Chemist & Druggist articles from December 2008

Chemist & Druggist archives from December 2008

Comment from the Editor: 13.12.08.(Editorial)
December 13, 2008... Is the P category on its last legs (p10)? I seriously hope not - for everyone's sake. The past few years have seen a good many firsts for the P category - triptan, statin, antibiotics, two new painkillers, amongst others - while,...

Pill supplied without prescription.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Lambeth and Southwark will be first boroughs to take part in contraceptive pilot Zoe Smeaton/Edward Howell Pharmacists in south London look set to become the first in the country to provide the contraceptive Pill to women without a...

Fee hike for enhanced services.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Pharmacies pioneering enhanced services could incur higher premises registration fees than those offering only core contract requirements, under government plans. It is proposed that the profession's future regulator will be able to charge...

Call for cat M pack reform.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... A generics expert is hopeful multiple pack sizes will be removed from the April category M tariff. There remained about 60 cases of different reimbursement levels for the same generic medicine in different pack sizes in January's tariff,...

Responsible pharmacist consultation.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Responsible pharmacist (RP) guidelines are set to go to consultation in the new year. A meeting of an RPSGB-led steering group this week was dominated by debate over the clause in regulations that allow RPs to be absent from the pharmacy...

IN BRIEF: UDG cuts Phoenix supply.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... UDG, a pre-wholesaling firm that distributes pharmaceuticals and OTC drugs on behalf of manufacturers, has suspended supply to wholesaler Phoenix. UDG and Phoenix are in talks with PSNC to resolve the situation, the contract negotiator said....

IN BRIEF: Online POM service.(Perscription Only Medicine)(UniChem PLC and DrThom to develop online prescription service)(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Independent pharmacies will be able to fulfil remote private prescriptions on certain POM products in a scheme unveiled by UniChem. The wholesaler has entered into an agreement with online prescriber DrThom to develop services in selected...

IN BRIEF: PCT budget boost.(United Kingdom. National Health Service. Primary Care Trusts)(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... PCT funding will rise to #164 billion over the next two years, the government has revealed. Health secretary Alan Johnson said consecutive annual hikes of 5.5 per cent would give commissioners an average spend of #1,612 per person by...

IN BRIEF: Relationship breakdown.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... A breakdown in relations between big pharma and wholesalers may have contributed to the move to manufacturer-led supply deals, Phoenix chief executive Paul Smith has said. www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Health & beauty decline.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... The health and beauty sales decline continued last month, the British Retail Consortium has said. The year-on-year fall for November was only slightly better than for October, which was the worst drop in at least eight years. Shoppers traded...

EPS suffers fresh delays.(Electronic Prescription Service)(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Trials unlikely to begin until early 2009, says Connecting for Health Zoe Smeaton The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) has hit yet more delays, with pilots for release 2 still waiting to start. In July this year, Connecting...

Replacement smartcard woes.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Making pharmacists use a new smartcard system for release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) will put yet more administrative pressure on contractors, industry experts have warned. The release 1 card system will not be compliant...

PCTs not up to policing EPS nominations.(electronic prescriptions services)(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Plans to let PCTs ensure patients are not unfairly influenced when choosing which pharmacy to receive their electronic prescriptions from have sparked anger among the profession. Contractors and industry insiders said PCTs were not likely...

IN BRIEF: NI generics tendering.(Northern Ireland)(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... A third generics firm has quit Northern Ireland's generic tendering process. Genus Pharmaceuticals followed Teva and Actavis in walking away from the centralised drug purchasing programme last week. www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk ...

IN BRIEF: Let's talk about sex.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Advice on how to avoid sexually inappropriate situations with patients has been released by the RPSGB. Priya Sejpal, head of professional ethics, said: "As pharmacists undertake a greater clinical role it is of utmost importance...

IN BRIEF: AAH adjusts discount.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... AAH has announced a discount rate of 6 per cent will be applied to qualifying Janssen-Cilag products from January 2, 2009. The move reflects changed commercial terms between AAH and Janssen-Cilag. AAH is one of three wholesalers appointed to...

IN BRIEF: NCSO announced.(North Carolina Science Olympiad)(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... The Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales have agreed to allow NCSO endorsements for the following items for December prescriptions: * Cimetidine 400mg tablets * Hydroxyzine 25mg tablets * Ketoprofen 100mg...

IN BRIEF: PBC warning.(Survey)(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... A GP survey has sparked fresh warnings from industry leaders that pharmacists must boost their engagement with practice-based commissioning (PBC). A Department of Health survey found that the majority of GPs (62 per cent) back PBC, and almost...

