The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 pp263-292 No 7492
8 March 2008

Jobs and Classified advertising

Leading Articles   264

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Evidence, evidence, evidence 264
Pharmacists wishing to pitch new services to primary care organisations or to other commissioners will find the task much easier if their case is supported by evidence. Pharmacy seems to have a weakness in this area, a point colourfully emphasised by Andy Murdock, pharmacy representative for the Darzi review, who was speaking at a discussion day held at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s headquarters last week
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Good news for the profession 264
There will be at least three new faces elected to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Council this year out of a field of eight: two existing members of Council are standing and six new people have put their names forward
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News & Features   265-270

News summary  265-270
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Headlines   PDF (170K)

Lead stories
-Pharmacists are “rubbish at gathering evidence”
-DoH gives notice on the PPRS
-Two Council members decide not to stand
-Nitrofurantoin switch application made for cystitis
-PSNC issues practical guide on release 2 of EPS
-IPF calls for emergency funding for independents
-Oral ketoconazole use restricted over liver concerns
-Graduate funding re-examined

Products   271

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Products   271
-SPC changes
-Discontinued products
-Prescription products
-Products miscellany
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Medical device alert   271
-SmartCheck INR system
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Broad Spectrum   272

It is not life itself but the quality of mercy that should be sacrosanct 272
By Bob Michell
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Letters   273-275

-Darzi review
-Glaucoma
-Minor ailment scheme
-Community pharmacy
-Clinical trials
-Hospital pharmacy
PJ   2008;280:273-275
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Agenda   276

Agenda articles

Target old people with medication risks 276
Already 17 per cent of the UK population are aged over 65 years and this figure is predicted to rise to 25 per cent by 2015. With an increasing population of the frail elderly and those over 85, older people make up a high percentage of users of NHS and social care resources in all care settings
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Original papers   277-280

Evaluation of clinical interventions made by pharmacists in cancer services 277-280
By Lea Knez, Raisa Laaksonen, Catherine Duggan and Rajinder Nijjar
Aim — To evaluate clinical interventions in cancer services made by pharmacists on the wards and in the dispensing of chemotherapy doses to assess pharmacists’ contribution to patient care
PJ   2008;280:277-280
Abstract   PDF (50K)

Drug interactions   280

Drug interactions that can occur with azole antifungals 280
A patient who was stable taking carbamazepine for epilepsy, and ranitidine for gastro-oesophageal reflux, required treatment for oesophageal candidiasis following extended treatment with antibacterials. Oral therapy was considered appropriate for this patient
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Prescribing and medicines management   281-282

Prescribing and Medicines Management resources

Patients with asthma: problems revealed by medicines use reviews 281-282
Locum pharmacist Perry Melnick has been conducting medicines use reviews since May 2005. This year, with the help of pharmacy manager Lee Doherty, he has already performed over 300 at Manor Pharmacy, his regular locum spot in Letchworth. In this article, he shares some of his experiences of MURs for patients who have asthma
PJ   2008;280:281-282
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Continuing Professional Development (CPD)   283-286

Recent articles

Update on asthma management   283-286
Only half of patients with asthma manage to control it to an acceptable level. The others suffer disease symptoms and a reduced health-related quality of life. Anna Murphy gives an overview of asthma management, including recent advances
PJ   2008;280:283-286
Summary   PDF (80K)

Athena   287

PJ   2008;280:287
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Drug delivery by tattoo? 287
Tattooing is an ancient tradition used in a variety of cultures, including those in Asia, Africa and Australasia. The practice was filtered into the west by Captain James Cook, whose sailors incorporated the practice of “tattow” or “tatatow” as used by the Tahitians in the South Pacific. Nowadays the tattoo has become a symbol of beauty, rebellion and self-expression
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Colourful past of the humble carrot 287
The carrot has been part of human diet for at least 5,000 years. Early studies show that the first carrots were white, purple, red, yellow, green and black — anything but orange. The vegetable’s orange colour came about in the 1500s, when patriotic Dutch growers cross-bred the red variety with a mutant yellow strain from North Africa
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Biological batteries 287
Escherichia coli, often associated with food poisoning, may become a powerful player in the search for alternative energy sources
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Wine mouthwash 287
Moderate wine consumption has beneficial effects on human health. The antioxidant and antiradical properties, particularly of red wine, are attributed to the high polyphenol content. These are found in large amounts in pomace, the fermented seeds and skins that are discarded after grapes are pressed
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PJ   2008;280:288-291
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Statutory Committee Reports
Unlawful supply of CDs leads to striking-off 288
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Two pharmacists reprimanded for assault 288
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Striking-off for false pack size endorsements 289
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Striking-off for eight counts of theft from employer 289
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Official notices 2001 to present

Hospital Pharmacists Group Committee election 290
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Health Committee interim order 290
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Obituaries & tributes 290-291

Obituaries
-Allen
-Davies
-Purdy

Tribute
-Davies

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My career   292

Careers

Working as a neonatal pharmacist 292
Caring for neonates is a fast-growing area of practice, as more babies survive despite being born at low gestational ages, says Maiya Ahmed
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Diary
Diary / Health events

Branch meetings 291
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Future events 271
-Non-medical prescribing (May-July)
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Wants 271
-Falls-focused reviews
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Corrections 271
-Avatars
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