PSNC is working with the Department of Health to finalise a mechanism by which pharmacy contractors will be able to claim reimbursement for their expenditure on personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and hopes to make an announcement in the near future.

Any PPE purchased by contractors up until 31 December will be covered by the reimbursement mechanism, if it will be used by the end of March 2021. But PSNC says contractors should be aware that any PPE purchased directly by them from 1 January 2021 will not be reimbursable via the mechanism.

Contractors are reminded that they can continue to order free-of-charge PPE for use in their pharmacy via the DHSC’s PPE portal. Details of how to register are on the PSNC website.

The DHSC has announced a 25 per cent increase in order limits for PPE orders over the Christmas period until 4 January 2021. The PPE Portal will be operational over the Christmas period but deliveries will not be made on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Orders made during the Christmas period should still be delivered within five days.