Chemist & Druggist articles from April 2003

Chemist & Druggist archives from April 2003

Labour pledges to end script levy in Wales.(free prescriptions)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Free prescriptions will be introduced for everyone in Wales should Labour win the election for the Welsh Assembly on May 1. The charge in Wales is currently lower than the rest of the UK after being pegged at #6 by the current...

18 standing for Council.(elections)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... There are 18 candidates standing for this year's RPSGB Council elections. The candidates are: * Hassan Argomandkhah * Martin Astbury * Shaquil Choudary * Peter Curphey * William Dawson * Alison Ewing * Robert Gartside * Gordon Geddes...

Cautious PSNC welcome for Hewitt response.(government regulation of pharmacies)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... PSNC has welcomed last week's Government response to the OFT report into pharmacy control of entry but is warning pharmacists not to be complacent and think that the case has been won. Sue Sharpe, PSNC's chief executive, said: "We welcome...

Pharmaceutical discussions.(governmental regulation of pharmacies)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Representatives of Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Local Pharmaceutical Committee met with David Lammy in his capacity as MP for Tottenham at the House of Commons on Monday March 31. Discussions focused on the effect the OFT report could have on the...

Guide update.(Guide to over-the -counter drugs)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The C&D Guide to OTC Medicines has been renamed to reflect its three new chapters. The Guide to OTC Medicines and Diagnostics published with this week's C&D now includes sections on pregnancy testing and ovulation, blood glucose meters and...

New editor at the helm.(Chemist and Druggist)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... C&D has appointed a new editor. Charles Gladwin succeeds Patrick Grice who is promoted to projects and price service development manager. Charles qualified as a pharmacist in 1988. After working in the community pharmacy sector both in the...

Update MCQ enclosed.(Benign breast disorders)(Body basics - excretion)(Neuropathic pain)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... This week's issue contains the MCQ for the following Pharmacy Update articles published in March: * Benign breast disorders (1263) * Body basics - excretion (1264) * Neuropathic pain (1265). Pharmacy Update is a distance...

Not a realistic option.(governmental regulation of pharmacies)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... David Trimble MP and Rev Robert Coulter MLA are pictured receiving a copy of the Northern Ireland Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee's response to the OFT report from PCC chairman Frank Murray. Last week, Northern Ireland's minister for...

`Delight' at OFT rejection.(governmental regulation of pharmacies)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Pharmacy leaders in Northern Ireland have welcomed the decision by their health minister to reject the OFT's recommendation to open up pharmacy control of entry regulations. Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee chairman Frank Murray said:...

Stoate calls OFT response `robust'.(governmental regulation of pharmacies)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The Government's response to the OFT report has been described as "very good news" by Howard Stoate, Labour MP and chairman of the parliamentary All-Party Pharmacy Group. "The Government has clearly recognised that there are a number of...

Scots look to future.(government regulation of drug stores)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council says that pharmacists must now embrace the national pharmacy strategy following last week's decision by the Scottish Executive to reject the OFT's recommendation to deregulate pharmacy. SPGC...

Government response `disappoints' NPA.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The NPA is "disappointed" that the Government has not followed the line taken by the devolved administrations in rejecting the OFT recommendation to deregulate pharmacy control of entry. NPA chief executive John D'Arcy, speaking last week...

Promoting community pharmacies.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Scottish pharmacy organisations joined together to promote community pharmacies as "your local walk-in health centres" at the Labour Party's Scottish Annual Conference, held in Dundee. The popular stand was awarded second prize in the best...

Society puts up #25,000 for Charter debate.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society offers funds for local branches)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Royal Pharmaceutical Society branches can now apply for financial support to hold meetings to discuss the new Charter after the Society announced #25,000 of extra funding. The Society has written to branch secretaries inviting them to...

Many visitors.(Lloydspharmacy stand at the Diabetes UK conference)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Health Minister David Lammy was one of the many visitors to Lloydspharmacy's stand at the Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference in Glasgow. Andy Murdock, pharmacy director for Lloydspharmacy, said: "We were delighted with the interest that...

Lloyds goes on air.(Lloydspharmacy)
April 5, 2003... Lloydspharmacy is launching what is claimed to be the UK's first live in-store pharmacy radio station on April 9. The company anticipates 52,000 customers per hour will hear the station. Lloydspharmacy Live, which will be on air six days a...

