Chemist & Druggist articles from April 2009

Chemist & Druggist archives from April 2009

Comment from the Editor: 04.04.09.(Editorial)
April 4, 2009... Rewind 12 months and community pharmacists throughout England were eagerly poring over the government's latest vision for transforming the sector. A "landmark paper" that should "complete the transformation of pharmacy to a clinical...

White paper reforms filter down to front line.
April 4, 2009... C+D finds the government is for the most part honouring its commitment to the pharmacy blueprint Jennifer Richardson Progress has been made on many areas of England's pharmacy white paper, one year after its publication heralded a...

White paper hits and misses.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... BIG HITS Clinical leaders Jonathan Mason was appointed national clinical director for community and primary care pharmacy in October Education A shake-up of the pharmacy qualification is underway, linking it to other...

Pharmacy bodies remain united for white paper.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Pharmacy bodies must continue working together to realise the opportunities offered by the white paper, the NPA has stated. NPA chief executive John Turk said: "The main challenges and opportunities can only be grasped if all those with an...

Document on track, government says.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... "Good progress" is being made with the white paper, according to the Department of Health, despite some key deadlines appearing to have been missed. The DH continued to work closely with stakeholders and interested parties, a spokesperson said....

IN BRIEF: Business rates rise cut.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... The Treasury has reduced April 1's business rates rise from 5 per cent to 2 per cent. The eleventh-hour climbdown by Chancellor Alistair Darling allows businesses to spread the remaining 3 per cent increase over the next two years. The...

IN BRIEF: MBE pharmacist jailed.(Master of Business Economics)(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Pharmacist Hooman Ghalamkari MBE has been jailed for nine months for script fraud. Dr Ghalamkari pleaded guilty to false accounting while running two Worcester pharmacies between February 2005 and December 2006. Dr Ghalamkari has since...

IN BRIEF: C+D Jobs top 500.
April 4, 2009... There are now over 500 vacancies advertised on the C+D Jobs website. Major employers represented include Lloydspharmacy, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Superdrug, Day Lewis and Numark. Those in need of career inspiration could check out the Job of the...

IN BRIEF: Change to ethics.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... The RSPGB has announced a change to its Code of Ethics standards. From April 1 pharmacists can deliver medicines to a designated person who is not the patient or their carer if consent has been given for a single occasion or set period of time....

100-hour rules should have been suspended.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Industry analysts say the DH should have acted faster over exemptions Zoe Smeaton The Department of Health (DH) should have acted faster on control of entry regulations and banned new 100-hour pharmacy applications while it decided...

Publicity campaign runs late.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... A plan for the pharmacy PR campaign promised a year ago will be published "shortly", the Department of Health has said. As part of the April 2008 white paper, the DH pledged a publicity campaign to highlight pharmacy services, and it...

Vascular screening bid gets off to fitful start.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... #250m programme launches, but few pharmacies currently involved Zoe Smeaton Pharmacists remain cautiously optimistic about the potential for the profession to benefit from providing vascular risk assessments in the week the checks are...

Lloyds owner to reduce GB focus.(AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd.)(Great Britain)(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... The parent company of Lloydspharmacy and AAH intends to reduce its reliance on the British market, its CEO has said. Celesio continued to blame falling profit on category M and the weak pound in its year-end financial announcement,...

Big three all feature in latest supply deal.(Bayer Schering Pharma )(Phoenix)(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Bayer Schering Pharma (BSP) medicines will be exclusively distributed by AAH, UniChem and Phoenix from July, the company announced this week. The deal covers most BSP medicines but arrangements for Bayer Consumer Care and Diabetes Care...

Independents struggle with short-dated stock.(Survey)
April 4, 2009... EXCLUSIVE Dumped medicines worth around #3,000 a year, Avicenna survey reveals Jennifer Richardson Independent contractors are struggling with short-dated medicines and having to dump #3,000-worth of dead stock annually. This was the...

DISPENSARY TALK: Has your system supplier responded to EPS problems?(electronic prescription systems)(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... "They try to help, but the trouble is the error messages are too frequent. Over the last couple of years the frequency has improved slightly, but it's basically the same." Sunil Bajaria, Worthcare Pharmacy, Thamesmead "It's not working...

Patient survey applauds privacy.(Survey)(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Patients have backed pharmacy's ability to offer private and discreet services, after accessing a pharmacy flu vaccination service. More than 1,000 patients were surveyed after using the AAH private service, and all of them said the...

