Chemist & Druggist articles from March 2003

Chemist & Druggist archives from March 2003

MPs report on OFT claims to ministers.(Office of Fair Trading)
March 1, 2003... A parliamentary group of over 100 MPs has written to ministers at the Departments of Health and Trade & Industry to outline its views on the OFT report into pharmacy control of entry regulations. The All-Party Pharmacy Group says that...

Keep up the pressure.(pharmacists' responses on the Office of Fair Trading report)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Despite the February 28 deadline for submitting responses on the OFT report, the NPA is urging pharmacists in England to keep up the lobbying activity. It suggests continuing to raise awareness among the public, encouraging them to write...

Census results go online.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society's membership)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The results of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's census of members was due to be posted on the Society's website after C&D went to press. Information should include a socio-demographic profile of the membership, employment sector and...

Xenical PGD set up for pharmacy.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Community pharmacists will be able to supply the anti-obesity drug Xenical (orlistat) without a prescription later this year, after Roche announced it was involved in developing a patient group direction for the drug. The Xenical PGD will...

Update MCQ enclosed.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... This week's issue contains the MCQ for the following Pharmacy Update articles published in February: * Sip feeds (1260) * Rheumatoid arthritis part 1 (1261) * RA part 2 (1262). Pharmacy Update is a distance learning...

Discovery of the DNA double helix.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Fifty years ago, on February 28, 1953, Francis Crick announced that he and his colleague James Watson had "discovered the secret of life". A week later they finally finished their model showing the structure of DNA - a spidery construction of...

AAH extends medicines management scheme.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... AAH Pharmaceuticals is extending its medicines management programme across the country after it was trialed successfully in 25 pharmacies for nine months last year. Dr Mandeep Mudhar, AAH's marketing manager, said that the Vantage Health...

Free condoms for under 20s in north Lincs scheme.(north Lincolnshire)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A scheme across north Lincolnshire will see pharmacies supplying free condoms to people under 20 years old. The four-week pilot aims to raise awareness and usage of condoms in an attempt to tackle teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted...

Plans to cut drug waste.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Walsall Primary Care Trust is planning a pilot scheme to encourage patients not to ask for repeat medication they do not need. From April, four or five pharmacies will be asked to stick labels on dispensed medicines saying: "Please use me...

Numark uses mapping software to take the OFT hard line.(Office of Fair Trading)
March 1, 2003... The fight to maintain the control of entry regulations has taken a high tech twist: Numark is using geo-demographic analysis to hammer home its Office of Fair Trading views. The company is using special software to map areas more likely to...

Labour backbench MPs challenge OFT report.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The chairman of the Campaign Group of Labour MPs has hit out at the OFT report, warning it would lead to a "major cull" of community pharmacies. John McDonnell's attack on the OFT proposals will be seen as a signal that the 50-strong...

CBE for services to the pharmaceutical industry.(Dr Trevor Jones, director-general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Dr Trevor Jones, director-general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, is pictured with his CBE which he received from Prince Charles on February 13. Dr Jones was awarded the honour at the New Year for services to the...

First moves on training pharmacist prescribers.
March 1, 2003... Pharmacist prescribing should start this autumn, according to the Department of Health's chief pharmaceutical officer. Jim Smith told a conference in London on Monday that the final enabling legislation is expected any day. He hoped the...

Boots outlines latest patient care services.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Steve Churton, Boots' assistant pharmacy superintendent, has outlined the company's latest patient care services. Over 20 primary care organisations have contracted to use Boots's domiciliary dispensing aid, Medisure. An instalment...

Moss offers advice on stresses.(Moss Pharmacy)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Customers will be able to seek advice on the stresses and strains of everyday living from the country's third largest pharmacy chain. Moss Pharmacy, in conjunction with major OTC manufacturers, including GSK and Pfizer as well as Prima...

PAGB PERSPECTIVE: Getting the message right.
March 1, 2003... Community pharmacists in the North-East are helping the police and schools stop children dealing in and abusing Controlled Drugs. Children have been buying and selling methylphenidate tablets, prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity...

Pharmacists help fight CD abuse.
March 1, 2003... Without advertising, one thing will happen - nothing, argues Sheila Kelly, director of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain At this time of year, along with the Oscars and the Baftas, we have the pharmaceutical industry awards which...

