Features
Building vital connections between hospital and homeSubscription
Communication between hospital and community pharmacists when patients are discharged is often absent, which can have a detrimental impact on patients’ health. The transfers of care around medicines — or ‘TCAM’ — scheme is beginning to change this, but there are several obstacles to overcome.
How pharmacy is helping to contain the resurgence of gonorrhoea and syphilisSubscription
As the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections continues to rise and sexual health services remain under financial strain, pharmacists are increasingly being called upon to do more to bridge the gap.
New pharmacist consultation service could provide just £35 per month for pharmaciesSubscription
The government’s latest scheme to tackle thinly stretched NHS services is set to launch on 29 October 2019, and it places community pharmacy at its core.
Is hormone replacement therapy worth the risks?Subscription
The risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have long been the source of confusion and controversy. Here we summarise the latest evidence to assist pharmacists in supporting patients thinking about HRT.
Comment
For community pharmacists, the new contract does not add upSubscription
Changes outlined in the new pharmacy contract come into force on 1 October 2019, but pharmacists need clarity on these extra services and whether or not they will ultimately help or hinder patient care.
Q&A
Catriona Matheson: 'I support decriminalisation of illegal drugs for personal use'
Having spent her entire career researching pharmacy services for drug users, Catriona Matheson is the ideal person to head up Scotland’s Drug Deaths Taskforce. Here, she explains what the group will do to tackle rising drug deaths in Scotland.
CPD article
Hepatitis A infection: symptoms and managementSubscription
Pharmacists must understand how hepatitis A is spread and how it affects patients in order to ensure prompt, effective treatment and to reduce the spread of the infection.
Learning article
Case-based learning: palliative and end-of-life care in community pharmacySubscription
Community pharmacists encounter patients at all stages in their life; however, patients who require palliative care require dedicated time and special consideration.
Case-based learning: recognising sepsis
Sepsis can lead to organ failure and death. However, early diagnosis and recognition in the pharmacy may help prevent these potentially fatal consequences.
Research
Opioid use disorder: adherence to prescribed medicines in community pharmacy Subscription
A cross-sectional survey assessing adherence medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, and the predictors of risk of poor adherence.
Careers
A day in the life of a quality improvement championSubscription
Callum Brown details a typical day improving the quality of care at a large NHS trust.
How to ensure your safety when working aloneSubscription
Pharmacy professionals give their thoughts and advice to a locum pharmacist required to work alone at night.
Editorial
Pharmacy students should be able to trust the Oriel processSubscription
Since its introduction in 2017, the Oriel system has come a long way, but it must improve to ensure that preregistration training is suitable for all candidates.
Moratorium on online dispensing of opioids is requiredSubscription
An undercover investigation carried out by The Times is further proof that online pharmacies should be prohibited from prescribing and dispensing opioid medicines until they can prove they are safe.
News
Prescribing of 'low-risk' drugs to be expanded to wider range of healthcare professionals, government proposes
The government has said it will introduce legislation to allow a wider range of healthcare professionals in the NHS to prescribe “low-risk” medicines.
Barcode database errors could see wrong medicines dispensed to patients, warns pharmacy negotiator
Pharmacists have been asked to “remain vigilant” when dispensing certain packs of medicines after a discrepancy was found between barcodes on the packs and corresponding data stored in an NHS Business Services Authority database.
Pharmacist consultation service risks putting 'massive pressure' on urgent care if too few pharmacies sign up
The Community Pharmacist Consultation Service needs at least 4,000 pharmacies to register by its go-live date of 29 October 2019 or referrals will “revert back” to general practice, a senior NHS England official has warned.
Competition and Markets Authority accepts £8m from drug firm accused of price fixing
The Competition and Markets Authority has accepted an offer of £8m to be paid to the NHS by a drug manufacturer as part of an agreement following allegations of anticompetitive behaviour and the supply of a prescription drug.
Welsh government proposes introducing pharmaceutical needs assessments from April 2020
Health boards in Wales may be required to conduct pharmaceutical needs assessments from 1 April 2020.
Government issues first serious shortage protocols to combat shortages of fluoxetine
The government has issued the first serious shortage protocols to combat shortages of the antidepressant fluoxetine.
More than 60% of pharmacists spend at least an hour per day on medicines shortages
Pharmacies to receive up to £833 each month in contract 'transitional payments'
More than a quarter of medicines yet to be stockpiled for no-deal Brexit
NICE cannabis guidance could 'detract' from doctors considering prescribing for epilepsy, RPS warns
Free prescription penalty charge system is 'not fit for purpose', say MPs
EMA to begin review of ranitidine medicines after impurity found
Research briefing
Chemotherapy more effective than second targeted hormone therapy in resistant prostate cancerSubscription
Vitamin D supplementation boosts insulin sensitivitySubscription
Nearly 30 million US adults could be taking aspirin for primary CVD preventionSubscription
Point-of-care testing cuts antibiotic use in COPDSubscription
Novel migraine therapy relieves pain and bothersome symptomsSubscription