RPSGB COUNCIL MEETING: Cash call for second pharmacist.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Industry leaders tell RPSGB the government must pay for extra cover to ensure RP absences don't threaten safety Max Gosney Grassroots leaders have demanded the government pay for second pharmacists to help businesses cope with rule...

Left on the outside.
April 4, 2009... System suppliers have been blamed for EPS ills at a private industry summit. So why were they excluded from discussions and what's their side of the story? Zoe Smeaton finds out Once again pharmacy is failing to come together on EPS it...

Industry bodies on links with suppliers.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... The NPA John Turk, NPA chief executive, says the association has "made its position on EPS very clear, publicly and repeatedly". Mr Turk explains: "Consistently we have insisted on guarantees that EPS will work technically, be business...

XRAYSER: It's Alli systems go for weight management.
April 4, 2009... My staff and I are eagerly awaiting our first trendy looking packs of Alli and the comprehensive training that goes with it. I expect interest in the OTC weight loss pill to be huge. I'm not quite so sure about how many packs we might sell. ...

IRISH EYE: The new public health agency arrives in Northern Ireland.(Public Health Agency)
April 4, 2009... April 1 will see the launch of the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland. For most pharmacists perhaps this event will be of little interest, yet for the profession generally the relevance and indeed the potential of this new agency for...

CLINICAL FEATURE: Ear problems in kids.
April 4, 2009... With around 200,000 GP consultations a year devoted to glue ear alone, Gavin Atkin examines the help and advice pharmacists can offer to patients Around 200,000 children suffer from repeated ear infections in the UK each year. The...

CLINICAL FEATURE: What should pharmacists know?(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... * Around 200,000 children suffer from repeated ear infections in the UK each year. The antibiotics bill for ear infections is large and there are about a million GP consultations each year for ear infections. * Most ear infections in...

PHARMACY UPDATE: Gallbladder problems.(Disease/Disorder overview)
April 4, 2009... Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and advice on this painful and increasingly common problem 60-second summary Who is most likely to suffer from gallstones? Older people, the obese and women rather than men. Treatment such as HRT,...

CATEGORY M BAROMETER.
April 4, 2009... Last year's trend for a modest quarterly decline in average reimbursement prices for generic products in category M continues into the second quarter of 2009. April's tariff shows a 0.9 per cent quarter-on-quarter decrease spread evenly...

CREDIT CRUNCH: 5 steps to Pet heaven.
April 4, 2009... Commercial director of Co-operative Pharmacy Gordon Farquhar reveals the secrets of its pet medicines success to Fiona Salvage Step 1 Research Research the market sector - what's the size of the prize? The market for prescriptions and...

PRODUCT NEWS: Keep your Kool packs.
April 4, 2009... Koolpak is launching its Hot & Cold therapy products into the retail market. The range comprises five different instant ice packs and reusable hot and cold packs for first aid and sports injuries. It includes Koolpak Original, Koolkids, Sport,...

PRODUCT NEWS: Step into spring.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Compeed Blister Patches will be hitting UK streets and TV screens this spring and summer, targeting fashion-conscious women at the key time of year for blisters when socks and boots make way for bare feet and summer shoes. A new national...

PRODUCT NEWS: GSK's domeshow hits the road.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is rolling out a nationwide roadshow to give the public a chance to experience iso-active technology, which has been introduced into the Aquafresh, Sensodyne and Macleans brands. The dome at the heart of...

PRODUCT NEWS: Close encounters.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Macleans will be back on TV this month as part of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's #2.9 million advertising spend for the brand this year. On air from April 6, the campaign will feature the brand's 30-second `Close Encounter'...

PRODUCT NEWS: No flies on Ben's.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Ardern Healthcare has repackaged its Ben's insect repellent range to help customers identify the correct repellent for their requirements. The range is now colour coded: red designates `safari strength' (95 per cent DEET) for travelling in...

PRODUCT NEWS: No holding back.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Zirtek will be in the public eye this spring and summer with a new advertising campaign that coincides with the peak hayfever season. The brand, which contains cetirizine, will be supported by national TV advertising during May and June,...

PRODUCT NEWS: Dentyl splashes out with citrus.
April 4, 2009... The alcohol-free Dentyl pH mouthwash range has been extended with a new citrus variant. Dentyl pH Minty Citrus Splash leaves the user with a fresh, citrus flavour in the mouth and is suitable for people who don't particularly like mint as...

PRODUCT NEWS: Spots are good to go.
April 4, 2009... Reckitt Benckiser has expanded its Clearasil range with a portable spot treatment delivered via a precision pen applicator. Clearasil Ultra Spot Blocker Pen is designed to be applied as soon as a new spot is felt. It has a salicylic acid...

