News summary
News in brief
Trial heralds statins as the new aspirin Cholesterol lowering
with statins reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes in all people
at risk of vascular disease by at least a third, said Professor Rory Collins
of Oxford University, lead researcher of the Heart Protection Study...[more]
NHS Bill recognises Society's roles
The National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Bill, for
England and Wales published on 8 November, recognises the joint professional
and regulatory roles of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and will limit
the powers that the new overarching Council for the Regulation of Health
Professionals (CRHP) has over the Society's activities...[more]
At-risk children should be given a second 'flu
jab The British National Formulary (BNF) has advised that children
up to the age of 12 years, who are at high risk from influenza because
of an existing medical condition and who have not been vaccinated previously,
should be given a second dose of influenza vaccine at least four weeks
after the first dose...[more]
Antibiotic targeting Trying to reduce
antibiotic prescribing might not be the most effective strategy to reduce
resistance, researchers say...[more]
Licence extension for pramipexole Patients
with early or untreated Parkinson's disease can now be given pramipexole
when the condition is first diagnosed, which may make a huge difference
to prescribing practice...[more]
Pancreatic cancer patients get no survival benefit
from adjuvant chemoradiotherapy There is no survival benefit
for patients with pancreatic cancer who receive adjuvant chemoradiotherapy,
say European researchers. However, adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy
is likely to prolong survival...[more]
Ciproxin sales in the US have not been enough
to reverse Bayer's bad luck Increased sales of ciprofloxacin
(Cip-roxin) in the United States have not been enough to reverse Bayer's
year of "bad luck" nor prevent it reporting its first ever quarterly loss...[more]
Heart failure patients should not receive infliximab
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease should
not start therapy with infliximab (Remicade) if they have congestive heart
failure (CHF). In addition, patients with worsening CHF who are currently
receiving infliximab should discontinue treatment...[more]
New treatment now available for adult patients
with chronic myeloid leukaemia Imatinib (Glivec), a protein-tyrosine
kinase inhibitor, has been launched for use in the treatment of chronic
myeloid leukaemia...[more]
ABPI compendium available, at a price Printed
versions of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry's Medicines
Compendium are to be made available to pharmacists, but at a price...[more]
Tight control of glucose beneficial in ICU patients
Tight control of blood glucose levels reduces mortality among
intensive care patients, a study has found...[more]
Blood glucose levels often not monitored as recommended
A survey of 1,330 people with diabetes has shown that more
than a quarter do not monitor their blood glucose level as regularly as
is recommended...[more]
Not enough funding available for diagnostic testing
Diagnostic testing underpins the effective delivery of health
care yet its role is under-recognised, a conference concluded this week...[more]
Boots tests more open display of pharmacy medicines
in glass cabinets Boots The Chemists has replaced the traditional
pharmacy counter with glass display cabinets for pharmacy medicines in
a number of stores as part of a trial of a new core format for its branches...[more]
Boots and Sainsbury's seek monopoly exemption
ruling Boots The Chemists and J. Sainsbury have asked the director
general of fair trading to rule that their plan for Sainsbury's to withdraw
from health and beauty retailing and give Boots exclusive access to many
stores does not restrict competition...[more]
Magnesium and vitamin B6 supplements
relieve premenstrual symptoms Daily supplementation with magnesium
and vitamin B6 could be beneficial in the relief of some premenstrual
symptoms, according to Dr Ann Walker, senior lecturer in nutrition, University
of Reading and member of the Health Supplement Information Services' (HSIS)
Advisory Panel...[more]
On-call community pharmacist pilot scheme launched
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority and the
local pharmaceutical committee have launched a community pharmacist on-call
pilot scheme...[more]
Community pharmacist turns to manufacturing bandages
Gill Sweeney has become a manufacturer producing elasticated
tubular bandages under the Easigrip name after selling her community pharmacy
in pursuit of a new challenge...[more]
NEWS IN BRIEF
Chickenpox deaths on the increase
Deaths caused by chickenpox are increasing among adults, a new study shows.
Researchers have found that chickenpox accounts for about 25 deaths each
year in England and Wales, which is more than from measles, mumps, whooping
cough, and Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis combined. They
say that deaths in adults have been increasing for at least 30 years and
that now 81 per cent of deaths from chickenpox are in adults (BMJ
2001;323:1091).
Amfebutamone for neuropathic pain
A sustained-release formulation of amfebutamone may be effective for the
treatment of neuropathic pain, researchers suggest. They compared the
drug with placebo in 41 patients diagnosed with neuropathic pain. While
taking amfebutamone, pain relief was improved or much improved in 73 per
cent of patients. While taking placebo, the mean pain score remained unchanged
over the six-week trial (Neurology 2001;57:1583).
Amfebutamone for smokers with cardiovascular
disease Amfebutamone is effective in helping patients with
cardiovascular disease give up smoking and has no clinically significant
effect on blood pressure, researchers say. In a study of 629 smokers with
cardiovascular disease, significantly more patients taking amfebutamone
remained abstinent after seven weeks and six months than those taking
placebo. The results of the study, which was sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline,
manufacturer of amfebutamone, were presented at the American Heart Association
annual congress in Anaheim, California, on 14 November.
Lloyds helps students Lloydspharmacy
has donated 170 textbooks to the school of pharmacy at Bradford University
and 140 to Nottingham University. Both schools received copies of the
set book 'Practical pharmaceutical calculations' (Petroc Press). Bradford
has also received 60 copies of 'Martindale: the complete drug reference'
(Pharmaceutical Press). The total donation has saved the universities
over £15,000.
NPA training award
A second National Training Award has been won by the National Pharmaceutical
Association. The award is for the NPA's pharmacy services level 3 national
vocational qualification, which qualifies pharmacy staff to undertake
routine dispensary duties.
New Irish pharmacy school A new school
of pharmacy is to be opened at Cork's National University of Ireland to
try to address a shortage of Irish pharmacists. The school will take 50
students annually.
Non-dentists to fill teeth Dental
therapists are to be allowed to scale, clean, polish, fill and extract
teeth. The Government is to change the law so that therapists, working
under the supervision of dentists, can provide some NHS general dental
services and private dentistry. The announcement does not make clear how
the supervision requirement will be satisfied. The Royal Pharmaceutical
Society is currently asking its
members what supervision should mean in relation to pharmaceutical
services (see p728).
Goldshield buys injectables Goldshied
Group Plc has acquired the overseas marketing divisions of Antigen Holdings
Ltd, an Irish manufacturer of injectable pharmaceutical products, for
£5.2m. The manufacturing facilities of Antigen have been acquired
by the Canadian company Miza Pharmaceuticals which has signed a contract
manufacturing and supply agreement with Goldshield.
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