News summary
Cancer specialists seek review
of NICE decision on colorectal cancer drugs Cancer care specialists
have called on the Government to undertake an urgent review of the National
Institute for Clinical Excellence's decision on the use of irinotecan
(Campto) and oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) for patients with advanced colorectal
cancer...[more]
Automation is “inescapable”
The need for hospital dispensing to be automated is inescapable, according
to Rodney Longshaw, chief pharmacist at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne...[more]
Pharmacy falls project wins award
A project highlighting pharmacists' role in preventing falls in older
people has won a communications award for its clear and focused approach...[more]
Heart failure remains undertreated
Heart failure remains seriously under-treated in the United Kingdom despite
an increasing number of people being diagnosed with the condition, new
figures from the British Heart Foundation suggest...[more]
Analysis supports beta-blocker use for AF after
cardiac surgery Beta-blocker use in patients undergoing cardiac
surgery decreases the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation and
slightly reduces the length of stay in hospital, according to a new meta-analysis...[more]
GPs being balloted on new contract
General practitioners have been sent ballot papers this week asking if
they are in favour of their proposed new contract...[more]
Extending aspirin use is worth it, simulation
predicts Extending the use of aspirin to all eligible patients
for 25 years to prevent coronary heart disease would be cost-effective,
according researchers who carried out a computer simulation of its use...[more]
Skin cancer gene found A gene that
commonly mutates and is found in human cancer cells has been identified
by researchers. Inhibiting the activity of the product of this gene, BRAF,
may provide a new way of treating malignant melanomas, researchers report...[more]
Risedronate lowers risk of first fracture
Risedronate treatment reduces the risk of a first vertebral fracture in
post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, according to a new analysis of
data from previously reported clinical trials...[more]
Retailers will not stock gene test
Boots The Chemists and Moss Pharmacy are among 13 retailers that have
declined to stock a new genetic test for use by consumers at home...[more]
Probiotics prevent diarrhoea due to antibiotic
treatment, review says Probiotic bacteria can prevent the diarrhoea
that is associated with treatment by antibiotics, according to a meta-analysis...[more]
Breast cancer risk reduced for women who delay
tamoxifen The risk of breast cancer recurrence is reduced in
women who delay taking tamoxifen until after completing chemotherapy...[more]
Give calcium as phosphate Osteoporosis
patients should receive their calcium in the form of calcium phosphate,
according to research published...[more]
Clarithromycin improves lung function in asthma
Clarithromycin (Klaracid) improves pulmonary function in asthma patients
who are positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Chlamydia pneumoniae,
new data show...[more]
Yorkshire pharmacy celebrates centenary
S. A. SHEARD Ltd has celebrated its centenary in business in Morley, Leeds
and Harrogate, Yorkshire...[more]
Insulin therapy does not delay or prevent onset
of type 1 diabetes Contrary to the findings of studies in animal
models and pilot studies from the 1990s (which led to some physicians
prescribing insulin as prophylaxis for type 1 diabetes to persons at high
risk), insulin therapy does not delay or prevent the development of type
1 diabetes according to research published...[more]
Clinical Evidence backs MMR
There is no evidence to say that combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
or single measles vaccines are associated with autism or inflammatory
bowel disease, a new review says...[more]
Acarbose delays progression to diabetes
Acarbose (Glucobay) could be used to delay the development of type 2 diabetes
in patients with impaired glucose tolerence, a new study shows...[more]
HIV infections on the increase...[more]
Association of the European Self-Medication Industry (AESGP)
European system devised to identify potential
prescription to OTC switches A taskforce of the Association
of the European Self-Medication Industry (AESGP) has devised a flowchart
that it says can be used to decide whether chronic conditions are suitable
for self-treatment with over-the-counter medicines...[more]
Most people do not visit pharmacies for medicines
Only one in every five people who go into community pharmacies across
Europe buy over-the-counter medicines, according to new research commissioned
by the Association of the European Self-Medication Industry (AESGP)...[more]
Customers prefer to buy medicines from open
displays in pharmacies Customers prefer to buy pharmacy medicines
from open displays rather than on request from behind pharmacy counters,
an open display pilot has found...[more]
LibDems seek end to charges for chronic conditions
Prescription charges should be abolished for all chronic medical conditions,
Paul Marsden, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Shrewsbury and
Atcham, will say in a Private Members Bill to be tabled on 19 June...[more]
Parliamentary
pharmacy group calls for review of patient leaflets A review
of patient information leaflets to see whether actually they help patients
has been called for by the Parliamentary All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG)...[more]
Patient information leaflets fail to inform
Leaflets that are legally required to be in medicine packs to give patients
information are widely perceived to have failed — so much so,
that calls have been made for medicine packs to contain two leaflets...[more]
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