In this issue
Insight
Why the resurgence of POM-to-P reclassifications in the UK is a good thingSubscription
After a dwindle in the number of reclassifications of prescription-only to pharmacy medicines in the UK, things are starting to look up, writes Natalie Gauld.
CPD article
Fluoroquinolones for treating tuberculosisSubscription
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health and socioeconomic challenge. The duration of current anti-TB therapies, the adverse effects of certain anti-TB drugs and the growing problem of drug-resistant TB on an international scale mean that it is imperative for new, effective and safe treatment regimens to be developed. Fluoroquinolones are a class of drugs that have been used in the treatment of TB for several decades. This article provides an overview of the current treatment ...
Review
Ceftazidime-avibactam: a novel cephalosporin/β-lactamase inhibitorSubscription
Over the past decade, infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms have increased. The limited availability in treatment options for these infections prompted both the UK to create a five-year antimicrobial resistance strategic plan to stimulate the development of new antibiotics, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America to call for ten new antimicrobial agents to be developed by 2020. Ceftazidime-avibactam is a combination of a third-generation ...
Short communications
Advice to give to asthma patients about air pollutionSubscription
Two-thirds of people with asthma in the UK say poor air quality makes their asthma worse, which puts them at higher risk of an asthma attack.
Too early to tell if vitamin D has a role in reducing the common coldSubscription
Community pharmacists are repeatedly asked for recommendations to reduce the risk of catching a cold. The advertising of novel products such as nasal sprays, gargles, face masks and a plethora of potential protective botanical products can cause confusion about what really might be useful and appropriate.
A quick intervention recommendation by community pharmacists for patients using inhalersSubscription
Many pharmacists are probably busy reviewing inhaler use and technique as part of their medicines use reviews and new medicine service processes for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Care for children with diabetes is improving, but there is more work to do
For the seventh year running, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit shows that children living with diabetes are being helped to manage their blood glucose levels (HbA1c) and so reduce the risk of developing ...
Developing guidelines for the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs in academic research laboratoriesSubscription
The bench-to-bedside approach to healthcare involves a continuous iterative process whereby practice-based challenges are examined, researched and addressed in an effort to optimise patient care. This is supported through fostering collaborations and partnerships between healthcare professionals and academic researchers.
