Chemist & Druggist articles from August 2007

Chemist & Druggist archives from August 2007

IN BRIEF: Napp clarification.(Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and UniChem PLC)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... C+D would like to clarify that Napp Pharmaceutical's distribution partnership with AAH, UniChem and Phoenix is not a `direct to pharmacy deal' as described in our July 28 issue on p5. Napp plans to work within the traditional wholesale model...

IN BRIEF: C+D online survey.
August 4, 2007... Do your staff keep you sane or drive you mad? Could you work effectively as a pharmacist without them? C+D wants to get a better picture of the current staffing situation in community pharmacy. To take part in our online survey regarding...

IN BRIEF: CPW chief exec to retire.(Community Pharmacy Wales)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Peter Haydn Jones will retire from his post as Community Pharmacy Wales chief executive on September 1. "I leave the organisation confident that it is fit for purpose to drive the community pharmacy agenda forward in Wales," he said. ...

IN BRIEF: Lloyds EPS go-ahead.(Lloydspharmacy)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Lloydspharmacy has been granted authority to roll out EPS after a successful initial implementation, enabling electronic prescriptions to be generated, transmitted and received across its stores. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Medals announced.(achievements and awards of Dr Mary Tully)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Dr Mary Tully, University of Manchester, is the winner of the C+D Practice Research Award Medal for her work on the process and outcomes of prescribing in secondary care. She will be presented with the award at the British Pharmaceutical...

Sanofi alters supply route.(distribution of Sanofi-Aventis S.A.)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Third firm unveils plan to distribute its drugs via appointed wholesalers Emma Wilkinson Sanofi-aventis has become the latest drugs firm to appoint selected wholesalers to distribute its medicines to pharmacies. From November 1...

Pharmacists will face uncertainty.(Mawdsleys Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Pharmacists are set for financial uncertainty under the sanofi-aventis distribution changes, wholesalers excluded from the deal have warned. John Davies, retail services director of wholesaler Mawdsleys, said: "There will be pharmacists...

Asda is customer experience winner.(ASDA Group Ltd. and Boots Group PLC)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Asda has topped a chart comparing customers' experience of pharmacy services at supermarkets against Boots. The assessment, carried out by customer experience management agency GAPbuster in conjunction with Checkout magazine, pitched the...

Angry reaction to increase.(beliefs, opinions and attitudes of pharmacists)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Some pharmacists have threatened to quit the profession in protest at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's "outrageous" retention fees rise. Internet forums including Locum Voice carried threats of fee boycotts and wishes to leave the...

RPSGB retention fees increase by 50 per cent.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Jennifer Richardson The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has announced a practising retention fee of #425 for 2008 - an increase of 50 per cent on this year's #283 charge. As the corresponding fees for non-practising and overseas...

RPSGB president `understands' pharmacists' anger at fees hike.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... "I can fully understand why pharmacists would be angry," RPSGB president Hemant Patel said in response to fierce criticism of Lambeth's decision to increase the retention fees by 50 per cent in 2008. Mr Patel said he shared members'...

What it will cost you in 2008.(forecasts and trends of pharmaceutical industry)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... What it will cost you in 2008 (2007 figures in brackets) * Pharmacist registration #206 (#137) * Pharmacist retention fee practising #425 (#283) * Pharmacist retention fee non-practising #96 (#64) * Technician retention fee practising...

Could the Society have covered costs any other way?(reports of United Kingdom. Department of Health)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
August 4, 2007... Staff redundancies? "There will be a critical examination of every budget. Every director has been asked to justify their resources and by October we will have a much clearer picture about potential costs." Hemant Patel Sell Lambeth...

PBC Week.(Practice Based Commissioning)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Submitting a formal, written service proposal to practice-based commissioners is not the first, nor even nearly the first, step to pitching to supply services under PBC. A step-by-step guide to PBC Step 2 Generate ideas for a PBC...

PSNC chief calls for four extra advanced services.(services of pharmacies)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Sue Sharpe delivers wish list for the government ahead of autumn white paper Max Gosney PSNC chief Sue Sharpe has called for four more services to move to the advanced tier of the pharmacy contract. Ms Sharpe urged the government...

Funding announcement.
August 4, 2007... The contract funding package for 2007/08 is set to be announced this September. The final agreement is unlikely to see an increase in the MUR limit from 400. But pharmacists could see a small increase in the #25 fee they are currently paid...