BPC to be in Manchester.(British Pharmaceutical Conference )(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2003... The British Pharmaceutical Conference will take place in Manchester at the International Convention Centre from 2004. The RPSGB has booked the venue for 2004 and has made provisional bookings for the following years as follows: *...

Tesco booklet pumps out heart info.(reducing the risk of developing heart disease)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Tesco's latest health promotion booklet provides customers with information on reducing the risk of developing heart disease. Look after your heart is available free from all Tesco stores and recommends lifestyle changes that consumers can...

GP contract `good news' for pharmacy.(general practice)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... PSNC has welcomed the agreement on the new GP contract reached by the BMA and the NHS Confederation, saying it is "good news for community pharmacists". Resources for NHS general practice are set to rise by 33 per cent over the next three...

Pharmacy wins a deal but loses customers.(charge for Transport for London hurts business)
March 1, 2003... Pharmacists inside the London Congestion Zone are claiming that the charge is keeping shoppers away in droves. Transport for London estimates that there are still around 20 per cent fewer vehicles entering the zone, despite the end of the...

GSK faces investigation over Imuran exposure while internet adds woes.
March 1, 2003... The Health and Safety Executive is to investigate GlaxoSmithKline, after learning that three former employees are planning to sue the company. The workers claim that exposure to Imuran (azathioprine) has had a "catastrophic effect on their...

Provalis receives grant.(from the Welsh Assembly Government)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Medical diagnostics and pharmaceuticals group Provalis has received a #950,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government. Awarded in recognition of Provalis's contribution to the local economy, the cash is earmarked for the diagnostics division...

Start-ups do well in 2003.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... More than nine in 10 start-up businesses are still going after one year, a 7 per cent increase on 1993, new figures from the Department of Trade and Industry reveal. The percentage of businesses surviving three years or more is also up, by...

US biotech partner heads to Kent.(MDS Pharma Services at the Sittingbourne Research Centre in Kent)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... US drug development partner MDS Pharma Services is to set up its first UK bioanalytical facility, as part of a programme of European expansion. Staff are already being recruited to work at the 12,000sq ft site at the Sittingbourne Research...

Queen's Award for Enterprise.(among others, goes to Abbott Laboratories)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Abbott Laboratories has received the Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2002. A producer of anaesthetic gases for over 20 years, Abbott also received a special award from the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of...

Sweet time for Schwarz.(Schwarz Pharma, generic drug-maker, takes healthy market share in U.S.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Sales at Schwarz Pharma could surge ahead another 50 per cent by the time the full-year US sales of its generic omeprazole are accounted for, analysts reveal. In just one month, sales of Schwarz's omeprazole reached US$166m, giving the...

Comment from the Editor.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The debate over the future of community pharmacy has been hotting up over the past few days. Parliamentarians have put the message across that the OFT report has failed to address some fundamental issues, such as whether doctors would like to...

YOUR VIEWS: Contract was flawed - but had some value.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... Pharmacist Jeanette Smith considers the effects the OFT report may have if implemented The OFT's proposal to award dispensing contracts has provoked anguished screams. But if you look at the beginning of the NHS, the dispensing contract...

Is the wheel of fortune heading our way?(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... So now GPs know the structure of their new contract and if the rumours are true then a principal's estimated annual income of #80,000 would not be too unrealistic. The Government is prepared to pump extra cash into GP surgeries in exchange for...

More to the OFT report than meets the eye.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... The OFT report does not add up. The evidence does not support its main recommendation. There is more to it than giving the public cheaper Benylin and Paracodol. Over the past few weeks those of us with marginally profitable pharmacies will...

Endorse my endorsements.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... One of my smaller local surgeries has just switched to computers and the extra workload caused by simple transcription errors has become enormous. Unfortunately, inter-professional relationships are not what I would desire and every...

Incremental pay increases for instalment supply.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The involvement of community pharmacists in the management of drug dependency is a service development success that has gone largely unnoticed. That it has happened at all is a result of an in-built payment system that rewards pharmacists for...

Letter: Missing the point about locums' pay.(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... Further to Mr McSorley's reply (C&D Feb 8, p14), he misses the main thrust of my argument, ie that while locums are only a specific area of pharmacy, pharmacists in general are poorly paid for their level of qualification. Thus it can hardly be...