Locums online.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Around 30 locum pharmacists have already signed up to a new, free internet-based locum booking service. The website, www.pharmacylocum.net, is the idea of Kettering pharmacist Michael Partridge and his son, John, and offers a way of booking...

Wellbeing centres to close.(Boots to close 12 centers in UK and Europe)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Boots is to close its 12 Wellbeing centres in the UK as well as its European Boots Retail International operations, but will work on improving the profitability of its Asia Pacific operations, as the company steps up its loss-reduction...

Crookes pursues bid.(Crookes Healthcare planning to reclassify hydrocortisone cream)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Crookes Healthcare says it is still planning to switch HC45, its hydrocortisone cream, to GSL and that discussions with the Medicine Control Agency are ongoing. According to Crookes' head of regulatory affairs, Sue Easton, issues such as...

Pharmacy beats March sales average.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Pharmacy reported a 4 per cent slump in sales volumes for March, compared to the average 13 per cent fall reported by all sectors in the March CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Grocers and DIY reported improved sales for the month (up 3 and 29...

DTI tightens up.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The Department of Trade and Industry has tightened up its code of practice on price indications. The rules on misleading prices extend to online shopping and factory outlets and address sales promotion practices. Copyright: CMP Information...

Powderject injects life into vaccines.(sets up team of vaccine account managers)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... PowderJect Pharmaceuticals has set up a team of vaccine account managers. The field-based team will primarily handle sales enquiries, although it will ensure technical enquiries are also answered. For more information: Tel: 0151 705 5432...

Card fraud burden gets ready to pass to retailer.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Retailers, rather than banks, will become liable for UK credit and debit card fraud, if they are not ready to accept the new generation anti-fraud credit and debit cards by 2005. These are now one step closer to full national circulation by...

Superdrug constructs `screened' private areas.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Superdrug is to put private screened consultation areas in those pharmacy stores that do not have the space for a separate room. Consulting rooms have allowed Superdrug to vary and expand its range of services to include blood pressure...

DTI adds retailers to its loan scheme.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Community pharmacists can now get help with their bank loans, thanks to an extension of the Department of Trade and Industry's Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme. From April 1, the SFLG will, for the first time, offer retailers and caterers...

Survey to go to Select Committee.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Nucare is submitting findings from a survey being conducted with the Patients' Association to the Health Select Committee. The Committee was meeting after C&D went to press to discuss the OFT report. The Nucare survey was carried out in...

Young mums and elderly fear pharmacy closures.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The elderly and mothers with young children are worried by the prospect of pharmacy closures if the Government accepts the OFT's proposal to remove pharmacy control of entry regulations. Almost four out of five adults are worried at the...

More cards, letters and petitions.(pharmacists urged to lobby)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Pharmacists are being urged to continue lobbying MPs so that they are in no doubt about the strength of feeling about the OFT report. Hemant Patel is pictured with pharmacist Avnish Shah, Alan Milburn and John Cryer, Labour MP for Hornchurch,...

Comment from the Editor.(pharmacists voting on bylaws)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... It's spring, so it's time for an election. Last week saw a dramatic announcement from the home countries as Scotland and Wales were entering election `purdah' and felt it would be better to clear the air on the OFT front than wait until their...

Your views: Is England a `second class citizen'?(Nucare's managing director Mahesh Shah is warning that pharmacy contractors in England should keep lobbying until the Government gives its final response to the OFT recommendations)
April 5, 2003... Nucare managing director Mahesh Shah tells C&D about his concerns over the Government's statement on the OFT report Nucare's managing director Mahesh Shah is warning that pharmacy contractors in England should keep lobbying until the...

Pharmacy IT in need of an Alchemist.(Information technology)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... It's over 20 years since I bought my first pharmacy computer, a BBC supplied by Sam McLernon's. Then in 1986 Denis Grant from Ballykelly came out with a PCW 512 pharmacy labelling computer - only floppy disks but an impressive and innovative...

Getting on with business.(Governmental regulation of pharmacies)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Once again Scotland shames its English political counterparts. All seems sweetness and light between pharmacy contractors, the Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council and the Scottish Executive. Not only have they already agreed a settlement...

Changing the guard.(editorial changes are afoot at C&D)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... By now you will all know that editorial changes are afoot at C&D. It has been my pleasure to have worked with the editor, Patrick Grice, for many years and it is with mixed emotions that I congratulate him on his promotion. Every week when...

