Editorial
Pharmaceutical industry should turn back to natureSubscription
The pharmaceutical industry’s move away from natural sources in drug discovery is short-sighted.
A stricter approach to vaccinationSubscription
Personal belief exemptions for vaccination put at risk those who are unable to participate for medical reasons.
Feature
Drug discovery returns to the wildSubscription
Researchers now have the tools to unlock the potential of previously uncultivated microbes, prompting a return to drug discovery from natural products.
Comment
Facilitate recreational drug testing to help save livesSubscription
Giving drug users better information about what is in their drugs before they take them could save lives.
CPD article
Electrolytes in cardiologySubscription
How potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium imbalances can lead to serious heart complications.
Careers
Pensions in the UK: different ways pharmacists can save for retirement Subscription
The way that people can access their pensions is changing in April, when new rules will give retirees with defined contribution pension savings the option to take the money as cash, rather than have it tied into an annuity. But how do you decide what kind of retirement plan is right for you?
News
Common antibiotic taken with a diuretic linked to sudden deathSubscription
Spironolactone, a diuretic used to treat heart failure whose side effects include hyperkalaemia (raised blood potassium levels), is associated with an increased risk of sudden death when combined with the antibiotic trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole.
Researchers survey the psychological factors of medication adherenceSubscription
Four out of ten people would be willing to accept some degree of risk of immediate death rather than having to take a daily pill to prevent cardiovascular disease.
News in Brief
Flu vaccine provides only 3% effectiveness, says public health bodySubscription
Annual renewal fee for pharmacists set to rise by 4.2%Subscription
Insomnia drug suvorexant launched in the United StatesSubscription
Sanofi and Mannkind launch inhaled insulin in the United StatesSubscription
Medicines regulator warns over unlicensed blood plasma productSubscription
NHS needs ‘radical’ changes in service provision, say MPsSubscription
AstraZeneca’s CRISPR collaborations aim to identify drug targetsSubscription
Research briefing
Insulin derivative activated by molecular switch responds to glucose challengeSubscription
Consultants respond positively to audit of antimicrobial prescribingSubscription
Pharmacy assistants provide solution to omitted medicines dosesSubscription
Erectile dysfunction drug could protect the liver from damage caused by sepsisSubscription
Ebola vaccine tested in 60 volunteers shows immune responseSubscription