PRODUCT NEWS: Impact of hair loss.(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Lifes2good is sponsoring Hair Loss Awareness month in May to support its Viviscal range of natural hair loss supplements. The campaign aims to increase awareness of hair loss and provide sufferers with advice and support. The company is...

COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES: Tip of the iceberg.
April 4, 2009... Mark Greener looks beneath the surface of the murky world of counterfeit medicines In March, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) enforcement team seized counterfeit, unlicensed, withdrawn medicines and controlled...

CAREERS: A day in the life - Kirsty Harden.
April 4, 2009... Tesco pharmacist and regional manager Kirsty Harden Looking for a new job? Got a staff problem? C+D's new weekly careers section is your one-stop guide to making the right decisions Two years ago I was approached to do a part-time role...

CAREERS: CAREER LADDER - At Avicenna.(appointment of Raj Haria and Sally Johnson)(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Raj Haria has been promoted to the role of director at Avicenna. He retains his responsibilities for sales and business development. Mr Haria joined the buying group from former rival Nucare a year ago and has been credited with its successful...

CAREERS: CAREER LADDER - At the NPA.(National Pharmacy Association)(appointment of Adrian Palmer )(Brief article)
April 4, 2009... Adrian Palmer has been appointed director of finance at the NPA, where he joins the executive management team alongside chief executive John Turk, director of member services David Coorey and director of NPA Insurance Paul Coleman. Mr Palmer...

POSTSCRIPT: Numark hits Dubai.(Conference notes)
April 4, 2009... With more than a little style, says Zoe Smeaton, reporting from its international conference Shark-surrounded water slides, James Bond, night time camel rides, and chocolate-coated marshmallows for breakfast... the Numark conference in...

Comment from the Editor: 11.04.09.(Editorial)
April 11, 2009... It's the unspoken thought that every pharmacist is fully aware of every minute of their working day - that a single dispensing error in an otherwise blemish-free career can lead to a criminal conviction. And this week's harrowing story about...

Demands for decriminalisation after locum sentenced for error.(Elizabeth Lee)
April 11, 2009... Outcry as former pharmacist receives suspended sentence following death of 72-year-old grandmother Emma Wilkinson Calls for dispensing errors to be decriminalised have intensified after a former pharmacist received a suspended jail...

Family upset with verdict.(death of Carmel Sheller due to dispensing error)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... The family of 72-year-old Carmel Sheller said Elizabeth Lee had escaped with a "slap on the wrist" over her dispensing error. Mrs Sheller collapsed within minutes of taking eight tablets of propranolol instead of prednisolone. She died...

Defence cites `long shifts' as factor in dispensing mistake.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Former locum Elizabeth Lee was working "long and arduous shifts" at the Tesco pharmacy in Windsor when she mistakenly dispensed the wrong medication to an elderly woman, the Old Bailey heard. Barrister Christopher Hudson said at the time...

NEWS IN BRIEF: NCSO update.(no cheaper stock obtainable)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... The Department of Health and National Assembly for Wales have agreed to allow NCSO endorsements for the following items for April prescriptions: liquid paraffin, magnesium hydroxide oral emulsion sugar free, cimetidine 200mg tablets, cimetidine...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Vaccine recalled.(hepatitis)(Engerix B)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... The MHRA has warned that patients vaccinated against hepatitis B between Monday March 9, 2009 and Monday April 6, 2009 using Engerix B (AHBVB591BB) may have received an ineffective vaccine as the batch was exposed to sub-zero temperatures...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Innovation must stay.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Pharmacy bodies AIMp, CCA, NPA, PSNC and Community Pharmacy Wales have warned that MHRA plans to consolidate and review medicines legislation must not stifle innovation in pharmacy in the future. They say the new legislation must allow for...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Self-care booklet launch.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... The DH has launched a resource pack to raise awareness of self-care options in patients with chronic conditions. The pack highlights key areas of support that can be offered and is part of a scheme to offer personalised healthcare by 2010. ...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Prescription charge card.(Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... A card promoting the recent changes to prescription charges in England is now available from PSNC. The card also promotes fee exemptions for cancer patients. http://tinyurl.com/rxchargecard Copyright: UBM Information Ltd.

Five stoma services added to contract.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Stoma and incontinence services part of essential and advanced tiers Asha Fowells Five new services will be added to the pharmacy contract for England and Wales next April - the first new NHS services since the contractual framework...