The benefits of investing in the staff.(increased depth of information provided in the continuing education articles on hayfever and emollients)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The new-look Over The Counter has been a winner with my staff and Dottie is already planning her day at the health spa when she wins the Orovite 7 competition. My staff are revelling in the increased responsibility they now enjoy as accredited...

Waterlogged.(diuretics usage and evaluation)
April 5, 2003... Fawz Farhan MRPharmS reviews the action of diuretics and problems that may arise from their use Objectives * To know where diuretics act on the kidneys * To be aware of first line treatments * To be aware of when hypokalaemia can...

ALLHAT study.(thiazide-type diuretics as the first-choice treatment for hypertension)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Results of a major trial have confirmed thiazide-type diuretics as the first-choice treatment for hypertension. In the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering treatment to prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT), researchers compared chlortalidone with...

Contraception 2001-style.(morning after pill)(new availability through community pharmacies)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The number of women who obtained the `morning after pill' from their GP or practice nurse fell in 2001 due to its new availability through community pharmacies. Contraception and Sexual Health 2001, published by the Office of National...

Sleep danger with Sinemet.(Parkinson's Disease treatments)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Bristol-Myers Squibb has added a warning regarding the risk of sudden sleep onset to Sinemet's (levodopa/carbidopa) SmPC, following a European review of Parkinson's Disease treatments. Section 4.4 now states: "Levodopa has been associated...

Lescol use expanded.(Novartis's cholesterol-lowering agent, Lescol)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Novartis's cholesterol-lowering agent, Lescol (fluvastatin), is now indicated for the secondary prevention of coronary events after percutaneous coronary intervention, in patients with coronary heart disease at a dose of 80mg daily. In...

Hepatitis B drug launched.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Gilead Sciences will launch an oral antiviral drug for the treatment of hepatitis B on Monday. Hepsera (adefovir dipivoxil 10mg) tablets are indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults with: * compensated liver disease...

Symbicort range grows.(for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... AstraZeneca has introduced a higher strength variant into its Symbicort Turbohaler range. Symbicort 400/12, which contains 400mcg of budesonide and 12mcg of eformoterol per metered dose, is indicated for asthma in adults and children over...

Statins more effective than thought?(reducing serum cholesterol concentration,)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Atorvastatin and simvastatin have been shown to be the most effective statins at reducing serum cholesterol concentration, a study in the BMJ has found. The cross-sectional survey, carried out by the division of general practice at...

Guidance on schizophrenia.(Web site)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Full clinical guidelines for schizophrenia, and a training website and CD-ROM for health professionals, is now available. Further details will appear in C&D next week. For more information: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/cru/sts/index.htm Free...

Nappy go lucky.(Baby Botanix nappy cream spray)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Responding to consumer demand for more natural babycare products, Forest Laboratories has launched Baby Botanix nappy cream spray. Enriched with aloe vera, lavender and chamomile, the spray also has a light, non-greasy formulation which...

Soluble solution to heartburn.(H2 antagonist)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The launch this month of GlaxoSmithKline's Zantac 75 Dissolve represents the first time an H2 antagonist has been available OTC in soluble tablet form. The heartburn remedy is designed as a fast and effective treatment for its target...

The Invisible brand.(sanitary napkins)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Bodyform is spending #2.5 million on the launch of its Invisible towel with transparent wings. The marketing campaign for the product, designed to offer women "discretion and security yet freedom to wear whatever colour underwear they...

Sun kissed.(Nivea sun screen lip care)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Nivea has released an SPF25 Lip Care Sun with Shea Butter for moisturisation and vitamin E to combat the premature signs of ageing. The new push-up dispenser means the lip protector, which becomes available this month, can be applied with...

Learn about cholesterol.(Book Review)
April 5, 2003... New in the Family Doctor Books range is Understanding Cholesterol, by Dr Mike Laker. This is the 46th book in the series that aims to help ease time pressures on doctors by providing reference books they can recommend to their patients....

An offer to snap up.(Kodak's latest value- added offer on its Gold 200 film)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Exclusively available to the pharmacy sector is Kodak's latest value- added offer on its Gold 200 film. With 24 exposures for #3.29, consumers gain #1.20 on the RRP of #4.49. Karen Holland, of Kodak's consumer imaging division, said:...

