Chemist & Druggist articles from June 2004

Chemist & Druggist archives from June 2004

Consortium faces up to `super-surgery' bid.
June 5, 2004... Macclesfield pharmacy contractors have formed a consortium in response to plans to amalgamate all six GP practices in the town into a `super- surgery'. The consortium of all but one of the towns' pharmacies has applied for a new pharmacy...

Low doses.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Drug treatment services may not be providing the optimal doses of methadone, the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse has warned. Daily doses between 60mg and 120mg show most benefit, but in Britain doses are below 50mg daily on...

Public health enemy number one: obesity.
June 5, 2004... Pharmacists could play a role in primary care obesity clinics offering diet and lifestyle advice alongside medical treatment, stated the Obesity report from the House of Commons Health Select Committee. However, the report "should have said...

Update MCQ enclosed.
June 5, 2004... This week's issue contains the questionnaire for the following Pharmacy Update modules carried in May: * Baby and child development part 7 (1302) * MND (1303) * TB (1304). Pharmacy Update is a distance learning programme...

`Skills for the Future' coming next week.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... On June 12 C&D is to publish the introduction to a 20-part distance- learning programme that will enable community pharmacists in England and Wales to qualify to provide advanced services under the new pharmacy contract. The PSNC-endorsed...

Among the winners.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A garden sponsored by the headache medicine 4head was among the winners at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. The King Arthur inspired garden called `From Merlin to Medicine' won a Silver Gilt Flora award in the show gardens' category. Over 250...

Contract support will `wane' without funding assurance, warns NPA.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Contractors' support for the new pharmacy contract will wane unless the DoH provides reassurance that it will be fairly funded, the NPA has warned. Despite the DoH's commitment that it wanted the contract to start as soon as possible, the...

NPA publishes discussion document.(National Pharmaceutical Association )(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... The NPA has published a discussion document on chronic disease management, which includes a summary of threats and opportunities for community pharmacy in this area. The document can be downloaded from the NPA's website at www.npa.co.uk ...

SPGC seeks chief exec.(Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council )(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... The Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council has begun advertising for a chief executive officer (see p35). Chairman Frank Owens said the decision to appoint a chief executive followed a review of SPGC operations. He added: "If we are to be...

RPSGB to launch toolkit for branch CPD meetings.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(continuing professional development )(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... The Royal Pharmaceutical Society will launch a toolkit to support continuing professional development at branch meetings. The toolkit will contain a framework to run branch meetings concerned solely with CPD, and 20 smaller CPD units that...

MP slams pharma industry.(Member of Parliament)(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Pharmaceutical companies have "subverted and perverted" science by "inventing new illnesses" to make money but NICE is to be praised, an MP has claimed. Drug companies have buried negative clinical trial data, invented new medical...

Industry sets sights on greater role in chronic disease management.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Pharmaceutical companies are set to play a greater role in chronic disease management and may even seek funding from PCTs, a GlaxoSmithKline director has suggested. As GSK already supported the NHS by providing project management skills,...

Men's Health Week.
June 5, 2004... Men's Health Week starts on June 14 and support material is available online and on CD-Rom, focusing on the theme of men and cancer. The Men's Health Week resource pack contains posters and factsheets on cancer, as well as excerpts from...

Chronically ill stop taking medicines on purpose.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A large number of newly diagnosed, chronically ill patients are likely to cease taking their medication soon after treatment begins, and often do so deliberately. A study led by Nick Barber from the London School of Pharmacy found that a...

Armed robbery in Glasgow.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A robber threatened staff with a gun during a raid on a Glasgow pharmacy last month. The masked man herded staff into the back of the shop before ordering pharmacist Scott McCammon to put benzodiazepines in a bag. The intruder did not ask...

Keen to liaise.(Mike Keen )(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Pfizer has appointed Mike Keen as national access manager (professional liaison). Mr Keen will leave his post as operations manager, Company Chemists' Association, at the end of June. He will be co-ordinating the management of Pfizer's...

Reasons to encourage self-medication.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... If just 5 per cent of prescribed medicines moved to self-medication, the total annual savings throughout the European Union's 25 states would be more than e16 billion. In the UK alone, the savings would be e1.4 billion, according to a...

