Features
Beyond antibiotics: harnessing bacteria’s natural predatorsSubscription
With antibiotic resistance set to cost 10 million lives per year by 2050, there is a renaissance of interest in the potential of bacteriophages to be the next generation of bacteria killers.
Is pharmacy prepared for a resurgence of COVID-19?
As cases of COVID-19 start to rise again in the UK, what can pharmacy staff do to prepare for a potential second surge of infections?
No going back: how the pandemic is changing community pharmacy
The coronavirus pandemic has been a huge challenge, but it has revolutionised pharmacy practice in some positive ways. In the third of a three-part series, we ask community pharmacists which changes they want to retain.
Comment
We can manage patients’ moves off the bipolar treatment Priadel successfullySubscription
The imminent withdrawal of the most popular UK brand of lithium is causing confusion and distress, but this can be managed successfully if pharmacists take a strategic approach.
Q&A
Harry McQuillan: 'Pharmacy First is the art of pharmacy' Subscription
Scottish community pharmacy is about to enter a new phase as the Pharmacy First service aims to position it as the first port of call for common clinical conditions.
CPD article
Cancer-associated thrombosisSubscription
Venous thromboembolism is a complication of cancer that pharmacists should understand to ensure that their patients have the best possible outcomes.
Learning article
Case-based learning: impetigoSubscription
Pharmacists need to identify and manage impetigo effectively to help prevent its spread.
Gonorrhoea infection: diagnosis and treatmentSubscription
Diagnoses of gonorrhoea in England rose by 26% between 2018 and 2019. Pharmacy teams can help prevent transmission and promote good sexual health practices through identifying patients at risk.
Research
Evaluation of a pharmacist-led virtual thiopurine clinicSubscription
This study at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust aimed to determine the clinical impact of a pharmacist-led virtual thiopurine clinic on drug monitoring, safety and quality of service in a cohort of inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune hepatitis patients.
Careers
Side hustles: how pharmacists can turn their passions into a money spinnerSubscription
The concept of a side hustle is a simple one — it is work that you can do on top of your day job that is flexible and can bring in money.
Insight
Why ‘epidrugs’ will be the next major focus for precision medicineSubscription
It is not just our genes that dictate how our bodies cope with disease and respond to drugs — by identifying the modifications to our DNA strands, and the histone proteins that regulate gene expression, we can uncover a whole new direction for diagnostic biomarkers, therapeutic biomarkers and drug targets.
Editorial
Every pharmacist should have the time to develop their skillsSubscription
In a profession that supports the health and wellbeing of the public, pharmacists must have regular protected learning time to enable them to carry out their crucial roles.
Warm words are not enough for community pharmacySubscription
Community pharmacies have worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic; it is time they were given additional funding to help them prepare for the next wave.
News
Health bodies make ‘urgent’ call to Matt Hancock to intervene in the proposed withdrawal of bipolar drugSubscription
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has been urged to “personally intervene” so that bipolar drug Priadel remains available in the UK with an appropriate pricing structure.
GP referrals to community pharmacy consultation service will roll out across England this autumn Subscription
GP referrals to community pharmacy through the community pharmacy consultation service will roll out across England this autumn.
‘Deep concern’ over ‘not fit for purpose’ draft NICE guidance on chronic painSubscription
Experts in pain medicine have said they are “deeply concerned” with the “confusing” terminology used in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s draft guidance on chronic pain.
Pharmacies to be paid 50p more per flu vaccination in 2020/2021Subscription
Pharmacy contractors will be paid an extra 50p per flu vaccine delivered under the national service in 2020/2021.
Let pharmacists amend prescriptions to mitigate impact of medicines shortages, RPS tells government
Pharmacists should be allowed to alter prescriptions without going back to the prescriber when medicines shortages hit, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has said.
Government group recommends reclassifying progestogen-only pill as an OTC medicineSubscription
The progestogen-only pill should be reclassified to make it available over the counter without the need for a prescription, a report has recommended.
Community pharmacy sector sees net closure of 136 pharmacies in 2020 so farSubscription
UK government rejects recommendations to tackle drug misuse in ScotlandSubscription
Cannabis-based Epidyolex approved for NHS use in ScotlandSubscription
Up to 85% of community pharmacies could be in financial deficit by 2024, economic analysis concludesSubscription
Chlamydia screening in pharmacies decreases by 7% in 2019 as STI rates riseSubscription
NICE updates anaphylaxis guidance to ensure patients carry two adrenaline injectors in response to coroner's reportSubscription
Government consults on allowing pharmacy technicians to administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines
Digital hospital-to-pharmacy referral service delayed until January 2021Subscription
RPS appoints new director for Scotland
Large parts of Scotland will not commission flu vaccinations from community pharmaciesSubscription
Pharmacies should consider charging for services that are not part of their contract, negotiator says Subscription
Restrictions on OTC prescribing have saved less than a third of the money that NHS England forecastSubscription
Government has 'no plans' to offer NHS staff mental health support to pharmacists, it saysSubscription
More than half of pharmacists worked extra unpaid hours during COVID-19 pandemic, survey by The Pharmaceutical Journal finds
Research briefing
Novel once-daily fixed-dose ICS–LABA improves lung function over ICS monotherapy, research findsSubscription
Oral therapy abrocitinib is effective in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitisSubscription
Prescribing ward round with pharmacist involvement cuts errors on paediatric ICUSubscription
Point-of-care testing for influenza could improve antimicrobial use, feasibility study concludesSubscription
From the blogs
The Paralympian who taught me I had a lot to learn about inclusion and diversity as a pharmacist
An encounter during the Paralympic Games in 2012 proved eye-opening and taught a lesson about how important it is to try to imagine the experience of others.
