Chemist & Druggist articles from June 2007

Chemist & Druggist archives from June 2007

Double discovery of fake drugs.
June 2, 2007... Mass recalls follow discovery of counterfeit Zyprexa and Plavix in the UK supply chain Jane Ellis Authorities have issued mass recalls of Zyprexa and Plavix after the discovery of counterfeit versions of the schizophrenia and anti-...

Ministers back e-record access.(pharmacies to maintain medical records)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Ministers have backed proposals for pharmacists to be allowed access to electronic patient records but admitted there are concerns over patient confidentiality. Caroline Flint, health minister, told MPs in a Parliamentary written reply...

CfH urges individual pharmacists to upgrade their sytems.(Connecting for Health, Extended Pharmacy Services)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Connecting for Health has urged individual pharmacists to upgrade their systems for release one of EPS as soon as possible or risk being left behind by the major pharmacy retailers. Tim Donohoe, CfH's group programme director for EPS, said...

Vox pops.(Letter to the editor)
June 2, 2007... "Some independents I've visited are well ahead of the game. However, others have a tendency to stick to what they know rather than invest in change. Pharmacy has received the IT funding so they should invest now." Andy Charlesworth,...

Internet main risk area of crystal meth outbreak, says PSNC.(Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Target illegal internet pharmacies if you are serious about stopping the supply of crystal meth to the UK, PSNC has told the government's medicines regulator. MHRA proposals to stop pharmacies selling pseudoephedrine and ephedrine fail to...

Pharmacy has vital role in flu pandemic.(Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... More should be done now to involve pharmacies in preparing for a flu pandemic, PSNC has told the Department of Health. A national minor ailments scheme through pharmacies would allow patients to access medicines to treat flu symptoms at NHS...

IN BRIEF: Internet logo.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... The Royal Pharmaceutical Society will roll out its internet pharmacy logo at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in September. The logo aims to certify legitimate internet pharmacy businesses. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Co-op quits VAT.(Co-operative Pharmacy bans value-added tax for antismoking drugs )(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... The Co-operative Pharmacy has reduced the price of quit smoking products by the equivalent of the VAT element to encourage smokers to give up ahead of next month's smoking ban in England. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: VBP could increase spend.(value-based payments)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Health economist Professor Karl Claxton of York University has supported Office of Fair Trading plans to price drugs according to their benefit to patients, but has warned that value-based payments could be overly generous to pharmaceutical...

Crime watch.(Alliance Pharmacy attracted police presence to improve relations with community)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Alliance Pharmacy in Barton has attracted a permanent police presence as forces look to improve relations with the local community. Barbara Wager, acting pharmacy manager at Alliance Pharmacy, said: "The pharmacy was put forward to...

IN BRIEF: PSNC wants your views.
June 2, 2007... Before it responds to the OFT study of medicines distribution in the UK, PSNC is inviting pharmacists to give their views on, and experiences of, the Pfizer scheme by completing a survey at www.psnc.org.uk by June 6. Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: LCG awareness.
June 2, 2007... The NPA and Sangers are organising two events on working with local commissioning groups in Northern Ireland. They are at 7pm for 7.30pm, June 27 (Hilton Templepatrick) and 28 (Glenavon, Cookstown). www.npa.co.uk Copyright: CMP Information...

IN BRIEF: Delay for CPPQ in Wales.(Community Pharmacy Patient Questionnaire)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... No official date has been announced for the Community Pharmacy Patient Questionnaire for Wales. Community Pharmacy Wales said there are issues around the use of the Wales NHS logo and the bilingual policy. www.cpwales.org.uk Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: CDs under PGD.(National Pharmacy Association)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... The NPA has backed proposals to enable pharmacists and nurses to possess, supply and administer diamorphine and morphine for pain relief under patient group directions, as well as removing restrictions on where this supply or administration can...

IN BRIEF: Support for pharmacy.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... The NHS Pharmacy Education and Development Committee and UKCPA Education and Training Special Interest Group are developing resources for pharmacy staff involved in education, training and workforce development. www.nhspedc.nhs.uk ...

Council member hits out at `poodle' royal college.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society Council )(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Branch told that members should make these decisions, not the DH Tom Hawkins A Royal Pharmaceutical Society Council member has launched an attack on the government's approach to establishing a royal college for pharmacy. Doug...

IN BRIEF: MPs tackle out-of-hours care.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... MPs have called for a review of out-of-hours care after a 41-year-old septicaemia sufferer died despite consulting eight different doctors for help. The Commons Select Committee on Health is investigating mistakes that resulted in the...

