Editorial
Changes to dispensing errors legislation must strike the right balanceSubscription
The proposed changes to the laws on dispensing errors are a step in the right direction but more needs to be done to remove the threat of prosecution from pharmacists.
Feature
Supplying medicines to refugees: a logistical nightmareSubscription
During conflicts, humanitarian bodies not only face the obvious security risks of reaching people in need, they also have to deal with the growing bureaucracy involved in getting medicines to them.
Comment
Atypical antipsychotics: overrated and overprescribedSubscription
Atypical antipsychotics are being overprescribed and used inappropriately in many countries. It is time to reduce the practice of prescribing atypical drugs to treat a wide variety of mental distress.
Learning article
Inhaled corticosteroids: managing side effectsSubscription
Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly prescribed but need careful management to minimise the risk of side effects.
Careers
Getting started with weekend working in a hospital pharmacySubscription
The pharmacy department at Watford General Hospital recently introduced longer weekend working hours. Operational manager Sue Schechter describes how they made the changes without causing too much disruption to the staff.
News
Researchers identify new anti-inflammatory compoundsSubscription
Two separate research groups have identified compounds that can inhibit components of the immune system that are involved in several inflammatory disorders.
NHS is paying too much for drugs to the detriment of other services, analysis suggestsSubscription
The NHS is paying too much for new drugs and this is not in the best interests of patients overall, an analysis by health economists has found.
Dispensing error protection will not apply to all hospital pharmacists under UK proposalsSubscription
Hydroxyzine safety measures loom after heart risk reviewSubscription
Study highlights growing problem of opioid withdrawal in newbornsSubscription
US healthcare groups recommend ways of tackling ongoing drug shortagesSubscription
News in Brief
WHO announces new policy guidelines on injection safetySubscription
Reduction in antipsychotic use by dementia patients must continue, says CameronSubscription
US FDA gives green light for thyroid cancer drug lenvatinibSubscription
Infliximab biosimilars to launch in the UK as innovator product reaches patent expirySubscription
Alzheimer’s Research UK launches alliance of drug discovery centresSubscription
Short-term use of hormone replacement therapy linked to ovarian cancerSubscription
Pharmacists handed guide to changes in drug driving rulesSubscription
Research briefing
UK data confirm protective effect of statins against liver cancerSubscription
Working environment of pharmacists can create ‘moral distress’Subscription
Wider use of ranibizumab would cut incidence of blindness in diabetic macular oedemaSubscription
Creatine does not slow progression in Parkinson's disease, study findsSubscription
Blood pressure lowering in type 2 diabetics associated with improved mortalitySubscription