Postcard protest.(political aspects of pharmacists)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... The chair of the all-party pharmacy group has urged pharmacists to send their local MPs a postcard in protest at plans to make pseudoephedrine and ephedrine prescription-only. Thirty-five MPs have signed all-party pharmacy group chair Howard...

Doncaster cracks down on script fraud.(investigations of pharmacies)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... A campaign by Doncaster PCT to catch out individuals wrongly claiming free prescriptions on the NHS is capturing 100 people a month. Carrying out random spot checks of a few pharmacies a month is proving so successful the PCT has turned to...

Chlamydia screening not cost-effective.(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Proactive chlamydia screening for the young would be an expensive intervention and not value for money, a group of health economists at the University of Birmingham has said. Most previous studies have advocated proactive screening, and...

IN BRIEF: Green computer disposal.(environmental aspects of Cegedim Rx)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Pharmacies upgrading their computer systems should consider how they safely dispose of the old machines without harming the environment, according to Cegedim Rx. The company is offering to collect out of date computers, delete confidential...

IN BRIEF: e-learning launch.(services of Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education )(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... The Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education has set up an e-learning programme in pharmacogenetics. It is the first of a series of interactive courses designed to aid learning through online activities and tests. Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: Galbraith delay welcome.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and Pharmacy Practice Research Trust )(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... The RPSGB and Pharmacy Practice Research Trust have welcomed the Department of Health's announcement that the Galbraith review will be postponed until the autumn. The delay, brought about to wait for an upcoming white paper on pharmacy...

IN BRIEF: NHS service interest high.(National Pharmacy Association)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... NPA Brief Guides on service developments are proving popular, suggesting pharmacists are keen to explore new NHS services, despite frustrations around funding. Around 1,500 copies have been ordered, with diabetes, asthma/COPD, CHD/hypertension,...

IN BRIEF: Help for drug misusers.(laws, regulations and rules of Nice)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Nice guidelines issued this week specify that where concerns about drug misuse are identified the patient should be offered two non-judgemental motivational sessions. Patients who misuse drugs should also be routinely given information about...

IN BRIEF: Therapy good on its own.(risk factors of combination drug therapy)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Antiplatelet therapy is as effective on its own in preventing MI, stroke or death from cardiovascular causes as when used in combination with oral anticoagulants, a study has revealed. Results from the study published by the New England Journal...

Don't remain silent on remote supervision.(laws, regulations and rules of pharmacists)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Pharmacists' Defence Association points to `largely unnoticed' legislation Jennifer Richardson Pharmacists must speak out on rule changes that could allow support staff to dispense medicines in their absence, an industry representative...

Your views on remote supervision.(officials and employees of Co-operative Healthcare)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... "If I'm off the premises, I wouldn't be able to feel responsible for what happens on the premises." Tony Pawasker, United Norwest Co-operative Healthcare, Stalybridge, Cheshire "I think remote supervision is being pushed through by the...

Skin cancer research.(services of Lloydspharmacy)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... A cricket fan is given free sunscreen provided by Lloydspharmacy at a NatWest One Day International Series match. Lloyds and NatWest have teamed up with Marie Curie Cancer Care for the sixth year to run the `Sun Safety - Don't Get Caught Out'...

Reprimand for false declaration.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... A Leeds pharmacist has been reprimanded for failing to declare previous convictions against him and his company. Peter Freeman failed to inform local health trusts of incidents related to the sale of items without a prescription, the...

Pharmacy Champions.(forecasts and trends of pharmacy)
August 4, 2007... Out of hours When I'm not at work, I like to go to the gym and to play racquet sports Under the white coat If I was in charge of pharmacy for just one day, I would scrap annual fees and give pharmacists more freedom to change...

Your letters: Pharmacist errors - the electronic safety net.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)
August 4, 2007... Mark Koziol's comments (C+D,July 28, p14) concerning the RPSGB inspectorate's position on the use of error logs and the classification by the FtP directorate that what would normally be considered to be one dispensing error is being classified...

Your letters: Locum at large should blame the system...(forecasts and trends of pharmacy)(Viewpoint essay)
August 4, 2007... I am writing in response to the "locum at large" article (C+D, July 28, p12). It is true that the majority of pharmacies perform little/no MURs at present. In a previous role as a regional manager I have seen, first hand, that this is the case....

Opinion: Comment from the editor.(beliefs, opinions and attitudes of pharmacists)(Editorial)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... The Society is to be congratulated this week for making a connection with the silent majority of its membership. Only last week Xrayser was saying pharmacists weren't vocal enough, yet now the profession is shouting from the rooftops. The...

