Chemist & Druggist articles from February 2002

Chemist & Druggist archives from February 2002

Big plans for POM to P review.(Prescription Only to Pharmacy status changes for several medicines)
February 2, 2002... Pharmacists may be able to treat many more conditions in the future if a proposed list of medicines that may be suitable for switching from Prescription Only to Pharmacy status is accepted. Chloramphenicol eye drops, nystatin suspension,...

NPA offers help against terrorism.(National Pharmaceutical Association)
February 2, 2002... The NPA has offered its help in preparing a contingency plan to cope with any bio-terrorism attack. A letter has been sent to the Department of Health after discussions with the Pharmaceutical Group of the EU. It points out that the...

Helping people to take their medicine.(Pharmacy Practice Research Trust launches fundraising campaign)
February 2, 2002... The Pharmacy Practice Research Trust has launched a fundraising campaign to support its `Medicines and People' initiative. A manifesto published on Tuesday sets out a #10 million research programme which will investigate patients' knowledge...

Medicine changes raise alarm.(UK medicines classification process)
February 2, 2002... Proposals to change the medicines classification process to classify medicines by product (as part of the Marketing Authorisation) rather than active ingredient have raised concerns at the NPA. Its Board is arguing that such a move,...

Bayer begins trading on Wall Street.
February 2, 2002... Bayer rang in a new era as it began trading on Wall Street. Chairman and chief executive, Dr Manfred Schneider (centre), rang the opening bell at the New York stock exchange as its shares entered the NYSE listings at just over $33 (#23.42). Dr...

Contractors to lobby Downing St.(pharmacy contractors, UK)
February 2, 2002... Pharmacy contractors in Lambeth, Southwark & Lewisham are to host a "Pharmacy awareness week", where they will collect support from patients to present to the Prime Minister. "We want to make the public more aware of the free services that...

Scotland to pay pharmacists fee for PPC sales.(pre-payment certificates )
February 2, 2002... Community pharmacists in Scotland will be able to sell pre-payment certificates and recoup a fee from April 1. Participating pharmacists will be paid 7.5 per cent of the face value of the certificate. "Based on current charges, that equates...

Pet owners to have say.(Competition Commission seeks info on UK veterinary medicines)
February 2, 2002... The Competition Commission is seeking views from pet owners about their experiences with prices and the supply of pet medicines. The request is part of the Commission's investigation into the supply of Prescription Only veterinary medicines...

Advice for the over 55s.(Lloydspharmacy's information pack)
February 2, 2002... Lloydspharmacy has launched an information pack for the over 55s as part of its `social pharmacy concept', which is available through all 1,300 Lloyds branches. The pack, developed with Age Concern and Carers UK, contains brochures and...

Schering defends Levonelle consumer ad campaign.(Schering Health Care's ads for emergency campaign)
February 2, 2002... Emergency hormonal contraceptive manufacturer, Schering Health Care, has defended its advertising campaign for Levonelle. Media reports have quoted spokesmen from both the Church and pro-life groups, who have attacked the campaign because...

Boots puts across MDS message.(monitored dosage systems charges at Boots The Chemists Ltd.)
February 2, 2002... Boots' pharmacy superintendent, Digby Emson, has written to the BMA News and The British Medical Journal to explain why Boots is to charge for supplying monitored dosage systems. Mr Emson was responding to articles which suggested that...

APPG calls for swift progress with ETP.(All-Party Pharmacy Group; electronic prescribing)
February 2, 2002... Electronic prescribing (ETP) and electronic health records are crucial to the achievement of many of the objectives set out in the Government's Pharmacy Programme, the All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG) has said in its report to ministers. ...

NPA seeks PGD for flu.(National Pharmaceutical Association seeks patient group directions for flu treatments)
February 2, 2002... The National Pharmaceutical Association has written to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence to ask for consideration to be given to allowing flu treatments such as zanamavir to be made available through pharmacies via patient group...

NPA queries draft LPS plans.(National Pharmaceutical Association; local pharmaceutical services)
February 2, 2002... The National Pharmaceutical Association's Board is concerned that draft guidance on local pharmaceutical services lacks detail on how pilot submissions will be approved. It is also concerned that primary care trust funding may already have...

MP shown the value of pharmacy services.(Tim Loughton impressed by Adur Pharmacists Group services)
February 2, 2002... Adur PCG chief executive, Steve Phoenix, and local MP, Tim Loughton, are impressed by the services offered by pharmacists after meeting them in Shoreham, West Sussex on January 18. Mr Loughton, the Conservative shadow health spokesman, said...

