Chemist & Druggist articles from December 2007

Chemist & Druggist archives from December 2007

Comment from the Editor.(Editorial)
December 1, 2007... With all the home countries missing out on next summer's European football championship, there have been renewed calls for the return of the home nations tournament, last held in 1984. Twenty three years ago, all four home nations finished...

Calls to formalise role in obesity management.
December 1, 2007... Community pharmacists are underused resource, says Scottish project Jennifer Richardson Community pharmacists are an "underused prevention resource" in weight management and the Scottish Government should consider formalising their...

Dispensary Talk.
December 1, 2007... Will the white paper further relax control of entry? "It will. It's already got easier with 100-hour pharmacy. We were the first and since then the floodgates opened. But being able to open a pharmacy and being able to run one are two very...

MHRA reveals anti-counterfeiting plan.(United Kingdom. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The MHRA has unveiled its first anti-counterfeiting strategy, following the recall of four batches of fake medicines from the UK market this year. But pharmacists need to see the UK medicines regulator's list of at- risk medicines to...

IN BRIEF: Pseudoephedrine guide.(laws and rules of Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The RPSGB has issued a law and ethics bulletin on the sale of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine-containing products. Staff may sell PSE products if they are "trained or undertaking training relating to pseudoephedrine and ephedrine issues". If...

IN BRIEF: Resource for school visits.(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... A resource to teach children to use medicines safely and effectively is available to National Pharmacy Association members. `Asking About Medicines As We Grow Up' is designed for pharmacists delivering information at schools. You can download...

IN BRIEF: Pharma slams Oxfam.(reports of Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry )(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has hit out at Oxfam for accusing the pharma industry of not doing more to provide access to medicines in developing countries. The ABPI said the charity's report `Investing for Life', put...

IN BRIEF: Ask about medicines.
December 1, 2007... Pharmacists are encouraged to enter the Ask About Medicines Awards for Excellence 2008. The awards recognise excellence in providing information for medicine users. The closing date is February 29, 2008. For more information or to enter go to...

IN BRIEF: `Normalise' condoms.(officials and employees of Family Planning Association )(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Family Planning Association chief Anne Weyman has called for an end to the "prudish, Victorian attitude" around condom advertising. Commenting on a government report issued this week, she said: "This is about taking public health seriously and...

IN BRIEF: UniChem beauty boost.(UniChem PLC)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... UniChem has appointed a dedicated health and beauty buying team in a bid to offer improved trade pricing on key lines. Customers will get a list of offers in a monthly publication. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Support for national minor ailments scheme.(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Suggested risks not borne out by evidence, PAGB reception hears Jennifer Richardson Academics and GPs voiced their support for a national pharmacy minor ailments service (MAS) at a parliamentary reception last week. King's Fund...

Pharmacists could cut A&E admissions.(officials and employees of Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Pharmacists should be considered for involvement in primary care triages that filter admissions into casualty departments, Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Jeremy Holmes has suggested. GP Howard Stoate MP told the Proprietary...

Industry ponders GP plans.(reports of pharmacists)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Thirty-eight PCTs with the poorest GP provision in England will gain 100 surgeries over three years, health secretary Alan Johnson has announced. Both national and local pharmacy representatives welcomed the move to address health...

Book-in for treatment to improve mental health.(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Pharmacists could assist patients using self-help books to cope with mental health problems, under a scheme that has been launched in west Norfolk. Through the book prescription service, primary care workers prescribe recommended books,...

Interview: Holmes on the case.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Interview)
December 1, 2007... Under pressure from policy makers and under fire from pharmacists, Jeremy Holmes tells Max Gosney how he will turn things around for the RPSGB Three and a half months into the job and Jeremy Holmes must wonder if HR might have issued him...

Clinical Alerts: MHRA recalls.
December 1, 2007... Chloramphenicol 0.5 per cent eyedrops (FDC, Almus and Ivax liveries), timolol 0.25 and 0.5 per cent eyedrops (FDC, APS, Almus and Ivax liveries), hypromellose 0.3 per cent eyedrops (FDC livery). Recalled due to rough surface on dropper tip....

Clinical Alerts: SPC changes.(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Campral 333mg tablets (acamprosate). New warning on monitoring alcohol- dependent patients for symptoms of suicidality. Corsodyl spray, mouthwash and dental gel (chlorhexidine). Text revised to include hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis...