IN BRIEF: Chronic conditions boost.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Pharmacists in Wales look set to play a crucial role in managing chronic conditions. Cath Savage, the RPSGB's director for Wales, said initiatives to help patients with chronic conditions had led to "lots of innovative programmes for pharmacy"....

Delays to resubmitted prescription payments.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Hold-ups due to extra checking procedures, says Prescription Pricing Division Jennifer Richardson Payments for prescription items requiring resubmission to NHS paymasters are being delayed, C+D has learned. A hold-up at the...

New body `undemocratic' claim.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Locums have voiced concerns about the `undemocratic' leadership structure of the new professional body. The lack of direct election to the organisation's governing body, the assembly, would be "the very opposite of democracy", said contributors...

Dispensing GPs square up to Society.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Dispensing doctors have disputed an RPSGB claim that dispensing is safer in pharmacies than in GP practices. The Society's remarks, made in its response to the pharmacy white paper consultation that closed last month, were "unfounded" and...

Opening rules unfair but Assura appeal fails.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Control of entry test sustains monopolies, says judge A top judge has hit out at monopolistic rules governing the opening of new pharmacies. The criticism came as Assura Pharmacy failed in its legal battle to overturn rejected pharmacy...

DISPENSARY TALK: 13.12.08.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Has the new professional body prospectus convinced you to join? "I haven't really made my mind up yet. I've been too busy to actually go through the prospectus so far. So the answer is, at this point, I'm sitting on the fence." David...

Building Bridges visit.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Don Touhig MP (Islwyn, Labour) cuts the ribbon on Mayberry Pharmacy's refurbished flagship store in the latest Building Bridges visit. The south east Wales chain's branch on Blackwood High Street now has a consultation room, and a dispensary...

Phoenix chief refutes bankruptcy rumours.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... UK wholesaler Phoenix has this week sought to distance itself from rumours of financial difficulties. It was "not Phoenix's normal practice to respond to rumour", said chief executive Paul Smith. "However, I seek to assure all of our...

ANALYSIS: Is there still a future for the P category?
December 13, 2008... As industry leaders gather to mark the 25th anniversary of POM to P switches, Kathy Oxtoby asks if the category can survive recent struggles It should have been a golden anniversary. Last week drugs firms, the MHRA, PAGB, pharmacists and...

ANALYSIS: Predicted POM to P switches.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Dr June Raine, the MHRA's director of vigilance and risk management, gives her POM to P switch predictions. Orlistat: "We're enthusiastic about switches that meet public health challenges and orlistat fits that category. We've been...

ANALYSIS: Me and my P medicines.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Vandna Patel, Elmers Pharmacy, Beckenham Value of P: "This category shows faith in our profession. If it wasn't there it would be the last nail in the coffin, considering the cutbacks with category M." Frustrations: "The speed that P...

XRAYSER: Party time comes early to Xrayser's pharmacy.
December 13, 2008... From under an avalanche of prescriptions, I noticed that a handful of patients have decided to start playing Christmas games early. They're after the sort of fun that should only be had after all the presents are open and everyone's got a belly...

PHARMACIST IN THE HOUSE: The pharmacy profession finally comes of age.(Editorial)
December 13, 2008... Once elected, it didn't take me long to learn that one of the quickest and easiest ways to generate a round of applause was to affirm that: "There should be no more structural change in the NHS." After some years in pharmacy and a lesser...

PHARMACY UPDATE: An increasing duty of care.
December 13, 2008... The third in a series on professionalism shows that much more is now expected of pharmacists 60-second summary * How has a pharmacist's duty of care become more onerous? Professional standards are constantly rising, eg keeping PMRs...

CLINICAL BRIEFS: Liver injury causes ranked.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Among drug classes, antibiotics are the biggest cause of liver injury, according to a USA study. Drug induced liver injury is caused by a wide range of medications, and herbal and dietary supplements. http://tinyurl.com/55m8b4 ...

CLINICAL BRIEFS: Benefitting leukaemia.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Data from two studies suggest adding rituximab (MabThera) to chemotherapy in the common CLL form of leukaemia doubles patients' chances of complete remission, and slows disease progression by 10 months. http://tinyurl.com/5zwh69 ...

CLINICAL BRIEFS: EC OKs combo for HCV.(hepatitis C virus)(European Commission)(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Combination treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin has received EC approval for re-treatment of hepatitis C in patients who have failed on an initial course of interferon alpha (pegylated or non- pegylated), alone or in combination...