Your views: Public health - have you got it yet?(analysis of public health)
August 4, 2007... Good healthcare is all to do with the right drug to the right patient at the right time: harder than it sounds Last year, shortly after I had been invited to be a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health I was waxing lyrical about "public...

Northern Ireland Notebook: Decision PSNI.(Pharmaceutical Society of Northen Ireland)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... At its recent extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to consider the changes being applied to professional regulation across the UK, PSNI presented six options it views as possible ways forward. Only two are really practical and only one will...

Xrayser: To err is human, but not if you're a pharmacist.(analysis of medication errors)
August 4, 2007... I've always been reluctant to record my dispensing errors because I've always worked hard to make sure that I'm not hauled before the Statutory Committee. Highlighting all my errors in a log makes me feel vulnerable. It's not that I'm...

Xrayser: Where have all the good times gone?(services of pharmacists)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... An old patient popped in last week and I enjoyed catching up with news about him and his family. This brief chat put me behind in my work and brought disapproving looks from waiting patients but it was worth it. This reminded me that simply...

Pharmacy Update: Detecting infertility.(analysis of infertility)
August 4, 2007... A couple having problems conceiving may ask their pharmacist for advice. This article looks at the possible causes of both male and female infertility Key points * Many couples are subfertile but few are infertile. * Several...

Clinical News: Cannabis raises psychotic illness risk in later life.(risk factors of marijuana)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Young people should be warned that using cannabis increases their risk of psychotic illness later in life by more than 40 per cent, a study published in The Lancet has concluded. A meta-analysis by Dr Theresa Moore of the University of...

Clinical News: Experts warn GPs to curb antibiotic prescribing.(services of general practitioners)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Experts have again called on GPs to reduce antibiotic prescribing because of the danger of resistance. The call came from the authors of a study published this week on BMJ Online First that showed prescribing amoxicillin to a child in...

Products & Marketing: It's a snore point.(Pharma-Export)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Anti-snoring product Asonor has been launched by Pharma-Export. The nose drops contain sodium chloride, glycerol and polysorbate with potassium sorbate as preservative. Users should apply three or four pumps to each nostril at bedtime and...

Products & Marketing: New-look Panda packaging.(Liquorice PLC)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Liquorice brand Panda has been given a new look with redesigned packaging across the range. To aid consumer selection, on-pack flashes give messages such as `Fat free' and `All natural ingredients'. The brand claims to be growing at more...

IN BRIEF: Senokot's on TV.
August 4, 2007... Television advertising for Senokot Dual Relief, the RB constipation treatment launched earlier this year, has just begun. The national campaign runs until early September. Reckitt Benckiser Tel: 01482 326151 Copyright: CMP Information...

IN BRIEF: More vet meds coming.
August 4, 2007... The Veterinary Products Committee has recommended the declassification of a range of cat flea products from POM-V to NFA-VPS. The affected products include Advantage, Fleegard and Top Drop variants from Bayer Animal Health and Merial's...

IN BRIEF: Add some texture.(L'Oreal Paris)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Dirty Clean Texturising Paste has been added to the Studio Line range from L'Oreal Paris. It can be applied to dry or damp hair to give the "morning-after rough texturised effect" says L'Oreal. Price: #4.29/75ml, Pip code: 328-4866 ...

IN BRIEF: Brush up on brush heads.(Oral B Laboratories)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Oral-B is launching an in-store initiative later this month aiming to help consumers choose the right brush head. The company has standardised its range of replacement heads, introducing easy to read benefits and colour coding. It recommends...

IN BRIEF: Kleenex reshapes boxes.(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Kleenex is targeting consumers with an interest in interior design with its latest launch, Ovals. Four designs of the oval-shaped boxes are available, positioned as colour co-ordinated accessories for the home. Price: #1.99/64 tissues. ...

Products & Marketing: Carbon impact on display.(Boots Company PLC)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Boots is introducing carbon reduction labels to point of sale materials as the Carbon Trust's trial of the labelling system, designed to help consumers cut their carbon footprint, moves forward. The information will show the carbon...

Vegenat offers more taste variations.(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... The Vegenat range of instant textured modified meals has been extended with the introduction of some new flavours. Vegenat-Med products are suitable for dysphagic patients, the elderly, cancer patients and those with neurological conditions...

Sula seeks sugar-free sweet success.(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... The Sula brand of sugar-free sweets has been updated with new flavours and recipes, modern packaging and a more competitive price position. Joining the line-up, a premium-quality range of toffees has been launched. Four flavours in 80g bags are...