Audit Office highlights NHS Direct shortcomings.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 2, 2002... NHS Direct is not being used by the patients who need it most and the service is failing its performance targets, says a National Audit Office report, published last week. Ethnic minority groups, younger people, those aged over 65 years,...

NPA will make submission to the Shipman Inquiry.(The Inquiry is examining posible changes in the health car ystem to safeguard patients.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... The NPA is to make a submission to the Shipman Inquiry, as it believes it will have several implications for community pharmacy. The Inquiry, set up after the Hyde GP Harold Shipman was found guilty last year of murdering patients, will...

Superdrug launches `brown bag' campaign.(To encourage customers to turn in out of date and unwanted medicines)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Superdrug is running a national campaign, called Brown Bag Month, during February to encourage customers to bring old, out of date and unwanted medicines into its pharmacies for free disposal. Branded brown bags are being made available...

MPs debate branded generics.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Health minister Hazel Blears has told MPs that any changes made to the current system for the purchase and remuneration of medicines will not jeopardise the savings generated by the discount inquiry. Her remarks came during a House of...

Boots may rethink overseas strategy.(Boots Company PLC)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Boots is reported to be shifting its retailing strategy outside the UK from running its own stores to operating concessions within other retail outlets. Boots is already trialing the concept, which is similar to its arrangement with...

AAH trade marketing team.(AAH Pharmaceuticals marketing team established)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... AAH Pharmaceuticals has set up a trade marketing team based at its Coventry headquarters. The four-strong team, headed by Esther Hooley, will develop and implement marketing plans for AAH's service to independent pharmacies, regional...

Independents may gain bigger voice on PSNC.(Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Independent pharmacy multiples may get increased representation on the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, to reflect more closely the number of NHS contractors they represent. Sue Sharpe, PSNC's chief executive, told delegates...

GSK plays down hints of R&D spin-offs.(GlaxoSmithKline)(research and development)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... GlaxoSmithKline is playing down reports that it could spin-off its six "centres of excellence for drug discovery", which were created last March (C&D March 3, 2001 p24) in the wake of the merger. Speculation about the future of these...

COMMENT FROM THE EDITOR.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
February 2, 2002... The outcome of a three pronged strategy to help achieve the commitment in the NHS plan to make more medicines available over the counter is revealed this week (see p6 and p36). The scope of the therapeutic categories and the drugs within them...

YOUR VIEWS: Fundamental decisions need to be made.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... RPSGB Council member Alan Nathan explains why pharmacists face critical choices Within the next year the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council will make decisions that could fundamentally change the way the Society is run. Pharmacists...

New life stirs on the home turf.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Not since the 1960s, when the local branches of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland were active, has there been so much grass roots activity. Local pharmacists who have been passive for 30 years, and a whole new generation that...

No more extra work for the NHS.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Talk about putting the cart before the horse! The Department of Health has just issued its impressive Clinical Governance in Community Pharmacy guidelines on good practice for the NHS. Unfortunately these do not include any suggestions about...

Still seeking enlightenment.(regarding Accu-Check from Roche Diagnostics)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Thankfully Roche Diagnostics has clarified some of my concerns about the company's Accu-Chek range of blood glucose meters (C&D Your Views, p38, January 26). Unfortunately, in some areas I am no more enlightened now than before my last...

A remedy not to be sneezed at.(A standardised herbal extract of butterbur may be effective in treating hay fever)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Hearing on the news that a reported clinical trial in Germany has found that a standardised herbal extract of butterbur is as effective as cetirizine in treating hay fever, I expected a rush of customers. Perhaps it has been the January gales...

Keeping up good practice.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... The Government's plans for clinical practice for community pharmacists imply a need for significant support from PCTs A little later than scheduled, the Department of Health has finally unveiled its plans for community pharmacy's...

Pharmacist who lied is struck off.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... A pharmacist who lied to his employers about not being registered and gave a guesthouse as his address has been struck off. Philip Francis Sloane, registered at Rose Grove, 1 Catton Grove Road, Norwich, Norfolk, practised as a locum at the...

Covert operation snares unqualified dispenser.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Undercover pharmacy inspectors watched as unqualified staff supplied methadone to "scruffy" regulars, a disciplinary hearing was told on December 11, 2001. Inspectors targeted Kenmo Chemists of 54 Park Street, Luton, on November 23, 2000,...

