Chemist & Druggist articles from November 2005

Chemist & Druggist archives from November 2005

`Direct supervision' to go in new Health Bill.
November 5, 2005... Registered and suitably trained staff working in the pharmacy could soon be able to supervise the supply of medicines without being overseen by a pharmacist. The Health Bill published on October 27 proposes to replace the requirements for...

Health Bill: What the legal experts say.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Contractors can only speculate on what remote supervision will entail, said David Reissner, right, of Charles Russell Solicitors, suggesting that supervision via the telephone or delegated supervision to a registered technician may be an...

Health Bill: Contracts linked to OTCs.(over the counter drugs)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... The Department of Health has backed the idea that applications to provide NHS pharmacy services should be linked to improvements in access to, and provision of, over the counter medicines and advice. In a partial regulatory impact and...

Health Bill: Pharmacy responds.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Despite describing the new Health Bill as a "highly significant piece of legislation that will have long-lasting impact on the future of the pharmacy profession", the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has expressed disappointment that the Bill does...

Health Bill: The Bill at a glance.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Part one: provisions to make enclosed public places and workplaces in England and Wales smoke-free. Part two:: provisions relating to healthcare associated infections (in England and Wales only). Part three: the use of Controlled Drugs...

IN BRIEF: NAWP event.(Calendar)
November 5, 2005... A meeting outlining the history of the National Association of Women Pharmacists is being held on November 16. Open to all, the event will take place at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Lambeth headquarters. Refreshments will be served...

IN BRIEF: Cardiff date.(Calendar)
November 5, 2005... Pharmacy buying group Cambrian Alliance is encouraging independent pharmacists to visit its annual trade show in Cardiff this November. The event takes place on November 16 at the Vale Hotel in the Welsh capital. For more information:...

IN BRIEF: Bald move for Boots.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Halting hair loss will be the next target for Boots following the launch of its weight loss programme. The retailer is offering male pattern baldness treatment Propecia (finasteride) as part of a trial scheme at a store in Manchester. ...

IN BRIEF: NPA election.(Calendar)
November 5, 2005... Nominations for election for Area 15 of the NPA Board need to be with the NPA by noon on November 23. Voting papers will be distributed on December 2, and need to be returned to the NPA by noon on December 20. Copyright: CMP Information...

Two main projects.(British Pharmaceutical Students Association )(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... British Pharmaceutical Students Association (BPSA) president Gautam Paul has urged pharmacy students to participate in two main projects that will be undertaken by the BPSA next year in the fields of healthy living and diabetes. The aim is to...

First code of conduct case clears ex-Council member.(Noel Wicks )
November 5, 2005... A former member of the RPSGB's Council has expressed concerns over the treatment he received from colleagues after facing a disciplinary hearing. Despite being cleared of the charges, he says there was a `whispering campaign' against him....

IN BRIEF: Red Boots.(Boots Company PLC, expansion into Russian market)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Boots has launched into the Russian pharmacy market. The retailer has teamed up with Russian health and beauty firm 36.6 to distribute its own-brand range including Botanics and No7 to 40 Moscow stores. If successful the scheme could...

IN BRIEF: 24-hour trading.(Superdrug Stores PLC)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Superdrug will offer round the clock opening at its store in London's Oxford Street this Christmas. The extended hours will be operated from December 19 to 23, announced Superdrug. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Fraud awareness.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Scotland has declared November to be NHS fraud awareness month in hospitals, following an anti-fraud campaign in pharmacies earlier this year. Counter fraud services staff will tour around Scottish NHS boards and hospitals, highlighting...

IN BRIEF: GP insight.
November 5, 2005... IT supplier Cegedim UK has launched a new service which will provide information on GP prescribing habits. The criterion practice level aims to assist pharmaceutical companies looking to target healthcare workers for sales and marketing...

IN BRIEF: ETP rollout.(electronic transmission of prescriptions )(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... IT supplier Positive Solutions has backed its Analyst ETP system to begin full deployment to pharmacies this month. Martin Jones, commercial manager for Positive Solutions, predicted the Analyst system would quickly meet NHS Connecting for...

IN BRIEF: Boots does IT.(Boots Company PLC)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Boots has completed the rollout of its pharmacy IT system to stores. The QicSCRIPT PMR system, supplied by System Solutions, can be configured to offer electronic prescription services in the future, stated Boots. Copyright: CMP...