Letter: Pharmacists beware the `VAT effect'.(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... Your story concerning dispensing GPs and VAT (C&D Feb 15, p12) is not quite accurate. According to the transcript of Beynon v Customs & Excise, the VAT position of drugs dispensed by dispensing doctors was never at issue, both sides agreeing...

Letter: Office of Fair Trading Report.(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... The OFT has admitted that it took no account of the healthcare provided by community pharmacies. It did not need, of course, to concern itself with GSL medicines for these can be sold by anyone anywhere. It just concentrated on the...

Letter: Section 60 of the Society's Charter.(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... Ann Lewis says in her article (C&D February 22, p27) that an Order under Section 60 of the Health Act 1999 may be used to supersede the Society's Charter. This gives the impression that it may be used to supersede the whole of the Charter. I do...

Benign breast disorders.
March 1, 2003... Dr Manish Kothari describes some breast conditions that need investigating but should represent no major cause for alarm Objectives * To be aware of breast changes according to age * To be aware of the most common benign conditions...

High coffee use is linked to stillbirth.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Pregnant women who drink more than eight cups of coffee a day are twice as likely to have a stillbirth, according to a study in the BMJ. In a Danish prospective study of more than 18,000 women expecting a baby the risk of stillbirth was...

Tiotropium `needs further trials'.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Further trials are required before the place of tiotropium (Spiriva) in clinical practice can clearly be determined, according to the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. The review of tiotropium bromide in February's DTB says that trials have...

Still available.(Bioglan products from Centrapharm)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Centrapharm and GP Pharma say that products they acquired from Bioglan after it went into receivership are still available. Centrapharm supplies Hibitane Obstetric cream, Exelderm, Siopel, Cetavlex, Permitabs and Colposol liquid while GP...

NICE issues guides on flu, diabetes and incontinence.(National Institute for Clinical Excellence )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has issued guidance documents on the use of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) for stress incontinence, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for diabetes, and amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir...

DTB reviews first-line glaucoma treatment.(Latanoprost)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Latanoprost is an alternative first-line therapy for lowering intra- ocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma and offers several advantages over timolol, the traditional first-line treatment, according to a review. Latanoprost is more effective...

Eye opener for contact lens wearers.(eye drops from Advanced Medical Optics)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Advanced Medical Optics is extending its Blink Eye Drops range with a product especially for use with contact lenses. Blink Contacts eye drops are formulated to soothe and freshen dry, tired eyes. The drops contain sodium hyaluronate...

Aller-eze is right under your nose.(from Novartis)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Novartis is launching `P' category eye drops and nasal spray containing azelastine hydrochloride under the Aller-eze brand this month (C&D February 1, p22). Azelastine works by blocking the action of histamine to help relieve the allergic...

Sanatogen strikes gold.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Special `golden pill' promotional packs of Sanatogen Gold (C&D January 25, p27) are now available from Roche Consumer Health. The promotion is featured on 30s packs of Sanatogen Gold A to Z multivitamin. Twenty random packs contain a...

Herbal hayfever spray.(Bioforce developed product)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Bioforce has developed a herbal nasal spray to provide relief from blocked, runny and itchy noses caused by hayfever or other airborne allergies. Luffa Complex contains seven tropical herbs and is named after one of its ingredients - Luffa...

Playtex tampon glides into pharmacies this spring.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Playtex Products is widening the distribution of its plastic applicator tampon range in UK pharmacies this spring. Playtex Gentle Glide tampons are well established in the USA and were introduced into the UK exclusively through Boots last...

Bottoms up for Bepanthen launch.(by Roche Consumer Health)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Roche Consumer Health is launching a dual-action nappy rash ointment into the UK. Bepanthen is already a successful brand in several other European countries including Germany and Switzerland. The ointment is designed to protect...

Attractive bands of copper.(from IntraMed)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... IntraMed is launching a range of copper/magnetic bracelets believed to improve and stimulate circulation. The company claims the combination of copper and magnets can help alleviate aches and pains from sports injuries to general stiffness....

Love is in the hair for Wella.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Wella is investing #250,000 in a TV sponsorship deal for its Shaders & Toners temporary home hair colorant range. The brand will sponsor CiTV's new teen comedy drama, Girls in Love, based on the books by Jacqueline Wilson. Wella...

