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New NHS pay "could offer a way forward"
for pharmacists, says guild Major reform of National Health
Service pay, which the Department of Health says means a 10 per cent basic
pay increase over three years, could be positive step for hospital pharmacists...[more]
Government promises review of education in NHS
primary care Government ministers are to review education,
training and research in the National Health Service in England and Wales
to ensure that it is not being neglected in the new management structure...[more]
Northern hospitals better, says CHI
Hospitals in the north of England and the Midlands are better managed
in terms of clinical governance than those in the south and London, according
to the Commission for Health Improvement...[more]
New treatment approach to severe asthma could
reduce exacerbations Reducing airway inflammation caused by
eosinophils can reduce asthma exacerbations without the need for further
anti-inflammatory treatment, the authors of a British study have concluded...[more]
Routine assists compliance in childhood asthma
Regular use of asthma medicines among children is more likely when the
administration of inhalers is incorporated into the family's daily routine,
British scientists say...[more]
NHS Direct launches policy on standards for
advice in pharmacy and medicines NHS Direct, the 24-hour telephone
advice and information service, has launched a policy that sets national
standards for advice and support on all aspects of pharmacy and medicines...[more]
Smallpox vaccine for core NHS staff
Some 350 health care workers across the United Kingdom are to be immunised
with smallpox vaccine as a precaution against any potential outbreak...[more]
Risk of heart disease following dietary mercury
exposure remains unclear There is no association between dietary
mercury exposure and coronary heart disease (CHD) according to the results
of an American study. However, a second international study has concluded
that mercury is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction
(MI)...[more]
NICE launches schizophrenia guidelines
Oral atypical antipsychotic drugs have been recommended by the National
Institute for Clinical Excellence as first-line treatment for people with
newly diagnosed schizophrenia...[more]
Relative benefits of two interferon products
remain uncertain Research comparing two interferon beta-1a
products, each administered in a regimen recommended by its manufacturer,
has found that 44mg of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a three times weekly
(Rebif) is more effective than 30mg administered intramuscularly once
weekly (Avonex) in preventing relapse in multiple sclerosis...[more]
No protection for prescribing training, says
chief pharmaceutical officer The Department of Health will
not fund protected learning time for pharmacists who want to become supplementary
prescribers, according to Jim Smith, chief pharmaceutical officer for
England...[more]
Error reporting to be piloted in community pharmacy
setting Anonymous error reporting using a standard electronic
form is to be piloted in community pharmacies in the new year by the National
Patient Safety Agency...[more]
Differential drugs pricing plan put forward
for developing countries Representatives of the British Government
and the pharmaceutical industry have proposed differential pricing as
a solution to the inability of developing countries to buy essential medicines...[more]
Report more fraud, pharmacists told
The National Health Service counter fraud unit is meeting its targets
for combating fraud in community pharmacy, but it says pharmacists can
do more to help...[more]
Barnet pharmacists advise on effects of diet
and medicines on osteoporosis Pharmacists working for Barnet
Primary Care Trust gave information to the public on osteoporosis and
the effects of diet and medicines during a recent Diwali event at Alexandra
Palace, north London...[more]
Information disclosure clause in Medicines Act
could be repealed Section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968, which
makes it a criminal offence to disclose information relating to the licensing
of medicines, could be repealed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000...[more]
Chairman for new regulatory agency
Professor Alasdair Breckenridge has been appointed chairman-designate
of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)...[more]
Lundbeck opens Seal Sands Lundbeck
Pharmaceuticals has opened a new production facility at Seal Sands, Teesside...[more]
Vegetarian diet cuts cholesterol...[more]
Smoking cessation pioneer reaches 90...[more]
Lincoln Co-op opens chiropody units...[more]
New HIV cases on the rise...[more]
Research and Development
Vaccine reduces risk of cervical cancer
Immunising women against human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection
could substantially reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, researchers
say...[more]
New drug raises bone density more than alendronate
A bone formation agent, teriparatide (Forteo), has been found to increase
bone mineral density in the lumbar spine by five times more than the bisphosphonate
alendronate (Fosamax), new data show...[more]
IL-4 promising treatment for psoriasis
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) shows promise as a potential treatment for psoriasis,
researchers say...[more]
Thrombin inhibitor more effective than dalteparin
for VTE A direct thrombin inhibitor, given subcutaneously preoperatively
(melagatran) and orally postoperatively (ximelagatran), has been found
to be more effective than dalteparin (Fragmin) for thromboprophylaxis
after total hip or knee replacement...[more]
Novel vaccine strategy for cancer
An orally administered DNA vaccine that might overcome problems encountered
with immunotherapy directed at tumour cells has been developed...[more]
Blood test to predict heart disease
A diagnostic technique that provides an accurate, non-invasive and rapid
diagnosis of coronary heart disease has been discovered by researchers
in the United Kingdom...[more]
Alternative treatment for abnormal heart rhythm?
Tecadenoson, a selective adenosine analogue, returns abnormal heart rhythms
to normal, results of a phase III trial show...[more]
Antibody fragment reduces mortality
A new drug, originally designed to reduce cell death that occurs during
reperfusion therapy following myocardial infarction (MI), has been shown
to reduce mortality in patients undergoing angioplasty despite not having
an effect on cell death...[more]
Heart failure patch A patch containing
stem cells from bone marrow could be used to prevent heart failure...[more]
Mouse
genome sequenced...[more] |