Wider use of naproxen urged.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Proposals to make naproxen available from pharmacies to women with period pain should be widened to other health conditions, the NPA has said. The MHRA launched a consultation in April to discuss the feasibility of reclassifying naproxen...

IN BRIEF: Being special.(pharmacists accrediation)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Pharmacists with a special interest should be reaccredited at least every three years, new guidance for PCTs states. The step-by-step guide to accreditation of PhwSIs also includes advice on setting up a publicly available local list of length...

IN BRIEF: Aspirin for some cancers.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Regular use of aspirin reduces the risk of colorectal cancers that overexpress Cox-2, but not cancers that express it weakly or not all, an immunohistological study of cancer specimens has revealed. N Engl J Med 2007;356:2131-42 ...

IN BRIEF: RA drug approved.(Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... The novel Bristol-Myers Squibb rheumatoid arthritis abatacept (Orencia) has been approved for use in Europe. It is indicated for use in combination with methotrexate in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who are intolerant or...

IN BRIEF: COPD prescribing update.(chronic obstructive lung disease )(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... An NPC bulletin has concluded that the widely-publicised TORCH study of salmeterol and fluticasone combination treatment in COPD supports the cautious approach of existing Nice guidelines. http://tinyurl.com/ypez8w Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: CD prescribing support.(controlled drugs )(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... The NPA is supporting the proposal in consultation letter MLX338 for pharmacists and nurses to be able to prescribe a full range of controlled drugs for a full range of conditions within their area of competence. Copyright: CMP Information...

Patients at odds with MURs, says BMJ study.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Lack of public awareness restricting new services, claims BMJ editorial Gavin Atkin A BMJ editorial, written by a Canadian academic sociologist, has questioned pharmacists' ability to play an increasing role in primary care following...

Fill the gap in NHS travel health.(National Health Service)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Pharmacists should take advantage of the lack of travel health provision in the NHS and set up their own services, a leading academic has urged. Professor Larry Goodyer, head of Leicester School of Pharmacy at De Montford University, told...

Locum at large: What price public safety?(Column)
June 2, 2007... Some pharmacists are now working up to 80 hours a week. But is anyone taking any notice? How many hours a week do you work? How many hours are you contracted to work if you are employed by one of the major groups? Take the latter away...

Opinion: Let's stop meth in its tracks.
June 2, 2007... Rob Darracott explains why the CCA is putting its weight behind C+D's Stop the Switch campaign What is the problem the MHRA is trying to solve? The MHRA's statutory duty is to ensure the public has safe access to medicines and...

Opinion: Pseudoephedrine - some issues.
June 2, 2007... Bob Dunkley gives the bid to control the sale of pseudoephedrine a background check In the wake of the attempt to control the sale of pseudoephedrine in pharmacies by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) it is...

Comment from the editor.(Editorial)
June 2, 2007... What exactly do the UK health departments think of community pharmacy? Are pharmacists part of the big picture for the future development of primary care health services or just an add-on private provider delivering a cheap and efficient...

Your views: Newspapers fuel debate over diabetes.(Column)
June 2, 2007... Terry Maguire reflects on drugs versus lifestyle change in preventing the `new plague' Health is an increasingly important topic for our daily newspapers and its coverage is getting better as it becomes an effective vehicle to stimulate...

Northern Ireland Notebook: Electronic links.(Brief article)(Column)
June 2, 2007... The old chestnut that too many patients not exempt from prescription charges avoid paying is as old as Coronation Street. Some years back the head of the DHSSPS was summoned to London and severely admonished on this and prescription fraud....

Xrayser: Bring on more threats.(Brief article)(Column)
June 2, 2007... My initial response to the NPA's call for increased vigilance when selling pseudoephedrine (C+D, May 26, p5) was, "oh no, what now?" and "what's the point when you can buy these products freely from the newsagents next door anyway?". But...

Xrayser: Counterfeits and their implications.(Pfizer Inc. recalls Class 1 drug, Zyprexa)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... A Class 1 drug recall is always cause for concern because it means there is serious risk to patients' health. Luckily they happen rarely, but in a perfect world they wouldn't happen at all. From a professional point of view last week's...

Xrayser: A fridge or a work of art?(Brief article)(Column)
June 2, 2007... The NPA's standard operating procedures have proved invaluable in helping me meet new contract standards and in raising my game generally. Almost as importantly, perhaps, they have saved me the time required to write my own. The latest...

