Cities compete to host EMASubscription
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has assessed the bids of 19 cities that have applied to host its headquarters following the UK’s exit from the European Union in 2019. The final relocation decision will be made by the European Council on 20 November 2017.
Editorial
Avoiding medicines stalemate post BrexitSubscription
With three rounds of negotiations concluded and little agreed, the reality of a no-deal Brexit looms large over both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Comment
The Medical Costs Act — what it means for pharma and pharmacySubscription
Legal expert Andrew Sweetman explains the new Health Service Medical Supplies (Costs) Act and its implications for pharmacy.
Books and Arts
How telomeres affect your health and longevitySubscription
The telomere effect by Elizabeth Blackburn and Elissa Epel
Comprehensive drug reference resource from the American Society of Health-System PharmacistsSubscription
This new edition of the popular drug reference includes oncology drugs approved under the US Food and Drug Administration’s accelerated approval programme.
Q&A
Q&A: Progress in seasonal influenza vaccines but world still short of capacity for pandemic vaccinesSubscription
Marie-Paule Kieny from the World Health Organization discusses efforts over the past decade by the global agency to enhance seasonal influenza vaccine efficacy and production capacity, to ensure there is sufficient pandemic vaccine production, and to promote the effective development and deployment of pandemic vaccines by developing countries.
Learning article
Communicating with parents and involving children in medicines optimisation
Although children take responsibility for taking their medications at different ages, involving parents, and where possible children, in decision making is key to medicines optimisation.
How to diagnose and manage Trichomonas vaginalisSubscription
Trichomonas vaginalis, also known as trichomoniasis, is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. The majority of infected individuals are asymptomatic or have non-specific symptoms, making diagnosis difficult. Therefore, appropriate treatment and prevention strategies are important to prevent its spread.
Careers
Civilian pharmacy roles in the Ministry of DefenceSubscription
A large number of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are currently working in various capacities in the Defence Medical Services, safeguarding the health of our military personnel. Saša Jankovic discovers what opportunities and challenges face pharmacy staff in the DMS.
How Karen Baxter's career evolved from clinical pharmacy to content strategy Subscription
Twenty years after registering as a pharmacist, Karen Baxter, director of content strategy for Pharmaceutical Press, reflects on her move into publishing and shares some advice for others considering a similar career change.
Fact or fiction? My career as a pharmacist and best-selling authorSubscription
The world of pharmacy has changed so much in recent years, but is still misunderstood by the media, says Amit Dhand.
News
Public Health England to consider removing travel vaccinations from NHS prescriptions
A review by Public Health England (PHE) on whether travel vaccinations should be removed from NHS prescriptions has been requested by the chief executive of NHS England.
Pharmacists urged to have flu jab
A letter has been sent to all pharmacists in direct contact with the public urging them to get vaccinated against flu this winter.
Peer discussion element of revalidation challenged by pharmacists
Moves by the professional regulator for pharmacists to discuss their practice with a peer as part of new revalidation proposals are facing opposition.
Chief medical officer warns antibiotic resistance could signal 'end of modern medicine'
England’s chief medical officer Sally Davies has warned that if antibiotics lose their effectiveness it would spell “the end of modern medicine”.
Rebalancing Board chair acknowledges pharmacists' 'considerable fears' around supervision
The pharmacy Rebalancing Board has no plans to add to its membership nor make changes to the way that it is looking at the supervision issue, the chair of the board, Ken Jarrold, has told The Pharmaceutical Journal in an exclusive interview.
New leadership programme for community pharmacists
A tailored leadership programme for community pharmacists has been launched.
Community pharmacy must 'fight for survival', says PSNC
Proton pump inhibitors linked to liver disease, researchers find
Puerto Rico hurricane damage could lead to drug shortages
Pharmacy flu vaccinations hit 500,000
Prescribing gabapentin with opioids could increase risk of fatal overdose, study finds
Pharmacies receive £31m in first quality scheme payment
All schools can now purchase emergency adrenaline auto-injectors without prescription
Any form of Brexit will hit UK healthcare, researchers warn
Perception of pharmacists as prescription checkers is a 'scandal': RPS English Pharmacy Board chair
Community pharmacists can help highlight valproate risks, says PGEU
Antibiotics should not be used for childhood ear infections, says NICE
Patients told by GP practice that flu vaccines from pharmacists are 'less safe'
News in brief
Preventive HIV drugs could cut new infections by a quarter
Providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication to men who have sex with men (MSM) who are at high risk of HIV infection could help to prevent up to one in four cases of HIV, a study has found.
Wellcome Trust launches global project to map antibiotic resistance
A global project to help track and document diseases associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been launched, according to UK health charity the Wellcome Trust.
London health and care devolution plans to be finalised by end of year
The agreement for health and care devolution in London is due to be finalised by the end of 2017, according to the chair of the London Health and Care Devolution Programme Board, Will Tuckley.
NICE issues new guidance on spotting child neglect or abuse
Pharmacists should look out for potential signs of child neglect, such as parents or carers failing to administer essential prescribed medicine or not taking their child to follow-up appointments, updated guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have said.
Diarrhoea treatment associated with serious heart problems
The MHRA has warned of serious cardiac adverse reactions in patients misusing or abusing loperamide by taking high or very high doses of the drug.
RPS in Wales to focus on palliative and end-of-life care and NHS 111
Palliative and end-of-life care will be a major focus for the Royal Pharmaceutical (RPS) Society in Wales during the next year, Suzanne Scott-Thomas, chair of the Welsh Pharmacy Board has said.
MHRA warns students against self-prescribing
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a strong warning to students about the risks of self-prescribing and self-medicating with medicines bought online.