New spray from Salts.
August 4, 2007... A spray format of Salts' WipeAway product to aid removal of the residue left by an ostomy pouch is newly available. It should be sprayed on and around the adhesive when removing the pouch or flange and then onto the skin around the stoma to...

Forest unveils competitive streak.(Forest Laboratories UK)(Brief article)
August 4, 2007... Five Hamley's teddy bears are up for grabs to independent pharmacy customers, courtesy of Forest Laboratories. The company is running the prize draw to celebrate Sudocrem's 30th birthday. Alongside, the Infacol Probiotic Drops brand is...

Retailing: Learning by numbers.(growth of Tesco PLC)
August 4, 2007... Can pharmacy learn from Tesco's success? Tracy West believes it can, starting with the ever popular Clubcard Nobody can dispute the power of Tesco. According to the latest TNS figures, it currently holds a 31.6 per cent share of the UK...

Online fee protest by 8,600 falls on deaf ears.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)
August 11, 2007... Petition not part of "official process" says RPSGB Jennifer Richardson A protest by more than 8,000 pharmacists at the 50 per cent rise in retention fees will not be recognised by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in its consultation on...

Q&A: Andrew Gush, RPSGB treasurer.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Interview)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... * Will the salaries of staff and directors be frozen? "I'm not on the remuneration committee so I can't comment directly. But we are an organisation which wants to recruit and retain the best possible people to serve our members, and any...

Fee increase covers past deficits.(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... The 50 per cent increase in retention fees will cover shortfalls in past years' budgets, Royal Pharmaceutical Society treasurer Andrew Gush has said. "The increase in fees this year is not just paying for the 7 per cent increase across...

Society opens for the day.(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is inviting members to its headquarters to learn about the work the Society does on behalf of the profession. The event, on September 23, hosted by president Hemant Patel, will include tours of the library...

IN BRIEF: New links for feedback.(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Independent Local Involvement Networks (LINks) with the power to hold the NHS and commissioners to account are to replace existing patient forums from April 2008, in an effort to improve feedback on local healthcare services. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: NCSO update.(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... The Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales have agreed to allow NCSO endorsements for the following items for August 2007 prescriptions: diamorphine 5mg, 100mg, and 500mg injection ampoules; mefenamic acid 250mg capsules. ...

IN BRIEF: Update store branding.
August 11, 2007... An updated your portfolio 2 catalogue is being issued by UniChem. It includes retail displays, seasonal and healthcare posters and improved POS, as well as the diabetes screening package in association with Roche Diagnostics. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: EU safety row.(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... A rule allowing pharmacists from the EU to practise in the UK without adhering to the same requirements as UK pharmacists will threaten patient safety, the RPSGB has warned. The Society has raised "grave concerns" over the proposed European...

IN BRIEF: Trading Gold.(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Rakesh Patel, chief executive of Goldshield Group, told the company's annual general meeting it is trading in line with expectations. Mr Patel said Goldshield has made progress since the start of the year, noting the launch of the company's fat...

IN BRIEF: Meeting for the future.
August 11, 2007... The Wessex Region branches, in collaboration with the Hampshire & IOW LPC, have put together a conference to ensure that pharmacists have the skills and knowledge to develop in the changing world of pharmacy. The conference programme and an...

Outbreak of foot and mouth.(Merial Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... An outbreak of foot and mouth disease on two farms in Surrey has been linked to a pharmaceutical firm specialising in the manufacture of animal vaccines. Investigators said there was a "strong probability" the outbreak had originated from...

Wholesalers predict distribution changes may affect new business.(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Jennifer Richardson Changes to pharmaceutical distribution could make it harder for pharmacists to buy their first business, two wholesalers have warned. The inability of some wholesalers to access the full product range could make it...

Brighton is best for students on a budget.(Royal Bank of Scotland PLC)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Brighton is the most cost-effective place to study pharmacy in the UK, according to research by the Royal Bank of Scotland. The RBS Student Living Index, which includes 12 UK towns with pharmacy schools, takes into account living costs...

Drug prices scrutinised.(United Kingdom. Department of Health)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... OFT report prompts DH to bring forward pricing of branded medicines Emma Wilkinson The Department of Health is to renegotiate the level of profit that drug companies can make from selling medicines to the NHS three years ahead of...

PBC Week: Step 3.
August 11, 2007... Step 3 of our seven-point guide to writing a PBC service proposal looks at how to carry out detailed research. For steps 1 and 2 and PBC templates see dotpharmacy.com/PBC A step-by-step guide to PBC Step 3 Detailed research ...