CLINICAL BRIEFS: Poor adherence.(Brief article)(Clinical report)
December 13, 2008... Alcohol abuse measured by a brief screening questionnaire has been linked to medication non-adherence in a USA study. The study of 5,473 patients taking statins, 3,468 patients taking oral hypoglycaemics and 13,729 patients taking...

CLINICAL BRIEFS: Lactose-free options.
December 13, 2008... Lactose-free antidepressant formulations are listed in a table published by the National electronic Library for Medicines. The range includes 17 treatments in four classes of drugs. http://tinyurl.com/5l6c74 Copyright: CMP...

CLINICAL BRIEFS: Tacrolimus warning.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Astellas Pharma has warned health professionals that although both Prograf and Advagraf contain the immunosuppressant tacrolimus, they are not equivalent. Medication errors have resulted in serious adverse reactions, including acute rejection...

CLINICAL: Long-term thiazolidinediones double fractures in women.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Women who use thiazolidinediones long-term may double their risk of fractures, study results published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal have suggested. The researchers said a similar rise in fractures was not seen in men taking...

CLINICAL: Antivirals may halt progress of Alzheimer's.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Protein plaques found in Alzheimer's disease (AD) sufferers' brains may be partly caused by the herpes simplex virus, University of Manchester researchers claim. Results from the group's investigation into the role of herpes simplex virus...

CLINICAL: SMC accepts Xarelto, Relistor and Reyataz.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted treatments for preventing venous thromboembolism, and treating constipation in patients receiving palliative care, HIV in treatment-naive individuals and patients with acute coronary...

CLINICAL BRIEFS: Diabetes inequality.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... An audit of 1,742 children and young people with diabetes has revealed significant differences between the effectiveness of treatment in richer and poorer groups. Those from the most deprived areas had blood glucose levels on average 0.5 per...

CLINICAL ALERTS: MHRA Alerts.(Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency )(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Zithromax suspension 200mg/5ml, Powder to prepare 15ml (600mg) suspension (azithromycin) A peel-off label is missing from two batches of Zithromax Supension 200mg/5ml, powder to prepare 15ml (600mg) suspension. The instructions on the...

CLINICAL ALERTS: SPC Changes.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Neurontin capsules and tablets (gabapentin) New warning regarding suicidal ideation and behaviour in patients treated with antiepileptic medication. Pfizer, 01304 616161. CoAprovel 150/12.5mg, 300/12.5mg and 300/25mg tablets...

CLINICAL ALERTS: New Products.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... ViePax tablets (venlafaxine) Generic version of the immediate release depression and anxiety treatment venlafaxine. The existing patent expired on December 8, says the generic manufacturer. Dexcel Pharma, 01748 828784, dpl@professional...

PRODUCT NEWS: Sweet dreams, no sweat.
December 13, 2008... Estroven Nighttime has been launched, designed to help women cope with symptoms before, during and after the menopause. Joining the regular Estroven on shelf, the Nighttime variant can be used alone or alongside other menopause treatments,...

PRODUCT NEWS: Pain sent packing.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... A #1.5 million advertising budget is behind the ThermaCare range of therapeutic heat wraps, reports manufacturer Wyeth. The `Take a holiday from back pain' campaign began on December 1. TV advertising is ongoing until March, featuring a...

PRODUCT NEWS: Wiping out washday bugs.
December 13, 2008... Eradicil is a new medicated prewash for home laundry launching to consumers in January. Initially available through pharmacies, the product contains the antifungal 2-phenylphenol and antibacterial chloroxylenol. Together the agents act to...

PRODUCT NEWS: Anti-ageing Ester C.
December 13, 2008... Ester C is a new anti-ageing skincare range from Jason Natural Cosmetics. Comprising nine products - cleanser, toner, lotion, creme, hydrating masque, eye lift, skin toner balancer, serum and instant facial - Ester C harnesses the antioxidant...

C+D AWARD: Come on over, Valerie.(Chemist & Druggist)(Valerie Sillito awarded)
December 13, 2008... Valerie Sillito reveals to Jennifer Richardson the secrets of her success in being crowned Community Pharmacist of the Year at the C+D Awards 2008 Valerie Sillito file Name: Valerie Sillito Pharmacies: Since registering in 1978,...

SMOKING CESSATION AND WEIGHT LOSS: A helping hand.
December 13, 2008... Pharmacists and their staff are increasingly taking on services that traditionally would have been left to the GP or practice nurse. Emma Wilkinson looks at two examples making a real difference to the community In an attempt to halt...

