 0330 100 0448

Outside of normal opening hours, when you enter your account number, you will hear a message advising you of your supplying Service Centre which you will need to make a note of, you will then be directed to the out of hours security company who will handle your call and direct it to the appropriate service centre.

The previous numbers will no longer be in use, so please ensure you update your records with the number above to ensure there is no delay with your request.

Please note, all emergency call outs will incur a £100 charge, plus courier charges.

Class 4 Drug Caution in use - TETRALYSAL 300MG HARD CAPSULES.

Galderma UK would like to notify you of an error identified by Galderma regarding specific batches of Tetralysal 300mg Hard Capsules, sold and distributed in the UK. The error identified relates to approved safety-related variations to the PIL that were not implemented, resulting in an older version of artwork being used and packed within finished batches. Additional warnings, precautions and side effects have been updated in the latest version of the PIL

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-4-medicines-defect-information-tetralysal-300mg-hard-capsules-pl-10590-slash-0019-el-21-a-slash-16?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=b7dd4d76-0102-4c23-aef5-75c8db9d349c&utm_content=immediately

This may have been supplied by AHDL. Unfortunately we are not providing specific batch information you will  be required to follow the instructions as per the drug alert.

This is a caution in use only we are not accepting stock returns.

For more information, medical information queries or replacement PIL enquiries, please contact: medinfo.uk@galderma.com

For stock control queries, please contact: sales.uk@galderma.com

If you have any questions, then please contact your local Service Centre Customer Services team

Alphega Pharmacy proudly champions TEAMtime for its members with Pharmacist Support

Alphega Pharmacy continues its commitment to help the wellbeing of its pharmacy members across the UK, as proud sponsors of TEAMtime with Pharmacist Support – running from Monday 5 July to Friday 9 July inclusive.

Following on from the successful partnership with Pharmacist Support in 2020, on the #ACTnow wellbeing campaign, Alphega Pharmacy is teaming up with Pharmacist Support once again to run a new campaign dedicated for its members. The campaign, appropriately called – TEAMtime, will encourage Alphega Pharmacy members to spend time with their team, putting their team members wellbeing first and having a well-earned break.

“We recognise that this has been an especially challenging 18 months for our pharmacy members, and here at Alphega Pharmacy we wanted to do something to help” commented Raj Nutan, Head of Alphega Pharmacy UK.

“Pharmacy teams spend much of their day focusing on others and can often find it difficult to spend the time to focus on themselves. But this is so important. During TEAMtime we want to help our members prioritise themselves and their teams. By working with Pharmacist Support and encouraging our members to make time for TEAMtime, we hope it will kick start an Alphega Pharmacy team wellbeing routine”

Across the week, newly trained Alphega „Wellbeing Champions‟ and charity ambassadors will be visiting members and encouraging them to participate in a number of activities. The campaign is focusing on four key areas that will kick start the campaign week, these include:

- TEAMtime Tea Break - Set aside some time at the beginning or end of the day with a cup of tea and biscuit, to just connect with your team and chat!

-TEAMtime Positivity Board - Create a board with post-it notes, to share the small positiveinteractions you have with colleagues and patients, to help you celebrate and appreciate thesmaller things each day

-TEAMtime Active Challenge – Being active is good for your lungs, heart, and head, so challengeyourself and your team to get out and about during lunch breaks or even before or after work.

-TEAMtime Mindfulness – Download a mindfulness app (e.g. Calm or Headspace) to help supportyou to manage day-to-day stresses and strains or simply complete a daily crossword or sudokuduring your lunch break to give your mind a break.

Raj also highlighted what mental health support Alphega Pharmacy are providing to its colleagues: ”As a business, we believe in not only supporting our members mental health but also supporting each other. We have committed to providing metal health first aider training to our Alphega Pharmacy Business Mentor team by the end of the year, with over 50% of the team already having completed the training so far.”

