Good data for Diphtheria....
http://ping.fm/0It74
Friday 16 March 2012
QOF 2012/13 changes
QOF guidance 2012-2013 (fifth revision)
As part of the 2012-2013 GMS contract changes, the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) and NHS Employers have agreed a number of changes to the quality and outcomes framework (QOF) effective from 1 April 2012.
The key changes are:
As part of the 2012-2013 GMS contract changes, the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) and NHS Employers have agreed a number of changes to the quality and outcomes framework (QOF) effective from 1 April 2012.
The key changes are:
- the retirement of seven indicators (CHD13, AF4, QP1, QP2, QP3, QP4, QP5) releasing 45 points to fund new and replacement indicators
- the replacement of seven indicators with eight NICE recommended replacement indicators, focusing on six clinical areas namely Diabetes, Mental Health, Asthma, Depression, Atrial Fibrillation and Smoking
- the introduction of nine new NICE recommended clinical indicators, including two new clinical areas (Atrial Fibrillation, Smoking, PAD and Osteoporosis)
- the introduction of three new organisational indicators for improving Quality and Productivity which focus on Accident and Emergency attendancesamendments to indicator wording for CHD9, CHD10, CHD14, Stroke12, DM26, DM27, DM28 and DEM3inclusion of telephone reviews for Epilepsy 6Quality and productivity indicators
The six quality and productivity (QP) indicators covering outpatient referrals and emergency admissions have been agreed for a further year.
Three new QP indicators on Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendances have been introduced for one year and are aimed at reducing avoidable A&E attendances. These indicators continue to be aimed at securing a more effective use of NHS resources through improvements in the quality of primary care.
Miscellaneous changes
In addition to the above, a number of other changes have been agreed as follows:
Changes to the points values for the following indicators:
- BP4 - reduced by eight points to eight points
- BP5 - reduced by two points to 55 points
- DM2 - reduced by two points to one point
- DM22 - reduced by two points to one point
- CKD2 - reduced by two points to four points
- Smoking3 (now Smoking5) - reduced by five points to 25 points
- Smoking4 (now Smoking6) - reduced by five points to 25 points
A number of threshold changes as follows
- raising all lower thresholds for indicators currently 40-90% to 50-90%,
- raising all lower thresholds for indicators currently with an upper threshold between 70-85% to 45%,
- a number of upper threshold changes for indicators CHD6, CHD10, PP1, PP2, HF4, STROKE6, STROKE8, DM17, DM31, and COPD10lower and upper threshold changes for BP5, MH10 and DEM2
- ASTHMA3 has been renumbered to ASTHMA10 following a change to the business rules to include a new exception cluster.
- DEP4 has been renumbered to DEP6 following a change to the prevalence calculation to apply to all new diagnosis of depression from April 2006.
- MH14 has been renumbered to MH19 following a change to the business rules to include an exclusion cluster for patients already diagnosed with CVD.
- Records23 has moved into the clinical domain and the supporting business rules have been amended. This indicator is renumbered to Smoking7.
- Education1 has been renumbered to Education11 due a change to the indicator wording.Summary of Allocation of Clinical Domain points
CLINICAL DOMAIN 2012/13 QOF POINTS
- Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease 48
- Cardiovascular disease – primary prevention 13
- Heart failure 29
- Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack 22
- Hypertension 69
- Diabetes mellitus 88
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 30
- Epilepsy 14
- Hypothyroidism 7
- Cancer 11
- Palliative care 6
- Mental health 40
- Asthma 45
- Dementia 26
- Depression 31
- Chronic kidney disease 36
- Atrial fibrillation 27
- Obesity 8
- Learning disabilities 7
- Smoking 73
- Peripheral arterial disease 9
- Osteoporosis : secondary prevention of fragility fractures 9
If you have found this informative please visit the 2020 Selection website where you will find many other relevant Factsheets in the Candidates Section
Source: http://www.nhsemployers.org The full QOF guidance is available to download from this site
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Monday 20 February 2012
Clinical Therapeutics Specialist - Orphan products - Northern UK/ Southern UK/ Ireland - Excellent reward package - 4724
New Opportunity - Clinical Therapeutics Specialist - Orphan Product - New product launch opportunity.
Three territories:-
1. Northern England & Scotland
2. Southern England & Wales
3. Ireland
As a medical sales professional launching a new entity in to the market is one of the most thrilling and challenging career landmarks. For our client, there is just one chance to bring their new product to market; hence we are in search of an elite salesperson who can establish a breakthrough treatment in key centres across your territories. You must:
- Thrive in a fast-paced working environment
- Be able to work with your internal and external stakeholders to drive through results
- Understand the market dynamics, particularly around funding and use of Orphan status products
- Have sound planning skills with strong commercial judgement
- Be motivated by the ultimate goal of improving patients’ lives
Critical to your success will be the ability to remove any barriers to usage of the specialist product so as all relevant patients who would benefit have access to the drug. You would need to;
- Develop and execute specific account plans
- Communicate disease and product knowledge effectively
- Create a long-term ‘partnership’ and value propositions with all key stakeholders
This is a high profile sales role requiring a range of transferable skills and knowledge; it is likely you can demonstrate the following:
- A proven track record of sales success in your pharmaceutical/biotech career to date
- Experience of selling in a highly specialist market (Orphan products, other high cost:low volume areas)
- An understanding of the healthcare regulatory environment
- Excellence in selling skills, account management and networking
- Prior product launch experience will be an advantage
- Degree level education
- Valid UK driving license (max 6 pts)
You will need to able to cover your territory effectively so a willingness to travel/stay overnight, as the business requires, is a must.
The successful person will be joining a new sales team and be at the forefront of future growth plans for this ambitious company. On offer is a top end basic salary plus an extensive benefits package.
To be considered for this exciting vacancy please send your CV to administrator@2020selection.co.uk or call our specialist team on 0845 026 2020.
http://ping.fm/mJhe3
Three territories:-
1. Northern England & Scotland
2. Southern England & Wales
3. Ireland
As a medical sales professional launching a new entity in to the market is one of the most thrilling and challenging career landmarks. For our client, there is just one chance to bring their new product to market; hence we are in search of an elite salesperson who can establish a breakthrough treatment in key centres across your territories. You must:
- Thrive in a fast-paced working environment
- Be able to work with your internal and external stakeholders to drive through results
- Understand the market dynamics, particularly around funding and use of Orphan status products
- Have sound planning skills with strong commercial judgement
- Be motivated by the ultimate goal of improving patients’ lives
Critical to your success will be the ability to remove any barriers to usage of the specialist product so as all relevant patients who would benefit have access to the drug. You would need to;
- Develop and execute specific account plans
- Communicate disease and product knowledge effectively
- Create a long-term ‘partnership’ and value propositions with all key stakeholders
This is a high profile sales role requiring a range of transferable skills and knowledge; it is likely you can demonstrate the following:
- A proven track record of sales success in your pharmaceutical/biotech career to date
- Experience of selling in a highly specialist market (Orphan products, other high cost:low volume areas)
- An understanding of the healthcare regulatory environment
- Excellence in selling skills, account management and networking
- Prior product launch experience will be an advantage
- Degree level education
- Valid UK driving license (max 6 pts)
You will need to able to cover your territory effectively so a willingness to travel/stay overnight, as the business requires, is a must.
The successful person will be joining a new sales team and be at the forefront of future growth plans for this ambitious company. On offer is a top end basic salary plus an extensive benefits package.
To be considered for this exciting vacancy please send your CV to administrator@2020selection.co.uk or call our specialist team on 0845 026 2020.
http://ping.fm/mJhe3
Friday 17 February 2012
Superb Opportunity - Hospital Sales Representative - Portfolio of specialist IV products - North East and East Midlands, England
Hospital Sales Specialist - Basic to £45k, OTE £60k++An opportunity to develop your talents working for a leading global Healthcare Company. Our client is currently looking for a Sales Specialist to develop the business in key hospital accounts throughout the North East, Yorkshire and East Midlands. Although a large geographical area this is a focused and targeted role with an emphasis on key account management.
This organisation has built an enviable portfolio of products and services that push back the frontiers of medical care and ultimately ensuring a better quality of life for people everywhere.
This opportunity for a Sales Specialist is an integral part of a specialty sales team reporting to the National Sales & Marketing Manager. You would be fully supported by internal functions such as marketing, customer services, logistics and shared services; YOU would be the interface of the company and the customer. With a drive for increased Patient Safety, in the NHS, when administering medication, our client is an excellent position to develop partnerships in hospital trusts. This role will involve selling new as well as some established products and services.
