The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7329 p844
11 December 2004

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News summary

NPC resources on simvastatin and repeat dispensing

Two new resources have been published by the National Prescribing Centre: one examines over-the-counter simvastatin (PDF 340K) and the other tackles repeat dispensing (PDF 340K).

The simvastatin document covers the place of OTC simvastatin in local policies to reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease. It points out that, along with the new community pharmacy and GP contracts, the availability of OTC simvastatin provides an opportunity to co-ordinate a number of approaches to cut heart disease rates.

The other document, “Dispensing with repeats”, examines the benefits of repeat dispensing and how it can be implemented. It includes key messages and examples of practice from the pathfinder primary care trusts where repeat dispensing was piloted.

All NPC resources are available on the centre’s website (www.npc.co.uk).