PRODUCTS: Nicotinell scores with football fans.(Football League)(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Nicotinell is expanding on its sponsorship deal with the Football League with the launch of a new SMS competition and online mini-site. Loyal fans will be able to win money for their beloved football club by using the new Nicotinell...

PRODUCTS: An alternative to help smokers cut down.
December 13, 2008... A new product to help smokers cut down before quitting has been launched from Lanes Health. NicoBloc is a fluid containing water, corn syrup and citric acid and is applied to the end of a cigarette filter immediately before smoking. It is...

PRODUCTS: Scared quitters can try NiQuitin Pre-Quit.
December 13, 2008... NiQuitin has launched a `pre-quit lozenge', designed to help ease smokers into giving up. NiQuitin Pre-Quit Lozenges are part of a two to six-week structured programme for smokers who want to set a quit date but are scared of giving up all...

PHARMACY FINANCE: Number crunching.
December 13, 2008... Can the results of the C+D Pharmacy Partners Finance Survey give us any clues to help cope with the recession? Fiona Salvage analyses the figures No matter how hard you try, it is difficult to hide from the global credit crunch, economic...

PHARMACY FINANCE: Useful contacts for new services.
December 13, 2008... For diagnostic services, including anticoagulation: Patient Monitoring in Practice distance learning course from C+D and the Medway School of Pharmacy is available from C+D on 01732 377269 or www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/pharmacists For...

POSTSCRIPT: Weldricks wins for employee support.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Weldricks has been recognised for its employee support with a national award from the British Chambers of Commerce. The northern chain received the Excellence in People Development accolade at the 2008 Chamber Awards, celebrated at the...

OPEN MIKE: The not-so-secret diary of a new pharmacy owner.(Brief article)(Column)
December 13, 2008... Mike Hewitson is a glutton for punishment. In the midst of economic downturn and with first-time fatherhood looming, Mike has bought his first pharmacy. In this regular column, follow him from his former home in Cheltenham to Beaminster...

OTC: Editor's comment - December 2008.(Editorial)
December 13, 2008... What are your New Year's Resolutions? Lose weight, stop smoking, cut back on the wine? Personally I think you shouldn't wait for 1 January to change something, but for a lot of your customers it is the start of a new year and a new them. ...

OTC: MCA training scheme relaunches next month.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Counterpart Plus is relaunching in January with a new look and a simple registration system. Counterpart Plus is ongoing training for qualified MCAs delivered through OTC magazine each month. Three modules each month will cover different...

OTC: Donate blood at Boots.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Boots has become the first permanent high street setting for blood donation in a new blood donor suite at its branch in the Dolphin Centre, Poole. The collaboration between Boots and NHS Blood and Transplant is the first time a permanent...

OTC: Captain Bisodol to the rescue.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Captain Bisodol is a new character created by Forest Laboratories to feature in its latest advertising campaigns in the national press. Currently featuring in national newspapers such as the Daily Mail and the Sunday Express, Captain...

OTC: Correction: Manuka Health Honey.(Correction notice)
December 13, 2008... Last month we printed an incorrect phone number for Manuka Health Honey. The number should have read: 01782 567100. For more information visit www.manukahealth.co.nz or www.mgomanuka.com. Apologies for the confusion. Copyright: CMP...

OTC: Technicians subject to revalidation by 2012.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Revalidation to demonstrate registered pharmacy technicians' continued fitness to practise is to be introduced by 2012. Along with pharmacists, technicians registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain will have to...

OTC: Effective IBS therapies.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Fibre, antispasmodics and peppermint oil are all effective therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and should become first-line treatments, according to a study on www.bmj.com. IBS is characterised by abdominal pain and an irregular...

OTC: Smokers set up to quit with NiQuitin prequel.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... NiQuitin Pre-Quit is a new product from GSK designed to help smokers reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke ahead of a quit attempt. GSK says the product offers pharmacies a new business opportunity and a new option for smokers afraid of...

OTC: Blood glucose meter fits in your pocket.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... TRUEone is a new blood glucose testing system, said by manufacturer Home Diagnostics to be the world's smallest such all-in-one device. From a sample of 1 microlitre taken from the user's forearm or fingertip, the test gives a result in...

OTC: Wyeth invests in ThermaCare.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... ThermaCare Heat Wrap is the subject of a #1.2 million multimedia campaign from new owner Wyeth Consumer Healthcare. The TV ad will run from December to March and will include GMTV. The ad features a woman in her everyday life receiving...

OTC: A gift for the dog who has everything.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... With the RSPCA estimating that as many as half of UK dogs are now overweight and experts agreeing that one in 500 dogs will suffer from obesity-related diabetes, Lloydspharmacy has launched a Dog Pedometer (RRP #3.50). Dog owners can give...