Key responsibilities would include:- Developing and implementing appropriate strategies for agreed customer targets with the objective of driving sales results and achieving or exceeding budgets. - To identify key finance and clinical decision makers within Consortia, Hospitals and Units and arrange meetings to promote relevant products and services - Gathering intelligence on customer plans and purchasing intentions and recommend responsive, timely and appropriate action.- Maintaining a high level of knowledge of the therapy area and related products - In conjunction with the National Sales Manager and wider commercial management team, provide informed input into/manage the tender process.- Calling on key customers as per your business plan (Clinical/Aspectic/Purchasing Pharmacists, Procurement, Clinicians, Specialist Nurses)
To be considering for this exciting opportunity you are likely to have- Previous hospital sales experience (2 years)- Knowledge/Experience of NHS structure & buying processes - Life sciences degree, nursing qualification, business degree (or equivalent experience in UK healthcare market for minimum of 2 years)- ABPI qualification and/or willing to study if required.
In return for your expertise if successful you will be offered a competitive salary & excellent benefits package including an uncapped bonus scheme. You will also receive first rate training and ongoing development.
To discuss this role in more detail please contact us on 0845 026 2020 or alternatively please submit your details by emailing administrator@2020selection.co.uk
This organisation has built an enviable portfolio of products and services that push back the frontiers of medical care and ultimately ensuring a better quality of life for people everywhere.
This opportunity for a Sales Specialist is an integral part of a specialty sales team reporting to the National Sales & Marketing Manager. You would be fully supported by internal functions such as marketing, customer services, logistics and shared services; YOU would be the interface of the company and the customer. With a drive for increased Patient Safety, in the NHS, when administering medication, our client is an excellent position to develop partnerships in hospital trusts. This role will involve selling new as well as some established products and services.
Key responsibilities would include:- Developing and implementing appropriate strategies for agreed customer targets with the objective of driving sales results and achieving or exceeding budgets. - To identify key finance and clinical decision makers within Consortia, Hospitals and Units and arrange meetings to promote relevant products and services - Gathering intelligence on customer plans and purchasing intentions and recommend responsive, timely and appropriate action.- Maintaining a high level of knowledge of the therapy area and related products - In conjunction with the National Sales Manager and wider commercial management team, provide informed input into/manage the tender process.- Calling on key customers as per your business plan (Clinical/Aspectic/Purchasing Pharmacists, Procurement, Clinicians, Specialist Nurses)
To be considering for this exciting opportunity you are likely to have- Previous hospital sales experience (2 years)- Knowledge/Experience of NHS structure & buying processes - Life sciences degree, nursing qualification, business degree (or equivalent experience in UK healthcare market for minimum of 2 years)- ABPI qualification and/or willing to study if required.
In return for your expertise if successful you will be offered a competitive salary & excellent benefits package including an uncapped bonus scheme. You will also receive first rate training and ongoing development.
To discuss this role in more detail please contact us on 0845 026 2020 or alternatively please submit your details by emailing administrator@2020selection.co.uk
Thursday 9 February 2012
NHS Patient Safety - Reducing Medication Errors
How can Pharmaceutical Companies contribute to improving NHS Patient Safety?
They can demonstrate ‘added value’ , for example, by either offering products which contribute directly to making the administration of medicines safer by helping to reduce:-
a.Making the drug up to the wrong strength
b.Using the wrong diluent
c.Microbial or other forms of contamination
d.Labelling errors
e.Administration by the incorrect route by clearer design/packaging of the product
The products which are commonly offered as part of a compounding service include:-
a.Cytotoxics
b.Antibiotics
c.Inotropes
d.Potassium solutions
e.TPN
f.Unlicensed medicines
In addition, the provision of non-promotional training/educational services to healthcare professionals in the form of Continuing Professional Development events and nurse advisor teams helps to educate NHS staff on how to administer medicines more
a.Confidently
b.Accurately
c.Competently
The Department of Health (DH) has issued the following list of ‘Never Events’ for 2012-13. The list is circulated to a wide range of NHS managers, clinicians and healthcare professional allied to medicine.
The document authors are the DH’s Patient Safety and Investigations unit. The purpose of the document is to highlight certain events which are deemed to be very serious risks to the standard of care to patients, but most importantly avoidable.
The document forms part of the wider DH’s Patient Safety Agenda policy and should be read in conjunction with the NHS Standards Contract for organisations providing services to the NHS
1.Wrong site surgery
2.Wrong implant/prosthesis
3.Retained foreign object post-operation
4.Wrongly prepared high-risk injectable medication
5.Maladministration of potassium-containing solutions
6.Wrong route administration of chemotherapy
7.Wrong route administration of oral/enteral treatment
8.Intravenous administration of epidural medication
9.Maladministration of Insulin
10.Overdose of midazolam during conscious sedation
11.Opioid overdose of an opioid-naïve patient
12.Inappropriate administration of daily oral methotrexate
13.Suicide using non-collapsible rails
14.Escape of a transferred prisoner
15.Falls from unrestricted windows
16.Entrapment in bedrails
17.Transfusion of ABO-incompatible blood components
18.Transplantation of ABO incompatible organs as a result of error
19.Misplaced naso- or oro-gastric tubes
20.Wrong gas administered
21.Failure to monitor and respond to oxygen saturation
22.Air embolism
23.Misidentification of patients
24.Severe scalding of patients
25.Maternal death due to post partum haemorrhage after elective Caesarean section
Source: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_132352.pdf
You can read the whole document if you wish, but the indicators within the specific areas where the Pharmaceutical Industry has opportunities to work in conjunction with the NHS includes:-
4.Wrongly prepared high-risk injectable medication
· Death or severe harm as a result of a wrongly prepared high-risk injectable medication.
· High-risk injectable medicines are identified using the NPSA’s risk assessment tool1. A list of high-risk medicines has been prepared by the NHS Aseptic Pharmacy Services Group using this tool2. Organisations should have their own list of high-risk medications for the purposes of the “never event” policy, which may vary from the NHS Aseptic Pharmacy Services Group list, depending on local circumstances.
· A high risk injectable medicine is considered wrongly prepared if it was not; o prepared in accordance with the manufacturer's Specification of Product Characteristics;
1 NPSA High Risk Medication Risk Assessment Tool, 2007, available at
http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=60097&type=full&servicet ype=Attachment
2 Pharmaceutical Aseptic Services Group. Example risk assessment of injectable medicines. 2007. Available at http://www.civas.co.uk/
· This event excludes any incidents that are covered by other “never events”.
· Where death or severe harm cannot be attributed to incorrect preparation, treat as a Serious Untoward Incident.
5. Maladministration of potassium-containing solutions
Death or severe harm as a result of maladministration of a potassium-containing solution.
Maladministration refers to;
selection of strong potassium solution instead of intended other medication,
wrong route administration, for example a solution intended for central venous catheter administration given peripherally,
infusion at a rate greater than intended.
Setting: All healthcare settings.
Guidance: - Patient safety alert – Potassium chloride concentrate solutions, 2002 (updated 2003), available at http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59882
6. Wrong route administration of chemotherapy
Intravenous or other chemotherapy (for example, vincristine) that is correctly prescribed but administered via the wrong route (usually into the intrathecal space).
Setting: All healthcare premises.
Guidance: - HSC2008/001: Updated national guidance on the safe administration of intrathecal chemotherapy, available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/publicationsandstatistics/lettersandcirculars/healthservicecirculars/dh_ 086870 - Rapid Response Report NPSA/2008/RRR004 using vinca alkaloid minibags (adult/adolescent units), available at http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59890
7. Wrong route administration of oral/enteral treatment
Death or severe harm as a result of oral/enteral medication, feed or flush administered by any parenteral route.
Setting: All healthcare settings.
Guidance: - Patient Safety Alert NPSA/2007/19 - Promoting safer measurement and administration of liquid medicines via oral and other enteral routes, 2007, available at http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59808
8. Death or severe harm as a result of intravenous administration of epidural medication.
A broader “never event” covering intravenous administration of intrathecal medication or The “never events” list 2012/13 9 intrathecal administration of intravenous medication is intended once the deadlines for Patient Safety Alert 004A and B actions have passed.
Setting: All healthcare premises.
Guidance: - Patient Safety Alert NPSA/2007/21, Safer practice with epidural injections and infusions, available at http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59807 - Safer spinal (intrathecal), epidural and regional devices - Parts A and B, available at http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?EntryId45=65259
9. Maladministration of Insulin
Death or severe harm as a result of maladministration of insulin by a health professional. Maladministration in this instance refers to when a health professional
uses any abbreviation for the words ‘unit’ or ‘units’ when prescribing insulin in writing,
issues an unclear or misinterpreted verbal instruction to a colleague,
fails to use a specific insulin administration device e.g. an insulin syringe or insulin pen to draw up or administer insulin, or
fails to give insulin when correctly prescribed.