Clinical News: Rotavirus vaccine gives good protection.(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... European study endorses use of Rotarix against rotaviris gastronenteritis Asha Fowells GSK's rotavirus vaccine Rotarix has been shown to be highly effective against rotavirus gastroenteritis of any severity. A paper published in...

FDA investigates adverse events associated with varenicline.(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The US drug regulator FDA is evaluating post-marketing adverse events after aggressive and erratic behaviour led to the death of an individual who took varenicline in an attempt to quit smoking. The Food and Drug Adminstration has asked...

Clinical News: DH antivirals for half of UK.(planning of United Kingdom. Department of Health)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The government plans to stockpile enough antivirals to treat half the UK population in the event of an influenza pandemic. The new Department of Health flu pandemic plan also states that it will buy nearly 15 million courses of antibiotics...

Clinical Alerts: Supply issues.
December 1, 2007... Liquivisc eyedrops 10g (carbomer 974P). Transfer of product between companies delayed, with resulting disruption to supply. New stock likely to become available in early 2008. For more information, contact Allergan on 01628 494444. ...

Xrayser: The great CPD escape.(analysis of continuing professional development )(Viewpoint essay)
December 1, 2007... I'm relieved that CPD won't become mandatory till 2010 (C+D, November 24, p6), because I was starting to worry about the fact that I hadn't done any. As 2008 approaches, the standing joke among my staff that I would be struck off next year...

Your views: National funding needed for weight management schemes.(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... I would like to echo the comments made by Sue Sharpe (C+D, November 17, p18) challenging pharmacy to tackle the obesity epidemic. With the right support and the right focus, pharmacy can deliver some fantastic results in tackling this...

Locum at large: Programmed for IT failure.
December 1, 2007... One of the disadvantages, some may say advantages, of being a locum is that you have to learn how to use a variety of PMR/labelling systems. All the major companies appear to be in the process of constantly updating their systems and every...

Pharmacy Update - Menorrhagia: an overview.
December 1, 2007... With OTC tranexamic aid imminent, what role do pharmacists have in treating menorrhagia? Key points * Menorrhagia is a common problem, affecting around 5 per cent of women. Before initiating treatment a full history must be obtained to...

Product News: Controls tighten on baby milk market.(United Kingdom. Department of Health and United Kingdom. Food Standards Agency)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Stricter controls on the promotion, labelling and composition of infant and follow-on formula milks have been announced by the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency. In order to encourage breastfeeding, the government wants...

Product News: All-in-one blood glucose testing.(product information of Roche Diagnostics Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The Accu-Chek Compact Plus is a new blood glucose monitoring system from Roche Diagnostics. Said to look like a mobile phone, the device combines a detachable lancing device, a test strip drum and a meter. It halves the number of steps needed...

Product News: Free radicals check.(product introduction of Health SOS )(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Health SOS has launched a machine said to reveal the body's true biological age. Using a pinprick blood test, the Oxi-Med measures the levels of free radicals in the body. Results are shown within 60 seconds. Dietary and lifestyle advice...

Product News: Storming onto TV.(product information of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Night Nurse liquid cold and flu treatment begins a TV ad campaign this week. Running until late January, the `Rainswept' ad shows a cold sufferer on his journey home and delivers the message that `Night Nurse provides powerful, complete...

IN BRIEF: Bumps and bruises.(product information of Brunel Healthcare)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Three new characters have been added to the Boo Boo Buddy cold therapy gel packs from Brunel. The Polar Friends - a penguin, Inuit and seal - are designed to numb pain quickly while distracting children from their discomfort. Strips of six...

Product News: Snack is sweet enough.(product introduction of sugar free snacks)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Nature's Sugar Free snacks have been launched in the UK, positioned as a convenient option for health-driven, on the go consumers. Made from non-GM grains and seeds, the products are free from cholesterol and trans-fats, artificial colours,...

Product News: Omron weighs in.(Omron Healthcare UK)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... A body composition monitor has been launched by Omron. The BF500 calculates body fat, visceral fat surrounding organs and skeletal muscle percentage. It gives a graphical interpretation of the fat percentage and BMI. Visceral fat can...

Product News: Technical appeal.
December 1, 2007... The Energizer battery brand has unveiled a new identity, aiming to appeal to "high tech families". Ultra+variants have more vibrant colours while the Energizer Ultimate is now 25 per cent more effective in high tech devices, says...

