News summary
NPA calls on Society to halt
plans for mandatory registration of technicians The National
Pharmaceutical Association says that plans for the mandatory registration
of pharmacy technicians should be put on hold until the effects of standard
operating procedures (SOPs) in community pharmacies can be assessed...[more]
Supply of BCG vaccines halted following recall
All batches of BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine manufactured by Evans Vaccines,
part of PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, have been recalled after a number
of batches were found not to comply with the requirements of their registered
specifications for potency throughout their shelf-lives. The recall also
follows notification of suspension of the company's licence for BCG vaccine
in Ireland...[more]
Inappropriate drugs prescribed for many elderly
patients living at home Many elderly patients living at home
are taking medicines that are inappropriate for them, according to new
research...[more]
DTB questions whether Yasmin contraceptive is
"truly different" The claim that Yasmin, a new combined
oral contraceptive, is "truly different" is not justified and
should be withdrawn, according to the latest Drug and Therapeutics
Bulletin...[more]
NICE set to endorse imatinib use for all stages
of chronic myeloid leukaemia National Institute for Clinical
Excellence guidance on the use of imatinib (Glivec) is likely to recommend
that the drug be made available to chronic myeloid leukaemia patients
in all three stages of the disease — chronic, accelerated and blast...[more]
UniChem investors unveil pharmacies
The first community pharmacies owned by participants in UniChem's enterprise
investment scheme were publicly unveiled last week...[more]
Antibody link between MMR and autism suggested
An inappropriate immune response to the measles component of the MMR vaccine
could be related to the pathogenesis of autism, researchers have suggested...[more]
US pharmacists convicted of fraud
Two American pharmacists, along with two doctors and four pharmacy and
medical equipment company owners, have been convicted of defrauding the
American Medicare scheme of millions of dollars between 1993 and 1997.
Eighteen other defendants pleaded guilty before the five-and-a-half month
trial...[more]
Low potassium levels may increase stroke risk
for elderly taking diuretics Low serum potassium levels in
patients taking diuretics, and low potassium intake in those not taking
diuretics, is associated with an increased incidence of stroke in the
elderly, say American researchers...[more]
Botulinum toxin reduces spasticity after stroke
Injections of botulinum toxin A (Botox) can reduce spasticity of muscles
and associated disability in stroke patients, a double-blind randomised
controlled trial has shown...[more]
Linoleic acid may protect against ischaemic
stroke Linoleic acid may protect against ischaemic stroke,
a Japanese study has suggested...[more]
Even light smoking increases risk of MI
Smoking as few as three cigarettes a day increases the risk of myocardial
infarction (MI), Danish researchers have found. Furthermore, women are
more susceptible than men to the effects of tobacco on vascular morbidity,
even if they do not inhale...[more]
Half who try to quit smoking on the NHS are
successful Half of all smokers in England who seek help from
the National Health Service and set a date to give up smoking are successful
four weeks later, according to new Department of Health statistics. Success
is defined as not having smoked at all since two weeks after the quit
date...[more]
Bicalutamide shows promise as early treatment
in prostate cancer Immediate treatment with bicalutamide (Casodex)
reduces the risk of tumour progression in patients with localised or locally
advanced prostate cancer, an ongoing study suggests...[more]
Allergies and exposure to bacteria
A new study supports the theory that the children of farmers have fewer
allergies because they are exposed to more microbes...[more]
Patient self-testing of blood glucose levels
lacks evidence, says NPC There is little evidence to support
self-monitoring of blood glucose levels in all people with diabetes, according
to the National Prescribing Centre...[more]
Trial supports first-line carboplatin monotherapy
for ovarian cancer Single-agent carboplatin could be considered
a first-line treatment option for ovarian cancer, a new study suggests...[more]
Long-acting atypical antipsychotic drug launched
A long-acting injectable formulation of risperidone, Risperdal Consta,
has been launched this week by Janssen-Cilag...[more]
All haj pilgrims need meningitis vaccine
Of those pilgrims returning from the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca
and Medina (haj), almost a fifth (17 per cent) are carrying meningococcal
bacteria, a study shows...[more]
Shop front damage...[more]
Lloydspharmacy advertising...[more]
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