Setting: All healthcare settings.
Guidance: - Rapid response report – Safer administration of insulin, 2010, available at http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/alerts/?entryid45=74287 - NHS Diabetes – Safe use of insulin, 2010, available at http://www.diabetes.nhs.uk/safe_use_of_insulin/ - NHSIII Toolkit – Think Glucose, 2008, available at www.institute.nhs.uk/thinkglucose - NHS Diabetes guidance - The Hospital Management of Hypoglycaemia in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus, 2010, available at http://www.diabetes.nhs.uk/document.php?o=1037
19. Misplaced naso- or oro-gastric tubes
Death or severe harm as a result of a naso- or oro-gastric tube being misplaced in the respiratory tract.
Setting: All healthcare premises.
Guidance: - Patient safety alert – Reducing harm caused by misplaced nasogastric feeding tubes, 2005, available at http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59794 - Patient safety alert – Reducing harm caused by misplaced naso and orogastric feeding tubes in babies under the care of neonatal units, 2005, available at http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59798&q=0%c2%acnasogastric%c2%ac
Please visit the 20:20 Selection website if you have found this article helpful, as we regularly update the articles in our Factsheet section
http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
Wednesday 8 February 2012
Hospital Sales Representative Opportunity in Yorkshire
Springboard your career with a New Job in medical sales – Key Account Manager, Hospital Sales Representative, Yorkshire (North Yorks, York, Wakefield, Leeds, Hull, East Riding)
An opportunity to take your career forward selling to specialist customers in secondary care and also pulling this through with selected primary care customers with a relevant interest; this is a key account management role with responsibility for the sales and market share growth of a specialist product on your territory.
You would be working for an established yet evolving pharmaceutical company who are focused on developing lasting business partnerships with their customers in the NHS.
This position does require that you are ABPI qualified and have a proven track record of delivering against your targets in your career to date. If you have worked this territory and have proven your ability in key hospital accounts then this will be a distinct advantage. Importantly you will be;
- Highly motivated, enthusiastic and driven to succeed
- Have excellent business planning skills
- Be able to develop relationships and networks within your key accounts
- Want to be part of a high performing specialist team
- Be willing to go the extra mile to differentiate yourself, your product and company within the marketplace.
On offer will be an attractive basic salary, car, bonus and other benefits associated with the pharmaceutical industry. 2011 has been an exciting year in this organisation; be part of it in 2012.
The team at 20:20 Selection Ltd is here to discuss your background and suitability for this fantastic opportunity. Call us on 0845 026 2020 or you can also email administrator@2020selection.co.uk with your CV.
An opportunity to take your career forward selling to specialist customers in secondary care and also pulling this through with selected primary care customers with a relevant interest; this is a key account management role with responsibility for the sales and market share growth of a specialist product on your territory.
You would be working for an established yet evolving pharmaceutical company who are focused on developing lasting business partnerships with their customers in the NHS.
This position does require that you are ABPI qualified and have a proven track record of delivering against your targets in your career to date. If you have worked this territory and have proven your ability in key hospital accounts then this will be a distinct advantage. Importantly you will be;
- Highly motivated, enthusiastic and driven to succeed
- Have excellent business planning skills
- Be able to develop relationships and networks within your key accounts
- Want to be part of a high performing specialist team
- Be willing to go the extra mile to differentiate yourself, your product and company within the marketplace.
On offer will be an attractive basic salary, car, bonus and other benefits associated with the pharmaceutical industry. 2011 has been an exciting year in this organisation; be part of it in 2012.
The team at 20:20 Selection Ltd is here to discuss your background and suitability for this fantastic opportunity. Call us on 0845 026 2020 or you can also email administrator@2020selection.co.uk with your CV.
Tuesday 7 February 2012
NICE to review local formularies to end post-code prescribing
NICE is to produce a best practice guide to help trusts develop local formularies, as part of a move to ensure that all patients in England have access to clinically and cost-effective drugs.
Local formularies provide a list of selected or preferred drugs available to local prescribers and have an important role in underpinning safe and effective use of medicines.
However, there is currently no standard process or advice for putting together a local formulary which has led to variations across the country.
Medicines Management departments within many PCTs currently operate a controversial traffic light sytem of red lists and green lists, which does not necessarily reflect NICE guidance.
A recent report into innovation in healthcare by The Department of Health has highlighted that not all local formularies are including all of NICE's technology appraisals. This can lead to a postcode lottery where patients miss out on drugs approved by NICE.
In some cases, local formularies are duplicating NICE assessments and challenging appraisal recommendations, acting as a barrier to the uptake of NICE-approved medicines.
The report states that the Department of Health is “committed to ensuring that NHS patients have access to clinically and cost-effective drugs and technologies, and that NICE appraisal guidance is promptly delivered throughout the NHS.
“There should be no local barriers to accessing technologies recommended in NICE appraisals, beyond a clinical decision relating to an individual patient.”
The report recommends that formulary processes should proactively consider the impact of new NICE Technology Appraisals, and all NICE Technology Appraisal recommendations should - where clinically appropriate - be automatically incorporated into local formularies.
This process should take place within 90 days to support compliance with the three month funding direction and the NHS Constitution ensuring that these medicines are available for clinicians to prescribe, should they choose to, in a way that supports safe and clinically appropriate practice.
To help achieve this, NICE will develop a best-practice guide covering the creation and review of local formularies to assist local trusts and clinical commissioning groups.
Dr Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive of NICE said: “NICE will embark on a specific piece of work to look at how local formularies are put together. At the moment there is no standard process for them and there tends to be a lot of variation and inconsistencies across England. This has been flagged up in the recent NHS Innovation report.
“NICE will produce a best-practice guide on how to develop a local formulary. We will be holding a workshop to develop the guide, which will then go out to consultation before being published later this autumn.”
“NICE-approved drugs should not be excluded from local formularies on the grounds of cost. We want all patients to have access to medicines that we consider to be effective,” added Dr Leng.
Elsewhere, the report outlines plans to introduce, within three months, a NICE Compliance Regime for the funding direction attached to NICE technology appraisals to ensure rapid and consistent implementation throughout the NHS.
The Department of Health will also establish a NICE Implementation Collaborative (NIC) to support the implementation of NICE guidance. The NIC will bring together the NHS Commissioning Board, NICE, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, the main industry bodies, the NHS Confederation, the Clinical Commissioning Coalition and the Royal Colleges.
Reference: http://www.nice.org.uk/
20:20 Selection is a specialist recruitement agencies which places candidates into roles within the UK pharmaceutical and healthcare/devices sales industries. The agency has been established since 2002. If you are seeking a role within pharmaceutical sales please visit our website to view our live vacancies http://www.2020selection.co.uk
Local formularies provide a list of selected or preferred drugs available to local prescribers and have an important role in underpinning safe and effective use of medicines.
However, there is currently no standard process or advice for putting together a local formulary which has led to variations across the country.
Medicines Management departments within many PCTs currently operate a controversial traffic light sytem of red lists and green lists, which does not necessarily reflect NICE guidance.
A recent report into innovation in healthcare by The Department of Health has highlighted that not all local formularies are including all of NICE's technology appraisals. This can lead to a postcode lottery where patients miss out on drugs approved by NICE.
In some cases, local formularies are duplicating NICE assessments and challenging appraisal recommendations, acting as a barrier to the uptake of NICE-approved medicines.
The report states that the Department of Health is “committed to ensuring that NHS patients have access to clinically and cost-effective drugs and technologies, and that NICE appraisal guidance is promptly delivered throughout the NHS.
“There should be no local barriers to accessing technologies recommended in NICE appraisals, beyond a clinical decision relating to an individual patient.”
The report recommends that formulary processes should proactively consider the impact of new NICE Technology Appraisals, and all NICE Technology Appraisal recommendations should - where clinically appropriate - be automatically incorporated into local formularies.
This process should take place within 90 days to support compliance with the three month funding direction and the NHS Constitution ensuring that these medicines are available for clinicians to prescribe, should they choose to, in a way that supports safe and clinically appropriate practice.
To help achieve this, NICE will develop a best-practice guide covering the creation and review of local formularies to assist local trusts and clinical commissioning groups.
Dr Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive of NICE said: “NICE will embark on a specific piece of work to look at how local formularies are put together. At the moment there is no standard process for them and there tends to be a lot of variation and inconsistencies across England. This has been flagged up in the recent NHS Innovation report.
