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179 Boots launches
private PGD service to supply Viagra Four
pharmacists in the north west of England this week became the first in
the UK to offer the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil (Viagra) to
patients through a private patient group direction (PGD)
PJ 2007;278:179
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179 Bar too high for private PGDs The
burden of regulation is frustrating pharmacists who want to supply prescription
medicines via private patient group directions, according to the National
Pharmacy Association
PJ 2007;278:179
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179 Opinion varies on uptake of Pfizer accounts More
than 80 per cent of pharmacies have now opened a Pfizer/UniChem account ahead
of the 5 March 2007 start date for Pfizer's new distribution system, The
Journalcan reveal
PJ 2007;278:179
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180 Threshold triggers antivirals
for seasonal influenza GPs in England have been
told to consider prescribing antiviral drugs to at-risk patients who have been
in close contact with someone with flu-like symptoms or who have developed flu-like
symptoms themselves. The advice comes as surveillance data show that the overall
rate of influenza reports has exceeded the threshold at which National Institute
for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on the use of antiviral drugs are
triggered
PJ 2007;278:180
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180 More pharmacies in England claim for MURs Over
4,000 contractors in England are now claiming payments for medicines use reviews,
and the number of MURs claimed for by each pharmacy has also increased, official
figures show
PJ 2007;278:180
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180 Treating pandemic flu It
is impossible to predict which drugs will be active against a new pandemic strain
of influenza, infectious disease experts argue
PJ 2007;278:180
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180 APPG inquiry takes evidence from Department
of Health officials The All-Party Pharmacy Group
is a step closer to drafting its report on the future of pharmacy, following
the seventh and penultimate evidence session of its inquiry last week
PJ 2007;278:180
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181 Written information of
little value, say patients Patients believe the
written medicines information they receive is of little value and fails to increase
their knowledge, according to the results of research published this week. However,
changes to the way information is now presented are likely to make it more useful
PJ 2007;278:181
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181 Generics manufacturers collaborate on PILs A
scheme to ensure that patients receive similar patient information leaflets (PILs)
from all manufacturers of the same generic medicine has been launched by the
British Generics Manufacturers Association
PJ 2007;278:181
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181 Copy patients into letters Patients
should be automatically copied into letters sent between health professionals
so that they are kept informed about their condition and may make better decisions
about their care
PJ 2007;278:181
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181 “Keep well” scheme expands A Scottish health check initiative that aims to tackle health inequalities is being expanded. The “Keep well” programme (previously known as “Prevention 2010”) is currently offered in five sites, including a project in Glasgow that involves pharmacy
PJ 2007;278:181
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181 Preregistration update Funding for hospital preregistration placements in Scotland has been announced this week by the Scottish Executive. An NHS circular states that the level of funding per placement is now £23,632
PJ 2007;278:181
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182 Donepezil orodispersible
tablets approved for use in NHS Scotland Donepezil
orodispersible tablets have been accepted for the treatment of mild to moderate
Alzheimer's disease by the Scottish Medicines Consortium
PJ 2007;278:182
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182 Dutch pharmacy established to supply medicinal
cannabis A Dutch pharmacy is claiming to be the
first in the world to be established exclusively for dispensing medicinal cannabis
on prescription. Last month it served its first customer, a multiple sclerosis
patient who uses cannabis to control pain and spasms
PJ 2007;278:182
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182 NICE to look at obesity, cancer and arthritis New
drugs for the treatment of obesity, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's
disease are being looked at by the National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence for future use in the NHS in England and Wales, it was announced last
week
PJ 2007;278:182
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182 Omega-3s for depression There
is no convincing evidence that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are an effective
single treatment for depression, according to a review of evidence
PJ 2007;278:182
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183 Ranibizumab launched for
macular degeneration A second inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been launched for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — a condition that results in loss of central vision
PJ 2007;278:183
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183 Upper GI safety of etoricoxib superior to
that of diclofenac for arthritis, study suggests Using etoricoxib (Arcoxia) rather than diclofenac reduces the number of uncomplicated upper gastrointestinal events in patients with arthritis, a new analysis of data from the MEDAL study suggests
PJ 2007;278:183
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183 Evidence for switch to aromatase inhibitor
strengthened Evidence supporting the benefits of
switching to exemestane (Aromasin) after treatment with tamoxifen for breast
cancer has been reinforced with publication of the full results of the intergroup
exemestane study this week
PJ 2007;278:183
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183 Reports focus on local health needs of developing
nations A powerful, co-ordinated international response to the health staffing crisis in developing nations is necessary, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Nigel Crisp, former NHS chief executive, in his report “Global health partnerships”, published this week
PJ 2007;278:183
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183 Public health minister backs pharmacy condom
campaign Making condoms easier and less embarrassing
to buy for young people is an important part of tackling increasing rates of
sexually transmitted infections
PJ 2007;278:183
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183 Extra benefit from extended anticoagulation
unlikely Patients with deep vein thrombosis or
pulmonary embolism who have no known risk factors for recurrence are unlikely
to gain extra benefit from six, rather than three, months of anticoagulation,
the authors of a study published online conclude
PJ 2007;278:183
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R&D News
184 Interleukin antibody for psoriasis The
safety and efficacy of human interleukin-12/23 monoclonal antibody for the treatment
of psoriasis has been demonstrated in a phase II study
PJ 2007;278:184
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184 Muscular dystrophy improved by losartan Losartan
improves muscle regeneration and repair in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
(DMD), a new study reveals
PJ 2007;278:184
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184 Orexin antagonist shows promise as insomnia
treatment An antagonist of the orexin OX1/OX2 receptor — ACT-078573 — being developed by Actelion may prove useful for people suffering from sleep disorders
PJ 2007;278:184
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184 Cannabinoid system proposed as target for
Parkinson's drugs Using drugs to modulate endocannabinoid
production in the brain could lead to the development of new treatments for Parkinson's
disease, a study suggests
PJ 2007;278:184
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184 Lavender oil and gynaecomastia Repeated
topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oils has been proposed as the likely
cause of three cases of prepubertal gynaecomastia reported in The New England
Journal of Medicine earlier this month
PJ 2007;278:184
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184 Transdermal Alzheimer's vaccine Vaccination
with a transdermal beta-amyloid peptide against Alzheimer's disease has shown
positive results in animal studies
PJ 2007;278:184
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