The kids are alright.(Children's medicine brand Calpol is launching a heavyweight TV advertising campaign)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Children's medicine brand Calpol is launching a heavyweight TV advertising campaign this month entitled `Fighting Fit'. The 30-second execution shows young children "as every parent wants them to be - fit, healthy and happy and getting up...

Dove's coup with research.(Dove's deodorant)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The British Skin Foundation has, for the first time, accredited the science behind a deodorant following a clinical trial of Dove's Sensitive range. Lever Faberge has just launched the range as the "first ever hypoallergenic deodorant with...

Kleenex kits out hayfever sufferers.(Kleenex Hayfever Survival on-pack promotion)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... The annual Kleenex Hayfever Survival on-pack promotion gets underway next month as the company completes the first leg of its sponsorship of the Daily Pollen Report on Classic FM. Kleenex producer Kimberly-Clark reckons the promotion...

Comforting dose for babies.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Baby-Dose, a dispenser designed to administer liquid medicines to infants and young children, is being rolled out in the UK following country-wide testing. The product comprises an orthodontic nipple, said to be familiar and comforting to...

Give pain the chop.(GlaxoSmithKline's pain killer Solpadeine)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Karate is the latest selling device for GlaxoSmithKline's pain killer Solpadeine. The company has marshalled the art to demonstrate how Solpadeine has "power to hit pain where it hurts" in a TV commercial which has just successfully...

Under the microscope.(Raliat Onatade)(Commission for Health Improvement)
April 5, 2003... Raliat Onatade, until recently review manager at the Commission for Health Improvement, concludes her overview of how CHI's reviews of community pharmacy are structured and answers some frequently asked questions The first part of this...

Reckitt Benckiser - Appointment.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Reckitt Benckiser has appointed Adrian Bellamy as chairman designate. He will assume the chair on the retirement of Dr Hikan Mogren at the conclusion of the Company's AGM on May 7. Mr Bellamy was appointed a non-executive director of Benckiser...

Mawdsleys - Appointment.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Mawdsleys has promoted Gary Marshall to key accounts manager at Doncaster Pharmaceuticals, part of the Mawdlseys' group. Gary will be dealing with generic PI categories and managing key accounts and wholesale customers. He joined as London...

PharmaNet - Appointment.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... International drug development company PharmaNet has appointed Tim Elliott as senior director, regulatory affairs. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Bausch & Lomb UK - Appointments.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Bausch & Lomb UK has appointed three new commercial directors. Maxine Green has been promoted from sales director to commercial director of Visioncare. She will be supported by Mike Riley who becomes national sales manager. Anthony John becomes...

Eli Lilly staff jump to it.(collecting cash for Diabetes UK)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Staff at Eli Lilly really rose to the occasion when it came to collecting cash for Diabetes UK - especially high-flyer Helen Squire who raised #600 with a sponsored skydive. In all, the fundraisers at the pharmaceutical manufacturer netted...

There's something in the cellar.(has been a pharmacy at 25 Quarry Hill Road, Tonbridge, for many years)
April 5, 2003... Before we get into the detail of this little tale we would like readers to understand that there has been a pharmacy at 25 Quarry Hill Road, Tonbridge, for many years, and that the proprietor, David Poile esq, is a fine pharmacist, and a...

Extra rations for `our boys and girls'.(little luxuries for troops in Gulf)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Doing its bit for the men and women fighting out in the Gulf war is the Phoenix Medical Supplies depot in Portsmouth with a programme of collecting `little luxuries' the troops might otherwise miss out on. The manoeuvre was the brainchild...

One of three winners.(2002 Care Pharmacy Assistant competition)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2003... Joanne Loftus, of Clemitsons Pharmacy in Co. Durham, was one of the three winners of the 2002 Care Pharmacy Assistant competition. She gained the award having successfully completed a variety of training modules during the year. Joanne is...

Members call for SGM.
April 12, 2003... A letter requesting a Special General Meeting to debate the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's proposals for modernisation was presented to the Society's secretary and registrar on Tuesday this week. Over 40 pharmacists, including past...

Knockout Update!
April 12, 2003... Over 300 pharmacist subscribers registered for the Pharmacy Update challenge this year, and the chance to win a #2,000 prize courtesy of Genus Pharmaceuticals. Update is a testing challenge and the number in the frame has been whittled...