“NICE will produce a best-practice guide on how to develop a local formulary. We will be holding a workshop to develop the guide, which will then go out to consultation before being published later this autumn.”
“NICE-approved drugs should not be excluded from local formularies on the grounds of cost. We want all patients to have access to medicines that we consider to be effective,” added Dr Leng.
Elsewhere, the report outlines plans to introduce, within three months, a NICE Compliance Regime for the funding direction attached to NICE technology appraisals to ensure rapid and consistent implementation throughout the NHS.
The Department of Health will also establish a NICE Implementation Collaborative (NIC) to support the implementation of NICE guidance. The NIC will bring together the NHS Commissioning Board, NICE, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, the main industry bodies, the NHS Confederation, the Clinical Commissioning Coalition and the Royal Colleges.
Reference: http://www.nice.org.uk/
20:20 Selection is a specialist recruitement agencies which places candidates into roles within the UK pharmaceutical and healthcare/devices sales industries. The agency has been established since 2002. If you are seeking a role within pharmaceutical sales please visit our website to view our live vacancies http://www.2020selection.co.uk
Monday 6 February 2012
Job Searching and Document Checks
Are you eligible? Having your documents ready for your job search.
Embarking on a search for a new job can be daunting however like all things in life it can go more smoothly with forward planning. This short article is aimed at ensuring you have the relevant factual information at hand. This is important as recruitment agencies like 20:20 Selection Ltd and importantly employers do need to check your legal, employment and academic documentation. Hence if you have all this in order, then when it comes to you being made that perfect job offer the contract/job offer letter is likely to be with you more quickly.
The following checklist should help you with your preparation:
•Passport & Visa (if applicable) – an employer can be fined for employing individuals who are not eligible to work in the UK
•Driving Licence – you will need the paper and photo card parts. For field based positions you will need a valid UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points. It is important you make clear declarations about your driving history when asked as employers will check this with the DVLA.
If you have a non UK licence holder and need to convert your licence the following link will give you some guidance:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022562
•A recent payslip. This will validated your current basic salary and your National Insurance number. If you are in receipt of other monthly benefits such as a car allowance this will also be verified on the payslip.
•ABPI certificate – if you have sat and passed the examination you will need to produce your certificate if you are offered employment with a pharmaceutical company. If you have misplaced this, the following link may help
https://extranet.abpi.org.uk/web/abpi/exams.nsf/pages/duplicate_certificate_request
•Highest education certificates (degree, nursing, A levels etc)
•For nursing roles you will need your current NMC PIN number and date of expiry. Plus you will also be asked about the date of your last CRB check however your new employer will need to undertake a fresh check.
•For sales positions you should also put together your ‘Brag File’ or portfolio of successes which should include Sales Data, other performance against KPIs, recent appraisal documents; in fact anything that you can use to sell you and differentiate you in the marketplace.
If you are not facing redundancy, timing your job search is also something to consider. For example,
•We do come across people who may be tied in to car schemes. You are advised to carefully calculate the costs involved to you in walking away from your current agreement, as not all employers offer car opt-out schemes.
•If you are going to jeopardise any bonus/incentive payments pay by leaving before a certain date.
•If you have significant holiday commitments it is important you flag these. A job offer may be subject to you attending a training course on a specific date for a fixed time, however discussing these with your Recruitment Consultant early in the process may mean this can be negotiated. Also remember that holiday entitlement will be prorated depending at what stage of the leave year you commence work.
At 20:20 Selection, we are here to help and guide our candidate along the process. Our specialist team can be contacted on 0845 026 2020 from 08:30 – 18:00 weekdays, or alternatively you may wish to visit our website http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
Embarking on a search for a new job can be daunting however like all things in life it can go more smoothly with forward planning. This short article is aimed at ensuring you have the relevant factual information at hand. This is important as recruitment agencies like 20:20 Selection Ltd and importantly employers do need to check your legal, employment and academic documentation. Hence if you have all this in order, then when it comes to you being made that perfect job offer the contract/job offer letter is likely to be with you more quickly.
The following checklist should help you with your preparation:
•Passport & Visa (if applicable) – an employer can be fined for employing individuals who are not eligible to work in the UK
•Driving Licence – you will need the paper and photo card parts. For field based positions you will need a valid UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points. It is important you make clear declarations about your driving history when asked as employers will check this with the DVLA.
If you have a non UK licence holder and need to convert your licence the following link will give you some guidance:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022562
•A recent payslip. This will validated your current basic salary and your National Insurance number. If you are in receipt of other monthly benefits such as a car allowance this will also be verified on the payslip.
•ABPI certificate – if you have sat and passed the examination you will need to produce your certificate if you are offered employment with a pharmaceutical company. If you have misplaced this, the following link may help
https://extranet.abpi.org.uk/web/abpi/exams.nsf/pages/duplicate_certificate_request
•Highest education certificates (degree, nursing, A levels etc)
•For nursing roles you will need your current NMC PIN number and date of expiry. Plus you will also be asked about the date of your last CRB check however your new employer will need to undertake a fresh check.
•For sales positions you should also put together your ‘Brag File’ or portfolio of successes which should include Sales Data, other performance against KPIs, recent appraisal documents; in fact anything that you can use to sell you and differentiate you in the marketplace.
If you are not facing redundancy, timing your job search is also something to consider. For example,
•We do come across people who may be tied in to car schemes. You are advised to carefully calculate the costs involved to you in walking away from your current agreement, as not all employers offer car opt-out schemes.
•If you are going to jeopardise any bonus/incentive payments pay by leaving before a certain date.
•If you have significant holiday commitments it is important you flag these. A job offer may be subject to you attending a training course on a specific date for a fixed time, however discussing these with your Recruitment Consultant early in the process may mean this can be negotiated. Also remember that holiday entitlement will be prorated depending at what stage of the leave year you commence work.
At 20:20 Selection, we are here to help and guide our candidate along the process. Our specialist team can be contacted on 0845 026 2020 from 08:30 – 18:00 weekdays, or alternatively you may wish to visit our website http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
Thursday 2 February 2012
GP/Hospital Representative - NW England - Fantastic Opportunity, This Will Move Quickly
We are seeking an experienced Medical Sales Representative (GP/Hospital) to cover the Lancashire and Cumbria territory working for a global leader in healthcare.
This is an opportunity for you to take control of your business results; the successful person will be charged with maximising sales across this territory for a portfolio of prescription products selling to General Practitioners, Hospital Customers, other relevant HCP’s and retail pharmacies throughout the territory.
To be considered for this position you will have the following skills/abilities:
- Commercial background and a good understanding of Key Account Management
- Strong team working will be important as you will have to work effectively with your customers and NHS Liaison Managers
- Preferably educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Proven track record of sales success
- Strong commercial awareness coupled with an in depth understanding of the key stakeholders within the NHS
- Flexibility and adaptability to operate in dynamic working environment
- Be accountable for own work load/decision making and actions
- Results orientated (set personal goals)
- Impact, enthusiasm and self motivated coupled with drive and determination to succeed
In return for your skills and contacts this organisation will offer the successful person a comprehensive salary & benefits package (basic salary is commensurate with experience) plus ongoing development throughout their career. Want to know more? Call us now on 0845 026 2020 or submit your CV here. This opportunity does have the potential to move quickly.
20:20 Selection Ltdpromises to treat your application as important and will review your profile against our client’s requirements. However, if you have not heard from us within 7 days please assume that on this occasion you have not been successful. There are many more opportunities like this one advertised on our website daily......all our jobs are live
Visit http://www.2020selection.co.uk/ to learn more......it's free
This is an opportunity for you to take control of your business results; the successful person will be charged with maximising sales across this territory for a portfolio of prescription products selling to General Practitioners, Hospital Customers, other relevant HCP’s and retail pharmacies throughout the territory.
To be considered for this position you will have the following skills/abilities:
- Commercial background and a good understanding of Key Account Management
- Strong team working will be important as you will have to work effectively with your customers and NHS Liaison Managers
- Preferably educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Proven track record of sales success
- Strong commercial awareness coupled with an in depth understanding of the key stakeholders within the NHS
- Flexibility and adaptability to operate in dynamic working environment
- Be accountable for own work load/decision making and actions
- Results orientated (set personal goals)
- Impact, enthusiasm and self motivated coupled with drive and determination to succeed
In return for your skills and contacts this organisation will offer the successful person a comprehensive salary & benefits package (basic salary is commensurate with experience) plus ongoing development throughout their career. Want to know more? Call us now on 0845 026 2020 or submit your CV here. This opportunity does have the potential to move quickly.
