Editorial
First do no harm: On pharmacists selling cannabis in Uruguay
In December 2013 Uruguay became the first country to legalise cannabis for medical, industrial and recreational purposes. The Uruguayan government believes the move will divert income away from criminal gangs, and the taxes collected are to be invested in health, education and the prevention and treatment of drug abuse.
Feature
Recognising excellence through changing times: The Pharmaceutical Care AwardsSubscription
In the 22 years since the awards were introduced, healthcare in the UK and the roles of pharmacy teams have changed substantially
Remote pharmacy: it’s closer than you think Subscription
Comment
Corporate takeovers do not threaten UK pharmaceutical industrySubscription
Pfizer’s failed bid for AstraZeneca garnered much media attention. But the fears that such deals can undermine national industries are unfounded.
Learning article
Hidradenitis suppurativaSubscription
Although there is no cure for this painful condition, pharmacists can play a key role in its management.
Managing heat exhaustion in primary careSubscription
Heat-related conditions account for more than 1,000 deaths in the UK each year, a death toll set to rise as extreme weather events become the new norm.
Career
Promoting drug-free sport as a doping control officerSubscription
Pharmacist Carole Hunter, a doping control officer at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2014, explains her part in trying to rid sport of performance-enhancing drugs.
News
MPs say community pharmacy can help ease winter pressures on healthcare
Better use of community pharmacists could help ease winter pressures on the health system, according to a report from a group of MPs, which highlights increasing attendances at accident and emergency and GP practices
Concerns remain over EMA proposals on access to clinical trial data
Review of hospital deaths identifies possible safety improvements
Consultant pharmacist project scoops 2014 Pharmaceutical Care Award
Uruguay pharmacist group opposes plan to sell marijuana in pharmacies
NICE recommends apixaban, dabigatran and rivaroxaban over aspirin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
News in Brief
Database to record incidents of patient safety
GPs highlight problem of poor health literacy in England
Changes to BNF maximum dose for haloperidol
Public Health England endorses role of pharmacy
New care pathway for dying patients in England published
New option for smokers wanting to quit in Scotland
NHS boards chosen for pilot study on patient safety in Scotland
EMA reviews safety of high-dose ibuprofen
Research briefing
TNF-α antagonists not linked with cancer in Danish studySubscription
Cancer: Body out of syncSubscription
Pinpointing a weakness in bacteria’s protective barrierSubscription
Patients satisfied with pharmacists treating minor ailmentsSubscription
Medicines information services benefit patientsSubscription
Books and arts
Caustic criticism for big business in healthcareSubscription
‘Deadly medicines and organised crime: how big pharma has corrupted healthcare’ by Peter C. Gøtzsche.
‘Sympathy for the devil’ by Gary ActonSubscription
Fascinating insight into the world of cancer biotechnology.
Correspondence
Pharmacy degree must evolve to meet the needs of societySubscription
Not just a voice for the professionSubscription
Using licensed productsSubscription