NHS boosts safety for pharmacies under attack.(National Health Service)
November 5, 2005... NHS chiefs have pledged extra security support for pharmacy staff after a study on violence against primary care workers found the profession suffered the worst attacks. Pharmacists fell victim to "the most serious" incidents including...

Annual dinner of the Welsh executive.(Dr Brian Gibbon, minister for health and social services for Wales)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Dr Brian Gibbon, minister for health and social services for Wales, urged more than 60 guests at the annual dinner of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's Welsh executive to join the Government in creating a world class health...

Pharmacy is first choice for EHC.(emergency hormonal contraception)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Pharmacies have become the most popular source of emergency hormonal contraception (EHC). According to a report published by the Office of National Statistics, 50 per cent of women obtained EHC from a pharmacy in 2004/05 - a 23 per cent...

Guild slams new pharmacist NHS pay bands.(National Health Service)(Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... The Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists has slammed the new Agenda for Change NHS pay bands as confusing and misleading. Although the majority of hospital pharmacists are yet to receive their pay bandings, GHP chair of terms and conditions...

Boots stays calm over plunging profits.(Boots Company PLC)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Boots chiefs remain confident of future success despite the retailer recording a #17 million profit slump during 2005. Chief executive at the company Richard Baker said Boots had made strong progression even though interim results showed a...

PCTs `need to do more on pharmacy agenda'.(primary care trusts)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... A pharmacist has called on a Labour MP to help ensure PCTs look at the pharmacy agenda "and not let pharmacists be sidelined in GP-dominated PCTs". Kiran Patel also told the MP, Margaret Moran, how the lack of funding at present is holding...

Charity slams partial smoking ban as unworkable.(PharmacyHealthLink)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... PharmacyHealthLink has condemned the Government's partial ban on smoking as unworkable and irresponsible. Last week, health secretary Patricia Hewitt announced plans to outlaw smoking in all enclosed public and work places, except licensed...

Disquiet in the ranks at Numark.(departure of David Wood)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Numark members have expressed misgivings over the organisation's independence after the departure of David Wood from the helm of the symbol group. Mr Wood's exit, which followed a #30.3 million takeover of the symbol group by healthcare...

PAGB PERSPECTIVE: It's all in the interpretation.(Proprietary Association of Great Britain)
November 5, 2005... Reading a label and understanding it are two different things, says Sheila Kelly, director of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain "May cause drowsiness" - well of course it does, why else am I taking it? How stupid. It was the...

PCT boundary reforms raise fears over LPC workloads.(primary care trusts)(Loss Prevention Council)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Government plans to halve PCT numbers will make negotiations more difficult for local pharmaceutical committees, an LPC chief officer has said. The proposals to reconfigure PCT boundaries (C&D, August 6, p6) appear beneficial to LPCs, as...

EU herbal meds directive implemented.(European Union)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Legislation to ensure the safety and quality of herbal medicines came into effect last weekend. Applicable in all EU member states, the directive requires companies to submit evidence on the safety and traditional use of the product before...

Pharmacists reluctantly defend prescription levy.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Representatives from the Scottish Pharmaceutical Federation have gone face to face with Scottish MPs over the issue of prescription charges. Scottish Socialist Party MSP Colin Fox has proposed a Bill abolishing prescription charges, prior...

NPA service matches employers with pre-reg trainees.(National Pharmacy Association)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... The NPA is supporting its members in the recruitment of pre- registration trainees with a free online service. The NPA Prereg Service, which goes live from mid-November, will provide a national platform for NPA members to advertise their...

Medicines poisoning cases near 100k.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Nearly 100,000 hospital admissions in 2003/04 were associated with medicines poisoning, according to a Health Protection Agency report. Over 40,000 admissions were due to non-opioid painkillers, mainly paracetamol. Psychotropic drugs, and...

Patient medicines.(Nottingham City Hospital)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Nottingham City Hospital is helping patients move through the care system with their medicines by giving them patient medicines bags sponsored by AAH Hospital Service. The bags remind patients to take all their prescribed and over the counter...

Group to study CPD uptake.(continuing professional development)(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is seeking to boost the number of pharmacists and technicians using its online Continuing Professional Development resources with a new working group. The RPSGB says that only 16,000 members have used the...

FILM REVIEW: Trial by blockbuster.(Movie Review)
November 5, 2005... Big pharma goes Hollywood with the release of The Constant Gardener. Max Gosney reports on an industry in the media eye Big pharmaceutical firms are cast as the devil incarnate in the silver screen version of John Le Carre's The Constant...