20:20 Selection Ltdpromises to treat your application as important and will review your profile against our client’s requirements. However, if you have not heard from us within 7 days please assume that on this occasion you have not been successful. There are many more opportunities like this one advertised on our website daily......all our jobs are live
Visit http://www.2020selection.co.uk/ to learn more......it's free
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Global Top Ten Pharma Company Now Recruiting For A Training Manager (SE England)
This is just one of many live vacancies that are being advertised by 20:20 Selection. Please visit the website to see all these exciting opportunities in the UK Pharmaceutical Industry.
Training Manager, specialist products division within the pharmaceutical business of a global healthcare company.
An opportunity currently exists for a talented training and development manager to be responsible for delivering programmes in line with agreed company training strategy. You will focus on specialist therapy areas such as renal and neurology (Parkinson Disease). Additionally you would also be the point of contact point and coordinator, for the UK implementation of the E-Learning strategy.
This is a Head Office based role (Berkshire) requiring you to work cross functionally with marketing, medical and sales management in order to offer the highest quality training solutions, your responsibilities will include:- Coordinating and running induction/initial training- Providing ongoing support across the franchise for new campaigns, conference etc.- Working with brand teams to identify desired training outcomes that will support brand plan execution- Supporting growth plans within division and working with other Training Managers to develop and deliver training plans- Annual planning, ensuring adherence to budget and deadlines. To be considered for this exciting position you are likely to:- Have healthcare related sales experience having demonstrated achievements in sales & your career to date- Have some prior training experience with a training qualification being an advantage- Show potential to be innovative and creative in approach to both the design and delivery of training programmes- Demonstrate good coaching and counselling skills- Possess well-developed interpersonal skills with the adaptability to work cross-functionally within the company- Have excellent planning skills with the drive to see projects through to completion- Be able to work well under pressure & have a high level of flexibility.It is likely that you are educated to degree level and are ideally ABPI qualified.
On offer to the successful person will be a highly competitive basic salary and benefits package.
This is a superb opportunity to join a forward thinking team in a company who truly believe in investing in people.
Please don't delay in applying. Email your CV to administrator@2020selection.co.uk and/or call on of our recruitment consultants on 0845 026 2020.
Training Manager, specialist products division within the pharmaceutical business of a global healthcare company.
An opportunity currently exists for a talented training and development manager to be responsible for delivering programmes in line with agreed company training strategy. You will focus on specialist therapy areas such as renal and neurology (Parkinson Disease). Additionally you would also be the point of contact point and coordinator, for the UK implementation of the E-Learning strategy.
This is a Head Office based role (Berkshire) requiring you to work cross functionally with marketing, medical and sales management in order to offer the highest quality training solutions, your responsibilities will include:- Coordinating and running induction/initial training- Providing ongoing support across the franchise for new campaigns, conference etc.- Working with brand teams to identify desired training outcomes that will support brand plan execution- Supporting growth plans within division and working with other Training Managers to develop and deliver training plans- Annual planning, ensuring adherence to budget and deadlines. To be considered for this exciting position you are likely to:- Have healthcare related sales experience having demonstrated achievements in sales & your career to date- Have some prior training experience with a training qualification being an advantage- Show potential to be innovative and creative in approach to both the design and delivery of training programmes- Demonstrate good coaching and counselling skills- Possess well-developed interpersonal skills with the adaptability to work cross-functionally within the company- Have excellent planning skills with the drive to see projects through to completion- Be able to work well under pressure & have a high level of flexibility.It is likely that you are educated to degree level and are ideally ABPI qualified.
On offer to the successful person will be a highly competitive basic salary and benefits package.
This is a superb opportunity to join a forward thinking team in a company who truly believe in investing in people.
Please don't delay in applying. Email your CV to administrator@2020selection.co.uk and/or call on of our recruitment consultants on 0845 026 2020.
Tuesday 31 January 2012
Brand New Opportunity - Hospital Representative (Neurology) - Basic £40k plus - SW England - Ref 4150
Looking to make your mark in a Hospital Sales Specialist role? Seeking a job where your efforts will ultimately make a difference to patients lives? Want a new challenge? This is the role for you….
A current opportunity now exists for a Hospital Specialist Representative to cover the South West selling a product in the field of Neurology. To be considered for this position we are seeking indviduals with a proven track record of sales success within secondary care. This could be as a dedicated Hospital Representative or as an outstanding GP/Hospital Representative. Relevant therapy area experience will be an advantage, although not essential.
In addition to this prior/current experience at interview you will need demonstrate :
- Evidence of a successful sales career to date with an emphasis on the secondary care setting
- Exceptional relationship building skills
- Determination, highly developed communication skills, flexibility and integrity
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver stretching goals
- Excellent business planning and presentation skills
- An aptitude for attention to detail
- Willingness to go the ‘Extra Mile’
This is an exciting opportunity to work for a company that will allow you the autonomy to run your business as well as support you in your personal development. The successful person will be an excellent basic salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package.
Want to be considered? Call us NOW on 0845 026 2020 to discuss things further, or alternatively submit your CV here.
We have many other live vacancies.... so please have a look at our website http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
A current opportunity now exists for a Hospital Specialist Representative to cover the South West selling a product in the field of Neurology. To be considered for this position we are seeking indviduals with a proven track record of sales success within secondary care. This could be as a dedicated Hospital Representative or as an outstanding GP/Hospital Representative. Relevant therapy area experience will be an advantage, although not essential.
In addition to this prior/current experience at interview you will need demonstrate :
- Evidence of a successful sales career to date with an emphasis on the secondary care setting
- Exceptional relationship building skills
- Determination, highly developed communication skills, flexibility and integrity
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver stretching goals
- Excellent business planning and presentation skills
- An aptitude for attention to detail
- Willingness to go the ‘Extra Mile’
This is an exciting opportunity to work for a company that will allow you the autonomy to run your business as well as support you in your personal development. The successful person will be an excellent basic salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package.
Want to be considered? Call us NOW on 0845 026 2020 to discuss things further, or alternatively submit your CV here.
We have many other live vacancies.... so please have a look at our website http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
New Job Just In - Hospital Sales Specialist (NE, E Mids, Yorks)
Hospital Sales Specialist - Basic to £45k, OTE £60k++
Many more live vacancies at http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
An opportunity to develop your talents working for a leading global Healthcare Company. Our client is currently looking for a Sales Specialist to develop the business in key hospital accounts throughout the North East, Yorkshire and East Midlands. Although a large geographical area this is a focused and targeted role with an emphasis on key account management.
This organisation has built an enviable portfolio of products and services that push back the frontiers of medical care and ultimately ensuring a better quality of life for people everywhere.
This opportunity for a Sales Specialist is an integral part of a specialty sales team reporting to the National Sales & Marketing Manager. You would be fully supported by internal functions such as marketing, customer services, logistics and shared services; YOU would be the interface of the company and the customer. With a drive for increased Patient Safety, in the NHS, when administering medication, our client is an excellent position to develop partnerships in hospital trusts. This role will involve selling new as well as some established products and services.
Key responsibilities would include:
- Developing and implementing appropriate strategies for agreed customer targets with the objective of driving sales results and achieving or exceeding budgets.
- To identify key finance and clinical decision makers within Consortia, Hospitals and Units and arrange meetings to promote relevant products and services
- Gathering intelligence on customer plans and purchasing intentions and recommend responsive, timely and appropriate action.
- Maintaining a high level of knowledge of the therapy area and related products
- In conjunction with the National Sales Manager and wider commercial management team, provide informed input into/manage the tender process.
- Calling on key customers as per your business plan (Clinical/Aspectic/Purchasing Pharmacists, Procurement, Clinicians, Specialist Nurses)
To be considering for this exciting opportunity you are likely to have
- Previous hospital sales experience (2 years)
- Knowledge/Experience of NHS structure & buying processes
- Life sciences degree, nursing qualification, business degree (or equivalent experience in UK healthcare market for minimum of 2 years)
- ABPI qualification and/or willing to study if required.
In return for your expertise if successful you will be offered a competitive salary & excellent benefits package including an uncapped bonus scheme. You will also receive first rate training and ongoing development.
To discuss this role in more detail please contact us on 0845 026 2020 or alternatively please submit your details by emailing administrator@2020selection.co.uk
20:20 Selection Ltd promises to treat your application as important and will review your profile against our client’s requirements. However, if you have not heard from us within 7 days please assume that on this occasion you have not been successful.
Many more live vacancies at http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
An opportunity to develop your talents working for a leading global Healthcare Company. Our client is currently looking for a Sales Specialist to develop the business in key hospital accounts throughout the North East, Yorkshire and East Midlands. Although a large geographical area this is a focused and targeted role with an emphasis on key account management.
