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Child-resistant blister packs for aspirin, paracetamol
and iron to be brought in Blister packs of paracetamol, aspirin
and iron preparations will have to conform to the British Standard for
non-reclosable packaging from next year...[more]
Increase in fatal ADRs in children
Anticonvulsants are associated with most of the suspected fatal adverse
drug reactions (ADRs) in children reported through the Medicines Control
Agency yellow card scheme, British researchers say...[more]
Depo-Provera vials to end shortages
Pharmacia says that it is experiencing supply problems with Depo-Provera
(medroxyprogesterone acetate) pre-filled syringes...[more]
Pharmacists' prescribing training to start in
spring Training for pharmacists to become supplementary prescribers
will start in the spring of 2003, the Department of Health announced last
week...[more]
Government set to legalise some items for use
by addicts Proposals to legalise the supply of water for injections,
swabs, sterile bowls, spoons and sachets of citric acid to drug addicts
have been put forward...[more]
LPS consultations must be genuine
Primary care trusts are required to carry out proper consultations over
proposals for local pharmaceutical services pilots, the Department of
Health has said. This was confirmed at a meeting between Departmental
officials and representatives of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating
Committee at which evidence and examples of a lack of consultation and
of inadequate procedures were given by the PSNC...[more]
Cannabis use by teenagers raises risks of mental
health problems Cannabis use during adolescence appears to
increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, depression and anxiety
in later life...[more]
Only half think pharmacists are in NHS
Only half the respondents to a Scottish Consumer Council survey think
that their pharmacist is part of the National Health Service in Scotland...[more]
Scottish control of entry rules may differ after
OFT Rules governing the control of entry to pharmaceutical
contracts in Scotland may differ from those in England and Wales after
the Office of Fair Trading makes its report, bodies representing pharmacy
contractors in Scotland believe...[more]
Prescribing advice course goes online
The Centre for Postgraduate Pharmacy Education has put its prescribing
advice course online. The course is based on the print version published
earlier this year...[more]
Ban on anorectics overturned in court
A European Commission ban on anorectic drugs has been overturned by the
European Court of Justice...[more]
Fluticasone linked to adrenal crisis
Inhaled corticosteroids, especially fluticasone, should be titrated to
their lowest effective maintenance dose in order to reduce the likelihood
of adverse events, according to the authors of a British study...[more]
Pharmacists' views on pharmacogenetics sought
Pharmacists, along with other health care professionals and the public,
have been asked for their views on ethical issues raised by the development
of pharmacogenetics...[more]
Statin reduces gene-variant coronary risk
Carriers of a common variant in the gene encoding for the microsomal triglyceride
transfer protein (MTP) have an increased risk of coronary heart disease
(CHD), but this risk is reduced by statin therapy, researchers report...[more]
New BCG vaccine A new BCG (tuberculosis)
vaccine (BCG vaccine SSI) has been launched this week by Danish company
Staten Serum Institut...[more]
Diuretics associated with an increased risk
of death in acute renal failure The use of diuretics in critically
ill patients with acute renal failure is associated with an increased
risk of death, a new study shows. Diuretics were also found to be associated
with non-recovery of renal function in these patients...[more]
Further reductions in blood pressure do not
slow progression of hypertensive nephrosclerosis Additional
reduction in blood pressure does not slow the progression of hypertensive
nephrosclerosis, researchers report. However, they support recommendations
that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhi-bitors should be considered as
first-line therapy over beta-blockers and dihydropyridine calcium channel
blockers in these patients...[more]
Cancer funding not enough to modernise
Cancer networks in England say that current funding arrangements will
make it difficult to modernise cancer services in line with Government
targets...[more]
Thrombolytics safe for ambulance use
A combination of tenecteplase (Metalyse) and unfractionated heparin can
be given safely in ambulances, a new trial has shown...[more]
"Cooling off" period no benefit in
ACS Patients with acute coronary syndromes at high risk of
heart attack or stroke do not benefit from extended antithrombotic treatment
before angioplasty, according to data presented at the American Heart
Association scientific sessions in Chicago last week...[more]
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin reviews focus
on bone health A range of lifestyle measures aimed at preventing osteoporotic fractures are outlined in the latest issue of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin...[more]
Phoenix expands in Glasgow...[more]
ABPI ethics booklet...[more]
Minister launches medication review guide...[more]
“Square” marks 50th charter dinner...[more]
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