Essential stoma services.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... 1. Additional dispensing and home delivery: supply appliances with optional home delivery. Fee dependant on item in addition to dispensing fee. 2. Advice provision: counselling on stoma or incontinence products, including storage and...

Fresh concerns over supply deal.(Alliance Healthcare)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... The 13th distribution deal to hit pharmacy has sparked fresh concerns about stock vulnerability and increasing workload for pharmacists. PSNC voiced fears over reduced choice for contractors after Alliance Healthcare (formerly UniChem) was...

Scotland leads way with minor ailments scheme.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... More than 600,000 patients have signed up for the pharmacy scheme Chris Chapman Scottish pharmacists have embraced the minor ailments scheme (MAS), with more than 600,000 patients currently signed up, the latest prescribing statistics...

DISPENSARY TALK: Out of 10 how would you score white paper performance?(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... "I'd say about five. It's a lack of speed and a lack of involvement with the medical profession as well, because the white paper needs a joint professional approach to it, and they don't know anything about it, which causes us problems some...

Sides meet before SGM debate.(special general meeting)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... The two factions at the heart of the row over the use of the title pharmacist are due to have held 11th hour talks ahead of the RPSGB special general meeting (SGM). The talks are intended to discuss the feasibility of the motions that will...

Contractor commits suicide after business sale.(Huw Grove)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... A pharmacist who sold his chain of shops for #3 million committed suicide last year by throwing himself in front of a speeding train, an inquest jury has found. Huw Grove, 45, of Heol Isaf, Radyr, Cardiff, was killed instantly last...

Make more of pharmacy quit smoking services, PCTs told.(primary care trust)
April 11, 2009... The DH wants to increase take-up of community pharmacy's role in helping patients quit smoking Asha Fowells The Department of Health (DH) has urged PCT bosses to commission more quit smoking services from community pharmacies. ...

NEWS IN BRIEF: More try to quit smoking.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Increasing numbers of patients in Wales are accessing stop smoking services, latest figures have revealed. Data showed that more than 12,000 people had contacted the Stop Smoking Wales service in the last year. Copyright: UBM Information...

NEWS IN BRIEF: BNF Update.(British National Formulary, Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... An e-learning tool has been launched to help pharmacists quickly identify and assess how changes to the BNF affect their clinical practice. BNF Update includes 10 case studies with short-answer questions and is available via the CPPE website or...

NEWS IN BRIEF: HPV tests beat smears.(human papillomavirus)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Senior clinicians are calling for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing to become part of the UK cervical cancer screening programme. The push follows the publication of a study showing that HPV testing significantly reduces the number of advanced...

NEWS IN BRIEF: The drugs do work, says DH.(Department of Health on smoking cessation drugs)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Pharmacotherapy has been given the thumbs up as a stop smoking aid by the DH. The document on NHS Quit smoking guidance said: "The numbers needed to treat in order to achieve a long-term quitter compare very favourably with other...

Hire pharmacy expert, trusts told.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... PCTs should have better pharmacist input at board level to help improve commissioning of pharmacy services, DH guidance has recommended. Trusts should look to appoint a named board member with responsibility for pharmaceutical services, the...

WHITE PAPER: Is there MUR to it?(medicines use review)
April 11, 2009... Last year's white paper demanded MURs be rebuilt around quality instead of quantity. Chris Chapman asks how the service might be developed One year ago, the DH threw down the gauntlet on MURs. The pharmacy white paper warned the service...

LETTER: Pharmacy minister apologises (almost).(Letter to the editor)
April 11, 2009... Congratulations to C+D for successfully campaigning on behalf of your readers and achieving the seemingly impossible - some recognition from Dawn Primarolo of our plight (C+D, March 21, p6). As a long-time supporter of C+D's Building...

LETTER: Locum at Large.(Letter to the editor)
April 11, 2009... It was a bit of an epiphany reading Locum at Large (C+D, February 28, p16). I passed it round my staff and we all agreed it could have been written about our shop. It is comforting to know I'm not the only pharmacist who puts pressure on...

XRAYSER: Something for everyone, but nowhere near everything.
April 11, 2009... I wonder if the reason why the government still hasn't launched its national pharmacy PR campaign (C+D, April 4, p5) is because the Department of Health hasn't decided how to promote us. While many of its white paper proposals have got off the...

NZ system relieves pressure to shop around for profit.(New Zealand)(Column)
April 11, 2009... Pharmacist in the House Sandra Gidley Kia Ora. This column is written as I prepare to leave New Zealand. The health select committee has been looking into a range of issues such as patient safety, social care and alcohol policy. It...