This organisation has built an enviable portfolio of products and services that push back the frontiers of medical care and ultimately ensuring a better quality of life for people everywhere.
This opportunity for a Sales Specialist is an integral part of a specialty sales team reporting to the National Sales & Marketing Manager. You would be fully supported by internal functions such as marketing, customer services, logistics and shared services; YOU would be the interface of the company and the customer. With a drive for increased Patient Safety, in the NHS, when administering medication, our client is an excellent position to develop partnerships in hospital trusts. This role will involve selling new as well as some established products and services.
Key responsibilities would include:
- Developing and implementing appropriate strategies for agreed customer targets with the objective of driving sales results and achieving or exceeding budgets.
- To identify key finance and clinical decision makers within Consortia, Hospitals and Units and arrange meetings to promote relevant products and services
- Gathering intelligence on customer plans and purchasing intentions and recommend responsive, timely and appropriate action.
- Maintaining a high level of knowledge of the therapy area and related products
- In conjunction with the National Sales Manager and wider commercial management team, provide informed input into/manage the tender process.
- Calling on key customers as per your business plan (Clinical/Aspectic/Purchasing Pharmacists, Procurement, Clinicians, Specialist Nurses)
To be considering for this exciting opportunity you are likely to have
- Previous hospital sales experience (2 years)
- Knowledge/Experience of NHS structure & buying processes
- Life sciences degree, nursing qualification, business degree (or equivalent experience in UK healthcare market for minimum of 2 years)
- ABPI qualification and/or willing to study if required.
In return for your expertise if successful you will be offered a competitive salary & excellent benefits package including an uncapped bonus scheme. You will also receive first rate training and ongoing development.
To discuss this role in more detail please contact us on 0845 026 2020 or alternatively please submit your details by emailing administrator@2020selection.co.uk
20:20 Selection Ltd promises to treat your application as important and will review your profile against our client’s requirements. However, if you have not heard from us within 7 days please assume that on this occasion you have not been successful.
Friday 27 January 2012
A Day In The Life Of Chris - A Trainee Recruitment Consultant
Hi I'm Chris.....Last week I started a training contract at 20:20 Selection, an established Medical Sales recruitment company. As a virgin to the industry I prepared myself as best I could for what I was about to undertake. I did all my reading around the career area and the company itself and eventually it came down to taking the plunge and accepting a 2 week trial in a very unpredictable time period for a recruitment consultant, the 2 weeks preceding the Christmas break. This is obviously an odd time in the industry as our Clients will be in one of 2 camps, the 1st of which being the “lets get the most out of our budget spend before the end of the year before its taken away from us in January”, and the 2nd being, “I’ve done all I can this year, lets start again in 2012”.
My 1st day was, as expected, the birth by fire. This is how we operate, take in as much as you can and see if you can keep up. This gave me a great insight into the speed, efficiency, and accuracy required from a consultant. If you’re not 1st, you’re last. This ethos opens up possibilities for huge success but at the same time great falls. After all we are competing against several other companies with differing approaches to achieving the same goal, luckily for me I’m working on the basis of quality rather than quantity. But that doesn’t mean quantity doesn’t get it right some times.
The harsh reality of the other side of recruitment fast became apparent. You really have to shine to get noticed in the current climate and the vast array of approaches that candidates use to attain this is eye opening. The role itself is very diverse. Admin is air tight, and has to be. It can be the difference between placing and missing out, a point regularly re-enforced during my training thus far. Combine admin with confident selective telephone manor, excellent knowledge of your clients and candidates, and the foresight to combine the two and you may have what it takes to take on the world of recruitment.
The industry requires you to effectively sit on a knife edge, the whole game is in balance, continually changing as both clients and candidates change their ‘requirements’, which can either push you right to the top or plunge you back to square one. This makes for a very exciting work environment as we are challenged with the task of keeping the balance in our favour right until the very last minute and then if all goes to plan, we can tip the scales and reap the benefit.
The team currently have the task of not only managing business but also managing me. As a fresh starter I am as keen and eager as you’d expect. I want to get my hands dirty and dive straight in but my lack of experience leaves me blind to the consequence. I am effectively stood on top of a diving board blindfold, trusting my team for direction and timing so I land on soft success rather than the hard ground of misconception. Time will tell……
If you have enjoyed Chris's article please follow him on his journey.
You can also visit the 20:20 Selection website http://www.2020selection.co.uk/ where you will find lots of other useful resources if you are planning a career in medical sales
My 1st day was, as expected, the birth by fire. This is how we operate, take in as much as you can and see if you can keep up. This gave me a great insight into the speed, efficiency, and accuracy required from a consultant. If you’re not 1st, you’re last. This ethos opens up possibilities for huge success but at the same time great falls. After all we are competing against several other companies with differing approaches to achieving the same goal, luckily for me I’m working on the basis of quality rather than quantity. But that doesn’t mean quantity doesn’t get it right some times.
The harsh reality of the other side of recruitment fast became apparent. You really have to shine to get noticed in the current climate and the vast array of approaches that candidates use to attain this is eye opening. The role itself is very diverse. Admin is air tight, and has to be. It can be the difference between placing and missing out, a point regularly re-enforced during my training thus far. Combine admin with confident selective telephone manor, excellent knowledge of your clients and candidates, and the foresight to combine the two and you may have what it takes to take on the world of recruitment.
The industry requires you to effectively sit on a knife edge, the whole game is in balance, continually changing as both clients and candidates change their ‘requirements’, which can either push you right to the top or plunge you back to square one. This makes for a very exciting work environment as we are challenged with the task of keeping the balance in our favour right until the very last minute and then if all goes to plan, we can tip the scales and reap the benefit.
The team currently have the task of not only managing business but also managing me. As a fresh starter I am as keen and eager as you’d expect. I want to get my hands dirty and dive straight in but my lack of experience leaves me blind to the consequence. I am effectively stood on top of a diving board blindfold, trusting my team for direction and timing so I land on soft success rather than the hard ground of misconception. Time will tell……
If you have enjoyed Chris's article please follow him on his journey.
You can also visit the 20:20 Selection website http://www.2020selection.co.uk/ where you will find lots of other useful resources if you are planning a career in medical sales
Clinical Commissioning Groups
CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUPS
Please note that if you enjoy reading this blog then you can find other similarly informative articles on our website at http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
A Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is a group of GPs and other clinicians who have chosen to come together to commission (buy) health services for their local communities. From early 2013, Clinical Commissioning Groups will be responsible for commissioning NHS services for patients in England. All GPs will need to be part of a CCG. They will replace Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). CCGs will be responsible for commissioning hospital services (elective, acute and emergency) and most community health services (for example district nurses), and mental health services. The 151 PCTs have already been organised into 51 clusters in preparation for the change. There will be a period of dual functioning as CCGs mature and PCTs delegate more responsibility to CCGs.
The governing bodies (Boards) of the CCGs will have, in addition to GPs, a least one registered nurse and a doctor who is a secondary care specialist. Groups will have boundaries that will not normally cross those of local authorities.
Some CCGs have been given authority by central government to test new models of clinical commissioning and to lead in their development – the term ‘pathfinder’ is used to describe such groups.
Commissioning is the term used in the public sector for buying services. It is a structured way of deciding how public money should be spent. In the case of the NHS, commissioning relates to the provision of health services. Commissioning healthcare and health services is the process of examining:
the healthcare needs of the area
the way in which healthcare services are delivered
ways in which healthcare resources will offer the best overall value for money
Health services, such as GPs and community and hospital services have historically been commissioned by PCTs. This way of buying in services has meant that GPs and other clinicians, who are the best placed to advise on their patients needs, have been too far removed from the process.
The health White Paper: Equity & Excellence: Liberating the NHS was published in July 2010. The White Paper reinforces this view, and in time, much of the responsibility for commissioning health services will be given over to clinicians including GPs.
The CCGs will be overseen by the newly formed independent NHS Commissioning Board which will make sure that CCGs have the capacity and capability to commission services successfully and to meet their financial responsibilities. The NHS Commissioning Board will become fully operational from April 2012. Its senior structures should contain a range of healthcare professionals, and it will have a Medical Director and a Chief Nursing Officer on its board.
The NHS Commissioning Board will also be responsible for directly commissioning:
Pharmacy services
General Practice
Dentistry services
Specialist services (specialised services that are required by a limited number of people)
At a local level, new Health and Wellbeing Boards will be set up in local authorities to ensure that CCGs are meeting the needs of local people. The membership of these boards will include representatives from:
Clinical Commissioning Groups
Directors of public health
Children’s services
Adult Social Services
Elected councillors
Health watch (representing the views of patients, carers and local communities)
These boards will be in place in shadow form April 2012.