Pharmacy Update: Dangerous liaisons.
June 2, 2007... This article reviews the symptoms and management of the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia Key points * Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in many areas. * Most chlamydia sufferers are unaware they...

Nice recommends prescribing omega-3 after myocardial infarction.(National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence )(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Nice guidance on secondary prevention of myocardial infarction advises health professionals to consider prescribing omega-3-acid ethyl esters in patients who have not increased their dietary intake. Patients are advised to consume at least...

Rosiglitazone patients should seek advice at next doctor's appointment.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... The European Medicines Agency has issued a statement advising patients taking rosiglitazone (Avandia) to continue their treatment but to ask their doctor for advice at their next routine appointment. The statement follows a New England...

IN BRIEF: A GP practice has cut COPD-related.(general practitioners, chronic obstructive lung disease)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... A GP practice has cut COPD-related hospital admissions by 82 per cent by warning patients when weather forecasts predicted conditions likely to cause exacerbations. The patients were given room thermometers, provided with self-management...

IN BRIEF: A group of eminent scientists and doctors.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... A group of eminent scientists and doctors have written a second letter to NHS managers calling for an end to spending on homeopathy. Following an earlier letter a year ago, The Times reported that 86 of the 147 PCTs have now abandoned or...

IN BRIEF: Mefloquine is not associated in controlled trials.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Mefloquine is not associated in controlled trials with higher rates of neuropsychiatric adverse events than other malaria chemoprophylaxis drugs, according to a review published in JAMA. Also, it does not significantly impair performance when...

IN BRIEF: The Food Standards Agency.(wheat flour to be fortified with folic acid )(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... The Food Standards Agency has drawn up a document arguing for wheat flour sold in the UK to be fortified with folic acid by law. The proposal is supported by Folic Acid Action, which says it could prevent neural tube defects in up to three...

Department of Health says no alcohol in pregnancy.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid alcohol - but if they do drink, should consume no more than one or two units a week, says the latest nationwide DH advice. The CMO for Northern Ireland Dr Michael McBride said that...

Half of warfarin bleeds may be preventable.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Nearly half of all serious haemorrhages and half of all thrombotic events in patients taking warfarin may be preventable, the authors of a meta-analysis by Canadian researchers have suggested. The study, published in the Canadian Medical...

Products & Marketing: Eye, eye, this looks new.(Abbott Laboratories. Murine Co.)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Eyecare brand Murine has launched a range of daily drops. For contact lens wearers, Wet & Clean is a refreshing drop said to improve lens comfort by cleansing the lens in situ. They are formulated with a non- irritating preservative system,...

Products & Marketing: Nasaleze adds hint of mint.
June 2, 2007... Nasaleze has been relaunched with added mint and repositioned as a general allergy treatment, with less emphasis on hayfever. The flavour has been introduced so users can tell they have inhaled the cellulose powder, which coats the nasal...

Products & Marketing: Australian suncare range is talking Sunsense.
June 2, 2007... Australian suncare brand Sunsense has added two new products to its portfolio. The Ultra SPF50+ 500ml pump offers a light, smooth, non- greasy sun protection solution for application all over the body. It is water resistant for four hours in...

IN BRIEF: Nivea gives a Big Hand.(Nivea France)(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... Nivea has again given its backing to Cancer Research UK's Race for Life initiative. The women-only 5km races are taking place until the end of July at 280 venues. It is the fifth year the skincare brand has been involved in the events and this...

IN BRIEF: Sensitive addition.
June 2, 2007... Enamel Care Sensitive is the latest addition to Arm & Hammer's portfolio. The product removes the cause of sensitivity by sealing teeth and protecting exposed nerves, says Church & Dwight. It also contains baking soda to deep clean and restore...

Products & Marketing: Carnation's cracking launch.
June 2, 2007... The Carnation footcare range has been extended with the launch of Cracked Heel Cream. Formulated to revitalise and rehydrate feet, the cream includes 20 per cent urea and peppermint. The summer months are a prime time for feet to suffer and...

Promotion is a page turner.(Wilkinson Sword Ltd. marketing agreement with Penguin Books Ltd.)
June 2, 2007... A female-focused media support campaign has been launched by Wilkinson Sword, the first time the brand has targeted women. The on-pack promotion sees Wilkinson teaming up with publisher Penguin to offer free books. Running until the end of...