Letter: Here's to building on the success.(Letter to the Editor)
November 5, 2005... Could I add to your report on the changes announced last week at Numark (C&D, Oct 29, p6)? Phoenix is now the new owner of the company and has the absolute right to make whatever management changes it thinks fit. Changes at this stage when...

Problem of the increasing regulatory burden.(British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... The British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers has flagged up the problem of the increasing regulatory burden at its inaugural parliamentary reception. BAPW chairman David Coles told the health minister and MPs that the industry feels...

Letter: Letting the public know about MURs.(Letter to the Editor)
November 5, 2005... I read with interest Xrayser's comment that `MURs need a kick-start' (C&D, Oct 29, p15) - and his belief that a public awareness campaign was needed to remind patients and other primary healthcare colleagues of the medicine use review and...

Comment from the Editor: A Bill of rights or wrongs?(legislative bills for pharmaceutical industry)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
November 5, 2005... As ever, legislation which could have a huge impact on pharmacy was barely noticed by the media last week. All that hubbub over whether smoking should be allowed in pubs selling pork scratchings overshadowed the rest of the Health Bill. And...

Letter: It's not the numbers, it's the message.(Letter to the Editor)
November 5, 2005... I wish to respond to Ashwin Tanna's recent letter (C&D, October 29, p14). No one understands the needs of independent pharmacists better than the NPA. Having said this, the NPA has never sought to speak exclusively for independents. It has...

NORTHERN IRELAND NOTEBOOK: Too big for their Boots.(Boots Company PLC)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Independent community pharmacists in Northern Ireland have shared the same healthy suspicion that counterparts in Great Britain have had for Boots and its predatory activities. The recent bombshell that an alliance with UniChem is planned...

Out of stock and out of excuses.
November 5, 2005... Stock control is an important part of my business and something I pride myself on doing well. A thorough knowledge of the workings of my business and customers' habits, combined with anticipation of seasonal influences and the effects of other...

McHare beats Tommy Tortoise again.(Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council)(Scottish Pharmaceutical Federation)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Pharmacy in Scotland seems to race ahead in a well co-ordinated and progressive manner while the profession in England struggles to keep up and remains mired in politics. The proposed merger of the Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council and...

Letter: Pharmacists' Defence Association came first.(Letter to the Editor)
November 5, 2005... It was with a great deal of sympathy that I read David Morgan's letter regarding the isolation felt by large numbers of locums (C&D, October 29, p16). I share those concerns because having worked as a locum for 12 years, it made me realise that...

Letter: Supports the locum, not the employer.(Letter to the Editor)
November 5, 2005... I was angered to read David Morgan's letter (C&D, October 29, p16) in which he mentions that the NPA should form a locum organisation. I am a locum who recently had the misfortune of having to take my employer to a tribunal as I felt my...

Pharmacy update: Drug excretion: the main route.
November 5, 2005... This article can help in the following CPD competencies: G1e, G1f, C1d, C3e. A list is available at www.uptodate.org.uk/home/PlanRecord.shtml In the second of two articles on drug excretion, Danny Burke explains the urinary route This...

New malaria regimen found.
November 5, 2005... Trimethoprim combined with sulfamethoxazole (TS) is a highly effective form of malaria prophylaxis, says a paper in this month's Journal of Infectious Diseases. The researchers assigned 160 children aged between five and 15 years living in...

Combination therapies more effective in RA.(rheumatoid arthritis)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Rheumatoid arthritis patients on combination treatments benefit from less joint damage progression and earlier functional improvement, say Dutch researchers. Over 500 patients with very early RA were randomised to receive one of four...

More work needed on LRAs, says DTB.(leukotriene receptor antagonists, Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin has called for more research into the advantages offered by leukotriene receptor antagonists (LRAs) to different patient groups. The drug class - which includes montelukast and zafirlukast - comprises an...

Scriptlines: Enmix Plus Commence.
November 5, 2005... A nutritional drink initiation pack has been launched by Abbott Nutrition. Enmix Plus Commence contains the most popular flavours of Ensure Plus, both in milkshake and yoghurt formulations, and Enlive Plus. ACBS approved, the mixed case...

Scriptlines: Xolair injection.
November 5, 2005... Novartis Pharmaceuticals has launched Xolair (omalizumab), an add-on therapy for patients with severe persistent allergic asthma. The monoclonal antibody is licensed to improve asthma control in patients aged 12 years and over who have...

