Chemist & Druggist articles from June 2009

Chemist & Druggist archives from June 2009

EDITOR'S COMMENT: 13.06.09.(Editorial)
June 13, 2009... An angry contractor phoned me this week. He's an old friend and it's rare that he gets so wound up about an issue. He said the problem was getting worse, it was affecting the service he provided to his patients and that his fellow...

Union reveals battle plan to defeat rise of remote supervision.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Campaign kicks off with opposition to Responsible Pharmacist legislation, says PDA Zoe Smeaton The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has pledged to halt the government's plans to allow pharmacies to be remotely supervised. ...

Locums air RP fears.(responsible pharmacist)(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Locums have written to the Department of Health to demand regulation of premises to ensure safe working conditions in light of Responsible Pharmacist rules. The letter, penned by members of online forum Locum Voice, comes in response to...

NHS faces `severe' budget cuts.(United Kingdom. National Health Service)(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... The National Health Service is facing its biggest challenge ever, NHS managers have warned. In less that two years, the health service will see the "most severe constriction ever in its finances", a report published by the NHS...

Companies fight barrier to foreign recruitment.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Community pharmacy chiefs are lobbying to overturn rules that will make it harder for the sector to employ foreign pharmacists. The removal of community pharmacists from the government's shortage occupation lists could have a "major impact"...

IN BRIEF: Burnham takes top job.(appointment of Andy Burnham )(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Ex-pharmacy minister Andy Burnham has been appointed health secretary, replacing Alan Johnson as part of a cabinet reshuffle last week. He immediately set his sights on getting Britons fitter. Copyright: UBM Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Hornby set for Boots.(appointment of Andy Hornby by Alliance Boots)(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Alliance Boots has appointed former HBOS chief Andy Hornby as its group chief executive. Mr Hornby will take up the newly created position from July 1 and report to executive chairman Stefano Pessina, who will continue to lead the group full...

IN BRIEF: Rx submission quiz.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Pharmacists have been invited to take an online quiz, launched by NHS Prescription Services, to help them with submitting prescription forms as exempt or chargeable. www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk Copyright: UBM Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Wholesalers issue SOS.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... The government should safeguard full-line wholesalers' incomes, industry leaders have said. The warning came after the European Association of Pharmaceutical Full-line Wholesalers (GIRP) warned wholesale models were "under threat", with...

IN BRIEF: Pain patches service.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Transdermal fentanyl patch manufacturer Janssen-Cilag has launched a scheme to encourage patients to return unused patches. Participating PCOs will pay pharmacists for the enhanced service, including counselling patients on the importance of...

Pharma boss: medicine exports threatening lives.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... ABPI chief blames pharmacy parallel trade for UK medicine shortage Chris Chapman One in 10 pharmacies in the UK is putting patients at risk by parallel trading medicines to Europe, the pharmaceutical industry's trade body has said. ...

Drug shortages highlighted in NPA survey.(National Pharmacy association)(Survey)(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Preliminary results from the NPA's supply chain survey confirm that supply problems are still affecting patients' abilities to obtain their medicines promptly. Pharmacists were also facing additional administrative burdens due to dealing with...

Pharmacy left stunned by `horrific' suicide bid.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Staff at a Berkshire pharmacy are still in shock after a "horror film" experience when a woman slashed her wrists in a suicide attempt. Staff at Boots' Bartholomew Street store in Newbury reacted quickly to call an ambulance on June 2 when...

Decriminalise errors, drugs watchdog told.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Pharmacy bodies appeal to MHRA, but change could take three years Gavin Atkin Six key pharmacy bodies have called on the UK drugs watchdog to decriminalise dispensing errors as part of its upcoming review of the 1968 Medicines Act. ...

DISPENSARY TALK: Who was your favourite recent RPSGB president?(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... "I've never really voted in Council elections ever, so I don't have a preference. I don't vote and I don't really intend to in the future. I ask myself: does it really make any difference?" Sunil Bajaria, Worthcare Pharmacy, Thamesmead ...

Patients praise `honourable' pharmacists.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... The criminal prosecution of dispensing errors was debated on BBC Radio 4 last week. On the weekly current affairs programme iPM, a customer praised her pharmacist's "honourable" behaviour in admitting and reporting a dispensing error after...

Paracetamol sales come under fire.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Poundland has been accused of risking patient safety after it was revealed the discount store sells 48 paracetamol tablets for a pound. The RPSGB said it was concerned at the retailer's actions, which exceed the two-pack voluntary...