Food for thought over PMS pain.(dietary recommendations)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... In the second part of our series on PMS, Lorna McIntyre, research assistant at Bioforce UK, examines how diet influences the symptoms Dietary change is an important but simple step in helping to tackle premenstrual syndrome. The main aim is...

Fusidic acid tackles impetigo in children.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Fusidic acid has been shown to be more effective than placebo in the treatment of impetigo in children when used in combination with povidone-iodine. In a randomised, placebo-controlled trial, 184 children visiting GPs in Rotterdam...

Vomiting virus is not at epidemic levels, says PHLS.(Public Health Laboratory Service)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Levels of infection with the "winter vomiting" virus are as expected for this time of year, said a spokesperson for the Public Health Laboratory Service this week. Despite claims in the press of an epidemic, the PHLS says that although the...

Contact lens solutions failing.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... A popular contact lens solution has been found to be ineffective against Acanthamoeba species, a major risk factor for eye infections. The Austrian study, in the latest edition of the British Journal of Ophthalmology, showed that Oxysept...

Alcohol reduces risk of dementia.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a decreased risk of dementia in people over 55, according to a new study in The Lancet. In a prospective population-based study nearly 8,000 people were monitored over six years. In...

Combined chemotherapy `effective'.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... A combination of two chemotherapy agents has been found to be effective in treating women with relapsed ovarian cancer. In a study of 98 women whose cancer had returned after initial platinum- based treatment, the combination of cisplatin...

Concerns over sodium valproate in pregnancy.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Epileptic women who gave birth to children with birth defects and learning disabilities because they took sodium valproate during their pregnancy are suing the NHS, claims a report in The Times this week. Some 20 parents, backed by legal...

FDA tells GSK to amend Seroxat data.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... GlaxoSmithKline has issued a warning to patients and doctors in the US that Seroxat (paroxetine) can cause physical dependency. "A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible," says the...

Discreet solution for weak bladders.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Tena has launched Tena pants Discreet for people who suffer from weak bladders relatively regularly. This affects around 200,000 people, who can daily lose 300-1,500ml of urine. Tena pants Discreet has an extra absorbent core to...

Valupak herbal remedy range gets seven extras.(from BR Pharmaceuticals)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... BR Pharmaceuticals has extended the range of herbal remedies marketed under the Valupak brand. Joining the existing products (gingko, ginseng, St John's wort and echinacea) are Alfalfa (500mg), Agnus Castus (75mg), Aloe Vera (600mg),...

Express yourself.(Cannon Avent has products for the breast-feeding mother on-the-go)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Cannon Avent has introduced the Avent Isis "Out And About" set, which is aimed at extremely busy mothers who want to express breast milk away from home. The set uses the Avent Isis breast pump and enables mothers to store the breast milk...

Herbal relief for indigestion.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Herbal Concepts has expanded its licensed herbal medicine range with Indigestion Relief. The new brand treats the indigestion, nausea and colic often associated with over-eating, or eating rich fatty foods. Its active ingredients are...

Glaxo extends Epivir range.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Glaxo Wellcome launched Epivir (lamivudine) 300mg tablets on February 1. The film-coated tablets are indicated as part of antiretroviral combination therapy for the treatment of HIV infected adults and children. Unlike the existing...

New generics from Alpharma.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Alpharma will launch citalopram (10mg, 20mg, 40mg), ciprofloxacin (100mg, 250mg, 500mg, 750mg) and cetirizine 10mg tablets this month. Ranitidine effervescent tablets (150mg, 300mg) will be added to the generics range in March. The new...

Less UTI risk with catheter.(urinary tract infections; Hollister makes InstantCath Protect)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... A catheter designed for patients with neurogenic bladders who have repeated urinary tract infections is available on Drug Tariff from February 1. InstantCath Protect, which is available from Hollister, includes an introducer tip to bypass...

Bodyform goes Micro.(possibly the world's smallest pantyliner)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... What is claimed to be the world's smallest pantyliner (a listing in the Guinness Book of Records has been applied for) is being launched by SCA into the Bodyform range. Bodyform Micro is designed for women who want to feel safe throughout...

Time to get sporty.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Biobas wants to broaden the distribution of its range of pre and post sports products. The range is based on essential oils. Warm:Up is a pre-sport muscle balm based on oils of black pepper, thyme and rosemary. Warm:Down is a muscle...