Chlamydia drug switch gains backing.(care and treatment of chlamydia)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Pharmacy bodies have unanimously backed the proposed switch from POM to P for azithromycin in order to further expand pharmacy sexual health services. In response to the consultation, which closed last week, pharmacy leaders said the...

Boots Community Hero of the Year.(Boots Company PLC)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Stirling pharmacist Kerry Payne was chosen as the Boots Community Hero of the Year out of more than 60,000 staff across 1,500 stores in the chain's Best of the Best Awards. The Pharmacist of the Year honour went to Milak Rahman at the...

Statins given safety boost by US study.(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Statins are safe to use in people with extremely low LDL cholesterol levels and may lead to improved survival, according to a US study. A survival benefit was observed in patients with LDL cholesterol levels less than 1.04mm/l and those...

IN BRIEF: MUR uptake drive.(UniChem PLC)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... UniChem has released a toolkit for increasing the number of MURs carried out in the pharmacy. It includes a wall progress chart to track performance, a question card for patients to fill in as they wait for their medication and patient posters....

IN BRIEF: PhwSI learning event.
August 11, 2007... NHS Primary Care Contracting is holding two workshops to support PCTs and pharmacists who are early adopters of the pharmacists with specialist interests scheme. The meetings - on October 2 in Leeds and October 11 in London - will provide...

Falls prevention.(National Pharmacy Association and East Sussex County Council and Local Pharmaceutical Committee)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... The NPA has joined forces with East Sussex County Council and Local Pharmaceutical Committee to help reduce falls in the elderly. The organisations have published a report highlighting how community pharmacy fits into local fall prevention...

IN BRIEF: Pet medicines on sale.(Lloydspharmacy)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... A trial of sales of veterinary products and medicines is being carried out through 10 Lloydspharmacy branches. A change in legislation means they can now offer preventive healthcare products for cats and dogs, such as flea sprays and worming...

IN BRIEF: Service with a smile.(planning of Superdrug Stores PLC)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Superdrug is planning to offer dental treatments in London, Milton Keynes and Brighton from this month. Customers will be able to undergo teeth whitening, breath freshening and hygienist treatments costing from #35 to #350 through the service...

IN BRIEF: Stop smoking advice.(laws, regulations and rules of smoking cessation)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... PharmacyHealthLink has launched smoking cessation guidance for pharmacists and their staff. It sets out the key distinctions between brief advice and brief interventions and explains how best to use different approaches when supplying a...

Nuttall says MURs need greater public exposure.
August 11, 2007... Government should fund a campaign to ensure understanding of services Max Gosney Co-op chief John Nuttall has called for a government-funded campaign to raise public awareness of medicines use reviews. Westminster should "play its...

Co-op gets China syndrome.(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... The Co-op is to launch a generics business in China to supply medicines to its UK pharmacy chain. The group's wholesale arm, Sants, will team up with drug firm Tasly Group China to build a #20m manufacturing site in Tianjin. The plant...

Nice: no to abatacept.(licensing, certification and accreditation of abatacept)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Abatacept (Orencia) should not be available on the NHS for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis, Nice has concluded in a draft technology appraisal. The drug is licensed for use in combination with methotrexate for the treatment of...

World Scouts Jamboree.(officials and employees of Positive Solutions)(Brief article)
August 11, 2007... Pharmacist Martin Jones consults with a patient from a makeshift pharmacy at the World Scouts Jamboree in Chelmsford, Essex. Mr Jones, also commercial manager at pharmacy IT supplier Positive Solutions, is part of a multinational pharmacy team...

Pharmacy Champions.(laws, regulations and rules of smoking cessation)
August 11, 2007... Helen Watton, of Cornwell's Chemist, Stafford, has set up a smoking cessation service in a local factory My senior sales assistant said: "It's a pity we can't go out to factories in the area as a lot of people will find the ban tough," and...

Your views: Global warning.(services of United Kingdom. Department of Health)
August 11, 2007... Rob Darracott considers the implications of the global sum transfer to PCTs Rarely does policy pan out in reality as it was conceived on paper. And the unintended consequences are often more important than the policy itself. A case in...

LETTER: Justifying the hike.(Letter to the editor)
August 11, 2007... I cannot believe that Hemant Patel is justifying the hike in retention fees with the argument that "some of the extra #5 million will also combat the RPSGB's pension defecit". Is this a pension I will benefit from? No. I am SO angry. I...