Join a Charter roadshow.
April 12, 2003... The RPSGB has announced dates and venues for roadshows where pharmacists can make their views known on the Society's new Charter. The meetings, starting at 7pm, will be held at: * Cambridge The Garden House Hotel ...

Legal powers for mandatory CPD.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council has agreed on legal proposals giving the Society power to require pharmacists to give evidence of their continuing professional development. The evidence would be necessary for pharmacists' renewed...

Poster campaign.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, CF, has been raising awareness of the condition this week with a poster campaign asking people to donate 34p each. This is based on the idea that if every adult in the UK donated 34p, the CF Trust would reach a target...

Pre-reg event and hustings.
April 12, 2003... The British Pharmaceutical Students' Association will be hosting a conference for pre-registration graduates at the Novotel, Birmingham on April 27. Organised in conjunction with the PPLS, the conference will include presentations on the...

MPs probe deregulation proposals.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... OFT officials and pharmacy representatives were questioned by a Health Select Committee last Thursday as part of the Government's inquiry into the OFT's report into pharmacy entry controls. Committee members, including MP and pharmacist...

BRM debates Society's roles.
April 12, 2003... Delegates to the Branch Representatives' Meeting will vote on a motion that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's professional roles must be given equal prominence to its regulatory functions. West Metropolitan Branch will propose that "the...

Pharmacy's important contribution.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... Pharmacists are making a valued and important contribution to maintaining standards of healthcare delivery, a senior NHS executive in Scotland has said. Dr David Steel, chief executive of NHS Improvement Scotland, singled out audit and the...

RPSGB census results.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... The RPSGB has published a summary of the pharmacy workforce census conducted last autumn. Key results show that: * 16 per cent of respondents are over the official retirement age (60 years for women and 65 years for men); * 20 per cent...

C&D Council election poll.
April 12, 2003... C&D is mirroring this year's RPSGB Council elections with an online poll. Readers can vote for seven candidates in our just for fun poll, and an updated summary of the votes cast will appear on our website each Monday and Thursday. Voting...

Viagra link to Pharmacy2U.
April 12, 2003... The services of a mail-order pharmacy are being promoted to GPs by a pharmaceutical company. Viagra manufacturer Pfizer hase written to GPs suggesting that they can "make life a little easier for men receiving Viagra prescriptions". The...

Boots finds asthma myths rife.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... More than two-thirds of people think that asthma is a condition associated only with childhood, according to research from Boots and the National Asthma Campaign. Recognising the symptoms of asthma was also a problem. Of those surveyed, 88...

Methadone information online.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... A booklet explaining about many aspects of methadone is available free online, after the first edition sold out. Methadone Briefing, written by community psychiatric nurse Andrew Preston, provides a comprehensive background on the history,...

Script volumes to top 600m by 2004.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... Prescription volumes are expected to increase by around 12-13 per cent, or by around 30 million prescriptions, and will top 600 million by the end of 2003-2004. By the end of this year, prescription volumes will reach 585m, up 5 per cent...

Be safe not sorry.
April 12, 2003... `Sex and your health: be safe not sorry' is the latest in-store information leaflet to join Moss Pharmacy's `Health Today' programme. The free, Durex-sponsored leaflet explains sexually transmitted infections, their symptoms, infection routes...

Pharmacy prices pick up.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... There are positive signs that the market for pharmacy businesses is picking up, property agents are suggesting. Although the Department of Health has failed to follow the devolved health departments by rejecting out of hand the Office of...

Kent's lawyers hit back at SFO.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... Kent Pharmaceuticals is considering lodging a civil action against the Serious Fraud Office, in light of the disclosure by the SFO of documents to the Department of Health. The SFO documents were seized from six generics companies by police...

Chip and Pin video.
April 12, 2003... Chip and PIN card handling training is now available in a video for retail staff, priced at #8.50 for a single copy. The Northampton trial of the new anti-fraud cards starts next month and will involve more than 1,500 retailers (C&D, Apr 5,...

Celltech cleared for OGS acquisition.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2003... The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will not be referring Celltech's proposed acquisition of Oxford Glycosciences to the Competition Commission. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Workwear catalogue.
April 12, 2003... A new antibacterial tunic for healthcare staff is among the uniforms and workwear highlighted in the Simon Jersey catalogue. For more information: E-mail: orders@simonjersey.com Tel: 0870 1118800. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.