Meter update.
June 5, 2004... Existing specification 51 peak flow meters will be deleted from the Drug Tariff on September 1 and replaced with devices conforming to a new standard. Only peak flow meters that meet the new standard will be reimbursed. Copyright: CMP...

Joint ventures must plan for pharmacy.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A community pharmacy strategy based on services and premises should be an integrated part of any joint venture planning process, the Scottish Pharmaceutical Federation has said. All stakeholders must be consulted at all stages and realistic...

CPD pack.(Coeliac Disease Resource Centre )(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... The Coeliac Disease Resource Centre has launched its third and final pharmacy education programme, Diabetes and Weight Control in Coeliac Disease. The unit has been awarded the NPA training seal, and it is worth 3.5 hours of continuing...

Boots plans share buy-back.
June 5, 2004... Boots Group plans to buy back up to #700 million of shares from shareholders, showing its confidence in its ongoing restructuring programme. Announcing a 5 per cent rise in sales to #5,326m for the year ended March 31, 2004, chief...

Phoenix takes stake in Rx Systems.(Phoenix Medical Supplies )(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Phoenix Medical Supplies has bought a minority stake in new IT solutions company Rx Systems (C&D, May 15, p12). Phoenix will now be marketing and recommending the Rx ProScript Dispensary Management and Head Office systems to the pharmacy...

Omega #95m spend on OTC brands.(Over the Counter)(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Belgian company Omega Pharma is to buy a portfolio of 60 European OTC and personal care brands from Pfizer for #95 million. The portfolio is concentrated in skincare, haircare, women's health, head lice treatment and upper respiratory...

GSK confirms new board appointments.(GlaxoSmithKline)(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... GlaxoSmithKline has confirmed that former Vodafone chief executive Sir Christopher Gent has been appointed deputy chairman (C&D, May 22, p10) and will then succeed Sir Christopher Hogg, who retires as non- executive chairman on December 31. ...

Report claims lives were saved.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A new report from economic consultancy NERA claims the treatment of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease benefits from innovative medicines in the UK. The Human and Economic Value of Pharmaceutical Innovation and Opportunities for...

PAGB PERSPECTIVE.
June 5, 2004... If all the packs of medicines on the UK market had to change, how would we improve them, asks Sheila Kelly, executive director at the PAGB It's not a rhetorical question: at the beginning of May, the latest pharmaceutical directives were...

Part of management development programme.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... As part of its management development programme, Northern Devon Healthcare Trust visited Alpharma Pharmaceuticals in Barnstaple last week. Priscilla Parkinson, HR director at Alpharma, said: "As a key generics medicines manufacturer in the UK...

SSL to slash #10m a year.(SSL International )(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Durex to Scholl manufacturer SSL International has posted a disappointing set of full year results, showing a pre-tax loss of #7.5 million for the period. Despite this, the group maintains its disposals programme is nearing completion,...

UniChem may benefit from control of entry regs.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... UniChem has had its shares upgraded by US broker Lehman Brothers, which is confident that the proposed relaxation in control of entry regulations will bring a boost to the wholesaler. UniChem's shares rose to 610p on the news, with Lehman...

Comment from the Editor.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Our lead story this week highlights the way that pharmacy contractors can work together to overcome a potential problem. Faced with a super-surgery where all of the Macclesfield GPs would be housed in one building, the pharmacists there...

OPINION.(Letter to the Editor)
June 5, 2004... Last week's question was: How do you think patients will be affected when provision of oxygen services is transferred from community pharmacy to oxygen suppliers? "You get to know your patients well when you go out on deliveries, and you...

Your views: Commons' obesity report good news for pharmacy.
June 5, 2004... The Commons Health Select Committee report is to be commended for its recognition of obesity as a major concern. Action cannot come soon enough and will have major implications for community pharmacy. The Department of Health wants pharmacy...

NORTHERN IRELAND NOTEBOOK: Death of a salesman?(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... One of the more subtle, yet less appreciated, changes has been the gradual disappearance of the company sales rep. With our national and indigenous multiples going from strength to strength and making up some 30 per cent of contracts in...