Sun, Dead Sea minerals and sand.
June 2, 2007... A range of suncare products has been launched by Dead Sea skincare company Ahava UK. Mineral Suncare is designed to protect, repair and moisturise sun- exposed skin while additionally offering anti-ageing benefits, says Ahava. ...

Scar prevention in spray and gel formats.
June 2, 2007... Kelo-cote has been launched by ABT Healthcare for the treatment and prevention of scars. When applied to scars, the product forms an ultra thin layer that reduces redness, flattens and makes scars less painful, says ABT. Two formats are...

IN BRIEF: MenaQ7 makes its debut.
June 2, 2007... A vitamin K2 supplement has been launched by Springfield Nutraceuticals. MenaQ7 contains menaquinone 7, the natural form of vitamin K2, which is said to help maintain heart and bone health. Supporting the launch, PR activity will run throughout...

Bepanthen debut is soothing introduction.
June 2, 2007... Bepanthen nappy care ointment makes its television advertising debut on June 4 in a national campaign that runs until August 12. The ad features a mum soothing her baby's nappy rash and uses the strapline "Cares and protects from the causes...

Products: Fresh Aquafresh.
June 2, 2007... Aquafresh has been given a facelift with new packaging across the core range. Said to give a modern look, the design features a starburst to illustrate energy and vitality and educational text to encourage regime purchase. The familiar three...

Products: Breathe Right airs on TV.
June 2, 2007... The Breathe Right nasal strip for congestion relief, recently acquired by GSK, is set to benefit from a #1.5 million marketing spend. TV advertising breaks this week and runs for three months on terrestrial and satellite channels. Ads will be...

Products: Rennie campaign burns bright.
June 2, 2007... TV advertising for Rennie Dual Action begins this week, part of a #6 million spend on the recently launched product. The national campaign features a woman with heartburn using the product to help prevent the condition ruining a day out...

Products: Triple wax.
June 2, 2007... Elegant Touch's Wax Away home waxing brand has three new variants. The Cold Wax Eyebrow Shapers kit contains six single-sided wax strips with a brow shaped cutter guide and two after-wax soothing wipes. The Age Defying Wax kit helps...

CLEARBLUE DIGITAL TESTING: TTC? Try an OPK.(Clearblue Fertility Monitor )
June 2, 2007... Women are openly discussing fertility issues on the internet, but don't be confused by the jargon. Put it simply. If you have a customer trying to conceive (TTC), advise her that an ovulation predictor kit (OPK) or the more sophisticated...

Cut Carbon Challenge: On the right track.(pharmaceutical industry and environmental concerns)
June 2, 2007... Wholesalers are struggling to reconcile a polluting business model with an increasingly green conscience. But Tom Hawkins finds they're getting there Of all the parts of the pharmaceutical supply chain, there is one that is more likely...

Sants digs for green victory.(Brief article)
June 2, 2007... As part of United Co-operatives, wholesalers Sants has a naturally environmentally friendly disposition. No wonder then that it is keen to limit the carbon footprint of the 55 vehicles that clock up 55,000 miles every year delivering twice a...

Pharmacy Champions.(Day Lewis, Coggeshall, Essex's Kevin Western interviewed)(Interview)
June 2, 2007... Name: Kevin Western Pharmacy: Day Lewis, Coggeshall, Essex What has he done?: Set up a system for delivering MURs What have you set up? When I started MURs I nominated thyroid and asthma patients as these were areas where I...

Third fake drug sparks safety row.
June 9, 2007... Drugs firms demand repackaging restrictions after hat-trick of counterfeit finds Tom Hawkins Drug manufacturers have called for tighter controls in the medicines supply chain after the discovery of a third batch of counterfeit...

Another term for RPSGB president.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain re-elected Hemant Patel )(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Hemant Patel has promised to lead a more supportive Society after being re-elected as president until June 2008. The RPSGB will deliver its blueprint to become a "more friendly" and "inclusive" organisation within three months, Mr Patel...

DH chief: go green to get ahead.(Keith Ridge of Department of Health)(Interview)(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Max Gosney Pharmacists could curry favour with NHS commissioners by championing green initiatives in their local communities, England's chief pharmacist has said. Campaigning on environmental issues makes good business sense for...

IN BRIEF: Co-op call for green action.(Co-operative Group)(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... The Co-operative Group, which runs the Co-operative Pharmacy chain, marked World Environment Day this week by urging ministers to act on a strong Climate Change Bill with mandatory short-term targets. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Use pharmacies for OOH.(Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee)(out-of-hours )(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... PSNC is calling on government to make better use of pharmacies in the provision of urgent care, in light of controversial GP proposals to charge patients for out-of-hours consultations. The call comes as GPs prepare to debate charging...

