Hospital Pharmacist
2007;14:361-362
December 2007

361 Role of hospital pharmacists during pandemic flu updated In the case of an influenza pandemic, an extension of medicines management services in hospitals may be necessary to ensure continuity of care, according to new Government guidance on preparing acute hospitals in England
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361 Funds for NHS cleaning Regional funding for the “deep cleaning” of NHS hospitals has been announced by Health Secretary Alan Johnson
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361 New review of equality NHS trusts are facing a review of their race equality policies, the Healthcare Commission has announced
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RESEARCH UPDATE

362 E-prescribing system reduces drug errors Electronic prescribing in paediatrics reduces adverse drug events (ADEs), say US researchers
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362 Patient knowledge of heart risk improves LDL Explaining coronary risk to patients who are starting cholesterol-lowering treatment will help reduce cholesterol levels, a Canadian study shows
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361 NEWS IN BRIEF
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A strategy to reduce counterfeiting has been published by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, describing a three-year plan to tackle fraud through a programme of communication, collaboration and regulation.

A 24-hour hotline for reporting suspected counterfeit drugs and devices has also been launched.

A new public campaign to prevent the spread of cold and influenza viruses has been launched by the Department of Health.

The “Catch it, kill it, bin it” campaign encourages people to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose of the tissue as soon as possible and wash their hands.

Posters will be displayed in public places including hospital and community pharmacies, shopping centres and on public transport, until spring 2008.

Pharmaceutical companies must make transparent any support provided to patient organisations. This is a new provision of a European code on relationships between the industry and patient organisations. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry code of practice is to be revised accordingly. Any indirect, non-financial support will also need to be declared, in addition to financial backing.

The latest developments to support the NHS in delivering an “18-week pathway” from GP referral to treatment appear in a bulletin published by the Department of Health.