Chemist & Druggist articles from October 2005

Chemist & Druggist archives from October 2005

OTC pricing could undermine pharmacy.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Price cutting on OTC medicines could drive patients away from local pharmacies, destabilising the community pharmacy network, the National Pharmacy Association has warned in its formal response to the Government's recent `control of entry'...

GPs want equal rights to sell OTC medicines.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... If the Government proceeds with plans to link the award of pharmacy applications with OTC medicine pricing, it will also have to introduce legislation allowing dispensing doctors to sell OTC medicines, dispensing doctor representatives have...

Lansley: DoH must pay for pharmacy.(Andrew Lansley )(Interview)
October 1, 2005... If the Department of Health needs pharmacies, it must put its hands in its pockets and pay for them, shadow secretary for health Andrew Lansley told C&D in an exclusive interview ahead of the Tory conference. Speaking on a wide range of...

Boots rolls out `private' PGD on Orlistat.(Patient group directives )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Boots The Chemists is rolling out what superintendent pharmacist Pradip Patel describes as a `private PGD' to 125 stores in England and Wales that will allow pharmacists to supply Orlistat to patients who successfully enrol on a weight loss...

PPA FP34C guidance.(Prescription Pricing Authority)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The Prescription Pricing Authority has issued guidance on completing the FP34C submission document. It contains information on packing and submitting, and endorsing prescription forms as well as information on sorting repeat authorising forms,...

Pharmacists demand more time to meet new contract.
October 1, 2005... Over two thirds of independent pharmacists in England and Wales want an extension to the new contract transition period, a C&D survey has revealed. Around 69 per cent of pharmacists said the Government had not given them enough time to...

LPC report leads to extra guidance.(North East London Local Pharmaceutical Committee)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... PSNC is to co-operate with the North East London Strategic Health Authority in an effort to resolve the issues highlighted in the SHA's report of the inquiry into alleged governance violations by North East London LPC. It will use the...

DoH launches initiative to avert cylinder crisis.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The Department of Health has launched a three-pronged effort to avert an oxygen cylinder supply shortage this winter. The initiative aims to free up the number of cylinders in the system and comprises: * Reimbursement details for a new...

PSNC to publish LPC cost guide.(Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee)(Legal Practice Course)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... PSNC is to publish a toolkit for LPCs, giving an idea of the cost centres for consideration when `pricing up' enhanced services. According to Alastair Buxton, head of PSNC's NHS services, the guidance follows legal advice which said that...

Patrick Hall MP visits his local Lloydspharmacy.(Member of Parliament )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Patrick Hall, MP for Bedford and secretary of the All-Party Health Group, visited his local Lloydspharmacy in the Saxon Centre, Kempston, Bedford to discuss the range of services offered within the pharmacy. He also had a free blood pressure...

Hewitt denies privatisation of NHS accusation.(Patricia Hewitt)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has denied that the planned restructure of PCTs is a way of privatising the NHS, nor that it will shift services in their entirety from one provider to another. But she has hinted at changes to the way...

PSNC hits out at branded generics plan.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... PSNC is to lobby the Department of Health to drop plans to reprice `standard' branded generics. Picking up on the DoH's point that community pharmacists will lose the higher margin of income previously received from sales of branded...

Auto labelling machine launched by Robopharma.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Robotics firm Robopharma has launched an automated labelling machine which aims to boost speed and safety in pharmacy dispensaries. The RoboLabel technology costs between #10,000 and #15,000 and will process around 30 medicine packs a...

IN BRIEF: Statin questions.
October 1, 2005... McNeil has revamped the pharmacy questionnaire for patients wishing to buy Zocor Heart Pro tablets (simvastatin). The questionnaire now includes a colour coded risk assessment section, which categorises patients as red, amber or green...

IN BRIEF: Specials adds site.(Specials Laboratory)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Unlicensed medicines manufacturer the Specials Laboratory has launched a #1 million facility in Northumberland. It increases the firm's manufacturing base by 6,000sq ft, and will provide a boost to the business, according to Fiona Cruickshank,...