Action stations for Seven Seas.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Seven Seas is supporting the NeutraTaste SportFlex multinutrient sports supplement with a #200,000 advertising campaign this spring. Advertising will appear nationally in daily newspapers and health/fitness and women's magazines. It will...

Picture this from Kodak.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... For the first time in the UK, Kodak Picture CD will feature in its own TV campaign this summer with a new commercial on air from June 21 to August 25. The advertising is part of a #7 million promotional TV campaign for Kodak Pictures over...

Suppositories are cool.(Aventis Pharma)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Aventis Pharma has announced that Proctosedyl (cinchocaine and hydrocortisone) Suppositories should now be stored at 2 to 8 degrees C in order to ensure long-term quality. In addition, prescriptions should now be endorsed `ZD'. For...

DT lists non-stick dressing.(from Coloplast)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Coloplast's new hydrocolloid based wound contact dressing is now available on FP10. Physiotulle, a knitted polyester net impregnated with petrolatum and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), does not stick to wounds and reduces the risk of fibres...

Jectofer to be discontinued.(by AstraZeneca)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... AstraZeneca will discontinue Jectofer (iron sorbitol) ampoules with effect from April 18 due to production problems. Details of an alternative product can be obtained from AstraZeneca. For more information: AstraZeneca Tel: 0800...

Oxis licensed for COPD.(AstraZeneca)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... AstraZeneca's long-acting bronchodilator, Oxis Turbohaler (eformoterol), is now licensed for the relief of broncho-obstructive symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The normal dosage of Oxis for COPD is 12mcg once...

MSD's 28-day pack for gout.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Merck Sharp & Dohme has launched a 28-tablet pack of Arcoxia (etoricoxib) 120mg in addition to the existing seven-tablet pack. Arcoxia 120mg is licensed for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis at a dose of one tablet daily for the acute...

Autopen 24 delay.(Owen Mumford's insulin delivery pen)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The launch of Owen Mumford's insulin delivery pen for Aventis Lantus and Insuman 3ml cartridges has been put back slightly (C&D, February 22, p20). It was expected to be available on the Drug Tariff from March 1, but the company now hopes to...

Free glucose meter upgrades.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... After announcing that ExacTech blood glucose strips will be discontinued from May 2003, Abbott Laboratories says it will upgrade diabetics who use ExacTech blood glucose meters to MediSense Optium glucose meters for free. Further details...

Salivix recall.(Provalis Healthcare recalls Salivix Pastilles)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Provalis Healthcare is recalling a batch of Salivix Pastilles after it was found that some packs did not have a batch no and/or expiry date printed on them. Pharmacists who have any of the affected packs (batch no 241, expiry date Dec...

When the heat is on.(Shirley Bond equates stress to problems with menopause)
March 1, 2003... Pharmacists can be as useful as doctors in helping women under stress, believes London doctor Shirley Bond. She talks to Adrienne de Mont about her `natural' approach to women's ailments A long career treating women's disorders has...

The facts about HRT.(hormone replacement therapy)
March 1, 2003... The charity Women's Health Concern says hormone replacement therapy is a common reason for women to seek its advice Sometimes women phone because they cannot decide whether to take an HRT prescription to a pharmacy. Or they might have gone...

Change of status for the Pill?(pharmacists prefer doctor's prescription for oral contraceptives)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Most pharmacists do not think oral contraceptives should be available from pharmacies without a woman needing to consult her doctor first. But nearly two-thirds of those questioned were in favour of these drugs being available once a GP had...

What women want from a nutritional supplement.
March 1, 2003... Women want to be slim, energetic, glowing in their skin, hair and nails, tanned, happy, confident, young and rich... or so they say. Health Perception asked three groups of women, aged 25-34, 35-44 and 45- 59, what they wanted from a...

Sizing up the women's market.(Vitabiotics statistics)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Some market statistics from Vitabiotics: * the menopause VMS market is worth over #1.8 million. Through Menopace, the company continues to support Wellbeing (menopause leaflet on 020 7772 6400) and the Menopause Amarant Trust (helpline...

No more head scratching over intimate irritation.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Three-quarters of women experience mild intimate irritation - itching and soreness in the external vagina area - at least once in their lifetime. Yet 71 per cent of women aged 15-24 do not know what intimate irritation is, a survey for...

