Features
Isolated, but not alone: how pharmacies are supporting older patients during COVID-19
Community pharmacy is providing a vital connection to support older and clinically vulnerable patients during lockdown in the UK.
Pharmacy — one of the driving forces behind the COVID-19 emergency hospitals
The temporary field hospitals set up across the UK to help the NHS cope during the COVID-19 pandemic have given hospital pharmacists a unique opportunity for valuable learning and teamwork.
Transcending boundaries: the role of pharmacists in gender identity servicesSubscription
There has been a surge in demand for gender identity services in the UK over the past five years. Although the current role of pharmacists is limited, their potential contribution within a multidisciplinary team supporting transgender patients is beginning to emerge.
Targeting COVID-19: the drugs being fast-tracked through clinical trials and how they work
The NHS is rapidly enrolling patients into studies as part of a focused international effort to find medicines that will interfere with viral replication or help modulate the immune system response.
Comment
There is a vulnerable group we must not leave behind in our response to COVID-19: people who are dependent on illicit drugs
None of us are safe from COVID-19, but the health status, needs and behaviours of those who use illicit drugs leave them particularly vulnerable — pharmacists can reduce this risk, says drugs researcher Amira Guirguis.
Q&A
Leyla Hannbeck: ‘COVID-19 has many pharmacies struggling to keep their heads above water’
The chief executive officer of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies speaks about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected pharmacy and the risk of impending closures.
CPD article
Implementing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in practiceSubscription
How pharmacists can ensure the safe delivery of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy by ensuring governance, operational and clinical requirements are met.
Learning article
Community management of pneumonia and suspected COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of understanding the differences between viral and bacterial pneumonia, and how adult patients can be managed as they recover at home.
Case-based learning: anxiety disordersSubscription
There are many types of anxiety disorders with varying levels of severity. Pharmacists should know the treatment options that are available and how to support patients.
Research
Evaluation of the impact of pharmacist polypharmacy reviews within the Govan Social and Healthcare Integration Partnership (SHIP) project Subscription
Providing pharmacist-led medicines reviews to patients in one of the most deprived areas in Scotland to reduce the health inequality gap.
Careers
Requesting a retrospective prescription from a GPSubscription
A locum pharmacist’s decision to substitute one medicine for another may be in the best interest of the patient, but what are the legal and ethical implications?
'As I listen, I form an action plan' — a day in the life of a patient support officer Subscription
When her son fell chronically ill, Arlene Brailey found the motivation to take on a role dedicated to helping patients with resistant bacterial infections find support and trustworthy information.
Insight
The future is giving patients control over their own medication recordsSubscription
The patient is the only person present at every stage of their treatment as they move between different healthcare settings, meaning that patient-held information could plug holes in our records and contribute to medicines safety.
Editorial
Pharmacy must change as a result of COVID-19, or be left behind
The pharmacy sector must not underestimate the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will transform the NHS.
Serology testing for COVID-19 is the way forward, but we could face a long wait
While news of imminent serology testing is incredibly encouraging, we must be pragmatic about how quickly it can be made available to the general public.
News
Pharmacies request just 5% of all tasks carried out by COVID-19 volunteers so far, NHS England says
Only 5% of tasks carried out by NHS volunteers so far have been requested by community pharmacies, NHS England has said.
Just 550 pharmacy staff referred for COVID-19 testing in first ten days of national scheme
Just over 550 community pharmacy staff members were referred for COVID-19 tests through a national booking system run by the Care Quality Commission, over ten days in mid-April 2020, the NHS watchdog has told The Pharmaceutical Journal.
NHS England advises pharmacies to 'risk assess' BAME staff for susceptibility to COVID-19
NHS England has advised pharmacies to risk assess staff who may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, including those from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
Community pharmacists will now be included in COVID-19 death-in-service scheme
Community pharmacists are to be included in the government life assurance scheme for staff working on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health secretary, Matt Hancock has announced.
Community pharmacies need £200m extra to stay afloat during COVID-19, trade body warns
Community pharmacies need millions of pounds extra “to keep their heads above water” during the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy bodies have warned.
Pharmacy staff who have died during COVID-19 pandemic to be remembered during minute's silence
Pharmacy staff who are thought to have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are to be among the healthcare workers remembered with a minute’s silence on 28 April 2020.
Manufacturers report 'sporadic' resupply of sertraline following COVID-19 related shortage
Care home pharmacists redeployed, despite COVID-19 palliative care increase
One in three pharmacists unable to access PPE, finds RPS survey
Supplies of some COVID-19 medicines to run out within days, government warns
Pharmacist 'shaken' after reported assault as cases of abuse towards pharmacy staff rise
Research briefing
Apixaban may be more effective and safer than rivaroxaban, research suggestsSubscription
Neurological symptoms common in COVID-19 patients, researchers say
Myocardial injury associated with increased risk of death from COVID-19, research suggests
Buprenorphine implant beneficial for patients with opioid dependencySubscription
More lifestyle support needed for patients starting medicines for cardiovascular disease, study concludesSubscription