Danielle Hunt, Chief Executive of Pharmacist Support said: “We‟re absolutely delighted to be working with Alphega Pharmacy once again. We have seen through our research over the past couple of years, increasingly high levels of stress and burnout across the profession. We‟re keen to work with organisations across the sector to address these issues and as an independent charity, feel we are well placed to provide this support. Through our partnership with Alphega Pharmacy, we want to help pharmacy teams establish simple routines that improve mental wellbeing for individuals and organisations. We want to showcase how setting aside a small amount of time every day for wellbeing can improve mood, relationships and productivity.”

To find out more about how Alphega Pharmacy can help independent pharmacy businesses, please call: 0203 044 8969 or email: membersupport@alphega-pharmacy.co.uk

CLASS 2 RECALL - XOMOLIX 2.5MG/ML SOLUTION FOR INJECTION

Kyowa Kirin Limited is recalling the below batches as a precautionary measure, due to the reports of glass and cellulose fibre contamination, which was identified during stability and reference sample inspection

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-kyowa-kirin-limited-xomolix-2-dot-5-mg-slash-ml-solution-for-injection-el-21-a-slash-15?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=3e23300a-19ec-459c-9311-e77b781e4d45&utm_content=immediately   

Further information

For Stock control enquiries please contact

Karen Murray, Commercial Manager

Telephone: +44 (0) 1896 661665 / Mobile: +44 (0) 7712 001288

Email: karen.murray@kyowakirin.com

For Medical information enquiries please contact

Medical Information Direct Line: + 44 (0)1896 664 000

Email: medinfo@kyowakirin.com

For Quality information please contact

Martin Smith (Responsible Person)

Telephone: Mobile: +44 7904671807

Email: Martin.Smith@kyowakirin.com.

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 3 months of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit..

If you have any questions, then please contact your local Service Centre Customer Services team.

Pharmacy Recognised for COVID-19 Efforts as Alliance Healthcare Calls for Continued Expansion of Community Pharmacy Following HM Government Funding Announcement

29 June 2021

Pharmacies across England will be able to claim for COVID-19 costs in line with the recent announcement by PSNC with the HM Government funding. Alliance Healthcare and Alphega Pharmacy is pleased that community pharmacy is now recognised for its instrumental role in the fight against COVID-19 and the success of the COVID-19 vaccination success.

Speaking on the decision, Julian Mount, Managing Director, Alliance Healthcare said: “Since the start of the pandemic, pharmacy customers and patients have recognised the dedication and commitment of pharmacy teams, as the frontline for the NHS for over 15 months. It is great news that now the Department for Health and Social Care is seeing this value too, and we appreciate the hard work from the PSNC and government to support community pharmacy, and we hope to see it go even further.

“In addition to this important step, we must continue to stay focused on recognising the essential role community pharmacists have in improving the health of patients across the UK and create a reimbursement structure that reflects their positive impact.

“The next stage is how we look at the further integration of community pharmacy in England into the primary healthcare team – with autumn on the horizon, winter aliments, flu vaccinations and COVID-19 boosters – we need to ensure the treasury recognise the contribution of pharmacy. Then longer term pharmacy has a key role in helping address backlogs in health, mental health and long-term conditions – and this must be addressed and not forgotten by the relevant stakeholders.”

Raj Nutan, Head of Alphega Pharmacy UK comments: “Notwithstanding the issues surrounding the advance payments, overall, we recognise the work PSNC has done in getting a decision and welcome at long last there is a recognition by the government of the costs pharmacies have had during this difficult COVID-19 period – with community pharmacy going above and beyond, as always, for the UK patients.

The Alphega Pharmacy team will be monitoring and awaiting the detailed guidance from the Drug Tariff with further input from PSNC. In the meantime, we stand ready to support all of our pharmacists any way we can to ensure all Alphega Pharmacy members can appropriately, accurately and effectively claim their costs within a timely window.”