News summary
Pharmacy records could be
used to enhance statin compliance in elderly Compliance with
statin therapy among elderly patients declines substantially in as little
as two years, suggesting that the benefits of treatment could be lost,
according to two new studies. Researchers suggest that pharmacy records
could be used to monitor patients' compliance...[more]
Statins under-prescribed in the elderly
The majority of men in the United Kingdom eligible for treatment with
cholesterol lowering drugs such as statins are still not getting them,
despite recommendations in the National Service Framework for Coronary
Heart Disease...[more]
Numark conversion to go ahead in mid-August
Numark is to proceed with its plan to convert to a public limited company
after receiving a 95 per cent majority in favour at an extraordinary general
meeting in Birmingham on 22 July. The meeting was held to confirm the
results of an initial vote on conversion which was approved by 90 per
cent of shareholders...[more]
Welsh pharmacy strategy on hold until September
Publication of a consultation document, the Welsh pharmacy strategy, is
now expected to be in September. However, no date has yet been set...[more]
First national patient safety alert asks pharmacists
to act by end of October Pharmacists are called upon to play
a key role in implementing the first patient safety alert published by
the National Patient Safety Agency this week...[more]
Fear of beta-blocker effects unfounded
Concerns among some clinicians that beta-blockers carry a substantial
risk of side effects, such as depressive symptoms, fatigue and sexual
dysfunction, are unsubstantiated by clinical trial data, a new study has
concluded...[more]
Ovarian cancer treatment for second-line use
endorsed by NICE Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride
(PLDH, Caelyx) should be considered as a second-line (or subsequent) treatment
option for women with advanced ovarian cancer, the National Institute
for Clinical Excellence has recommended...[more]
Hampshire pharmacists sent advice on minimising
risks when working alone Community pharmacists in Hampshire
are being sent advice on issues they should consider if they are working
alone in a pharmacy or when making domiciliary visits...[more]
European directive may help contract negotiations
The Government is considering the implications for pharmacy contractors
of a European directive against late payments in commercial transactions.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee may try to use the directive
as a lever to get a better deal in the forthcoming new contract...[more]
Health regulators object to free movement "holiday"
An alliance of United Kingdom health care regulators is objecting to draft
European proposals that would allow pharmacists and other health professionals
to take working holidays abroad in Europe for up to 16 weeks a year without
having to register in the country they were visiting...[more]
Shipman inquiry to go on to examine CD controls
The next phase of the public inquiry into how Harold Shipman was able
to murder so many of his patients undetected will report on how systems
for monitoring Controlled Drugs can be improved...[more]
Fife to encourage patient registration at pharmacies
Fife Health Board is to encourage patients on long-term medication to
register with a pharmacy of their choice as one of its priorities for
implementing the Scottish pharmaceutical care strategy...[more]
Tesco stops supply of EHC to under 16s
Tesco has stopped supplying emergency hormonal contraception to children
under 16 years of age without a prescription after having come under pressure
from pro-life pressure groups. Supplies were being made in a number of
Tesco pharmacies as part of a Government pilot scheme...[more]
ABPI opposes "discriminatory" proposals
on patient information European proposals to pilot the provision
of information to patients by pharmaceutical companies are unfair to most
people, says the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry...[more]
"Health literacy" impacts on diabetes
Inadequate health literacy is associated with poorer glycaemic control
and higher rates of retinopathy among type 2 diabetes patients, and could
be contributing to the disproportionate burden of diabetes complications
found among racial and ethnic minorities, a new study has concluded...[more]
Link between growth hormone and colorectal cancer
not conclusive A possible link between human growth hormone
therapy and an increased risk of colorectal cancer is reported by researchers...[more]
Linezolid penetrates bone and muscle
Linezolid (Zyvox), an oxazolidinone antibiotic, rapidly penetrates bone,
fat and muscles in patients undergoing total hip replacement, say researchers...[more]
Pharmacists to lose their right to automatic
exemption from jury service Pharmacists are to lose their automatic
entitlement to exemption from jury service along with certain other health
care professionals...[more]
Pharmacy owners to benefit from "think
small" company law reform Small companies, such as those
running independent community pharmacies, should benefit from an overhaul
of company law outlined by the Government last week...[more]
Zinc impairs infant mental development
Giving zinc supplements to pregnant women could impair the mental development
of their children, a study shows...[more]
Longer delays linked to survival
Women with endometrial cancer who wait longer for treatment have a better
chance of surviving, according to a new study...[more]
Sheffield LPS bid North Sheffield
Primary Care Trust has made a bid for a local pharmaceutical services
contract pilot for Associated Chemists (Wicker)...[more]
NICE decision on colorectal cancer drugs merits
review, says DTB Recommendations made by the National
Institute for Clinical Excellence on the use of irinotecan (Campto), oxaliplatin
(Eloxatin) and raltitrexed (Tomudex) in patients with advanced colorectal
cancer should be reviewed before the planned date of 2005...[more]
Reclassification sought for P medicine
A reclassification from prescription only to pharmacy medicine status
is being sought by Pharma-Global (UK) for a product which has been licensed
and marketed as a pharmacy medicine for a number of years despite the
fact that it contains a POM ingredient...[more]
Advice issued that epoetin alfa should be administered
by intravenous injection Ortho Biotec, manufacturer of epo-etin
alfa (Eprex), has advised that the product should be administered intravenously
in patients with chronic renal failure where possible...[more]
Black list changes Five products
are to be added to the National Health Service black list, and two removed
from it, from 1 August...[more]
Pharmacist runs schools' sports day
Bobby Mehta, pharmacy manager at H. A. McParland's Slough branch, recently
organised a healthy heart sports day attended by over 230 local year-six
pupils from five schools in Slough, Berkshire....[more]
Animal research report published...[more]
Safeway offers health checks...[more]
Nucare buys three...[more]
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