Features
‘Urgent action’ needed on pharmacist shortagesSubscription
NHS workforce planners warn that they are running out of pharmacists as demand for the profession rises.
Cognitive cannabis: the emerging evidence for treating mental health problemsSubscription
One year since UK law changed to enable medical cannabis to be prescribed, researchers are exploring the drug’s potential for treating post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Open to abuse: gaps highlighted in the controlled drug system Subscription
With almost 1,400 reports of controlled drugs being lost, stolen or missing in 2018/2019, there are concerns regarding the increasing sophistication of those trying to subvert the system.
Community pharmacy at the heart of primary careSubscription
As the ‘NHS long-term plan’ is implemented in England, community pharmacy will become the heart of the new primary care landscape, delivering clinical services and receiving referrals from other health providers.
Comment
It's not just medicines that improve health — pharmacists need a better understanding of nutritionSubscription
Research shows that dietary changes can help to manage conditions such as diabetes and asthma, so undergraduate pharmacy courses must better prepare pharmacists to advise patients on healthy eating behaviours.
Q&A
Simon Dukes: 'The government won't say how many pharmacies it wants to close'Subscription
The chief negotiator for community pharmacy in England on the new contract he agreed with ministers, and what it means for the future of community pharmacy.
CPD article
Polypharmacy: a framework for theory and practiceSubscription
There are several tools pharmacists can use when assessing a patient’s medicines; however, patient input and appropriate questions can have a profound impact in ensuring medicines optimisation.
Learning article
Managing common ear problems: discharge, ache and dizzinessSubscription
Pharmacists and their teams should be able to manage patients presenting with ear discharge, earache and dizziness effectively, referring patients only when necessary.
Managing ear problems: hearing loss and tinnitusSubscription
Pharmacy teams should know when to manage and refer patients presenting with hearing loss or tinnitus.
Research
Evaluation of the Portsmouth medicines advice at home serviceSubscription
A Portsmouth-based medicines advice at home service highlights the impact of pharmacist-led interventions.
Careers
A day in the life of a community-based pharmacist supporting older patients at home Subscription
Former hospital pharmacist Ana Armstrong would often find herself worrying about her older patients after discharge; so she decided to move sectors and help bridge care between hospital and home.
Whistleblowing in pharmacy: know your rights and obligationsSubscription
Pharmacists and lawyers give advice on what to do if you witness inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.
Editorial
Getting to grips with the polypharmacy challengeSubscription
Over the next two months, The Pharmaceutical Journal will publish the results of its call for papers on medicines optimisation.
Controlled drug complacency is dangerousSubscription
Despite the UK having robust measures in place to protect and monitor the supply of controlled drugs, reporting of incidents must improve.
News
Greggs vouchers offered to encourage drug users to get tested for hepatitis C
Substance misuse and needle exchange patients in Newcastle will be given “up to £25 of Greggs vouchers” if they present for a blood spot test for hepatitis C in a community pharmacy.
NICE recommends first cannabis-based medicines for use on the NHS
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended two cannabis-based medicinal products for reimbursement under the NHS.
Reports of lost and stolen controlled drugs increase by 19% in one year
Reports of lost, stolen or missing controlled drugs in England increased by 19% between 2017/2018 and 2018/2019.
Community pharmacy flu vaccination uptake rises by 61%
The number of flu vaccinations given by community pharmacists in England by November 2019 is 61% higher that what was achieved by November 2018.
More than a quarter of funding for pharmacy integration diverted to 'other NHS priorities' in 2018/2019
Exclusive: A Freedom of Information request submitted by The Pharmaceutical Journal has revealed that £11m from the Pharmacy Integration Fund has been diverted to other NHS priorities.
No evidence that hub-and-spoke dispensing will save money, admit pharmacy negotiators
Pharmacy negotiators have not seen any evidence that extending the hub-and-spoke model of dispensing in community pharmacy will save money, the chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has said.
Medication dosing could be 'poisoning' older people because of age exclusion in clinical trials
Pharmacists on ward rounds speed up interventions and could save money, study finds
More than half of community pharmacies sign up to offer consultation service at launch
Boots closes 18 stores in four months
More than 400 preregistration trainees switch placements each year
Scares over vaping illness could put lives at risk, PHE warns
Almost half of community pharmacists admit to self-checking their own dispensing
Research briefing
Better tools needed to aid antidepressant discontinuation, researchers saySubscription
Fluoroquinolone use linked to heart problems, research suggestsSubscription
Nivolumab improves survival in non-small cell lung carcinoma, study results suggestSubscription
Sertraline may reduce anxiety more quickly than depressive symptomsSubscription
SGLT-2 inhibitors reduce heart failure risk across patient groupsSubscription