Steve Dunn makes return.(appointment of Steve Dunn)(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Former AAH boss Steve Dunn has been appointed chief executive officer of Williams Medical Supplies (WMS). The move comes two months after Mr Dunn lost his legal battle against AAH for wrongful dismissal. Mr Dunn has been tasked with...

Anonymous dispensing error log system unveiled by PDA.(Pharmacists' Defence Association )
June 13, 2009... PDA CAMPAIGN Keeping mistakes anonymous should increase reporting of dispensing errors Zoe Smeaton The Pharmacists' Defence Association is set to launch an error logging system that aims to increase reporting of dispensing errors by...

Error reporting.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... The National Patient Safety Agency has backed the campaign to decriminalise dispensing errors, which it believes will encourage better error reporting and learning, therefore improving patient safety: * 8,000 to 10,000 medication errors are...

PSNC warning on prosecution fear.(Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee)
June 13, 2009... The criminal prosecution of dispensing errors will reduce the profession's ability to attract new members and prevent the development of pharmacy services. This was the warning from PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe at a PDA...

Expectation key concern.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... The pressure on pharmacists caused by patients' expectations of the speed of dispensing topped pharmacists' concerns at the PDA meeting last week. A delegate who raised the issue received a round of applause from the audience. But PSNC...

C+D is 150 in September!
June 13, 2009... Help us celebrate as we approach C+D's big day C+D is this week launching the 100-day countdown to its 150th birthday, on September 15. On that date 15 decades ago, the first issue of The Chemist and Druggist was published, then a monthly...

PRODUCT NEWS: Sudocrem targets adults.
June 13, 2009... Forest Laboratories is extending its Sudocrem brand with a 30g tube for adults and the travel market. Sudocrem Skin Care Cream is a cosmetic version of Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream. Formulated to soothe and protect, it can be used for...

PRODUCT NEWS: Name change for C&G Pepti.(Cow & Gate Pepti changed to Aptamil Pepti )(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Nutricia plans to change the brand name of Cow & Gate Pepti to Aptamil Pepti from July. Although the product name and packaging will change, the formulation will remain the same. The hydrolysed whey-based formula, which contains prebiotic...

PRODUCT NEWS: Clamelle provides a talking point.
June 13, 2009... Actavis is supporting its Clamelle chlamydia test kit and OTC treatment with new point of sale material for pharmacies. An eye-catching range of counter display units, wobblers and posters is designed to communicate the availability of the...

PRODUCT NEWS: Deep Freeze kicks off cool campaign.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Mentholatum's Deep Freeze brand will be in the public eye throughout this summer, backed by a #600,000 advertising campaign on TV and in sports magazines. In a new version of the brand's animated advert featuring crunching tackles, the TV...

PRODUCT NEWS: Child safety initiative.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Nelsons has teamed up with The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) to raise awareness of Child Safety Week from June 22-28. The company is making a donation of 5p to CAPT from every sale of Arnicare Arnica Kids Stick throughout its...

PRODUCT NEWS: Glove add-on for TENS unit.
June 13, 2009... Tenscare has introduced a glove to help rheumatoid arthritis sufferers combat painful, swollen joints in their hands. The Iglove has been developed with a new `Silver Stim' conductive fabric which, when damp, allows the stimulation from a...

XRAYSER: Planning ahead to avoid foreign horrordays.
June 13, 2009... As the Society gears up to become a proper representative body, it's starting to look like it could effectively promote me and my services to the wider world. Quite what role that will leave the NPA with remains to be seen. One of its...

PHARMACIST IN THE HOUSE: A welcome reshuffle for health.
June 13, 2009... I once addressed a conference and joked that the life of a pharmacy minister was usually a very short one. Andy Burnham was promoted to pastures new very shortly after. I found this personally disappointing as he had shown a great interest...

CPD: Update - The management of cystic fibrosis.
June 13, 2009... Part two looks at controlling symptoms, limiting damage to lungs and other organs, and achieving normal nutrition Miranda Griffin Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common hereditary disease in Western Europe. A faulty gene affects the...

WOMEN'S HEALTH: Your part in preventing cervical cancer.
June 13, 2009... The death of Jade Goody saw the media spotlight fall on cervical cancer. Kathy Oxtoby explains how pharmacies can capitalise on this interest and potentially save lives in the process For Angela Chalmers, a pharmacist at Boots' Holloway...

CAREERS: Hospital hopes.
June 13, 2009... Zoe Smeaton on moving from community to hospital pharmacy A pharmacy student is a pharmacy student. But as soon as you are released from the safety of university into the working world, a great chasm seems to open down the centre of the...