Garnier enjoys a fruitful birthday.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Laboratoires Garnier has relaunched its skincare and haircare portfolio with improved packaging and a host of new products, many using the natural essences of fruit, as it celebrates its 10th birthday. Newcomers under the Synergie banner...

Mosi-Guard beats the blues.(contracts with Thomson Holidays for marketing promotion)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 2, 2002... Mosi-Guard International has teamed up with Thomson Holidays to offer holiday discounts worth a total of #12 million. "Monty's Great Holiday Giveaway" promotion, through the Mosi-Guard Natural insect repellent range, offers on-pack vouchers...

Red and silver.(Pharmavita Ltd. introduces product packaging)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Longo Vital, a herbal food supplement with multivitamins, has been repackaged in a red and silver box. The product claims to be the best selling food supplement in Denmark. Price: #9.95 Pack size: 60. Pip code: 219-0247 ...

Malibu adds to suncare range.(Malibu Health Products introduces outdoor skin products)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Three new products have been launched into the Malibu suncare range for 2002. SPF30 high protection lotion is waterproof and offers high protection for adults with sun-sensitive skin. It has a three star UVA rating. Moisturising...

Kodak in #5m ad campaign.(five million pounds sterling television advertising campaign)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 2, 2002... Kodak is investing #5 million in a national TV campaign throughout the year to make more consumers aware of its picture processing service. The ads will run over key D&P periods - Easter, bank holidays, summer and Christmas. In...

The eyes have it for Nytol.(GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare television advertising campaign)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Herbal remedy Nytol is back on television nationally in an #800,000 (MEAL) advertising campaign running from February 2-28. The 10-second commercial is a refreshed version of the "Loads of Eyes" theme which ran last November and December,...

Gillette offers Cup prize.(2002 World Cup Soccer promotion)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 2, 2002... Gillette is running on-pack promotions offering consumers the chance to attend the 2002 FIFA World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan. Promotion winners from around the world - 50 countries are involved - will also be able to compete with each...

The next generation.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... The NHS Plan includes a commitment to make more medicines available over the counter. The Medicines Control Agency, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and OTC manufacturers have been working on a radical new POM to P' agenda In future...

Glucosamine - is it worth shelling out for?(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... The nutritional supplement glucosamine has become a popular treatment for the relief of arthritic symptoms. Vanessa Sherwood looks at the rising fortunes of a substance which begins life as crustacean shells The first study of glucosamine...

Getting the urge to 'erbal.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Janet Groves, chairman of GR Lane Health Products, gives a personal view of the future of herbal medicine in the UK Natural medicine has been in existence for over 4,000 years, but in its modern form it represents only a very small...

What the papers say.(reports on reflexology)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... * Health professionals should be aware of the widespread use of complementary medicine in children, say the authors of a survey published in the British Journal of General Practice. The results revealed that 17.9 per cent of children had...

Needles score.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Pharmacists need to make sure that their knowledge of complementary medicines is up to date if they want to increase sales, reports Vanessa Sherwood Acupuncture has been found to be effective for post-operative nausea and vomiting in...

Public favour licensing.(herbal products customer survey)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 2, 2002... A survey by Herbal Concepts last year revealed that 86 per cent of people who had not previously bought herbal medicines said they would do so if pharmacists could tell them more about the products. Overall, the number of people who would...

Innovative additions to Calcia.(Peter Black Healthcare introduces new vitamins)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Peter Black Healthcare has expanded the Calcia range with the introduction of Calcia Glucosamine with calcium and vitamin D. Three tablets daily provide 1000mg glucosamine, 800mg calcium and 5mcg vitamin D. The pot of 90 tablets retails at...

Weleda explores the alternatives.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Pharmacists will have the opportunity to learn more about herbal and homoeopathic medicines straight from the horse's mouth. Weleda is planning a series of two-day courses for pharmacists through the year, starting in April. The...

Savlon's natural success.(Novartis Consumer Health marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Since its launch last spring, Savlon Natural sales have established a good market hold. The company plans to increase this with an aggressive trade and consumer marketing campaign. Over #200,000 will be spent on advertising in the women's...

High potency glucosamine.(Seven Seas High Potency Glucosamine Sulphate with Omega 3)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Following the success of other products in its glucosamine range, Seven Seas has launched a new supplement: High Potency Glucosamine Sulphate with Omega 3. Each capsule contains 500mg of glucosamine sulphate. The company says the joint...