IN BRIEF: Ready made SOPs.
October 1, 2005... Ready-made Standard Operating Procedures are now available on CD-Rom from the Informacist.com. 21 SOPs are priced at #69.99 (plus VAT). CD- Rom based practice leaflets are also available, at #19.99. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Private-Rx sold.(PPLS group and Pharmacy Insurance Agency acquired Private-Rx)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The PPLS group, which includes the Birmingham-based locum agency PPLS and the Pharmacy Insurance Agency (PIA) has bought the pharmacy internet forum, Private-Rx, for an undisclosed sum. PPLS is promising to improve the site through improved...

Parallel traders hit back with good practice guide.(European Association of Euro- Pharmaceutical Companies )(distribution guidelines for Medicinal Products)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The European representatives for parallel traders have published good practice guidelines in an attempt to silence their critics over the issue of fake medicines. The document, Good Parallel Distribution Practice Guidelines for Medicinal...

Phoenix moves offer deadline a second time.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Phoenix has extended its offer for Numark for a second time - but is already within a whisker of meeting the 90 per cent valid shareholder acceptance level that it needs to take over the company. The initial offer ended on September 8, but...

600th installation of Rx's pharmacy system.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Graeme Batten's two pharmacies in Bootle have seen the 600th installation of Rx's pharmacy system ProScript. Around 80 systems a month have been installed since ProScript went live five months ago. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NICE proposes fast track for novel drugs.(National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has proposed a new rapid appraisal process that would more than halve its decision- making time. Under the new system, NICE is proposing to cut down on the number of consultations...

Opportunity to meet the buyers.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... US and other overseas manufacturers wishing to expand into the UK will have the opportunity to gain some understanding of the UK pharmacy market and meet the buyers who represent 70 per cent of UK pharmacy retailers at a two-day seminar...

OPINION: Take a deep breath.
October 1, 2005... The oxygen supply muddle leaves us gasping at the risk to patients, says Mark Griffiths As the new pharmacy contract deadline of October 1 approaches, the oxygen supply contract scheduled for the same date has been postponed by four...

PAGB PERSPECTIVE: Self-care Down Under.
October 1, 2005... Sheila Kelly, executive director of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, says Australia is taking a leaf out of our book The strong support for self-care which we are developing in the UK reached Australia last week when the...

Comment from the Editor.(pharmacy contract)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
October 1, 2005... October 1 is upon us and the new pharmacy contract in England and Wales is fully operational. Or that's the theory. There are still some real fears out there, as our survey this week shows (p16-17). But there are also many pharmacists who...

OPINION: Pet overspends.
October 1, 2005... Our question to pharmacists this week was: Will PCT overspends affect pharmacy services in your area? "They will be badly affected as there are insufficient funds to commission all the services the PCT would like to offer" John Cross,...

YOUR VIEW: Is a new body the answer to representation for independents?(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... At the risk of continuing the conversation about the future of pharmacy representation through the columns of your letters page, I feel I must respond to the comments made by Ian Brownlee of Mawdsley Brookes and Mike Smith of UniChem to my...

NORTHERN IRELAND NOTEBOOK: Government must define a month.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... I don't hold out much hope for an agreement on unit pack dispensing as the debate on whether a month consists of 28 or 30 days seems to be no nearer resolution. Government needs to take the lead and determine a prescribing month as 28 days...

Fitness drive may deter locums.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The proposed fitness to practise register that will require all PCTs to maintain a list of pharmacists working in their area (C&D, September 24, p4) is the latest example of bureaucracy gone mad. This crazy duplication of effort will benefit no...

Looking forward to BNF-C.
October 1, 2005... I am looking forward to receiving my copy of the new BNF for Children (C&D, September 24, p36). This publication is long overdue and I hope to be able to check and advise on dosages, licensing and safety of children's medicines like never...

Once a month would be enough for pharmacists.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The launch of the new once monthly Bonviva tablets for postmenopausal osteoporosis (C&D, September 24, p29) raises a number of interesting issues. This is the first oral medication that I will dispense regularly with a once a month dosage...