Cystitis sufferers do it themselves.(relying upon pharmacists not doctors for treatment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Cystitis sufferers are increasingly dealing with their condition with the help of a pharmacist, rather than consulting a GP. Sufferers are also becoming more likely to self-medicate as products move from P to GSL and become available on...

Half-hearted about health?(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Recent research suggests that women are ignoring health advice or are letting their health fall by the wayside because they are too busy. In a nationwide survey of 700 women, carried out last year for Canesten, 59 per cent admitted they did...

Kira extends herbal medicine range.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Kira Ltd has extended its herbal medicine range with the introduction of new Kira Agnus Castus. The range, which includes Kira St John's Wort and Kira Black Cohosh, has recently been re-packaged. Call Chemist Brokers on 02392 222500 ...

Treat thrush correctly first time.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Three out of four women will suffer from thrush at some point in their lives, averaging two or three bouts a year, according to Bayer Consumer Care. Most women (91 per cent) who suffer from external symptoms will also have an internal...

Promotions.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Canesten is celebrating its 30th birthday this month, so Bayer Consumer Care is promising an action packed year supporting the range through trade and consumer channels. * The Thrush Advice Bureau, sponsored by Diflucan One (tel:020 7285...

AAH Pharmceuticals - Appointment.(Mandeep Mudhar has been appointed director of marketing)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Mandeep Mudhar has been appointed director of marketing at AAH Pharmaceuticals. Dr Mudhar joined the company in 1998 as professional services manager, and was most recently marketing manager. In the new role, he will continue to develop the...

NICPPET - Appointments.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... NICPPET has announced three new faces. Fran Cassidy has been appointed assistant director for distance learning with responsibility for the Centre's book-based and e-learning activities. Anne Schweizer is working on live education and training,...

Bayer - Appointments.(Bayer PLC)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Bayer has appointed Lambert Courth as the new country speaker and managing director of Bayer plc, for the UK and Ireland. He replaces Lennart Aberg who has retired after 10 years in the role. Mr Courth joins from Haarman & Reimer, a producer of...

Are you up for having a ball?(fundraising balls)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Could you dance all night? If so, why not go along to one or both of two charity balls we have been alerted to with pharmacy connections. The first to take place will be a fundraising ball being organised by Rebecca Chamoto. Now a PhD...

Scrum down, grrrrr - and gargle.(Listerine's latest marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... For all those fans of a real sport where boots in faces regularly happen on the field and not just in the Man United changing room, rugby has few equals. But getting your sponsor's message across has risen to new heights, with the latest...

Winning with wintery windows.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... With spring in the air and overcoats lingering on their hangers, it is difficult to think that winter still has three weeks to run. But for those of you who entered the Benylin winter window competition, we can announce that the winners...

Milburn says NHS needs pharmacists.(Alan Milburn, secretary of state for health; National Health Service)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2003... Alan Milburn, secretary of state for health, described primary care as "the jewel in the crown of Britain's NHS" at the National Association of Primary Care's conference this week. He said that "better use of pharmacists' skills" was one...

Wales comes out against OFT.(Welsh health minister Jane Hutt; Office of Fair Trading)
March 8, 2003... Welsh health minister Jane Hutt has come out against the Office of Fair Trading proposal to end restrictions on the opening of community pharmacies. She said after the annual Wales Labour Party conference in Swansea last week: "We are very...

Health Committee hearing.(in a public forum)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2003... The Commons Health Select Committee is to hold a one-day hearing on the OFT at the beginning of April, within the 90-day consultation period. Political commentators see this as a significant event as it will allow the evidence to be discussed...

6,000 pharmacies may close.(according to a report from the New Economics Foundation)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2003... More than one pharmacy per day will close if the OFT's proposal to abolish control of entry regulations is accepted, an independent think tank has warned. The New Economics Foundation, which previously examined the decline of local post...

Benign prostatic hyperplasia tutorial.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2003... How clued up are you on managing incontinence? This week on p27 C&D carries the first of three tutorials supported by SCA Hygiene looking at its causes in both men and women, treatment and the importance of lifestyle management. Each...

New contract can tackle control of entry.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2003... Concerns over the current control of entry regulations should be considered in parallel with discussions on a new contract, the NPA has said in its response to the OFT report. "Control of entry, along with the generics inquiry and, to a...