Hepatitis C: tackling the silent killerSubscription
About 200,000 people are living with hepatitis C in the UK, but it is estimated that around half of these remain undiagnosed. Identifying those at risk, offering tests and connecting those infected with treatment are crucial to tackling the disease.
Editorial
Are you revalidation ready?Subscription
Revalidation began with doctors in the UK in 2012; nurses embarked on their version of the process in 2016. Each of these events marked a huge change for its respective profession, and now it’s pharmacy’s turn.
Future pharmacist: tell us what you think the profession has in store
The Pharmaceutical Journal is asking readers to write a short piece on the theme of ‘Future Pharmacist’, where the winning entry will receive an Amazon Fire 7 tablet.
Comment
Amazonising pharmacy — reality or just a rumour?Subscription
If the headlines are to be believed, the online commerce company Amazon is setting its sights on the US pharmacy market, and entry to the UK market could follow.
Books and Arts
Tales and take-home lessons from general practiceSubscription
What’s in a story? Lessons for general practice, by David Orlans, Rodger Charlton & Samuel Finnikin
A fascinating insight into sleep and healthSubscription
Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams, by Matthew Walker
Learning article
How to use the new ‘RPS MyCPD’ app for pharmacy revalidationSubscription
April 2018 marks the start of the new pharmacy revalidation process. In order to meet the requirements expected, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has launched a new app, RPS MyCPD, which allows members and registered users to record, track and export their CPD activity.
Revalidation: How to use planned and unplanned learning entries to record CPDSubscription
Revalidation for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians came into force on 30 March 2018. This article explains the revalidation timeline and requirements, including what represents suitable planned and unplanned CPD activities and how they should be recorded.
Careers
Health technology: learn, grow or become obsoleteSubscription
Steve Hemsley reports on the latest advancements in health technology, how they will affect the careers of pharmacy professionals, and why new technologies should be embraced in order to win the race for relevance.
How Kayt Blythin established a pharmacist-led medicines optimisation service in East Sussex care homes Subscription
Kayt Blythin is a principal clinical pharmacist for medicines optimisation for care homes at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
News
Huge variation in gluten-free prescribing across England, new research findsSubscription
Prescribing of gluten-free products varies substantially across primary care in England, according to a new study published in BMJ Open.
New legal defence against inadvertent dispensing errors comes into force Subscription
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has welcomed the introduction of a UK-wide criminal defence against inadvertent dispensing errors.
MHRA will lose EMA work before Brexit transition period
The UK will lose its involvement in evaluating medicines for the European Medicines Agency from the date it formally leaves the European Union in March 2019, despite plans for the UK to remain closely tied to the EU during a transition period lasting until the end of 2020.
Scheme that shaped community pharmacy contract proposals found to benefit patients
A community pharmacy long-term conditions service is improving the quality of life of patients, and providing cost effective solutions for the NHS, research has found.
EMA to hold public hearing on the safety of quinolone and fluoroquinolone
A public hearing into the safety of quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics is to be held by the European drugs safety watchdog.
Men working for pharmacy multiples earn up to a third more than women, reports showSubscription
Men working for some of the biggest high street pharmacies earn up to 31% more than their female colleagues, gender pay gap reports have revealed.
Just 62% of community pharmacy preregistration places filled under new application systemSubscription
Exclusive deal for Boots as sildenafil becomes P medicineSubscription
Some protections for vulnerable patients as NHS England rules out routine prescribing of common OTC productsSubscription
Stronger training infrastructure for pharmacists needed, says RPS
Online primary care improving but there is still work to do, says CQCSubscription
FDA considers lowering nicotine levels in cigarettesSubscription
Welsh government urged to evaluate role of pharmacists working in primary careSubscription
EMA endorses strengthened regulatory measures for valproateSubscription
Higher blood sugar targets for type 2 diabetes recommended by American College of PhysiciansSubscription
NHS England updates guidance on prescribing between primary and secondary careSubscription
Nine out of ten pharmacies meet quality payment criteriaSubscription
Scottish parliament told of Brexit fears by pharmacy ownersSubscription
Smokers avoiding NRT and e-cigarettes over misunderstanding of riskSubscription
News in brief
Community pharmacies administer almost 250,000 more flu vaccines
Community pharmacy teams administered at least 240,000 more flu vaccinations during this winter than last.
Number of prescriptions dispensed in the community rises, but cost falls
More prescriptions were dispensed in the community in England in 2017, but the cost of prescriptions fell slightly.
Only a fifth of pharma companies connecting to EU FMD hubSubscription
Around 2,000 pharmaceutical companies across Europe have not yet started the process of connecting to the European Medicines Verification System (EMVS), also known as the “EU hub”, as part of Falsfied Medicines Directive (FMD) requirements.