Lost in transition.(survey of pharmacy operators )
October 1, 2005... As contract deadline day arrives, Max Gosney and Anna Hodgekiss report on how pharmacists are faring on the front line A C&D survey of pharmacy operators in England and Wales reveals 72 per cent are ready to offer essential services from...

C&D INTERVIEW: Stepping stone.(Chemist and Druggist)(Raj Patel)(Interview)
October 1, 2005... The new pharmacy contract is just a starting point and will lead to community pharmacy becoming much more clinically focused within a few years, Raj Patel, NPA chairman, tells Gary Paragpuri Raj Patel has been a pharmacist for 20 years. He...

Raj Patel profile.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Raj Patel chose to study pharmacy because it was "one of the few professions where you could be a professional and have a business". He graduated from Manchester University in 1985 and did his pre-reg locally with Boots. On qualifying, he...

PHARMACY UPDATE: Curse of the young.
October 1, 2005... This article can help in the following CPD competencies: C1f, G1a, G1c, G1d. A list is available at www.uptodate.org.uk/home/PlanRecord.shtml Objectives * To revise the symptoms and causes of acne * To understand how...

Statins cut coronary events, regardless of baseline LDL.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Statin therapy safely reduces the incidence of major coronary events and strokes, irrespective of patients' initial cholesterol levels, say researchers. A meta-analysis of more than 90,000 patients involved in 14 randomised trials of...

Pain affects depressed patients' treatment response.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Patients who experience pain as part of depression have a poorer response to treatment, a US professor has said. Indiana University's Professor Kurt Kroenke told attendees at a depression workshop that physical symptoms were a common...

Restless legs drug gets OK.(GlaxoSmithKline PLC gets approval for Adartel )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... A European drugs committee has recommended the approval of the GlaxoSmithKline product Adartel (ropinirole) for the treatment of moderate to severe idiopathic restless legs syndrome. Although concerns had been raised by Spain and The...

Scriptlines: Salinum.
October 1, 2005... Crawford Pharmaceuticals has launched Salinum, a saliva substitute for xerostomia sufferers. The product contains a polysaccharide-rich linseed extract, which has been shown to have good protective and lubricating qualities, said Crawford...

Scriptlines: Levonelle-2.
October 1, 2005... Schering Health Care Ltd has announced plans to phase out the emergency hormonal contraception product Levonelle-2. From November, the two-tablet prescription-only medicine will be replaced with Levonelle-1500, a single tablet formulation...

Scriptlines: Humapen Luxura.
October 1, 2005... Lilly has launched Humapen Luxura, a new reuseable diabetes device. The burgundy insulin pen has prescription-only status, and can be ordered direct from Lilly through the normal channels or by faxing 01256 315951. Price: #26.26 ...

Scriptlines: Zamadol 24hr.
October 1, 2005... Zamadol 24hr tablets is Viatris' latest addition to its range of tramadol products. Available in four strengths - 150mg, 200mg, 300mg and 400mg - the prolonged release tablets are indicated for treating moderate to severe pain. The SPC...

Scriptlines: BuTrans patches.
October 1, 2005... Napp Pharmaceuticals has launched BuTrans - the UK's first seven-day buprenorphine patch. Available in 5,10 and 20mcg/hour strengths, the matrix patches are licensed for the treatment of severe opioid responsive pain conditions that are...

Scriptlines: Voltarol Gel Patch.
October 1, 2005... Novartis Consumer Health has launched Voltarol Gel Patch, a medicated plaster containing diclofenac epolamine (equivalent to diclofenac sodium 1% w/w). Indicated for the local symptomatic treatment of pain in epicondylitis and ankle...

Scriptlines: Xclair cream.
October 1, 2005... Xclair, a cream designed to treat and reduce the progression of radiation dermatitis in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, has been launched by Crawford Pharmaceuticals. A class 2 medical device, the cream contains bisabolol and...

Pain relief from Omron.(Omron Healthcare Inc.'s E2 Elite and Soft Touch )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Omron Healthcare has launched two pain relieving solutions for sufferers of muscle pain and tension. The E2 Elite and the Soft Touch are electronic nerve stimulation devices designed to give relief from muscle pain. The E2 Elite is...

