Alphega Pharmacy helps vaccinate the nation with launch of around 60 COVID-19 centres

Alphega UK has started delivering COVID-19 vaccinations to communities across the UK. Over 40 members are administering the vaccine from consultation rooms within their independent community pharmacies, with another 20 to open in the next few weeks.

Alphega Pharmacy is a leading European network of independent pharmacists. Throughout the pandemic, it has helped members by supporting application and submissions to become certified COVID-19 sites, providing over 30,000 pieces of social distancing material, launching a COVID-19 hub with resources, toolkits and signage, providing more than 3,000 face visors and over 800 digital tablets to allow pharmacists to carry out remote patient consultations, and giving practical support to customers in reception and recovery areas.

Raj Nutan, Head of Alphega Pharmacy, said: “Alphega is incredibly proud to be part of this national effort to protect our local communities against COVID-19.  Community pharmacies are often at the heart of areas where there are higher levels of health challenges and vaccine hesitancy.”

Dhimant Patel, Pharmacist and owner of Healthways Pharmacy in Harrow, London said: “We have all seen the effect that COVID-19 has had on our local communities across the UK. As primary healthcare providers, independent pharmacies are well established in their local areas and are ideally placed to help in the fight against the virus.

“We’re delighted to be part of the solution to fight the coronavirus pandemic. We have long been a partner to the NHS and we believe that this vaccination programme is something we have a key role to play in, particularly in reassuring patients, dispelling myths and misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccines and boosting uptake.”

Patients will be invited directly by the NHS to book their vaccination appointment at Alphega pharmacies.

Easter 2021 Bank Holiday Opening Hours now available

To help keep our customers informed of changes to our service, we have published our Easter 2021 Bank Holiday opening hours. 

Please click here to find out more

Class 4 Drug Alert (Caution in use only) Caffeine Citrate 10mg/Ml Solution For Injection

Macarthys Laboratories Limited T/A Martindale Pharma has informed us that the EAN barcode on the outer carton of the above batch is incorrect. When scanned, the incorrect barcode shows the batch as Martindale Pharma’s Methylthioninium Chloride Injection 1% 10 X 10ml, which has been discontinued. All other information on the outer carton (including the 2D code), as well as the immediate packaging, is correct.

The affected products' details are as follows:

Please note that Alliance Healthcare do not stock and we are not accepting stock returns.

For more information or medical information queries, please contact: medinfo@ethypharm.co.uk   

For stock control queries, please contact: Alan.josiah@ethypharm.com

Field Safety Notice Cirrus2 Nebuliser, Adult, Intersurgical Ecolite Mask Kit With Tube, 2.1m, 1453015

Intersurgical Ltd have received complaints where a product that should contain an Adult EcoliteTM Aerosol Mask with vents/exhalation ports, has been found to contain a similar mask without vents/exhalation ports, this would prevent the patient breathing normally. If a mask without vents/exhalation ports is not identified and subsequently used on a patient, in situations where the patient cannot or does not remove the mask themselves this could result in distress, harm or potential fatality. It would also prevent the intended treatment being provided to the patient.

The affected products' details are as follows:

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.

This Field Safety Notice will remain open for 3 months from the date issued unless an alternative date is agreed by instigator. The closure of this will be 16/06/2021. Please note after this date customer returns may still be accepted but customers may not be credited.

Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts.

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

Class 3 Recall Itraconazole 10mg/Ml Oral Solution 150ml

Thame Laboratories are recalling the above batches due to an issue with the container closure (child-resistant cap). The Marketing Authorisation Holder has received a number of complaints regarding the child-resistant caps which were difficult to open, and their investigation has identified an issue with the bottle capping process during the manufacture of the product.

The affected products' details are as follows:

For more information or medical information queries, please contact customer.services@syrimed.co.uk  

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.

This recall will remain open for 3 months from the date issued unless an alternative date is agreed by instigator. The closure of this will be 15/06/2021. Please note after this date customer returns may still be accepted but customers may not be credited.

Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts.

If you have any questions, then please contact your local service centre customer service team.

Stay alert online

Important notice: Please be extra careful with all online activity and remember that Alliance Healthcare will never inform you solely by email message of changes to our bank account details. Please report any suspicious email, call, or communication by calling 0203 0440 8928.

