News summary
News in brief
Supplementary prescribing proposals win broad support
for pharmacists Broad support has been
found for the introduction of supplementary prescribing on the National
Health Service by pharmacists and nurses following a Medicines Control
Agency consultation on the proposal ...[more]
OTC aspirin ban likely to be extended to all
under 16s Restrictions on the use of aspirin are to be further
tightened, the Medicines Control Agency announced this week...[more]
Nucare and Numark suspend merger talks
Talks on a possible merger between Nucare and Numark, two of the main
marketing support groups for independent community pharmacies, have been
suspended until next year...[more]
Collaborative working reduces errors A
collaborative working project at Luton and Dunstable Hospital has reduced
potential adverse drug events by 20 per cent in six months...[more]
Glucosamine delays progression of osteoarthritis
in the knee joint A daily dose of glucosamine can slow the
progression of knee osteoarthritis, researchers have found...[more]
Treatment for severe sepsis in adults launched
A new agent, drotrecogin alfa (Xigris), for the treatment of
adult patients with severe sepsis and multiple organ failure has been
launched by Eli Lilly...[more]
Mitochondrial therapy slows the decline in patients
with Parkinson’s disease Treating Parkinson’s disease
(PD) patients with high doses of coenzyme Q10 could help to slow their
functional decline, American researchers have suggested...[more]
Low plasma folate levels increase miscarriage
rates Low plasma folate levels increase the risk of miscarriage
by about 50 per cent, according to researchers...[more]
Early treatment of glaucoma recommended Reducing
intraocular pressure in people who have early stage glaucoma could slow
the rate of disease progression in some patients...[more]
Eating fish reduces risk of dementia Older
people who eat fish or other seafood at least once a week are at lower
risk of developing dementia, data from a new study indicate...[more]
Maximum prices for generics to remain Discussions
about what mechanism should replace the maximum prices scheme for generic
medicines are set to continue and, for the time being, the existing arrangements
will remain in place...[more]
Faster treatment of exotic diseases of pets required
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is making arrangements
to speed up treatment for exotic veterinary diseases, as a result of increased
international movement of animals under the Pet Passport Scheme...[more]
European enlargement may lead to flood of parallel
imports The accession of 10 new countries to the European Union
in 2004 could lead to the United Kingdom being flooded with parallel import
medicines if adequate controls are not put in place...[more]
Bradford University starts work on new innovation
institute Bradford University has started building an Institute
of Pharmaceutical Innovation (IPI) at its school of pharmacy...[more]
Advertising industry supports greater openness
in information on medicines A communications industry debating
group has accepted a motion that barriers to the communication of information
about prescription medicines damage public health...[more]
US acts to promote generic competition Regulations
are to be introduced in the United States to make it harder for pharmaceutical
companies to hinder generic competition when patents expire...[more]
WHO calls for safety and quality to be prioritised
in developing world Developing countries must be given better
access to information that can improve the safety and quality of medicines,
according to the World Health Organization...[more]
Patients give approval to ETP repeat prescriptions
Patients using the repeat prescriptions service which is part
of Pharmacy2U’s electronic transmission of prescriptions pilot find
the service helpful and convenient, according to a survey carried out
by the company...[more]
Pharmacists take up offer of concordance project
support Medicines Partnership is receiving a steady stream
of enquiries and applications following its offer of support and recognition
for projects in patient partnership in medicine-taking...[more]
Patients balance reasons for and against medicines
When reviewing antihypertensive treatment, patients’ views
should be taken into account in order to reach concordant decisions...[more]
“Ask about medicines” week in 2003 Patients
are to be invited to discuss any difficulties or queries they have about
their medicines as part of a UK-wide campaign “Ask about medicines”
week which will be in October 2003...[more]
NEWS IN BRIEF
Pharmacists sought for LHB posts
Applications from pharmacists to sit on each of the 22 local health boards
(LHBs) in Wales are being sought by the National Assembly for Wales.
A flyer for appointing non-officer members is being sent to health profession
representatives. Chris Martin, chairman, Pembrokeshire Pharmacy Forum,
said that each LHB is expected to have one pharmacist on it and all posts
allocated to pharmacists are expected to be filled.
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