CAREERS: Career ladder ...at MedicX Pharmacy.(appointment of Vicki James )(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... The MedicX Pharmacy group has appointed Vicki James as pharmacy services contracts manager. Ms James will be responsible for securing new contracts and developing service models for MedicX pharmacies. She joins from Lloydspharmacy, where she...

CAREERS: Career ladder ...at ABPI.(Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry)(appointment of Alison Clough )(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has appointed Alison Clough to the newly created role of director of value. Ms Clough will work with Nice and the NHS to drive change from a cost-based to value-based approval process for...

CAREERS: Career ladder ...at Actavis.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Actavis has added 10 members to its sales force. The generics company said the appointments were "a great demonstration" of its growing product portfolio and commitment to its customers. Actavis has also retrained its 40-strong customer facing...

CAREERS: Career ladder ...at Lifeplan Products.(appointment of Amanda Kay )(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Supplements manufacturer Lifeplan Products has appointed Amanda Kay to the newly created position of pharmacy sales manager. Ms Kay will work with community pharmacies in the northwest to introduce them to the company's product portfolio. She...

POSTSCRIPT: Open Mike - Astronomically incoherent.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Last week the French, this week a visitor of an even more special kind, and an opportunity to tick off yet another life-long ambition. A gentleman was wandering around the shop obviously looking for something. "Can I help?" I asked. ...

POSTSCRIPT: Doctors call for plain English, perhaps.(Brief article)
June 13, 2009... Doctors have rallied against the use of jargon in the health service. Delegates at the annual BMA consultants' meeting took umbrage at those who call patients "service users" or "clients". Another example of "gobbledygook" given was the...

EDITOR'S COMMENT: 20.06.09.(Editorial)
June 20, 2009... No pharmacist can claim to have been untouched by the news of Elizabeth Lee's prosecution for a dispensing error. Emotions have ranged from disbelief to horror at the suspended jail sentence handed to the former locum, and the sector has been...

And the C+D winners are.(chemist and druggist)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Pre-registration Graduate Pharmacist of the Year Gursharan Rattan, Leyton Orient Pharmacy, Leyton, London New Pharmacist of the Year James Wood, Wicker Pharmacy, Sheffield Pharmacy Manager of the Year Bernard Mweseka, Day...

C+D Awards celebrate sector's leading lights.(chemist and druggist)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Outstanding work in community pharmacy recognised Jennifer Richardson C+D celebrated the talents and hard work of those at the leading edge of community pharmacy at its second annual C+D Awards this week. Fifty four shortlisted...

NHS fraud team investigates specials.(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... An anti-fraud team is investigating the cost to the NHS of specials dispensing in the community. C+D understands that the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) investigation follows concerns raised by PCTs about...

IN BRIEF: New pharmacy minister.(Mike O'Brien appointed as pharmacy minister of All Party Pharmacy Group)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Mike O'Brien is set to replace Phil Hope as pharmacy minister. The announcement came at this week's APPG meeting. Mr O'Brien moves across from the Department of Energy and Climate Change. www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Flu pandemic plans.(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Health officials pledged more details on how pharmacy will be used to tackle swine flu as the virus moved to pandemic status last week. Health secretary Andy Burnham said details were on the way as WHO declared a pandemic after raising its...

IN BRIEF: Pharmacy Order response.(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... The Department of Health and the Scottish Government have published a joint consultation response to the draft Pharmacy Order 2009. The Order will now be laid before parliament along with the consultation report and, if approved, will establish...

IN BRIEF: CORRECTION.(Correction notice)
June 20, 2009... The NPA's Neal Patel has pointed out that pharmacy contractors who wish to offer the HPV vaccine via a private patient group direction require authorisation by the Care Quality Commission and not their PCT, as reported in C+D, June 13, p22/24....

Industry lobbies CPS for dispensing error reprieve.(Crown Prosecution Service )(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... MHRA seeks pledge from prosecutors until laws are reviewed Max Gosney A deal to protect pharmacists from criminal prosecution for one-off dispensing errors is under discussion, England's chief pharmacist has revealed. Health...

Pharmacy leaders applaud proposed changes.(All-Party Pharmacy Group )(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Pharmacy leaders gave immediate backing to proposals that could prevent criminal charges for single dispensing errors. PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe told the APPG meeting that proposed measures would bring huge comfort to the profession....

Dispensing errors campaign hits national news.(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... The campaign to decriminalise dispensing errors has burst into the national spotlight by topping the health agenda on the BBC News website and gaining radio coverage. On June 16, the health section of the BBC News website led with a story...