Class 4 Drug Alert Diazepam 2mg/5ml Oral Solution Sugar Free Class type: Class 4 Drug Alert (Caution in use only)

Accord-UK Ltd have informed us that important safety warnings for the excipient Propylene glycol are missing from the patient information leaflet (PIL) used in the above batches(including the batches waiting QP certification) which should be present in accordance with the current annex  to the Excipient Guidelines. Additionally, the warnings for sorbitol need updating although similar warnings are already present. The product is not subject to recall due to supply and shortage considerations

The affected products' details are as follows:

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

For more information or medical information queries, please contact:

Accord-UK Ltd Medical Information Department on 01271 385257

For stock control queries, please contact: Accord-UK Ltd Customer Services Team on 0800 373573

Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts.

Alliance Healthcare supports mothers and children at risk of malnutrition in partnership with Apprenticeship Recruitment Services

In honour of this year’s International Women’s Day, Alliance Healthcare and its Apprenticeship Recruitment Services partner are supporting Vitamin Angels via donation.

The donation will help Vitamin Angels to provide life-saving vitamins to 10,000 mothers and children under five who are at risk of malnutrition, which is one of the causes of preventable child deaths.

As part of International Women’s Day, Alliance Healthcare is hosting a selection of internal events that explore key themes, such as allyship, wellbeing, and career development. In addition, talented female leaders will be celebrated throughout the week, 8 to 12 March, and there will be an inspiring panel session with senior female leaders.

Natasha Wilson, Acting HR Director, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to support Vitamin Angels with the vital work they do to help mothers and children, and break the cycle of malnutrition. At Alliance Healthcare we are fortunate that our workforce is diverse and rich in culture, with many women leading the way across our business. As a senior female leader, it’s important for me and all of my female colleagues to act as role models for women in business.”

Myrtle Northage from Apprenticeship Recruitment Services said: “Apprenticeship Recruitment Services is proud to support this year’s International Women’s Day. Equality and diversity is something that we take very seriously. Since the inception of the business we have insisted that apprentices and staff are treated fairly, with equal treatment and access to apprenticeship opportunities and resources. All of our apprenticeships are gender diverse and we work with Alliance Healthcare to ensure that access is available to all. In sponsoring this day we hope to raise the profile of women and celebrate their successes so that they become role models for future employees.”

Alliance Healthcare continues to champion essential activities that will help its people fulfil their potential. There is a professional leadership programme that drives leadership skills and capabilities for both women and men, and 74 females (43% of all delegates) are enrolled. A further 118 women are also studying for apprenticeships in a range of subjects including team leadership and management, project management and customer service.

Alliance Healthcare thanks its sponsor Apprenticeship Recruitment Services for their generous support.
 

Alliance Healthcare donates over 12,000 items of personal protective equipment to charity workers in Leeds

At Alliance Healthcare, we are very proud of the ongoing commitment of our colleagues to support their local communities.

Most recently, team members at our Leeds Service Centre came to the aid of a community charity, The Real Junk Food Project, when it was in need of vital personal protective equipment (PPE) for its volunteers. 

The charity aims to reduce the amount of food entering landfill by redistributing surplus items from supermarkets and restaurants to food banks and primary schools and those in the community in need of it. 

Overall, 12,000 face masks and gloves were donated to the charity, a three-month supply, to enable its volunteers to continue making up hampers of surplus food items and deliver them to local residents. 

In addition, a home delivery driver from our sister company Boots delivered some of the hampers on behalf of The Real Junk Food Project to residents in south Leeds. 

Well done to everyone involved!

From left to right: Ben Gower and Ross Stones

Class 3 Recall - Easyhaler Salbutamol

Orion Corporation T/A Orion Pharma (UK) Ltd are recalling the below batches as a precautionary measure due to an issue related to moulding defects in the bulk chambers where the inhalation powder is stored. There is a risk that the defect possibly presents as a hole in the bulk chamber resulting in the minor loss of inhalation powder. The manufacturer has confirmed that the devices will continue to function correctly with no impact on patient safety

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-3-medicines-recall-easyhaler-salbutamol-sulfate-100-micrograms-per-actuation-slash-200-micrograms-per-actuation-inhalation-powder-el-21-a-slash-06?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=43302c1f-c2f7-4a15-ace9-ad4630bf5c67&utm_content=immediately

Further Information

For more information or medical information queries, please contact: UK.MedicalInformation@orionpharma.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

This recall will remain open for 3 months from the date issued unless an alternative date is agreed by instigator. The closure of this will be 01/06/2021. Please note after this date customer returns may still be accepted but customers may not be credited.