IN BRIEF: Men in it for the long-term.(Men's Health Forum )(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... The Men's Health Forum has called for health service providers to set targets for treating long-term conditions within the terms of the Equality Act 2006. The call marks the start of National Men's Health Week, June 11-17, which focuses on...

IN BRIEF: Scrap VAT on green goods.(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... British retailers have called on Euro MPs to scrap the VAT on energy efficient products such as low carbon light bulbs and loft insulation. The call from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) came at a recent European energy forum. ...

IN BRIEF: Free training.(Barnet College )
June 9, 2007... Barnet College is offering independent pharmacies in Greater London free training to develop the skills of their workforce. Organised through the LEAP project (Learners Engaged and Achieving Progression in the Health Sector), the courses will...

Disaster looms over switch, say pharmacists.(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Charlotte Speechly Pharmacists have stepped up support for C+D's Stop the Switch campaign as the battle to block the POM reclassification of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine medicines enters its final month. Contractors urged a united...

C+D needs you.(Editorial)
June 9, 2007... With only one month left until the MHRA closes its consultation on switch proposals, this is your final chance to help C+D stop this draconian measure. Westminster appears intent on ignoring patient choice and undermining pharmacists'...

IN BRIEF: One in three to quit.(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Nearly one in three smokers are planning to quit when the smoking ban comes into force on July 1, according to research by Developing Patient Partnerships. The organisation has produced a booklet supporting smokers through a quit attempt. ...

IN BRIEF: Numark workshops.
June 9, 2007... Numark is offering workshops to all members of its pharmacy teams to coincide with England's smoking ban this July. The workshop will feature tips from Scottish pharmacists following the country's ban in March 2006. www.numarkpharmacists.com...

IN BRIEF: Hart for health in Wales.(Edwina Hart )(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Edwina Hart has been appointed health and social services minister in the Welsh Assembly Government. She has some experience of the profession from her time as minister for social justice, where she dealt with drug misuse. Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: Questionnaire toolkit.
June 9, 2007... The NPA and Actavis have produced a free toolkit to enable pharmacists to fulfil their obligations regarding the annual community pharmacy patient questionnaire. Research by Actavis revealed one in five pharmacists is unaware of the survey....

IN BRIEF: UK flu planning poor.(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Three-quarters of UK businesses are badly prepared for a flu pandemic, research by YouGov and Roche has found. However, pharmaceutical industries are among the best prepared (29 per cent), though most have no plans to stockpile vaccines or...

IN BRIEF: Pre-reg course launched.
June 9, 2007... Training provider Buttercups has launched a pre-reg pharmacist training programme for students and tutors. The course will be held at the University of Nottingham and costs #1,350 + VAT per trainee. Tel: 0115 937 4936. Copyright: CMP...

Ban increases demand for cessation services.(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Department of Health predicting 600,000 fewer smokers after ban Emma Wilkinson Smoking bans in the UK have triggered rapid demand for pharmacy smoking cessation services, new evidence suggests. Figures from Northern Ireland, where...

Abatacept launched for arthritis.(Bristol-Myers Squibb )(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Bristol-Myers Squibb has launched its abatacept (Orencia) treatment for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in combination with methotrexate. The treatment is licensed for use in adult patients who have not had sufficient response to...

Call for records access.(National Pharmaceutical Association)
June 9, 2007... The NPA has called on a wide range of non-pharmacy experts to back its call for pharmacist access to the electronic patient record. In a position paper sent to IT experts, academics and health professionals based at organisations including...

Fight back over MUR criticism.(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Responses claim studies are `flawed' and don't reflect pharmacists' ability to conduct MURs Emma Wilkinson Pharmacists have reacted angrily to a BMJ editorial questioning the widening role of the profession in primary care (C+D, June...

Boots bid agreed amid pensions row.(Kohlberg Kravis Roberts acquired Alliance Boots)(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... An #11.1 billion bid by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts to take over Alliance Boots has been approved despite a continuing row over the company's #305 million pension fund deficit. About 96 per cent of shareholders voted in favour of the takeover...

Boots launches #60m pharmacy PR bid.(Brief article)
June 9, 2007... Around #1 billion is wasted every year because people take time off work to visit their GP about everyday illnesses rather than go to their pharmacist, according to research from Boots. Launching a #60 million initiative to encourage people...