No such thing as a free lunch.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A GP in Glasgow is launching the UK division of No Free Lunch, a USA- based organisation that campaigns for the removal of pharmaceutical promotion from medical practice, education or research, later this year. The No Free Lunch website...

Time for us to all stand together.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... It was with mixed emotions that I read about Asda joining the NPA. Asda are the `bad guys' that triggered the loss of RPM and (inevitably) the control of entry requirements. The NPA are the good guys who support the independent pharmacists....

Lies over poor dispensing lead to second striking off in six years.
June 5, 2004... A pharmacist who admitted he lied about an incorrectly dispensed prescription to save his job at a North West London chemists, has been ordered to be struck off the Register for the second time in six years. Paul Victor Hillstead, of...

Small increase in registered pharmacists.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... The number of pharmacists on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Register increased by 2.4 per cent between August 2002 and August 2003. The 2003 Pharmacy Workforce Census Report, published last week, showed a slight decrease in the...

VPG CONFERENCE: Taking the bull by the horns.
June 5, 2004... `Opportunity knocks' was the theme of the RPSGB's Veterinary Pharmacists' Group spring meeting held on May 8-9. Steven Kayne reports The profession faces a great challenge in veterinary medicine because a new stage is now being set, said...

PHARMACY UPDATE: Preventing strokes.
June 5, 2004... Dr Mike Mead describes the lifestyle changes and drug treatment that can reduce the risk of ischaemic stroke Objectives * To be aware of the risk factors for stroke * To know the relative merits of drug treatments * To know...

Risperdal SPC change.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Risperdal (risperidone) is now licensed for the treatment of mania in bipolar disorder. In adults, risperidone should be taken once daily, with an initial dose of 2mg. Dosage adjustments should be made in increments of 1mg per day and at...

Pharmacists' vital role in patient BP.(blood pressure )
June 5, 2004... Pharmacists need to help patients understand the implications of high blood pressure to have any chance of patients taking their treatment and then reaching the targets demanded by the National Service Framework and the new GMS contract,...

Potential for losartan to cut nearly 3,200 UK strokes a year.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Researchers have estimated that losartan could prevent about 125,000 strokes in the European Union over 5.5 years, when used in a high risk group. In the UK this translates to nearly 3,200 strokes a year. The LIFE study (Losartan...

COX-2 linked to congestive heart failure.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A COX-2 inhibitor appears to increase the risk of congestive heart failure in elderly people compared with other selective and non- selective NSAIDs, claim researchers. Patients using rofecoxib had an 80 per cent increased risk of...

Natural mozzie repellent wipes up again and again.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A natural low odour mosquito repellent is being launched into UK pharmacies. Anti Mosquito dry wipes and spray contain menthoglycol, an extract of the Chinese eucalyptus citriodora plant. The micro-encapsulated wipes are impregnated...

Brighter outlook for earplugs.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... De Witt has introduced a new look for Earfit and Aquafit earplugs to help modernise the products and the earplug category. Earfit foam earplugs reduce noise levels while Aquafit silicone earplugs are designed to keep water out of the ear....

Home and dry in the bath.
June 5, 2004... The problems of keeping bandages and casts dry are tackled by a new medical product designed to protect the affected area while bathing. The Seal-Tight cast and bandage protector is designed for those with broken limbs or leg ulcers, giving...

Pills are Safe and Sound.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... The Safe and Sound range is being expanded with three pill boxes to help with patient medication compliance. The Pill Tower is for those who have many different pills to take at different times of day. It features seven daily pill boxes in...

Putting a fresh focus on Summer's Eve.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... This month sees the start of a #500,000 advertising campaign in women's magazines for the Summer's Eve feminine hygiene range. Running until August, the campaign is designed to raise awareness of feminine hygiene products and encourage...

Italian sparkle for oral care.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A range of premium toothpastes made by Martelli in Italy is being introduced into UK pharmacies. The Marvis range of toothpastes comes in three different minty flavours - Classic Strong Mint, Aquatic Mint and Jasmin Mint. The...