A prescription for CPD.(continuing professional development; Ailsa Benson interviewed)
February 2, 2002... Ailsa Benson retired from the National Pharmaceutical Association this week after 21 years. Here she talks to Adrienne de Mont about the state of play on CPD and support staff training A regular daily dose - five to 10 minutes morning or...

What makes shoppers tick?
February 2, 2002... Knowing what goes on in shoppers' minds when they're buying a cold/flu treatment could give you an edge. Emma Attock, Reckitt Benckiser's customer development manager, reports Wouldn't it be great if we could really understand the...

ABPI - Appointment.(Martin Anderson appointed director of commercial affairs at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Pharmacist Martin Anderson has been appointed director of commercial affairs at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. He joined the ABPI four years ago and has acted as secretary to a number of key ABPI advisory groups. Before...

Multiple Sclerosis Society - Appointment.(Mike O'Donovan named CEO)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Mike O'Donovan has been appointed chief executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. He will join the Society in April from his current post as vice-president (strategic management and planning) at GSK Consumer Health. He has been a trustee of...

Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs - Appointments.
February 2, 2002... Dr Sarah Cockbill, a senior research associate at the Welsh School of Pharmacy, has been appointed to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs veterinary products committee. Professor Howard Stevens of the Department of...

Phoenix Healthcare - Appointment.(Barry Loder and Craig Spurdle appointed information technology managers)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Phoenix has split the responsibilities of its information technology team. Craig Spurdle becomes retail IT manager, while Barry Loder becomes wholesale IT manager, charged with developing invoicing and statements. Copyright: CMP...

Weston Medical - Appointments.(Khawar Mann named business development director, Toby King named R&D director)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Khawar Mann has been appointed business development director of Weston Medical, while Dr Toby King becomes director of R&D. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Ribena might never be the same again.
February 2, 2002... Did you know that around a third of the blackcurrants used to make Ribena are grown by Norfolk farmers? This little know fact appeared in the Dereham & Fakenham Times recently, along with a warning that European bureaucrats are threatening to...

Hackers take out NPA website.(National Pharmaceutical Association)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... The National Pharmaceutical Association unveiled its new corporate website last week. (C&D January 26, p11). However, no sooner was it up than it was down again as Russian hackers (how do they know they were Russian?) targeted e-commerce sites...

Tesco's `supermarket sweep'.(Tesco Pharmacy advertising campaign wins best work of the year award)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2002... Tesco Pharmacy's recruitment advertising campaign won the title of best work of the year, best campaign and best advert in the health, science, social care & charity sector at this years' Recruitment Advertising Awards(RADs). In an...

Scottish pharmacy strategy launched.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2002... Pharmacists in Scotland can look forward to a greater profile and more responsibilities following Monday's publication of the Scottish Executive's pharmacy strategy. Around #750,000 is being provided for more improvements to pharmacy...

Pharmacy advisor chosen for NHS 24.(nurse-led telephone triage service)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2002... NHS 24, the nurse-led telephone triage service due to be launched in Scotland this spring, has appointed Debbie Jamieson as pharmacy advisor. Ms Jamieson will be responsible for setting up the pharmacy interface which will allow the...

Travel fund announced.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2002... A travel fellowship to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee is being offered by the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The fellowship, worth #2,000, will be awarded to a young pharmacist to enable them to...

New training module.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2002... The second of Nelsons' four modules, How to Counter Prescribe a Selection of OTC Homoeopathic Remedies, is now available. Over 1,600 pharmacists have registered for Nelsons' homoeopathy training modules, which were launched in November last...

Government's Action Plan covers pharmacy reforms.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2002... A timetable for pharmacy reforms - part of a wide-ranging shake-up of legislation for businesses and consumers - has been published this week. The Regulatory Reform Action Plan is the Government's strategy to make legislation for...

EHC to have a judicial review.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2002... A High Court hearing next week will decide whether pharmacists will be able to supply emergency hormonal contraception in future. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children's judicial review of over the counter sales of EHC will...

MS treatments to be made available on the NHS.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2002... The community pharmacy supply of drugs for multiple sclerosis should not be affected by the changes proposed by the Department of Health this week. However, as C&D went to press it was uncertain whether the reimbursement process may alter. ...

Training for POM to P switches.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2002... A working group involved in the new POM to P reclassification process has urged manufacturers to show that they have considered health professional training when planning to switch a product. The information and training group (C&D,...