For further information
More information on the health White Paper: Equity & Excellence:
Liberating the NHS see the Department of Health website:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/LiberatingtheNHS/index.htm
Please note that if you enjoy reading this blog then you can find other similarly informative articles on our website at http://www.2020selection.co.uk/
A Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is a group of GPs and other clinicians who have chosen to come together to commission (buy) health services for their local communities. From early 2013, Clinical Commissioning Groups will be responsible for commissioning NHS services for patients in England. All GPs will need to be part of a CCG. They will replace Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). CCGs will be responsible for commissioning hospital services (elective, acute and emergency) and most community health services (for example district nurses), and mental health services. The 151 PCTs have already been organised into 51 clusters in preparation for the change. There will be a period of dual functioning as CCGs mature and PCTs delegate more responsibility to CCGs.
The governing bodies (Boards) of the CCGs will have, in addition to GPs, a least one registered nurse and a doctor who is a secondary care specialist. Groups will have boundaries that will not normally cross those of local authorities.
Some CCGs have been given authority by central government to test new models of clinical commissioning and to lead in their development – the term ‘pathfinder’ is used to describe such groups.
Commissioning is the term used in the public sector for buying services. It is a structured way of deciding how public money should be spent. In the case of the NHS, commissioning relates to the provision of health services. Commissioning healthcare and health services is the process of examining:
the healthcare needs of the area
the way in which healthcare services are delivered
ways in which healthcare resources will offer the best overall value for money
Health services, such as GPs and community and hospital services have historically been commissioned by PCTs. This way of buying in services has meant that GPs and other clinicians, who are the best placed to advise on their patients needs, have been too far removed from the process.
The health White Paper: Equity & Excellence: Liberating the NHS was published in July 2010. The White Paper reinforces this view, and in time, much of the responsibility for commissioning health services will be given over to clinicians including GPs.
The CCGs will be overseen by the newly formed independent NHS Commissioning Board which will make sure that CCGs have the capacity and capability to commission services successfully and to meet their financial responsibilities. The NHS Commissioning Board will become fully operational from April 2012. Its senior structures should contain a range of healthcare professionals, and it will have a Medical Director and a Chief Nursing Officer on its board.
The NHS Commissioning Board will also be responsible for directly commissioning:
Pharmacy services
General Practice
Dentistry services
Specialist services (specialised services that are required by a limited number of people)
At a local level, new Health and Wellbeing Boards will be set up in local authorities to ensure that CCGs are meeting the needs of local people. The membership of these boards will include representatives from:
Clinical Commissioning Groups
Directors of public health
Children’s services
Adult Social Services
Elected councillors
Health watch (representing the views of patients, carers and local communities)
These boards will be in place in shadow form April 2012.
For further information
More information on the health White Paper: Equity & Excellence:
Liberating the NHS see the Department of Health website:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/LiberatingtheNHS/index.htm
Which Medical Sales Recruitment Agency?
Which Recruitment Agency?
Despite the global recession and credit crunch, one of the UK’s leading pharmaceutical recruitment agencies , 20:20 Selection Ltd has gone from strength to strength. How have they acheived their organic growth in these difficult times?
The team have over 50 years of combined, actual experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sales arenas in the UK.
Managing Director Karen Forshaw formed the company in 2002, after a successful career in medical sales (both primary and secondary care) and medical sales management (at both area and national sales manager level). She is passionate about providing an unirivaled service to both clients and candidates. The 20:20 Selection maxim of “perfect vision: not hindsight” extols the company virtues down to a tee. By carefully selecting their candidates, 20:20 Selection ensure that when one goes before a client for an interview then they have an excellent chance of actually getting hired.
Using the experience and advice from Karen’s team, 20:20 Selection will ensure that you are only ever put forward for roles which you really understand and want to do. They only send your CV to clients with your full permission. Should you get an interview, then Karen and the team will keep you fully briefed and ‘prepped’ during the entire process. They have an enviable reputation within the industry as a recruitment company that really cares about both clients and candidates. One of the prime motivating factors is that individual consultants are not bonussed on just their own performance, but on the performance of the whole company. As a result you will not find yourself being forced or coerced into going for a role just to make up the sales figures of the consultant that you are dealing with.
So if you are interested in a role in UK pharmaceutical, medical or device sales then please contact us at administrator@2020selection.co.uk or visit our website http://www.2020selection.co.uk/ to find out more about the company.
Please note that in order to reach our minimum standards you will need to be qualified to work in the UK, have a full UK driving licence with not more than 6 points and be educated to degree level or be of graduate calibre.
Good Luck in your career.
Despite the global recession and credit crunch, one of the UK’s leading pharmaceutical recruitment agencies , 20:20 Selection Ltd has gone from strength to strength. How have they acheived their organic growth in these difficult times?
The team have over 50 years of combined, actual experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sales arenas in the UK.
Managing Director Karen Forshaw formed the company in 2002, after a successful career in medical sales (both primary and secondary care) and medical sales management (at both area and national sales manager level). She is passionate about providing an unirivaled service to both clients and candidates. The 20:20 Selection maxim of “perfect vision: not hindsight” extols the company virtues down to a tee. By carefully selecting their candidates, 20:20 Selection ensure that when one goes before a client for an interview then they have an excellent chance of actually getting hired.
Using the experience and advice from Karen’s team, 20:20 Selection will ensure that you are only ever put forward for roles which you really understand and want to do. They only send your CV to clients with your full permission. Should you get an interview, then Karen and the team will keep you fully briefed and ‘prepped’ during the entire process. They have an enviable reputation within the industry as a recruitment company that really cares about both clients and candidates. One of the prime motivating factors is that individual consultants are not bonussed on just their own performance, but on the performance of the whole company. As a result you will not find yourself being forced or coerced into going for a role just to make up the sales figures of the consultant that you are dealing with.
So if you are interested in a role in UK pharmaceutical, medical or device sales then please contact us at administrator@2020selection.co.uk or visit our website http://www.2020selection.co.uk/ to find out more about the company.
Please note that in order to reach our minimum standards you will need to be qualified to work in the UK, have a full UK driving licence with not more than 6 points and be educated to degree level or be of graduate calibre.
Good Luck in your career.
Friday 6 January 2012
High Tech drugs dominate NHS England drug expenditure
When the NHS was launched in 1948 it had a budget of £437million (roughly £9billion at today’s value). For 2011/12 it is around £106 billion. This equates to an average rise in spending over the full 60-year period of about 4% a year once inflation has been taken into account. However, in recent years investment levels have been double that to fund a major modernisation programme.
Some 60% of the NHS budget is used to pay staff. A further 20% pays for drugs and other supplies, with the remaining 20% split between buildings, equipment and training costs on the one hand and medical equipment, catering and cleaning on the other. Nearly 80% of the total budget is distributed by local trusts in line with the particular health priorities in their areas.
The money to pay for the NHS comes directly from taxation. According to independent bodies such as the King’s Fund, this remains the “cheapest and fairest” way of funding health care when compared with other systems.
Overall, drug expenditure represents about 10% of NHS drug expenditure. Following the 2010 General Election, the coalition government agreed that all NICE approved drugs should be made readily available to all NHS England patients, irrespective of where they live, and as a direct consequence there has been a steady increase in the value of drugs issued in hospitals (secondary care). This equates closely with the fact that the newer drugs positively appraised by NICE tend to be very expensive in terms of acquisition cost (i.e. trade price to the NHS).
The overall NHS expenditure on medicines in 2009 was £12.3 billion.
The overall NHS expenditure on medicines in 2010 was £12.9 billion.
In 2009 hospital use accounted for 30.9% of the total cost, up from 28.8% in 2008.
In 2010 hospital use accounted for 31.7 per cent of the total cost, up from 30.9 percent in 2009.
In 2009, the cost of medicines rose by 4.8 per cent overall but by 7.7 per cent in hospitals
In 2010, the cost of medicines rose by 5.6% overall but by 13.2% in hospitals
In 2009, of the drugs positively appraised by NICE, the greatest overall cost was for atorvastatin but etanercept incurred the greatest cost in hospitals.
In 2010, of the drugs positively appraised by NICE, the greatest overall cost was for atorvastatin but adalimumab incurred the greatest cost in hospitals.