Pharmacy saved.(Co-operative pharmacy saved by local Primary Care Trust)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... A Co-operative pharmacy earmarked for closure is set to launch a range of innovative health services after being saved by its local PCT. P Williams Chemist in Awsworth, Notts, was one of 14 Co-operative pharmacies scheduled to close after being...

ANALYSIS: Prescription switching - are we any nearer a resolution?
June 20, 2009... As the agency responsible for processing NHS prescriptions launches a quiz to aid submissions, Zoe Smeaton asks if a solution to erroneous switching has yet to be found Last year pharmacists across the UK spoke out against the incorrect...

ANALYSIS: NHS PS responds.(United Kingdom. National Health Service. Prescription Services )(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... An NHS Prescription Services spokesperson said feedback confirmed some contractors still needed help to improve their understanding of how to apply the rules around exemption. The quiz was something they could be referred to to help with...

RESPONSIBLE PHARMACIST: SOPs checklist.(standard operation procedure)(www.responsiblepharmacist.com )(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... * Locums: try to be familiar with a pharmacy's SOPs before arriving, checking staffing, how you sign on as RP and where SOPs are kept. * Employees: check who is establishing new SOPs and work with employers to ensure these are in operation...

THE RESPONSIBLE PHARMACIST.
June 20, 2009... Whatever role you play in your pharmacy business, from October 1 you will have to follow some new SOP guidelines to comply with the Responsible Pharmacist regulations. The best way to be prepared is to start planning early, so here's what to...

PRODUCT NEWS: Full Marks tackles head lice with spray.
June 20, 2009... SSL International is launching a spray version of its organic Full Marks Solution to help make it easier for families to treat head lice. Containing cyclomethicone and isopropyl myristate, the odourless spray is designed to be convenient to...

PRODUCT NEWS: Family can chew over Equazen Omega-3.
June 20, 2009... Vifor Pharma has launched Equazen Eye Q chews in a 30s pack to give parents an opportunity to trial the product with their children. "If they like the taste, customers can then trade up to a larger family pack," says the company. The...

PRODUCT NEWS: Listerine is strong and sensitive.
June 20, 2009... Johnson & Johnson has added a sensitive variant to its bestselling Listerine range. The company claims Listerine Total Care Sensitive offers the benefits of the other products in the mouthwash range, with potassium nitrate providing additional...

IN BRIEF: Venlafaxine tablets.
June 20, 2009... Venlalic XL 75mg, 150mg and 225mg tablets (prolonged release venlafaxine) have been launched by Dallas Burston Ashbourne. The company said the tablets are designed to be small and easy to swallow and the 225mg dosage tablet has been introduced...

IN BRIEF: Hactos update.
June 20, 2009... Hactos Cough Mixture is now available again from AAH Pharmaceuticals. The traditional liquid herbal remedy is for the symptomatic relief of coughs, colds and catarrh. Price: #3.45/150ml Hubert AC Thomas & Company Tel: 01554 835512...

PRODUCT NEWS: MAM soothers look to east.
June 20, 2009... MAM is launching a new soother collection featuring 12 Japanese rabbit designs. Moshi Moshi Kawaii soothers feature small stylised rabbits with their own colour and pattern that reflect their personality. Kawaii means cute in Japanese but also...

XRAYSER: Space - the final frontier.
June 20, 2009... There has been a shortage of space in this pharmacy for as long as I can remember. I've always needed an extra shelf for stock, an extra couple of drawers for paperwork, more cupboard space for bottles and bags, the list is endless. But as...

LETTER OF THE LAW: An alternative to criminal prosecution.
June 20, 2009... It's a like a Shakespearian tragedy. Elizabeth Lee made a dispensing error that was not fatal. She was prosecuted for supplying the wrong product and labelling it incorrectly. In my view, she should not have been prosecuted at all, but the CPS...

CPD: UPDATE - Drug-induced skin reactions.
June 20, 2009... Skin complaints are common, but how can you determine if they are an adverse drug reaction? Professor Janet Krska Mr H asks for a Yellow Card form because he wants to report a skin reaction his wife had to a cream she bought from a...

FOCUS ON GI: Gut instinct.
June 20, 2009... Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK have coeliac disease and don't even know it. This presents a huge opportunity for pharmacists to help patients manage their condition, finds Chris Chapman What foods contain gluten? * Any foods...

PRODUCT NEWS: Kolanticon safe for coeliacs.
June 20, 2009... Kolanticon is gluten-free and safe for patients with coeliac disease, a medical adviser to The Gut Trust has said. Nick Read described the IBS product, which contains antacids, an antispasmodic and a deflatulant, as "a useful adjunct to...

