Features
Going against type: the new class of cancer therapies targeting mutations rather than tissuesSubscription
‘Tumour agnostic’ drugs offer a more effective and tolerable therapy for a wide range of people with cancer, so why has the NHS rejected its first one?
The true impact of the UK’s hormone replacement therapy shortagesSubscription
More than 18 months of hormone replacement therapy product shortages have had a drastic impact on the lives of people who rely on them, but nobody seems to know why they are happening.
The race to stop COVID-19
As a new strain of coronavirus threatens public health systems across the globe, researchers are racing to develop a vaccine.
Comment
Refusing to supply emergency hormonal contraception undermines our profession — no pharmacist should do itSubscription
Allowing personal beliefs to prevent patients accessing emergency hormonal contraception goes against the patient-centred care standards that pharmacists should uphold.
Q&A
Nikki Kanani: 'Shortages of the right pharmacists in some areas has been an issue'Subscription
The director of primary care at NHS England speaks about growing up in a pharmacy, her hopes for the sector and how to protect pharmacists from burnout.
CPD article
Acute coronary syndrome: risk factors, diagnosis and treatment Subscription
This overview describes the different management options for acute coronary syndrome and how pharmacists can support patients with the condition.
Learning article
Case-based learning: management of polycystic ovary syndromeSubscription
As the most common incurable hormonal condition affecting women of reproductive age, polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to infertility, anxiety and cardiovascular disease if it is not managed appropriately.
Considerations for the inpatient management of Parkinson’s disease Subscription
Recognising and managing certain complications of Parkinson’s disease can help improve care and reduce the risk of admission for people living with the condition.
Research
Effective detection and management of hypertension through community pharmacy in EnglandSubscription
Management of hypertension does not routinely occur in English pharmacies, despite community pharmacy being an ideal place for screening to take place. By examining and learning from the evidence, pharmacies in England can help patients maintain ideal blood pressure levels and improve health outcomes.
Careers
How employers can help support staff with disabilitiesSubscription
Employers have a duty of care to support the health, safety and wellbeing of all employees, including those with disabilities.
A day in the life of a nutrition support pharmacist Subscription
Clinical nutrition is an area of nutrition that requires pharmacists to work closely with the clinical team, rather than focusing solely on compounding.
Insight
We must not forget transgender patients’ physiology if we are to prescribe safelySubscription
Pharmacists should always be respectful of patients’ identity wishes, but biological differences between the sexes mean that conflating sex and gender could have serious implications for prescribing.
Editorial
Pharmacists are on the front line of COVID-19, but they need help too
An urgent package of funding and support is required to enable pharmacists to support vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Help us find the unsung women powering pharmacy forward
There are far too many female pharmacy professionals doing brilliant things that are going unrecognised. Help us change that.
News
Scottish Pharmacy Board meeting: 22 January 2020
At the latest Royal Pharmaceutical Society Scottish Pharmacy Board meeting, discussions revolved around pharmacotherapy, science and research, and public affairs in Scotland.
English Pharmacy Board meeting: 30 January 2020
At the latest Royal Pharmaceutical Society English Pharmacy Board meeting, discussions revolved around plans for science and research, and a digital edition of Medicines, Ethics and Practice.
Welsh Pharmacy Board meeting: 5 February 2020
At the latest Royal Pharmaceutical Society Welsh Pharmacy Board meeting, discussions revolved around Brexit, medicines shortages and public affairs in Wales.
Funding to be made available for home deliveries, says NHS England and NHS Improvement
The cost of delivering medicines to vulnerable patients who are self-isolating or have COVID-19 will be reimbursed, Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England has said.
Medicines regulator and NICE to review evidence of impact of NSAIDs on COVID-19
The Committee of Human Medicines — an advisory body of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency — and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are to review the evidence on the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the severity of COVID-19 infection.
‘Significant’ fall in referrals to GPs since introduction of pharmacy consultation serviceSubscription
NHS 111 has seen a 6% drop in referrals to GP surgeries since the community pharmacist consultation service was launched in October 2019, according to Anne Joshua, head of pharmacy integration at NHS England and NHS Improvement.
Young people who vape are almost five times more likely to start smoking, research suggestsSubscription
Regulator may temporarily re-register 6,000 pharmacy staff to cope with a COVID-19 emergency
London minor ailments scheme to close at end of March 2020Subscription
Pharmacists could be 'redeployed' to short-staffed areas under NHS COVID-19 plans
Pharmacies sent 30,000 electronic flu vaccine notifications to GP surgeries in winter 2019/2020Subscription
Three-quarters of Rowlands pharmacies could cut opening hours under money-saving proposalsSubscription
Government allows bulk import and storage of medical cannabis Subscription
More than 80% of preregistration trainees pick hospital pharmacy as first choice for training, study finds
Scottish community pharmacy sees first ever three-year funding settlement agreed Subscription
Pharmacy technicians make fewer errors than doctors when transcribing discharge medicines, pilot findsSubscription
RPS calls for sweet e-cigarette flavourings to be bannedSubscription
Transitional payments for pharmacies to increase but then end in 2021Subscription
Research briefing
‘No evidence’ that daily emollient use prevents eczema in high-risk newborns Subscription
Statins could be linked to reduced risk of ovarian cancer, researchers findSubscription
Pharmacy support needed early on in hospital stay for medication-related problemsSubscription
Little evidence to inform pharmacological paediatric migraine prevention, review findsSubscription
Pharmacists may need more comprehensive training in discussing opioid risks with patients, interviews revealSubscription