Bonjela gets cool addition.(Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Reckitt Benckiser is expanding its Bonjela range for mouth ulcers. Bonjela Cool Mint gel contains choline salicylate 8.714 per cent and cetalkoncium chloride 0.01 per cent in a minty gel. For adults half an inch of the gel should be applied...

Home use prostate test.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The first prostate test for home use is now available from Simplicity Health. The test detects abnormal levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), which may signal possible prostate disease. It uses a chromatographic-immuno assay with a...

Fresh breath message.(Periproducts Ltd.'s Retardex)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Periproducts is investing #750,000 in its largest ever advertising campaign which runs until December. The campaign will include press advertising in national newspapers and magazines. There are six different advertisements promoting the...

Clock the latest from Sominex.(Thornton & Ross Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The clocks go back this month and this can contribute to sleeping problems for insomniacs. The maker of Sominex is running a promotional campaign called "Don't forget to put your body-clocks back" which will target over 45s with press and...

Dr Johnson's for travellers.(Dr Johnson's Travel Gel)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Dr Johnson's Travel Gel is an aromatherapy-based gel that is said to help increase circulation and may be useful for travellers. The gel contains ginger, a circulation stimulant, and white willow, the source of aspirin, which has an...

New for Australian Bodycare range.(Australian Bodycare Proprietary Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Australian Bodycare products are being relaunched in new packaging from this month. All products will have larger brand names on-pack and the ABC mosaic artwork will be reduced in size to allow for this. Four of the products in the range...

New VMS line from Principle.(Principle Healthcare)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Principle Healthcare has launched seven supplements, which it hopes will fill the gap between value products and premium brands in pharmacies. The products are: Children's Omega 3 Fruit Explosions, #2.99 for 30 chewable capsules; Glucose...

Flash fashion.(Herbatint )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Six colours are available in the new Flash Fashion range from Herbatint - Henna Red, Crimson Red, Plum, Violet, Sand Blonde and Orange. The permanent hair colours are enriched with aloe vera, Meadow Foam seed oil, white birch, witch hazel...

IN BRIEF: Radiant cleansers.(Apricot Radiance Cleansers)
October 1, 2005... The St Ives range has been extended with the Apricot Radiance Cleansers range, which cleanse skin without drying it out. Price: #3.99 for 150ml Alberto-Culver Tel: 01256 705000 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Vitamin E addition.(Bio-Health Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Bio-Health has introduced vitamin E body moisturiser lotion to keep skin soft and hydrated. The non-greasy lotion is easily absorbed. Price: #5.80 for 250ml Bio-Health Tel: 01634 290115 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Rugby initiative.(Forest Laboratories UK)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Forest Laboratories is promoting its Sudocrem brand via the rugby pitch as it sponsors the 2005/2006 rugby league season. For more information: Forest Laboratories Tel: 01322 550550 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Aqua extended.(Lancome International)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Lancome has extended its Aqua Fusion range with two products. Aqua Fusion Lips is a glossy lip balm with SPF8 to leave lips moisturised and silky soft. Aqua Fusion Tinted Cream SPF15 is a moisturiser offered in three shades. Price:...

UniChem Conference: Don't ignore retail sales, MD warns.(managing director )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Community pharmacists must not lose focus of the retail side of their business while they are implementing the new pharmacy contract, UniChem's managing director has warned. It was easy to get "totally immersed" in the contract, David...

UniChem Conference: Embrace contract opportunities.
October 1, 2005... Some primary care trusts have "not embraced the opportunities" that the new pharmacy contract offers them, PSNC's chief executive told delegates. The capacity of PCTs to make changes in how they procure services, adopt strategies and plan...

UniChem Conference: October 3 `milestone'.(primary care trusts)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Monday marks the next "major milestone" in the roll out of the new contract when PCTs take on their monitoring role, said NPA chairman Raj Patel at the UniChem convention in Bali this week. He condemned PCTs that will "adopt a hard, almost...