OTC: Technician Tracy is 'most supportive'.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Tracy Perkins, technician at DL Ogle Ltd, was announced as the most supportive technician at the UniChem Pharmacy Awards last month. Tracy was nominated by her pharmacist for her integral role in the pharmacy team, managing much of the...

OTC: Managing childhood eczema.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Oilatum Junior questioned over 300 parents to find out the true impact of childhood eczema on family life, and found 34 per cent of parents feel there isn't enough information on childhood eczema available from healthcare professionals. ...

OTC: Technician's contribution recognized.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... A Lloydspharmacy technician in Swansea has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to pharmacy care. Kelly Hann won the Lloydspharmacy Pharmacy Technicians Award 2008 at the company's awards ceremony, sponsored by Actavis, at Billesley...

OTC: Chicago's musical buzz from Philips.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Philips has secured an exclusive partnership with hit West End musical Chicago in a deal designed to build brand awareness of its epilator range. Philips' logo and strapline will be included on all advertising materials for the musical, as...

OTC: Night time relief for menopause.
December 13, 2008... Estroven, a herbal supplement taken to relieve symptoms of the menopause, has added a new variant for night time symptoms. Estroven Nighttime contains 40mg of natural isoflavones from soya and Japanese arrowroot. It also contains vitamins...

OTC: Award-winning pharmacies: St James Pharmacy.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... St James Pharmacy in Woolwich, SE London, has been announced as the Mycota Foot First Pharmacy 2008. The pharmacy won a certificate, a glass trophy shaped as a number one and a pair of workwear shoes for each member of the pharmacy staff. Chris...

OTC: Award-winning pharmacies: Weldricks Pharmacy.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Weldricks Pharmacy, the Doncaster-based pharmacy group, collected a National Award for Excellence in People Development at the Chamber Awards 2008 last month. The Train to Gain sponsored award was presented to the company for its outstanding...

OTC: Dissecting the Which? Report.
December 13, 2008... OTC invited 10 people from community pharmacy to discuss the findings of the Which? report. Here are some of their comments. Patrick Grice: When you go into a pharmacy with your consumer head on, would you expect the person that you speak...

OTC: Living with IBS.(Irritable bowel syndrome)
December 13, 2008... AFTER A TRAUMATIC EARLY LIFE, SARAH DISCOVERED THAT STRESS AND IBS GO HAND IN HAND. HERE SHE TELLS US HOW IT HAS CHANGER HER LIFE Sarah Tackray Irritable bowel syndrome has been described as the gut's reaction to what is going on in...

OTC: Feeling fruity?
December 13, 2008... Healthy joints are crucial for an active lifestyle and studies have shown that joint-loving nutrients glucosamine and chondroitin can help. Health Perception's newly packaged Joint Flex Liquid Glucosamine & Chondroitin comes in a strawberry...

OTC: Belladonna plaster for aches and pains.
December 13, 2008... Cuxson Gerrard's Belladonna Plaster is ideal for assistants wishing to recommend an effective, traditional treatment for muscular aches and pains, particularly to people reluctant to take pills, says the company. The plaster contains...

OTC: Gut reaction.
December 13, 2008... THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY YOUR CUSTOMERS MAY SEEK HELP DUE TO STOMACH PAINS. HERE ARE FIVE SCENARIOS TO HELP YOU GIVE THE CORRECT ADVICE Jeremy Clitherow MBE, FRPharmS Indigestion is the general term used by most customers to describe...

OTC: Cherry aid from Tums.(Brief article)
December 13, 2008... Tums has introduced a new flavour just in time for the season of overindulgence. Cherry is the newest addition to the Tums indigestion brand, joining the existing orange, blackcurrant and lemon flavours. In addition, a shorter, stouter...

OTC: Know your herbals.
December 13, 2008... HERBAL MEDICINES ARE NO LONGER CONSIDERED THE PRESERVE OF HIPPIES AND CHINESE MEDICINE SHOPS. WITH RESEARCH REGULARLY DEMONSTRATING THEIR EFFICACY, HOW CAN YOUR PHARMACY SELL MORE? Mia Smaart There is no denying that herbal medicines...

Comment from the Editor: 20.12.08.(Editorial)(Brief article)
December 20, 2008... Back in the day, Blue Peter presenters used to dig up the gardens of Television Centre to bury a time capsule. Years later, if Shep hadn't got there first, memories of yesteryear were uncovered and future generations got a glimpse of life at...