Murrays accessories have beauty in the bag.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Paul Murray is introducing a new Murrays beauty accessory range comprising three grooming pouches. The Application set includes a mirror, five eyeshadow applicators and a blusher brush. The Manicure set contains a nail buffer, manicure...

Summer special.
June 5, 2004... Lever Faberge is introducing a fresh new limited edition Lynx fragrance. Lynx Get Fresh will be available from the beginning of July until the end of September and is available in a bodyspray and shower gel. It will be supported by a #1.4...

Gaviscon change.
June 5, 2004... Reckitt Benckiser has reformulated its Gaviscon heartburn and indigestion tablets to improve the taste and texture. There is no change to the packaging. The brand is currently being supported by a #3.2 million TV advertising campaign. ...

Pharmacies putting on salon style.
June 5, 2004... Alberto-Culver will introduce its TRESemme haircare brand, which has previously only been sold in hairdressing salons, into pharmacies in August. The new TRESemme range is designed to offer salon quality shampoos, conditioners and styling...

C&D INTERVIEW: In defence of the individual.(Interview)
June 5, 2004... Mark Koziol established the Pharmacists' Defence Association last September. He describes his aims for the organisation to Charles Gladwin Mark Koziol has been in the pharmacy headlines recently. As one of the four Save Our Society...

BUSINESS STATISTICS: Spring boost to business.
June 5, 2004... Compiled by Peter Varley RETAIL SALES Retail sales growth accelerated in April and chemists' business increased sharply, according to survey evidence. But officials say the trend in high street sales growth is slowing, despite a small...

MULTIPLES: Facing the future.
June 5, 2004... As part of its preparation for the new pharmacy contract, Moss is piloting a `direct dispensing' service. Asha Fowells reports Since the Nuneaton branch of Moss Pharmacy was refurbished in February, patients have had more to get used to...

The perils of selling chewing gum in Singapore.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Pharmacists in Singapore will need to exercise caution when selling the latest deregulated product. Failure to do so could result in a fine of #1,600 and a prison sentence of up to two years. But the product subject to such strict...

Escape from Alcatraz.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Peter Beaumont, GSK hospital sales representative for Lamictal, is hoping to raise #1,000 for Epilepsy Action when he competes in a triathlon this weekend. But this is no ordinary triathlon. As a regular competitor in such events over the...

A Peak performance.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... Activa Healthcare marketing director Rob Holder was left nursing sore leg muscles after climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in one weekend recently. But he wasn't just climbing to the summits of Ben Nevis,...

Razor row cuts Wilkinson and Gillette down to size.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2004... A Dutch court has said that both Wilkinson and Gillette can claim their razors are the best, but warned that most people won't believe them anyway. Gillette had filed a lawsuit against Wilkinson over advertisements that implied the Quattro...

Superdrug's cash for HIV charity.
June 5, 2004... The Terrence Higgins Trust is #4,034 better off as a result of Superdrug's participation in National Condom Week. During the Durex-sponsored event that ran from May 10-16, Superdrug donated 50p from every pack of Durex condoms sold to the...

Charter changes.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... The RPSGB's new Council has voted unanimously to reconsider further changes to the new Charter. Save Our Society campaigner Nick Wood proposed at this week's Council meeting that the Society should tell the Privy Council that it wished to...

Self-care model funded by DoH.
June 12, 2004... The Department of Health and a Derbyshire PCT are to fund a pilot to test self-care in patients. The model will integrate three specific modules - prevention of coronary heart disease, minor ailments, and chronic condition management -...

Society devolution should be `flexible'.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... New devolution arrangements for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society must be flexible enough to accommodate possible regionalisation in England as well as the special requirements of Scotland and Wales, said RPSGB secretary and registrar Ann Lewis...

Wood is elected RPSGB president.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... Nicholas Wood was elected president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society at this week's Council meeting. Hemant Patel is the new vice-president and John Jolley the new treasurer. However, Privy Council nominee Michael Schofield resigned...

OTC ad ban to be lifted.(Over the Counter)(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... Regulations to remove the current ban on advertising certain OTC medicines to the public were laid in Parliament this week The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said last year that it would lift restrictions on advertising...

