News summary
Ciprofloxacin production increased
to cope with worldwide anthrax scares Bayer is to increase
production of ciprofloxacin (Ciproxin) to cope with demand worldwide for
the product following scares about the use of anthrax as a biological
weapon...[more]
UK entrepreneur award made to Waymade founders
Vijay Patel, MRPharmS, and his brother Bhikhu, the owners
of Waymade Healthcare Plc, a pharmaceutical distributor, have won the
Ernst & Young United Kingdom Entrepreneur of the Year award...[more]
GMC objects to single regulator The
General Medical Council has objected to the Government’s proposals
for an overarching Council for the Regulation of Health Professionals,
saying that it would gravely compromise the independence of existing regulators,
particularly if the council or its director were to be appointed by Ministers...[more]
Patients treated with sirolimus fare better after
ciclosporin is withdrawn Transplant patients treated with sirolimus
(Rapamune) have improved renal function and lower blood pressure one month
after stopping ciclosporin, and these improvements continue over two years,
say researchers...[more]
Patients suffering MIs without chest pain not
treated optimally Failure to use beneficial treatment strategies
for myocardial infarction (MI) for patients presenting without chest pain
could be a reason for the poor prognosis associated with this form of
acute MI. This is the conclusion of Dr Mischa Dorsch and colleagues of
the British Heart Foundation Heart Research Centre, Leeds General Infirmary...[more]
Rotavirus vaccine not linked to bowel complaint
A vaccine that was withdrawn from the market because of reports
of intussusception (a condition where the lining of the bowel folds in
on itself causing a blockage) is not associated with an increased incidence
of this adverse event, say American researchers...[more]
Fat in gut intensifies perception of heartburn
without increasing acid reflux Fat in the small intestine enhances
the perception of heartburn without increasing the amount of acid reflux
in the stomach, suggest researchers from the University of California
at Los Angeles School of Medicine...[more]
Generics options not viable, says AAH Two
of the proposed options for the future supply and reimbursement of generic
medicines (PJ, 28 July, p109), are not viable in the United Kingdom market,
and could possibly have severe consequences for pharmacy, according to
Dr Mandeep Mudhar, marketing manager at AAH Pharmaceuticals...[more]
UK Medicines undervalued, not overpriced, says
ABPI Medicine prices in the United Kingdom compare favourably
to those in other developed countries, the Association of the British
Pharmaceutical Industry believes...[more]
Bids wanted for more medicines management pilots
Bids for the next wave of the pilots in the medicines management
services collaborative were called for by Richard Seal, project team leader,
national medicines management services programme, during the National
Association of Co-operative Executive Pharmacists conference in Cork on
15 October...[more]
Staff at best NHS trusts to share £3.5m
bonuses National Health Service staff, including some pharmacists,
are to get bonuses if they meet corporate performance targets...[more]
Spacer compare well with nebulisers Spacer
devices are as good as nebulisers for delivering inhaled beta2-agonists,
says Dr Mark FitzGerald, Vancouver General Hospital...[more]
Call for body to tackle research fraud Leading
doctors and medical editors are calling for an independent national body
to be set up to tackle the problem of fraudulent and poor quality biomedical
research...[more]
Pertussis booster added to pre-school immunisations
A pre-school booster vaccination against whooping cough (pertussis)
is to be added to the routine immunisation programme across the United
Kingdom...[more]
Sibutramine approved for obesity by NICE Sibutramine
(Reductil) should be available as an option for the management of obesity,
the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) said in guidance
issued on 15 October...[more]
Scottish CHD standard launched The
first national care standard for Scotland was launched by the Clinical
Standards Board for Scotland (CSBS) this week...[more]
NHS24 to launch in north of Scotland NHS24,
the Scottish equivalent of NHS Direct, is to be launched in three phases,
starting with the north of Scotland and the Western Isles in the spring
of next year...[more]
NEWS IN BRIEF
Osteoporosis programme The National
Assembly of Wales has given a £10,000 practice development grant
to Pharmacy Alliance, UniChem’s medicines management division. The
grant will be used to pilot an osteoporosis programme for community pharmacies.
The programme is being developed in association with the Royal College
of Physicians and the National Osteoporosis Society.
ABPI careers website The Association
of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has set up a website (www.abpi-careers.org.uk)
detailing the benefits of a career in the pharmaceutical industry, including
work for pharmacists.
PIF joins NTL PIF Medical Supplies
Ltd, a Midlands-based independent pharmaceutical wholesaler, is to encourage
its customers to use Numark Trading Ltd, a weekly over-the-counter medicines
service jointly owned by Numark and Phoenix Healthcare Distribution.
Nucare’s second pharmacy Nucare
Plc has rebranded a second pharmacy in its own corporate style. Aldermans
Pharmacy is on Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, north London. Alterations
to the pharmacy include a larger dispensary and a larger area for displaying
non-prescription medicines.
Nucare’s professional services
Nucare Plc has launched the first of a range of professional services
for its members under the name “HealthCheck Today”. The first
service covers cardiovascular disease, for which customers will be charged
£25 for a 15-minute consultation and assessment.
VAT and incontinence HM Customs and
Excise has reduced the VAT levied on incontinence products from 17.5 per
cent to zero from 1 October. Customers will be able to purchase up to
200 incontinence pads, VAT free, per purchase. VAT exemption was previously
possible by filling out an exemption form.
Baby care at Lloyds Lloydspharmacy
is to offer its baby welfare packs, which contain details of benefits
for new and expectant mothers plus discount vouchers, through all of its
1,300 branches after a successful pilot in 700 stores.
Baby departments have been installed in Lloydspharmacy branches at Immingham,
Dinnington, Retford and Hull. The pharmacies will stock a wide range of
baby products and staff will be able to offer advice on feeding and caring
for young children.
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