Scriptlines: Aci-Jel.(Janssen-Cilag is discontinuing Aci-Jel vaginal jelly )(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Janssen-Cilag is discontinuing Aci-Jel vaginal jelly (glacial acetic acid) globally from the end of December for "manufacturing reasons". For more information: Janssen-Cilag Ltd Tel: 01494567567 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Scriptlines: Noxafil.(Schering-Plough gets marketing approval from European Commission)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... The European Commission has granted marketing approval to Noxafil (posaconazole) for the treatment of certain serious fungal infections, says Schering-Plough. The company's marketing application covered the oral suspension's use in adults...

Get switched on to Sudafed.
November 5, 2005... Sudafed has introduced a new vapour plug which it says provides a non- medicinal solution for clear and easy breathing. The mini, waterless vapour continuously releases up to eight hours of comforting aromatic vapours including menthol and...

A hands down win for Dettol.
November 5, 2005... Dettol has launched a new range of antibacterial handwashes available in three fragrances. Manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser claims the handwash is so successful at killing germs it outperforms its nearest competitor by over 400 per cent....

Get the best talons in town.
November 5, 2005... Groomed and glamourous nails are possible this winter according to Coty, following the launch of its new nailcare range. Containing everything needed for perfect nails, the company says the four-step collection will help prevent split and...

Multibionta goes into action.
November 5, 2005... Multibionta is promoting its newly launched Activate probiotic, a supplement aimed at people with hectic and stressful lifestyles. This winter's TV campaign focuses on Activate's formula of probiotics, multivitamins and minerals, ginseng...

OXY wipes up in teen spot market.
November 5, 2005... Teen skincare brand OXY has unveiled its new OXY Triple Action Wipes with zinc. The wipes are formulated for use twice a day and will clean the skin, destroy spot-causing bacteria and prevent spots, the manufacturer says. It claims the...

Detox your nails with Cutex.
November 5, 2005... Ultra Cleansing nail polish remover is the latest release from Cutex. The formula quickly dissolves hard-to-remove nail polish and cleans away stains, says Cutex. Ultra Cleansing remover contains a multi fruit acid complex to clean...

Smoothaway nappy rash.
November 5, 2005... Nelsons has a new addition to its natural kids range - a nappy rash cream called Smootha. Made with a blend of natural plant extracts, Nelsons says the product is gentle, safe and specially formulated to care for a baby's sensitive skin....

BIO-FEM donates money for health research.(Passion For Life Healthcare Ltd. and Wellbeing of Women teamed to raise awareness about women )(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... BIO-FEM is donating 20p from every purchase of its vaginal discomfort remedy Actigel to charity. The company has teamed up with charity Wellbeing of Women (WoW) to raise awareness about women and issues surrounding their bodies. WoW is...

Zovirax prepares for winter.
November 5, 2005... GlaxoSmithKline is promoting Zovirax cold sore cream during its key selling period as winter draws in. A national TV campaign will involve the third screening of the `Helmet' ad this year. This features a woman disguising her face until...

Hard as nails.
November 5, 2005... Say goodbye to chipped nails with Rimmel's new `shockproof' Lycra Wear nail polish, which offers up to five-day durable colour and a high- shine finish. It comes in four different shades: grape sorbet (pink); hot gossip (red); goldspun...

IN BRIEF: Cardiomax.(Seven Seas Healthcare)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Seven Seas has clarified that Hofels Cardiomax may help maintain a healthy heart and circulation and is not a remedy for coughs and colds. The company issued the statement following its submission of an image of the product for C&D's Winter...

Gastrointestinal: Gut instinct.(bowel cancer is the most dangerous cancer)
November 5, 2005... Raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer could make a significant contribution to early detection and cure, reports Sarah Purcell Bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in the UK after lung cancer,...

Increasing number of digestive disorders.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... An increasing number of us are suffering from digestive disorders, with a third of respondents to a TGI survey admitting to indigestion and heartburn over the past year. And over the festive season some 20 million of us are likely to suffer...

Gastrointestinal: IBS update.(irritable bowel syndrome)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Irritable bowel syndrome is the UK's commonest digestive disorder, with 13 per cent of us affected at some time and it's thought that 10 per cent of GP consultations and half of all referrals to gastrointestinal clinics are due to IBS symptoms....

GI product news: Bayer Consumer Care.(is supporting new advertising campaign for Rennie brand )(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Bayer is supporting its new Rennie brand with a #5 million advertising campaign and new point of sale merchandising units. The range includes Original Rennie, Rennie Soft Chews, Rennie Sugar Free, Rennie Rap-Eze and Rennie Liquid Relief. ...

