Editorial
Better information is needed to improve palliative care servicesSubscription
Gaps in access to palliative care services mean that many patients with life-limiting illnesses miss out on support they need, but there is much to learn about people’s experiences at the end of life.
Feature
PCSK9 inhibitors: the next cholesterol-lowering blockbusters?
Statins have been a mainstay of heart attack and stroke prevention for the past 20 years, but the race is on to bring a new drug to market that targets an enzyme called PCSK9.
Comment
Saturated fat: guidelines to reduce coronary heart disease risk are still validSubscription
A debate over whether saturated fat is bad for cardiovascular health has surfaced once again. The evidence still stands: its consumption should be limited.
Learning article
Linaclotide, lubiprostone and prucalopride interactionsSubscription
How to avoid potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions with the latest medicines for managing constipation.
Q&A
Bruce Warner: getting the best value and outcomes from the use of medicinesSubscription
Deputy chief pharmaceutical officer Bruce Warner discusses promoting the medicines optimisation agenda and shares his views on broader issues affecting pharmacists.
CPD article
Constipation: managing the condition in adultsSubscription
How to assess patients with constipation and select the right treatment to minimise the risk of complications.
Careers
The UK fitness-to-practise process: from complaint to appealSubscription
If a complaint is brought against a pharmacist in the UK, what can he or she expect from the fitness-to-practise process? Ailsa Colquhoun explains.
News
Meta-analysis casts doubt over first-line paracetamol use for back pain and osteoarthritisSubscription
A meta-analysis published in The BMJ has cast doubt on the use of paracetamol as the first-line analgesic for spinal pain and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.
FDA fights opioid abuse with industry guidanceSubscription
Measures to limit the abuse of opioid drugs have been issued by the US Food and Drug Administration in guidance for the pharmaceutical industry.
Pharmacy2U under fire over data selling practicesSubscription
Glibenclamide treatment in gestational diabetes linked to morbidities in newbornsSubscription
Superdrug is first retailer in the world to sell DNA testing kit in storeSubscription
Patients can stop taking statins in terminal care, research suggestsSubscription
Past antibiotic exposure linked to increased diabetes riskSubscription
News in Brief
Indian government stands up to EMA over licence suspensionsSubscription
Prescription items dispensed in the community in England top 1 billionSubscription
US pharmacists association takes a stand against involvement in prisoner executionsSubscription
EMA fast tracks approval of thyroid cancer drugSubscription
HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 is approved by European drug regulatorSubscription
UK to become first country to offer meningococcal B vaccine to babiesSubscription
Research briefing
Alternative antibiotic regimens effective for resource-poor settingsSubscription
One in ten patients modify their medication to overcome swallowing difficultiesSubscription
Combination anti-TB regimen shows bactericidal action, trial indicatesSubscription
Study provides insight into why PPI users benefit from calcium supplementsSubscription
Tau oligomers targeted with promising Alzheimer’s therapySubscription
