Features
Eat or treat? How cuts to minor ailment schemes could hit patients hardSubscription
Commissioners have saved millions of pounds by decommissioning a fifth of minor ailment schemes and restricting sales of over-the-counter medicines, but pharmacists are concerned that vulnerable patients may not be being protected.
Have legislative changes curbed use of ‘legal highs’?Subscription
While the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 appears to have controlled circulation of novel psychoactive substances, formerly known as ‘legal highs’, on the high street, a Home Office review has proved what many experts predicted — that the legislation would drive sales onto the streets and the dark web.
NHS looks to pharmacy as it faces a tough winterSubscription
As winter demands on the NHS rise, pharmacists are being reallocated to offer ward-based prescribing and seven-day pharmacy services to relieve the pressure.
Pharmacy 2018: The twists and turnsSubscription
The main events in pharmacy throughout 2018 and a preview of the year ahead.
Editorial
Pharmacy should take Brexit leadSubscription
As discussions continue over the relationship the UK will have with the EU, pharmacy bodies must do what they can to protect the interests of patients, whichever form of Brexit emerges.
Pharmacy inspections: we need carrots as well as sticksSubscription
Well-run pharmacies have nothing to fear as the General Pharmaceutical Council develops a tougher stance on inspections. But the regulator must prove that changes to its regime will drive continuous improvement.
Comment
Should the law change to allow more flexible pharmacy supervision?Subscription
Two pharmacists give their personal views on whether the current supervision legislation is fit for purpose.
Q&A
Andrew Evans: 'We’re reinvesting money in clinical services that we want pharmacy to offer'Subscription
As Brexit looms and concerns of medicines shortages and funding issues murmur throughout the UK healthcare industry, Andrew Evans, chief pharmaceutical officer in Wales, is optimistic that Welsh pharmacy services are moving in the right direction.
Learning article
Test yourself: the learning and CPD quiz for 2018
Try our quiz, with questions based on 2018’s CPD and learning articles, and test your knowledge of subjects ranging from depression in children and young people, menopause, type 1 diabetes mellitus and Parkinson’s disease.
Vision and eye health in childrenSubscription
How to advise parents, dispell myths and spot the ‘red flags’ for onward referral.
Managing plantar heel pain in the pharmacySubscription
How to differentiate plantar fasciopathy from other causes of plantar heel pain, advice for pharmacists on counselling patients and when to refer.
Careers
Celebrating a year of career highlightsSubscription
The Pharmaceutical Journal invited this year’s Careers section contributors to share their 2018 career highlights and their best piece of career advice for other pharmacy professionals.
Correspondence
News
PSNC warns of drugs stockpiling against government advice over 'no-deal' Brexit fears
Parts of the medicines supply chain have started stockpiling drugs in anticipation of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, against government recommendations, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has warned.
Government consults on giving pharmacists powers to substitute drugs during shortages
Pharmacists could be given new powers to switch patients’ prescriptions without consulting a doctor in the event of a national medicines shortage.
Community pharmacies forced to 'limit' services to comply with safe staffing guidance, pharmacy owners say
Pharmacy owners have told the General Pharmaceutical Council that they have been forced to limit services, including evening and weekend opening hours, in an effort to operate safely.
Women exposed to abuse are twice as likely to seek emergency contraception, researchers find
Women who have been exposed to domestic violence and abuse are twice as likely to have a consultation for emergency contraceptives, according to research.
More valsartan products recalled
A further product recall for heart and blood pressure drug valsartan has been issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to be put on 800-calorie diet in new NHS pilot
People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will be placed on a new low-calorie diet as part of a pilot scheme to treat the condition, NHS England has announced.
Prescribing of gabapentin and pregabalin in primary care triples in ten years
NHS England looks to save £70m by curbing prescribing of eight more items in primary care
Two new flu vaccines may be licensed for use before next winter, says NHS England
NHS England to save £300m after patent expiry of most costly drug
New NHS Digital data standard to improve communication between pharmacists and GPs
Government announces extra role for pharmacists in care homes as part of £3.5bn funding package
Interim guidance on use of medical cannabis to be produced
More than 2,000 pharmacies to offer NHS 111 minor ailments service across England
CMA closes investigation into alleged anticompetitive generic drug pricing practices
Regulator and RPS leading pharmacy-wide Gosport review
Higher GP workload linked to increased antibiotic prescribing, research reveals
Government report calls for more involvement from pharmacists in STP process
Researchers make breakthrough in potential treatment for peanut allergy
Pharmacy technicians consulted on their views on supervision
