The precision medicine approach to cancer therapy: part 1 — solid tumoursSubscription
An overview of the anticancer agents that have been approved for use in the UK as part of a precision medicine approach for solid tumours, along with information relating to the relevant biomarkers and biomarker assays currently available.
Role of dual and triple fixed-dose combination inhalers in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseSubscription
A review of the current evidence, including the safety and efficacy of dual and triple-combination inhalers for the treatment of stable COPD, and their place in therapy.
Prevention of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jawSubscription
Severe bone damage in the jaw occurs in some people as an adverse reaction to certain medicines commonly used in the treatment of cancer and osteoporosis. There are a range of settings where pharmacists can contribute to the prevention of this painful and difficult-to-treat condition.
Pharmacokinetic considerations and challenges in oral anticancer drug therapySubscription
A review of the pros and cons of oral anticancer drug therapy, as well as the pharmacokinetic barriers and potential solutions to oral chemotherapy in the home.
Evaluation of the Portsmouth medicines advice at home serviceSubscription
A Portsmouth-based medicines advice at home service highlights the impact of pharmacist-led interventions.
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.
Pharmaceutical care to medical patients in the emergency department: a service evaluationSubscription
An evaluation of a new hospital pharmacy service that introduces pharmaceutical care earlier after admission to the emergency department.
Responding to disruptions in the pharmaceutical supply chainSubscription
Economic, manufacturing and regulatory factors can affect drug shortages and supply chain disruption. By using a mixed-methods approach involving an online survey, semi-structured interviews and three targeted focus groups aimed at acute care hospitals in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, this study determined that over half of the responding acute care hospitals did not have 76–100% of medicine lines fulfilled within 8 weeks of a disruption in the supply chain.
Impact of including clinical indications on inpatient prescriptionsSubscription
The appropriate use of medicines is dependant on the accurate use of clinical indications on inpatient paper and electronic prescriptions. This mixed-methods study involving semi-structured interviews with 64 chief pharmacists, 11 focus groups from three NHS trusts and a medical documentation review of 89 patients determined both positive and negative implications of including clinical indications on healthcare professionals’ clinical workflow.
Identifying modifiable risk factors to reduce inpatient hypoglycaemiaSubscription
Through analysing a randomly selected sample of patients with low blood glucose and diabetes over a course of a year, this prospective study found that a significant number of hypoglycaemia episodes were not treated to established protocol.
Testing annual asthma reviews for those who fail to attend: proof-of-concept studySubscription
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory conditions in the UK. Around 30% of asthma patients fail to attend their annual asthma review, which leads to an increase in the number of preventable asthma-related hospital admissions. By using SIMPLE methodology and the PharmOutcomes® web-based system on 27 patients, it was determined that the community pharmacy asthma review service would enhance patient care through close collaboration with GP surgeries.
