Science of sunscreenSubscription
Sun exposure is the primary cause of skin cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, more than 8 in 10 cases of melanoma could be prevented through better knowledge of sun damage and how to protect against it.
Editorial
Another vote for the status quo at the Royal Pharmaceutical SocietySubscription
The results of the recent national pharmacy board elections are in, but there is little change to report.
Sustainability and transformation plans: working together is not going to be easySubscription
It is vital that pharmacy engages with sustainability and transformation plans now to avoid being left behind.
Comment
Peter Noyce (1946-2017)Subscription
A visionary leader who drove pharmacy practice forward but always had time to mentor others, he was known as the most effective pharmacist of his generation.
The High Court verdict on community pharmacy cuts marks a new beginning, not the endSubscription
Ian Strachan from the National Pharmacy Association explains why pharmacists should not be disheartened by the High Court’s ruling on the judicial review against the funding cuts to community pharmacy in England.
Q&A
Q&A: UK general election 2017: pharmacists reactSubscription
The Pharmaceutical Journal interviews pharmacists from across the nation to get their thoughts on the results of the UK general election in June 2017.
Learning article
Melanoma: risk factors and advice on sunscreen useSubscription
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 4% of all new cancer diagnoses. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals are ideally placed to offer advice to patients on the use of sunscreens to limit UV exposure, reducing their risk of developing melanoma.
Rashes in childrenSubscription
Rashes in children are common and may be difficult to differentiate by appearance alone, therefore, it is important to consider the entire clinical presentation in order to make the appropriate diagnosis.
Careers
Bermuda short: my role as a pharmacist in an overseas territorySubscription
As a British overseas territory located around 600 miles off the coast of the United States, Bermuda’s lack of a national healthcare system and borrowed legislation present unique challenges. John Bentley decribes his role and the benefits of island life.
My life as a civilian pharmacist working for the Ministry of DefenceSubscription
As pharmacist lead for medicines optimisation across Defence Medical Services, Helena Pickin ensures high-quality, cost-effective prescribing in the UK and overseas. Here, she explains why and how she embarked on a career with the Ministry of Defence.
The importance of improving GP and community pharmacy relationsSubscription
The relationship between community pharmacy and general practice has undergone significant changes over recent years, from a transactional one to that of co-managing the care of patients. However, these changes have brought new challenges. Saša Jankovic reports.
News
Disease risk influenced by entire genome, researchers suggest
Analysis of genome-wide association studies shows that how genes interact with each other has a bigger impact on disease than single-gene effects which makes drug discovery a more difficult task.
US researchers say statins may speed up Parkinson’s in susceptible patients
A new study suggests that the use of statins is associated with a higher risk of developing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
WHO recommends new categories for antibiotics to tackle resistance
The World Health Organization has split antibiotics into three categories — access, watch and reserve — in its latest essential medicines list to help ensure the right antibiotics are used for the right infections.
Pharmacy minister loses seat as UK election concludes in a hung parliament
Pharmacy representatives dub the loss “a change moment for pharmacy” that will enable new thinking in government on pharmacy policy.
Up to 40% of patients not taking their blood pressure tablets as prescribed
Non-adherence to antihypertensive treatment is common in the United Kingdom and Czech Republic, according to a new study.
Patients with high platelet counts should be tested for cancer
Researchers found that thrombocytosis was found in 11.6% of men and 6.2% in women who developed cancer.
News in Brief
PDA appoints ex Pharmacy Voice chair to ‘champion profession’ in Westminster
The Pharmacists’ Defence Association has appointed ex Pharmacy Voice chair Claire Ward to build stronger ties in Westminster and ensure that a more ‘realistic and positive’ vision of pharmacy is presented to policy makers.
NICE adds two more drugs to cancer drugs fund
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has made pembrolizumab (Keytruda) available for first-line use in lung cancer under the cancer drugs fund.
Number of new HIV diagnoses in gay men falls for first time
New diagnoses of HIV in England have fallen among men who have sex with men, with the greatest decline seen in London clinics trialling pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), according to figures from Public Health England.
Suzanne Scott-Thomas re-affirmed as chair of Welsh Pharmacy BoardSubscription
Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society Suzanne-Scott Thomas, newly re-appointed chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Welsh Pharmacy Board, said: ”I know I am in ...
Further 71 pharmacies deemed eligible for Pharmacy Access Scheme funding
NHS England has confirmed that an additional 71 pharmacies will now receive payments under the Pharmacy Access Scheme.
FDA requests first opioid removal from market after abuse sparks HIV outbreak
The US Food and Drug Administration has requested that a formulation of oxymorphone hydrochloride, marketed as Opana ER, be withdrawn from the market due to abuse, saying that the benefits of the product no longer outweigh the risks.
Aspirin and PPIs should be co-prescribed in older patients because of bleeding risk, say researchers
Patients aged over 75 years who take aspirin-based antiplatelet therapy should be co-prescribed proton-pump inhibitors because of an under-recognised risk of disabling gastrointestinal bleeding, reports a Lancet study.
Hospital Expert Advisory Group assist with latest NHS pharmacy benchmarking exerciseSubscription
The 2017 Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation benchmarking project opened for data collection on 2 June 2017.
Hopes that new pharmacy partnership will transform medicine safety
A partnership between University College Hospital (UCLH) and University College London (UCL) aims to transform patient care around the world by making medicines safer and easier to take.
Earlier use of abiraterone improves survival in prostate cancer
Syphilis infections reach 67-year high
Chair of the English Pharmacy Board reiterates need for government relationship with RPS Subscription
ECT patients view therapy positively
PSNC investigating unexpected drop in community pharmacy payments
EMA sets out implications of Brexit on pharmaceutical industry
Boost seen to new drug approvals
Mixed news for AstraZeneca’s drug development portfolio
WHO to be headed by an African for the first time
Pharmacists need to step up to the challenge of precision medicines, says QuintilesIMS Institute
'Vast majority' of UK medical students are competent prescribers, study reveals
Correspondence
Using the new RPS websiteSubscription
Pharmacy market still showing resilience despite cutsSubscription
The future of the RPS depends on member engagementSubscription
Is the chief pharmaceutical officer of England serving patients and the profession well?Subscription
The Pharmaceutical Journal must appeal to membersSubscription
Problem with registering for NHSmailSubscription