CLINICAL: Focus on... the polypill.(Report)
June 20, 2009... A hard-hitting report claims combination treatments - polypills - could prevent many lives being lost through cardiovascular disease. Gavin Atkin investigates In the vision of the future presented by the University of London's Professor...

ANALYSIS: Getting drug stocks flowing.
June 20, 2009... Pharmacists and manufacturers continue to accuse each other over persistent UK drugs shortages. But Chris Chapman and Jennifer Richardson think it's time to focus on solutions and stop the recriminations Quotas. A word currently sending...

JOBS: Your questions answered.(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Q I've given a member of my pharmacy staff extra responsibilities but she's not coping very well. What should I do about it? Ian Irving, HR business partner at Co-operative Healthcare, responds: A The first thing you need to do when...

JOBS: Cut costs, not jobs.
June 20, 2009... There are several ways businesses can reduce staffing costs without losing people, says employment lawyer Adam Rice If you don't know someone who's had to go through the trauma of job cuts at their company in the past year, you must have a...

POSTSCRIPT: Open Mike - No quitting on the quitters.(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Success! At last, patients are starting to use some of the new services we have to offer. In the past week we have taken on our first Smokestop client, and have been able to provide speedy access to emergency contraception for the younger...

POSTSCRIPT: Pharmacy rocked by vote fixing scandal?(Survey)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Last week, pharmacy was rocked by its biggest scandal since pharmacy minister Phil Hope announced he was to pay back #40,000 of expenses: someone may have tampered with C+D's online Dispensary Talk poll. We know. Shock, horror. Grab your...

OTC: EDITOR'S COMMENT: JUNE 2009.(Editorial)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... The news that all pharmacy technicians are going to have to register with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (p4) is not unexpected, but is it a good or a bad thing? Some may feel daunted by the prospect of registering with the...

OTC: RPSGB to regulate technicians from July.(over the counter)(royal pharmaceutical society of great britain )(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... The RPSGB will regulate all pharmacy technicians in England, Scotland and Wales from July, following legislation passed last month that recognises technicians as healthcare professionals. The legal changes mean that all pharmacy technicians...

OTC: Unisex appeal for Sun In sprays.(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... A bright new look has been introduced for the Sun In hair lightening range, which now includes two unisex variants - Super (#5.53) and Gentle with Lemon (#5.24). Both spray-in products now feature female and male models with contemporary...

OTC: Fish really is brain food.(over the counter )(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Eating fish really is good for our brains, according to University of Manchester scientists who have shown that vitamin D - found in oily fish - improved the brain function of middle-aged and older men. The study, published in the Journal...

OTC: Sudocrem widens its appeal.(over the counter)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... With an increasing number of women reportedly using Sudocrem nappy rash cream as a skincare product for themselves, Forest Laboratories has introduced a 30g tube targeted at adults and the travel market. Sudocrem Skin Care Cream (#1.85) is...

OTC: Trigger diary helps migraine sufferers.(over the counter)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... Imigran Recovery has an improved formulation and a trigger diary is now available to help migraine sufferers. The new lactose-free formula is designed to allow rapid release and early absorption into the bloodstream. It will help migraine...

OTC: On-pack change for homeopathic remedy.(over the counter)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... For the first time consumers have access to an over the counter homeopathic remedy that clearly states the conditions it can help to treat on the label. Nelsons has received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory...

OTC: Cerumol is all ears.(over the counter)
June 20, 2009... To celebrate its recent acquisition of Cerumol Ear Drops, Thornton & Ross has commissioned a new trade ad featuring pictures of the ears of many of its Huddersfield employees. The 'Trusted by millions of ears for over 50 years' ad shows an...

OTC: Co-op support for Pride of Britain Awards.(over the counter )(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... The Co-operative Pharmacy's managing director John Nuttall joined Carol Vorderman to launch the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards at the Co- operative Group headquarters in Manchester. Now in their 11th year, the Awards celebrate the...

OTC: Ian Facer is new NPA chairman.(over the counter)(national pharmacy association)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... The NPA board of management has chosen Ian Facer MRPharmS to chair the Association for 2009-10. Ian joined the Board in 2004 representing NPA members in the north west, and is joined by the newly elected vice- chairman David Evans, and Wally...

OTC: Minimum wage increase.(over the counter)(Brief article)
June 20, 2009... From October 1, 2009 the adult minimum wage will increase from #5.73 to #5.80 an hour. At the same time the Youth Development Rate will rise from #4.77 to #4.83 an hour and the minimum wage for 16 to 17-year-olds will increase from #3.53 to...