Hospital Pharmacist
2006;13:309-310
October 2006

309 Variation has reduced in use of NICE-approved cancer drugs Variations in the use of cancer drugs approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are reducing, according to a review carried out by the national cancer director, Mike Richards, published by the Department of Health recently
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309 New guidance on antibiotics from BNF New guidance on selecting antibiotics to manage meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections is contained in the latest edition of the British National Formulary, published last month
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310 Less than half of registered supplementary prescribers are using skills, research says Less than half of hospital pharmacists who have registered as supplementary prescribers are carrying out prescribing activities, according to a recent study published
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310 Barcodes reduce errors, study shows Implementing barcode technology reduces dispensing errors and adverse drug events, according to research carried out at a large teaching hospital in the US
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310 Pharmacists identify drug- related problems A recent Norwegian study has added to the body of evidence showing that pharmacist-led interviews provide a means to identify more drug-related problems (DRPs)
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309 NEWS IN BRIEF
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On 1 October, the supply chain services to hospitals previously managed by NHS Logistics were transferred to DHL. These include the supply of items such as food, bedding and medical equipment.

Hundreds of lives may be lost waiting for the results of randomised trials of public health interventions, especially in developing countries, according to research in the BMJ (2006;333:701–3). The authors suggest that decision makers should assess risks and benefits in local conditions, rather than those in an ideal situation.

A new MPharm course is under way at the University of Wolverhampton. This brings the total number of institutions offering undergraduate pharmacy education to 23.

A guide to NHS reforms in England, written by the health editor of The Times newspaper, has been published in the BMJ (2006;333:645–8).

Patients and their carers think it is essential that they receive easy-to-understand information about treatments so they can make properly informed decisions. This is according to a survey carried out in 12 countries by the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations.

Reports from the British Pharmaceutical Conference 2006 were published in a supplement with the 30 September edition of The Pharmaceutical Journal. They are also available online