PHARMACY UPDATE: The five most common STIs.(sexually transmitted infections)(Disease/Disorder overview)
April 11, 2009... Symptoms and treatment of the five most common sexually transmitted diseases 60-second summary * Numbers of STI cases are growing fast, with nearly 400,000 new diagnoses in 2007 compared with under 250,000 in 1998. The commonest STI...

PRODUCTS IN BRIEF: Girl power.(Sure Girl deodorants)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Unilever is adding two new variants to its Sure Girl range to strengthen the brand's appeal to teenagers. Sure Girl Dance Energy and Music Fan are designed to appeal to teenagers with a passion for music who want to stay cool. Both products...

PRODUCTS IN BRIEF: White teeth in an instant.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Two new cosmetic whitening products for teeth have been added to the Pearl Drops range. Instant White Ultra is a brush-on liquid, formulated to give a quick-drying dramatic white effect. It is designed to add a temporary white veneer to the...

PRODUCTS IN BRIEF: Vichy gel duo.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... May will see the launch of two new Vichy skincare products containing Retinol +A complex and hyaluronic acid. Liftactiv Retinol HA with SPF18 (#26.00) is a facial gel formulated to help smooth the look of the skin so wrinkles appear less...

PRODUCTS IN BRIEF: Coeliac awareness poster.(Juvela)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Juvela, which provides gluten-free products on prescription, has produced a free poster for pharmacies to promote coeliac awareness week, which takes place from May 11 to 17. The `Could this be you?' poster highlights how one in 100 people with...

PRODUCT NEWS: Hayfever's balmy answer.(Haymax)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Haymax is launching its organic, drug-free hayfever balms into independent pharmacies. The range has previously only been sold through multiples. Haymax pollen barrier balm is designed to help relieve the symptoms of hayfever, such as...

PRODUCT NEWS: Savlon kits out for summer.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... The Savlon range has been extended with a portable first aid kit to provide families with protection for minor cuts and grazes when out on day trips. The Day Out First Aid Kit contains two Savlon cleansing wipes, Savlon antiseptic cream...

PRODUCT NEWS: Scholl freshens up.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... A new trio of Scholl footcare products has been designed for men and women who suffer from sweaty, odorous feet. The Scholl Deo-Activ Fresh line-up includes a foot spray (in two sizes), foot gel and foot wipes. The range is formulated with...

PRODUCT NEWS: Tenscare expands.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Tenscare is launching its TENS pain relief machines under the Alvita brand name in Europe and making the units available to independent pharmacies through Alliance Healthcare (formerly UniChem). For the past 12 years, the company has worked...

PRODUCT NEWS: Smooth operator.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Reckitt Benckiser is backing its Veet hair removal range with a new #4.1 million media and promotional campaign highlighting the brand's core range of cream, wax strips and in-shower products. Two TV adverts went on air before Easter and...

PRODUCT NEWS: Heading for the stars.(L'Oreal Colour of the Stars hair color collection)(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... L'Oreal is launching a new collection of rich shades with a hint of gold in its Recital Preference permanent hair colour range. Each of the four shades in the Colour of the Stars gold collection has been selected to enhance a different...

PRODUCT NEWS: Keeping it clear in colour codes.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Bausch & Lomb has introduced colour-coded packs for its Minims product range of single dose, preservative-free eye drops. The products themselves remain unchanged. The new packs are designed to help minimise the risk of dispensing errors....

BUSINESS ACTION PLANS: Getting a game plan.
April 11, 2009... Failing to prepare a business plan could mean preparing to fail, last month's Numark conference heard. Can getting strategic really lead to success? Zoe Smeaton investigates A constant queue of patients, a pile of paperwork, stock shortages...

The Special ones.
April 11, 2009... Got a tricky prescription that needs to be made to measure but don't know where to turn? Help is at hand as James Clegg gives you the lowdown on specials manufacturers What's so special about a special? Specials products are...

Through snow and high water.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... After the big freeze earlier this year and the great summer floods of 2007, specials manufacturers reveal how a bit of nasty weather won't stop them getting goods to pharmacies. "We deliberately chose this site because it's positioned very...

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED: I want to live abroad.(Brief article)
April 11, 2009... Q I want to live abroad. How do I make sure I'll be able to practise pharmacy once I get there? A Chris Chapman has the following checklist: * Check the registration requirements of your destination country. * Apply for a letter of...