GI product news: Forest Laboratories.(advertising for Bisodol Indigestion Relief tablets)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Bisodol Indigestion Relief tablets are being supported by a #1 million spend which includes television and press advertising as well as posters and PR activity. Forest Laboratories recently acquired the brand and product manager Julie...

Rushed lunch leads to digestive problems.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Research carried out by Rennie into the dwindling British lunch hour has found that one in four of us feel pressured into skipping our lunch hour to make a good impression on the boss, with those aged 25 to 34 least likely to take an hour off....

GI product news: Merck Consumer.(Califig)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Around 10 per cent of the population suffers from constipation on a regular basis, with one in three women and one in five men admitting to it, says the maker of Califig. The laxatives market is currently worth #51.6 million and growing by...

GI product news: McNeil.
November 5, 2005... Research by the maker of Pepcidtwo has found that 83 per cent of heartburn sufferers are distracted by the pain it causes and 66 per cent said it impacted on their quality of life. Pepcidtwo combines an antacid with an acid balancer. It...

GI product news: Bayer Consumer.
November 5, 2005... One in three people suffer haemarrhoids at some time, yet 22 per cent of those who get them don't treat the condition because they're too embarrassed to ask for help. Haemorrhoid treatment Germoloids is being supported by a #1.5 million TV...

GI product news: Thornton & Ross.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Setlers Antacid tablets and WindSetlers Gel Caps are being supported by a #1 million advertising campaign that will run until next spring. The advertisements will feature on GMTV and Channel 5. The aim of the campaign is to continue...

GI product news: Lichtwer Pharma.
November 5, 2005... Artichoke leaf extract is thought to help the liver and gall bladder digest fat and metabolise alcohol more efficiently. A recent study in the International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology found that artichoke promoted bile...

GI product news: Reckitt Benckiser.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Reckitt Benckiser is supporting its new Gaviscon Cool Handy Pack with new television advertising which runs until Christmas. There are three new advertisements in the campaign. Reckitt Benckiser, tel: 01793 732000 Copyright: CMP...

I'm too dusty for my cat.(caring measures for cats)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... Cats and other mammals of a furry persuasion are often the first to get the blame for causing asthma in humans, but did you know that humans can cause asthma in cats? According to researchers from the University of Edinburgh's Hospital for...

Who got the duchess pregnant?(Drugs and Desire)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 5, 2005... See, the headline got you interested. But what has it to do with possibly the first novel to have a pharmacist as the hero? You'll have to read the "slightly racy" book and see. Drugs and Desire features a man who is described as "a decent...

Co-op takes up the charities' challenge.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... There must be something in the water at the Co-op. Not content with running busy pharmacies, Co-op staff have been running, walking and cycling for charity. A team of 23 runners took to the streets of Cardiff recently to run a half...

A case of postcode prescribing.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2005... "Being sick is one thing, being worried sick is another," says the advert promoting private healthcare which has been gracing the newspapers recently. "Sometimes the anxiety of what may be wrong with you can make you feel worse that the...

Measures to allay ETP nomination abuse fear.(electronic transmission of prescriptions )
November 12, 2005... Abuse of pharmacy nomination when the electronic transmission of prescriptions (ETP) service is launched should not be a problem, a senior NHS IT director has said. The Department of Health has a "number of measures in place" to safeguard...

Avian flu strategies discussed.(Brief Article)
November 12, 2005... Avian flu, veterinary medicines and work pressures in community pharmacy were among the 26 topics discussed at the RPSGB's practice committee meeting held on November 1. Chairman Sid Dajani said short and long-term strategies were...

Pharmacies will lose out under new Drug Tariff, warns CCA.(Company Chemists Association)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2005... Pharmacists will lose out under Government plans to simplify NHS dispensing payments, a multiple pharmacy trade body has said. Although supportive of the Department of Health's proposals to implement original pack dispensing, the Company...

Handwritten CD scripts to go.(Brief Article)
November 12, 2005... From Monday, Controlled Drug prescriptions can be typed or printed, provided they carry a handwritten signature. PSNC says the legislative change will increase the number of legally complete CD prescriptions and reduce the number requiring...

IN BRIEF: Diamorphine Rxs.(National Assembly for Wales)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2005... The Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales have agreed to allow no cheaper stock obtainable (NCSO) endorsements for November prescriptions for diamorphine 5mg, 10mg, 30mg, 100mg and 500mg injection ampoules. Copyright:...