Pharmacy Champion: Best foot forward.(officials and employees of Richmond Pharmacy )(Viewpoint essay)
December 1, 2007... Raj Rohilla of Richmond Pharmacy in Surrey has developed a "one-stop shop for your feet", including footcare ranges, footwear, orthopedics and in-house podiatrists Under the white coat * When I was growing up I wanted to be a train...

Scotland the brave.(opinions of employees of AAH group )
December 1, 2007... With a pioneering new pharmacy contract, Scotland has taken a proactive role in getting the most out of its community pharmacy network. Jennifer Richardson looks at the key developments and asks pharmacists what the new contract has meant for...

View from the border.(reports of pharmacy by Andy Murdock of Lloydspharmacy)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Dealing with both the Scottish and English/Welsh contracts, UK-wide pharmacy chains have an insider's view on their differences and similarities, what's working and what less so. They explain how the two measure up. Andy Murdock, director...

Prescribing aplenty.(reports of prescribing pharmacists)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... At the last count, Scotland had 251 prescribing pharmacists. That's 6 per cent of its pharmacist population, double the UK's overall 3 per cent level. Community Pharmacy Scotland's chief spokesperson Alex MacKinnon tells C+D why this is so...

Northern lights.
December 1, 2007... Scottish stars on their latest projects and what the new contract means to them. Campbell Shimmins is a supplementary prescriber who runs several clinics from his two pharmacies in Dunfermline and Doune. "We do a heart failure clinic,...

DTP danger.(distribution agreements of Pfizer Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Despite contract differences, pharmacists on both sides of the border have many of the same concerns: Scotland's chief pharmaceutical officer Bill Scott and Community Pharmacy Scotland both name Pfizer's direct-to- pharmacy distribution deal as...

Leadership: Taking a lead.(analysis of leadership)
December 1, 2007... What is your personality type? What kind of a leader are you? Anita Houghton explains how to build on your strengths while managing your weaknesses Judging by the number of courses and books on leadership that are available, you would have...

Comment from the Editor.(reports of pharmacy)(Editorial)
December 8, 2007... "Thousands of chemists hand out emergency contraceptive on demand to under-age girls," the Daily Mail's front page reported on Monday. Under a "controversial" government scheme to cut teenage pregnancies, young women seeking EHC are "asked only...

EHC concerns spark anger.(reports of emergency hormonal contraception )(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Pharmacists defends the supply of EHC under patient group direction Zoe Smeaton Industry leaders have reacted angrily to reports highlighting concerns over pharmacists' provision of emergency hormonal contraception to young girls. ...

NPA backs College plans.(National Pharmacy Association )(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... The National Pharmacy Association has backed the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's plan to form a professional leadership body. Speaking at an evidence submission of the Clarke Inquiry on Wednesday, head of practice Colette McCreedy said the...

Viagra provision can boost men's health.(British Medical Association)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Dispensing Viagra under schemes such as patient group directives could reduce male patients' exposure to online counterfeits and increase diagnosis of other conditions, experts have said. On November 29 the British Medical Association...

Scotland outlines script plans.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... The Scottish Government has announced detailed proposals for abolishing prescription charges. Health and wellbeing secretary Nicola Sturgeon confirmed to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday that prescriptions would be free by April 2011,...

IN BRIEF: High Court referral.(powers and duties of Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... A pharmacist reprimanded by the RPSGB Statutory Committee for taking home #2,000 found in a box of patient returns, has had her case referred to the High Court because the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence thought the sanction too...

IN BRIEF: Palliative care funding.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... The Scottish Government has announced it is to organise a workshop to consider how palliative care and out-of-hours services can be integrated into the community pharmacy contract. It has confirmed an uplift in funding for palliative care model...

IN BRIEF: Scotland payments.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... The Scottish Government has relaxed deadlines determining eligibility for contract preparation payments, for pharmacists succeeding a contractor previously on an NHS board pharmaceutical list. Successor contractors must be on the pharmaceutical...

IN BRIEF: Reimbursement.(drop in price of phenytoin )(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... The category M reimbursement price for phenytoin 100mg tablets (28 pack) will drop to #40 from January 1, the Department of Health has said. The confirmation follows an increase from #53.51 to #113.62. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: New ABPI President.(Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and AstraZeneca PLC)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Chris Brinsmead, UK president of AstraZeneca, has been named president designate of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. He succeeds Nigel Brooksby of sanofi-aventis. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Membership funds #1m shortfall in premises fee.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)
December 8, 2007... RPSGB warns deficit per pharmacy will be financed through individual fees Jennifer Richardson Pharmacists are shouldering a deficit of #1 million after the Department of Health rejected the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's request for a...