Table 1. Cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in hospital in 2010
1. Adalimumab (Humira) 180,519.7
2. Etanercept (Enbrel) 179,631.0
3. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) 128,984.7
4. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) 105,878.0
5. Infliximab (Remicade) 103,437.6
6. Rituximab (Rituxan/MabThera) 93,672.3
7. Imatinib (Glivec) 55,262.9
8. Docetaxel (Taxotere) 52,994.3
9. Lenalidomide (Revlimid) 49,676.9
10.Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) 44,087.5
Table 2. Cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in Primary care in 2010
1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 305,652.7
2. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 110,045.1
3. Quetiapine (Seroquel) 88,915.7
4. Omeprazole (generic) 84,252.0
5. Simvastatin (including combinations) mainly generic 82,134.8
6. Ezetimibe (excluding combinations) Ezetrol family 77,454.3
7. Insulin glargine (Lantus) 73,723.7
8. Pioglitazone (inc with metformin) Actos family 68,132.9
9. Buprenorphine (inc with naloxone) Subutex family 57,646.7
10.Levitiracetam (Keppra) 54,350.8
Table 3. Overall cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in ALL sectors 2010
1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 312,871.9
2. Adalimumab (Humira) 189,302.7
3. Etanercept (Enbrel) 188,628.2
4. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) 128,987.0
5. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 126,501.6
6. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) 105,878.0
7. Infliximab (Remicade) 103,439.7
8. Quetiapine (Seroquel) 101,992.3
9. Rituximab (Rituxan/MabThera) 93,673.4
10.Omeprazole (generic) 91,313.7
Table 4. Cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in hospital in 2009
1. Etanercept (Enbrel) 158,377.8
2. Adalimumab (Humira) 150,592.6
3. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) 96,126.0
4. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) 94,694.8
5. Infliximab (Remicade) 90,387.3
6. Rituximab (Rituxan/MabThera) 79,391.7
7. Imatinib (Glivec) 54,105.2
8. Docetaxel (Taxotere) 49,711.0
9. Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) 39,913.9
10.Paclitaxel (Taxol) 34,822.1
Table 5. Cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in Primary care in 2009
1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 321,499.6
2. Clopidogrel (Plavix) 136,574.7
3. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 106,073.6
4. Quetiapine (Seroquel) 78,682.9
5. Simvastatin (including combinations) mainly generic 73,470.9
6. Ezetimibe (excluding combinations) Ezetrol family 71,409.0
7. Insulin glargine (Lantus) 66,753.3
8. Simvastatin (excluding combinations) generic 66,753.3
9. Omeprazole (generic) 65,796.8
10.Rosuvastatin (Crestor) 51,662.8
Table 6. Overall cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in ALL sectors 2009
1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 328,652.1
2. Etanercept (Enbrel) 166,450.4
3. Adalimumab (Humira) 157,022.6
4. Clopidogrel (Plavix) 149,455.2
5. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 123,113.1
6. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) 96,126.0
7. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) 94,695.5
8. Quetiapine (Seroquel) 91,805.0
9. Infliximab (Remicade) 90,387.3
10.Rituximab (Rituxan/MabThera) 79,392.0
Interestingly, the UK patents for the following brands will/have expire(d) in the following years. Clearly this will have a major impact on future data released in 2012.
Lipitor (2012)
Plavix (2010)
Zyprexa (2011)
Seroquel (tbc)
Due to the complex nature of patent law these dates are best estimates, at the time of writing this article and can not therefore be guaranteed.
Sources:
The NHS Information Centre http://www.ic.nhs.uk/
If you find this article useful, please visit http://www.2020selection.co.uk to find more articles that you may be interested in. Please look in the ‘Candidate’ section.
Some 60% of the NHS budget is used to pay staff. A further 20% pays for drugs and other supplies, with the remaining 20% split between buildings, equipment and training costs on the one hand and medical equipment, catering and cleaning on the other. Nearly 80% of the total budget is distributed by local trusts in line with the particular health priorities in their areas.
The money to pay for the NHS comes directly from taxation. According to independent bodies such as the King’s Fund, this remains the “cheapest and fairest” way of funding health care when compared with other systems.
Overall, drug expenditure represents about 10% of NHS drug expenditure. Following the 2010 General Election, the coalition government agreed that all NICE approved drugs should be made readily available to all NHS England patients, irrespective of where they live, and as a direct consequence there has been a steady increase in the value of drugs issued in hospitals (secondary care). This equates closely with the fact that the newer drugs positively appraised by NICE tend to be very expensive in terms of acquisition cost (i.e. trade price to the NHS).
The overall NHS expenditure on medicines in 2009 was £12.3 billion.
The overall NHS expenditure on medicines in 2010 was £12.9 billion.
In 2009 hospital use accounted for 30.9% of the total cost, up from 28.8% in 2008.
In 2010 hospital use accounted for 31.7 per cent of the total cost, up from 30.9 percent in 2009.
In 2009, the cost of medicines rose by 4.8 per cent overall but by 7.7 per cent in hospitals
In 2010, the cost of medicines rose by 5.6% overall but by 13.2% in hospitals
In 2009, of the drugs positively appraised by NICE, the greatest overall cost was for atorvastatin but etanercept incurred the greatest cost in hospitals.
In 2010, of the drugs positively appraised by NICE, the greatest overall cost was for atorvastatin but adalimumab incurred the greatest cost in hospitals.
Table 1. Cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in hospital in 2010
1. Adalimumab (Humira) 180,519.7
2. Etanercept (Enbrel) 179,631.0
3. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) 128,984.7
4. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) 105,878.0
5. Infliximab (Remicade) 103,437.6
6. Rituximab (Rituxan/MabThera) 93,672.3
7. Imatinib (Glivec) 55,262.9
8. Docetaxel (Taxotere) 52,994.3
9. Lenalidomide (Revlimid) 49,676.9
10.Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) 44,087.5
Table 2. Cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in Primary care in 2010
1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 305,652.7
2. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 110,045.1
3. Quetiapine (Seroquel) 88,915.7
4. Omeprazole (generic) 84,252.0
5. Simvastatin (including combinations) mainly generic 82,134.8
6. Ezetimibe (excluding combinations) Ezetrol family 77,454.3
7. Insulin glargine (Lantus) 73,723.7
8. Pioglitazone (inc with metformin) Actos family 68,132.9
9. Buprenorphine (inc with naloxone) Subutex family 57,646.7
10.Levitiracetam (Keppra) 54,350.8
Table 3. Overall cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in ALL sectors 2010
1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 312,871.9
2. Adalimumab (Humira) 189,302.7
3. Etanercept (Enbrel) 188,628.2
4. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) 128,987.0
5. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 126,501.6
6. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) 105,878.0
7. Infliximab (Remicade) 103,439.7
8. Quetiapine (Seroquel) 101,992.3
9. Rituximab (Rituxan/MabThera) 93,673.4
10.Omeprazole (generic) 91,313.7
Table 4. Cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in hospital in 2009
1. Etanercept (Enbrel) 158,377.8
2. Adalimumab (Humira) 150,592.6
3. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) 96,126.0
4. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) 94,694.8
5. Infliximab (Remicade) 90,387.3
6. Rituximab (Rituxan/MabThera) 79,391.7
7. Imatinib (Glivec) 54,105.2
8. Docetaxel (Taxotere) 49,711.0
9. Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) 39,913.9
10.Paclitaxel (Taxol) 34,822.1
Table 5. Cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in Primary care in 2009
1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 321,499.6
2. Clopidogrel (Plavix) 136,574.7
3. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 106,073.6
4. Quetiapine (Seroquel) 78,682.9
5. Simvastatin (including combinations) mainly generic 73,470.9
6. Ezetimibe (excluding combinations) Ezetrol family 71,409.0
7. Insulin glargine (Lantus) 66,753.3
8. Simvastatin (excluding combinations) generic 66,753.3
9. Omeprazole (generic) 65,796.8
10.Rosuvastatin (Crestor) 51,662.8
Table 6. Overall cost (£000s) of top 10 medicines issued in ALL sectors 2009
1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 328,652.1
2. Etanercept (Enbrel) 166,450.4
3. Adalimumab (Humira) 157,022.6
4. Clopidogrel (Plavix) 149,455.2
5. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 123,113.1
6. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) 96,126.0
7. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) 94,695.5
8. Quetiapine (Seroquel) 91,805.0
9. Infliximab (Remicade) 90,387.3
10.Rituximab (Rituxan/MabThera) 79,392.0
Interestingly, the UK patents for the following brands will/have expire(d) in the following years. Clearly this will have a major impact on future data released in 2012.
Lipitor (2012)
Plavix (2010)
Zyprexa (2011)
Seroquel (tbc)
Due to the complex nature of patent law these dates are best estimates, at the time of writing this article and can not therefore be guaranteed.
Sources:
The NHS Information Centre http://www.ic.nhs.uk/
If you find this article useful, please visit http://www.2020selection.co.uk to find more articles that you may be interested in. Please look in the ‘Candidate’ section.
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