Osteoporosis: moving beyond bisphosphonatesSubscription
Bisphosphonates are the mainstay of osteoporosis treatment but as more is elucidated about the underlying pathology of the condition, new drug targets are being investigated.
Editorial
NHS England needs to make a transparent decision on PrEP without further delaySubscription
A decision on whether to fund HIV prevention treatment on the NHS should be based on the evidence, not politics.
Comment
UK drug funding framework needs an overhaul to ensure the right areas are being prioritisedSubscription
If the NHS is to get value for money from medicines, it needs to consider what the UK population values and where its priorities lie.
Q&A
Q&A: Community pharmacy funding cuts in England – views from the front lineSubscription
In light of the government’s intention to cut funding for the sector and reform the remuneration structure, we asked four people from four different community pharmacy backgrounds to share their views.
Learning article
How to write a research article to submit for publicationSubscription
Pharmacists and healthcare professionals who are undertaking research should have an understanding of how to produce a research article for publication, and should be aware of the important considerations relating to submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
How to build and maintain trust with patientsSubscription
Patients are more likely to open up and disclose information if they trust their pharmacist or healthcare professional, and a better quality of interaction may result in greater patient autonomy and shared decision-making.
Careers
How Ana Martinez helped tackle the HIV epidemic
Pharmacist Ana Martinez explains how involving pharmacists in HIV clinical trials earned her the highest honour from the International Pharmaceutical Federation.
What a career in publishing has to offer pharmacistsSubscription
The media is a highly competitive industry and perhaps one that most pharmacists would not have considered exploring as a career option. However, there are many pharmacists who work in publishing.
Lights, camera, action: my career as a pharmacist and television presenterSubscription
Presenting live television to a global audience in two different languages every morning is a positive stress, says Bav Heer.
White Paper
Headaches in children: An unmet need
Pharmacist Christine Glover discusses the need for greater awareness and better management of paediatric headache in community pharmacy.
This article was commissioned, briefed and fully funded by RB.
Read on
News
High-intensity statin treatment increases chance of survival
Patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease receiving high-intensity statins — including those aged over 75 years — have a lower risk of death than those on a lower-intensity statin, according to new research.
NHS has power to fund PrEP HIV drug, Court of Appeal rules
NHS England has the power to fund a ‘game changing’ drug that can prevent HIV infection, the UK Court of Appeal has ruled.
Integrated medicines management service may reduce hospital readmissions
An integrated medicines management service may reduce the number of patients readmitted to hospital with a preventable drug-related problem.
Industry-wide standard on inhaler colour needed, say experts
Asthma inhalers being produced in an “increasing array” of colours is unsafe and could put patients lives at risk, say researchers, who have called for an official colour-coding system to avoid confusion.
Access to essential drugs achievable for up to US$2 per person per month
It would cost between US$1 and US$2 per person per month to ensure those living in a low-to-middle income country have access to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of 201 essential medicines, according to a landmark report.
Pharmacy owners and employee representatives clash over CPD proposals
Representatives of employee pharmacists and community pharmacy owners are divided over plans by the pharmacy regulator in Great Britain to reform continuing professional development requirements.
PSNC considering legal action over community pharmacy cuts, but says strike action ‘unwise’
Male contraceptive injection effective at preventing pregnancy
Group of NHS acute trusts adopts e-procurement system
Accelerated Access Review sets out plan to fast track ‘transformative’ drugs
GPhC warns pharmacy owners to deliver safe services regardless of funding cuts
Anti-inflammatory drugs could treat symptoms of depression
News in Brief
Companies producing homeopathy medicines in US must state they do not work
Producers of homeopathic treatments sold over the counter (OTC) in the United States must state on their labels and marketing materials that the products do not work or provide evidence of efficacy for any claims made, a US government agency says.
Nearly half of the general public wouldn't use a pharmacy for a minor ailment, report finds
Despite acknowledging the importance of self-care, many people say a pharmacy would not be their first port of call for advice on treating minor conditions, such as coughs and colds, a report from the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB) found.
Access to Medicine Index says industry is making ‘moderate progress’
A total of 2 billion people worldwide cannot get the medicines they need despite “moderate progress” by industry to improve access over the past two years, according to the latest Access to Medicine Index.
Cross-party group of MPs launches enquiry into impact of pharmacy funding cuts
An influential group of cross-party MPs has launched an inquiry into the impact of the government’s decision to cut community pharmacy funding in England.
UK regulator appeals to patients with animation about reporting drug side effects
A short animation about the value of reporting drug side effects is being used as part of a social media campaign by the UK’s drug safety watchdog.
New public health bill for Wales revisits pharmaceutical needs assessments
A new public health bill for Wales — which, if passed, will require health boards to produce pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs) — was laid before the Welsh Assembly on 7 November 2016.
Pharmacy cuts could add to winter pressure, warns National Pharmacy Association
Government cuts to community pharmacy funding could significantly add to the winter pressures facing the NHS, according to a survey carried out by the National Pharmacy Association, a trade association for independent community pharmacies in the UK.
NHS England has a lack of understanding of community pharmacy, contractors agree
NHS England has insufficient expertise and understanding of community pharmacy services and this must be rectified because taking decisions “in ignorance of how community pharmacy props up and supports the NHS is dangerous”, local pharmaceutical committees (LPCs) agreed unanimously at their annual conference.
‘Hard Brexit’ could delay access to new drugs, think tank warns
A ‘hard Brexit’ could threaten the success of the UK life sciences industry and restrict access to new medicines, a think tank has warned.
RPS offers support to preregistration students after GPhC reports 41% pass rate Subscription
Use of e-prescriptions improves adherence, researchers find
Pass rate for GPhC assessment drops below 50%
Regulator to investigate drug companies that charge NHS ‘excessive prices’
Doctors call for helpline to support people addicted to prescription drugs
Walgreens Boots Alliance sales rise by 13.4% to $117.4bn
Unicef secures deal to buy pentavalent vaccine at half its current price
PSNC releases ‘spectacular’ data on pharmacy flu vaccinations
Correspondence
Listening Friends: the original peer support scheme for pharmacistsSubscription
Pharmacy closures are not in the interests of patients or the publicSubscription
Let us make research our highest prioritySubscription
Without additional funding, some hospital pharmacies may struggle to implement seven-day service effectivelySubscription