`Let pharmacists prescribe all controlled drugs,' MPs told.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Pharmacists should be allowed to prescribe all controlled drugs, the government's drugs advisor has told ministers. Under the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' (ACMD) proposals, pharmacists would be able to supply or administer...

Cancer reform strategy.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Five-year plan praises role of community pharmacists Zoe Smeaton Pharmacists are set to play a key role in the delivery of a #370 million government strategy to boost cancer care. The scheme, outlined this week in a report unveiled...

Dispensary Talk: Will your business suffer over delays to EPS 2 rollout?
December 8, 2007... "It's going to have a positive effect because stage one is still having problems. I had it installed six months ago and it worked very well initially. Since then I've had problems. The barcode scans but the prescription doesn't come down." ...

Cash for consultations.(finance of Ashton, Leigh & Wigan Primary Care Trust)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... A primary care trust has offered contractors up to #10,000 to install consultation rooms in a bid to push for more pharmacy services. Ashton, Leigh & Wigan PCT will reimburse contractors 75 per cent of their costs, up to a maximum of...

Lung Cancer Awareness information campaign.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Mike Hancock CBE, MP for Portsmouth South, tests carbon monoxide levels in his lungs on a visit to Rowlands' Fratton Road pharmacy in Portsmouth last week. Pharmacist Oliver Carter and staff at the store supported November's Lung Cancer...

IN BRIEF: Herbal remedy warning.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... The MHRA has issued a warning over the following unlicensed traditional Chinese medicine herbal products: Xiao Qin Long Wan, Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan, Bai Tou Weng Wan and Xie Gan Wan. They are thought to contain aristolochic acids, which can...

IN BRIEF: Cooked food cancer fear.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... A new study claims chemicals produced in certain foods when they are fried, grilled or roasted can increase the risk of endometrial or ovarian cancer. Researchers at the University of Maastricht found that women who consume 40mg of acrylamide...

IN BRIEF: Hepatitis C campaign.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... The Department of Health is running a national campaign to raise awareness of hepatitis C. The FaCe It campaign will feature in national newspapers and on regional radio stations across England until December 16. Copyright: CMP Information...

IN BRIEF: GSL Nicorette Inhalator?
December 8, 2007... The MHRA is seeking views on the proposal to reclassify Nicorette Inhalators from P to GSL. Comments for the consultation should arrive at the MHRA no later than January 15. http://tinyurl.com/yw8v94 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Stop smoking success.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... NHS smoking cessation services are reducing health inequalities, according to researchers from the University of Bath and the University of Edinburgh. They found that smokers from poorer areas are using the NHS to get advice on quitting more...

IN BRIEF: Praise from president.
December 8, 2007... Royal Pharmaceutical Society president Hemant Patel praised hundreds of members who took part in the Society's Pharmacy 2020 consultation. More than 50 meetings have taken place across Britain to collect members' views on the future of...

Co-op's 1,000-store aim.(growth of Co-operative Group (CWS) Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Organic growth and acquisitions on target to meet expansion plan James Clegg The Co-operative Group has put ambitious growth plans into action with the acquisition of more than 50 new branches. The UK's third biggest pharmacy chain...

Majhu eyes top spot.(management of Apple Pharmacy)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... A restaurant entrepreneur who branched into community pharmacy four years ago has snapped up three pharmacies as part of plans to build the biggest independent chain in Scotland. Sanjay Majhu, chief executive of Apple Pharmacy, expanded the...

Cat M fears still fresh.(UniChem PLC)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... UniChem customers have voiced fresh concerns about the final settlement on category M prices, saying the changes could wipe up to #45,000 from their bottom line. Chris Martin, president of UniChem's customer forums, said: "Category M is...

Dispensing errors tackled.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Dispensing errors have been tackled by the National Patient Safety Agency in two booklets advising pharmacists how to reduce the risk of errors. The guides will be sent out to pharmacists and are backed by the RPSGB. The advice focuses on...

Clinical News: MHRA EPO warning.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Recombinant human erythropoietins should not be given to patients who do not fulfil the criteria for treatment in the cancer indications, the MHRA has warned. Over-correction of haemoglobin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease...

Clinical News: Statin intolerant patients OK to take Ezetimibe.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Treatment suggested as alternative for primary hypercholesterolaemia patients Gavin Atkin Nice has issued guidance recommending ezetimibe (Ezetrol, Merck, Sharp and Dohme and Schering-Plough) as an alternative primary...

