24/31 May 2014, Vol 292, 7811/7812
Editorial
An ongoing test: Making NHS care acceptable to patients
NHS care that would never pass the “friends and family test” continues to emerge. That the Princess of Wales Hospital was in September 2013 the first institution in Wales to implement the test — an NHS England creation — is remarkable given that it is one of two hospitals in South Wales that have since been shown to be under-delivering.
News
SmartTrack device improves asthma inhaler adherence
A device that monitors an asthma patient’s inhaler use and reminds users about missed doses improves adherence to treatment, a study has shown.
Medicine supplier Pharmacy Plus goes into liquidation
Care of older people at two hospitals in South Wales is ‘simply unacceptable’, says report
Free training courses in South London to support pharmacy services
British pharmacy regulator agrees to share information with other regulators
Research funds available to improve community services
Lurasidone to launch this summer for treatment of schizophrenia
EMA meets to review evidence that body weight affects efficacy of emergency contraceptives
BMJ retracts data on statin side effects
Pharmacy referral model to be priority project for RPS Innovators Forum
Community pharmacy project wins respiratory team of the year at BMJ awards
First medicine to treat rare Morquio A syndrome goes on sale
Feature
Darzi Fellowship accepts pharmacy-led project to improve care of AF patientsSubscription
Patients with atrial fibrillation who take new oral anticoagulants to reduce their risk of stroke need a smooth transition of care from hospital to community, Asha Fowells finds
Comment
What does the EU have to do with me?Subscription
The RPS representative on the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union, Sid Dajani, takes a look at the areas of EU policy that can affect UK pharmacy practice
Time to act: pharmacists must be prepared for environmental changesSubscription
How will the pharmacist’s role evolve as the world’s climate changes? Iain Davidson and colleagues describe the impact of the profession on the planet — and vice versa
CPD article
Ever heard of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?Subscription
One in 5,000 people has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome — at least twice the number as have sickle cell anaemia, phenylketonuria or haemophilia A. Learn more about it here
Books and arts
Useful text for industry and regulatory professionalsSubscription
This updated edition of ‘Generic drug product development: solid oral dosage forms’ is the latest publication in the series ‘Drugs and pharmaceutical sciences’, a range that will be recognisable to many pharmacists and researchers by its distinctive red covers.
Patient-centred medicine from various perspectivesSubscription
Patient-centered medicine: transforming the clinical method’ 3rd edition. By Moira Stewart, Judith Belle Brown, W. Wayne Weston, Ian R. McWhinney, Carol L. McWilliam and Thomas R. Freeman. Pp xv+426 Price
CAREER
Take full advantage of having a tutorSubscription
Newly qualified hospital pharmacist Lauren Rose describes what you can expect from being tutored and shares some tips for making the most of the experience