BM Test 1-44.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... Roche Diagnostics is discontinuing BM Test 1-44 diagnostic strips. Although stocks will be depleted by September, the test strips will be listed in the Drug Tariff until September 30 to allow pharmacists to dispense any remaining stock. ...

ZD additions.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... Atropine Sulphate Injection p/f syringe 3mg per 10ml and NutropinAq Solution for Injection 10mg per 2ml will be added to the Drug Tariff's Zero Discount List B from July. If no discount is received for products listed in List B, the...

Welsh election.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... The Welsh Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's recent election has seen Nuala Brennan and Paul Grimson elected, and Mair Davies and Sarah Cockbill returned to the Executive. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Free MOTs.
June 12, 2004... Olympic rower James Cracknell kicked off this year's Men's Health Week by promoting free `MOTs' at London pharmacy John Bell and Croyden on Monday. Pharmacist Dotun Adebayo is pictured measuring his blood pressure. A feature which ties in with...

Get your `Skills for the Future' here.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... Pharmacists wanting to qualify to provide advanced services under the new contract should look for the PSNC-endorsed `Skills for the Future' package in this week's issue of C&D. The 20-part distance-learning programme, written by Medway...

Consortium wins tender to write health strategy.
June 12, 2004... A consortium of two pharmacy and two public health organisations has been awarded the Department of Health's tender to write England's pharmacy public health strategy. PharmacyHealthLink, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Faculty of...

GSK faces Paxil lawsuit in USA.(GlaxoSmithKline)(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... GlaxoSmithKline has hit back at a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer that claimed it concealed negative results from trials of its antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine) in children. Mr Spitzer alleged GSK withheld results...

Medicines waste awareness campaign.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... Pharmacies across Somerset will be running a medicines waste awareness campaign this month. As well as encouraging patients to return out-of- date and unwanted medicines, pharmacists will be giving advice on ordering repeat prescriptions and...

Technicians' CPPE web.(Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education)(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... The Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education has launched a web portal for pharmacy technicians to offer training and support in their professional development. The site updates CPPE learning resources for technicians and pharmacists,...

NPA launches CD good practice guide.(National Pharmaceutical Association)(Controlled Drugs)(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... A Controlled Drugs good practice guide has been published in preview form on the National Prescribing Centre's website. Contained in the guide are both the current legal frameworks that healthcare professionals involved with CDs are...

Pharmacists can do more for public health.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... Although pharmacists are playing an important role in public health, there are great opportunities for more involvement, a public health expert has said. Public health is about striking a balance between the individual's requirements and...

Dispensing changes in New Zealand.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... Many community pharmacists in New Zealand have felt the effects of government regulations requiring them to dispense prescriptions in 90- day instalments. This has led to a substantial loss of dispensing fees, amounting to the equivalent...

Scotland consults on public smoking.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... Smoking in public places is the subject of a Scottish Executive public consultation, launched this week by deputy health minister Tom McCabe. The Executive will consider all options including legislation, but wants the Scottish public's...

GIRP debates EU.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... The issue of pharmacy in the enlarged EU was the subject of the European Association of Pharmaceutical Full-Line Wholesalers' AGM in Seville, Spain last week. This year's conference, Co-operation - Confrontation in the pharmaceutical...

Emergency care group set up.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... The UK Clinical Pharmacy Assocation has launched an emergency care practice interest group. The group reflects the development of more primary care-based initiatives for treatment of patients. The UKCPA says the group would value input from...

AAH relaunches Vantage.(AAH Pharmaceuticals)
June 12, 2004... AAH Pharmaceuticals has re-launched its Vantage Pharmacy brand, splitting its traditional offering into separate packages so pharmacists can match services to individual needs. Customers can still take the complete Vantage Refresh range,...

UniChem offers twice-daily GSLs.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... UniChem has launched a twice-daily delivery on GSL lines, claiming to be the only national wholesale distributor to offer such a service. Customers who order GSL lines with their medical order in the afternoon will receive the GSL product...

New guide from Chip and PIN.(Brief Article)
June 12, 2004... The Chip and PIN Programme Management Organisation has launched a guide for businesses entitled Get Ready for Chip and PIN. The guide takes businesses through the implementation process according to whether the terminals used are bank-owned...