Clinical News: Try honey for kids' coughs.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... A dose of buckwheat honey before bed may give children better relief from cough and difficulty in sleeping than dextromethorphan or no treatment, according to a report in December's issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. A...

Clinical News: Linking to ETP could cut errors.(electronic transfer of prescriptions)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Linking dispensing to electronic transfer of prescriptions (ETP) could prevent nearly half of dispensing errors, say pharmacists at the NHS Centre for Medication Safety and Medication Quality. Data collected from 11 UK pharmacies involving...

Clinical News: Sinusitis treatments may be ineffective.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Common treatments for acute sinusitis including an antibiotic and a topical steroid have been shown to be no more effective than placebo, according to a comparison published by JAMA. In the study, 240 patients with acute non-recurrent...

Clinical News: Cost rules asthma guidance.
December 8, 2007... Cost minimisation appears to be the main thrust of the latest Nice guidance on inhaled corticosteroids for children under 12 years with chronic asthma. The guidance states: * For children in whom an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is...

Clinical News: Dosulepin precautions.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Pack sizes of the tricyclic antidepressant dosulepin have been reduced in size, and health professionals have been warned to restrict prescribing quantities to reduce the risk of overdose. Additionally, initiation in new patients should be...

Leaflets on childhood immunisation.
December 8, 2007... Two leaflets on the childhood immunisation programme have been published by the Department of Health. The first booklet covers all the vaccines given up to 13 months of age but describes in detail those given at two, three and four months,...

The Big Question: How would pharmacy fare under the Conservatives?(Interview)
December 8, 2007... Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley tells James Clegg how the Conservatives would tackle contracts, competition, commissioning and public health How would pharmacy change under a Conservative government? Andrew Lansley: To deliver a...

Xrayser: Will the leopard ever change its spots?
December 8, 2007... Confucius said: "Only the wisest and stupidest of men don't change." You can't disagree with that, but the trick is knowing when you're being wise and when you're being stupid. It's much easier to see if changes being forced on you are one or...

CCA comment: No time for complacency - we must keep our promises.(United Kingdom. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency)
December 8, 2007... I was going to apologise for returning to an old subject, but the news in last week's C+D (December 1, p9) about the jailing of a man for producing crystal meth in his Peterborough home means no apology is necessary. When the...

Pharmacy Update: New perspectives on vitamin B12.
December 8, 2007... Recent advances include improved diagnostic tests for cobalamin deficiency and possible oral treatment Key points * Vitamin B12 deficiency, whose prevalence increases with age, is a common cause of megaloblastic anaemia and can trigger...

Clinical: Target ED men for heart risk call.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... A study published by the International Journal of Clinical Practice has added to evidence that erectile dysfunction predicts cardiovascular disease, and that men with ED should be targeted for prevention. The authors noted recent Princeton...

Clinical: Pharmacists want prescribing support.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Asha Fowells The vast majority of pharmacists are aware of supplementary prescribing, but most feel they do not have enough support to undertake the training. Over 1,700 pharmacists in Great Britain were surveyed for the research,...

Clinical: NPSA fire warning.(United Kingdom. National Patient Safety Agency)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Leaflets on the fire hazard presented by paraffin-based emollients used with dressings or clothing are now available. The National Patient Safety Agency is advising pharmacists to counsel patients using products such as white soft paraffin and...

Clinical Alerts: New products.(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Curatoderm 4mcg lotion 30ml (tacalcitol). Reckitt Benckiser, tel: 01482 326151. Atripla tablets (efavirenz 600mg, tenofovir 300mg, emtricabine 200mg). Gilead Sciences, tel: 01223 897400. Optaflu prefilled syringe (influenza vaccine)....

Clinical Alerts: SPC changes.(summary of product characterisitics)(Brief article)
December 8, 2007... Protium range (pantoprazole). Inclusion of recommended dosage for adolescents. Detrusitol range, including XL (tolterodine tartrate). New side effects added. Cardura tablets (doxazosin). Retrograde ejaculation added to undesirable...

IN BRIEF: Parental guidance.
December 8, 2007... Understanding Children's Illnesses is the latest title in the Family Doctor series. By Dr Teresa Kilgour, the book aims to help parents better understand the more common childhood illnesses. Conditions such as asthma and head lice are covered,...