UniChem Conference: UniChem launches `people' solution.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... A support package to help pharmacy contractors make sure their staff make the most of the new pharmacy contract will be launched by UniChem later this year. It will give pharmacists a "comprehensive review of the basics of good people...

UniChem Conference: Retail's future looks promising.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The days of the retail pharmacy are not dead and the future looks promising, said Alliance Pharmacy's commercial director Sue Rockhill at the UniChem convention in Bali this week. She predicts that within 10 years services will account for...

PHARMACY MANAGEMENT: What makes a good leader?
October 1, 2005... In this final article in the series on leadership, Ian Harrison talks to four pharmacists to explore their take on leadership and formulate practical advice for every pharmacist Research in this area tends to favour the key factor being an...

BPC Conference: A common vision.(British Pharmaceutical Conference)
October 1, 2005... The 142nd British Pharmaceutical Conference took place in Manchester this week. Among the themes discussed were prescribing, the new contract, changes in the NHS, and rights and responsibilities Retain dual function says president The...

BPC Conference: Full PCT budget impact not felt yet.(British Pharmaceutical Conference)(primary care trust)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Some 80 per cent of the NHS budget is now held by PCTs, but the impact of that has not yet been felt, said Trish O'Gorman. "PCB will be significant here, but it is important that it is not done in silos, but across primary care," she said....

BPC Conference: Concerns over more changes.(British Pharmaceutical Conference)(Primary care Trust)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Healthcare Outside Hospitals - a forthcoming Government White Paper - is being flagged up by senior NHS executives as the `next step in creating a patient-led NHS'. Describing it as a "follow on" from the NHS Plan published in 2000, Trish...

BPC Conference: Minimising medication errors.(British Pharmaceutical Conference)
October 1, 2005... Professor Bryony Dean Franklin is the winner of this year's practice research award sponsored by C&D. On Tuesday, she gave a presentation on her research on medication safety, and the study of medication errors According to studies in the...

Professor Bryony Dean Franklin.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Professor Franklin's interest in medication administration errors stems from her MSc project in 1993 at the School of Pharmacy, University of London. A research project involving a trip to Auburn University, Alabama, led her to conduct the...

BPC Conference: What is good prescribing?(British Pharmaceutical Conference)
October 1, 2005... A session on Monday looked at pharmacist prescribing. The prescriber- patient relationship, access to a full formulary, and experiences and recommendations were all under discussion We need a new model of prescribing, argued Nick Barber,...

BPC Conference: Assisted suicide debate needed.(British Pharmaceutical Conference)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Pharmacists should start to discuss their attitudes to assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia "sooner rather than later", according to a professor of law and medical ethics. Currently both the House of Lords and the Scottish Parliament...

BPC Conference: Molecular drug knowledge is key to patient health.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Gaining a better understanding of complex drug designs can provide scientists with a catalyst to improving their performance, according to Professor Duncan Craig, this year's BPC science chairman. Professor Craig stressed the value of "back...

BPC Conference: CPP consults on membership.(College of Pharmacy Practice )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The College of Pharmacy Practice is consulting on how it can widen its membership categories. Following changes to its articles of association, the College is proposing changes, not only to allow pre-registration pharmacy students to be...

Prototype table top deblisterer.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... MTS has unveiled a prototype table top deblisterer to improve safety and accuracy when filling monitored dosage systems. The system incorporates a deblisterer and the PlusPak compliance packaging system within a semi automated process. MTS...

The face of Superdrug.(Superdrug Stores PLC)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Miss England, Hammassa Kohistani, was the face of Superdrug's sponsorship of London Fashion Week a fortnight ago. The retailer opened a one-stop shop during the show at the National History Museum in London where Miss England took on the...

Mohican man.
October 1, 2005... Well done to Martin Oldfield who completed the BUPA Great North Run on September 18 in two hours and 33 minutes. The proprietor of Johnstown Pharmacy in Wrexham completed the 13.1 mile race clad in a blue Mohican wig and Mr Men T-shirt.. And...

Department of Health - Appointment.(Sheila Shribman)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Dr Sheila Shribman has been named national clinical director for children by the Department of Health. She will spearhead the Government's drive to modernise and reform children's healthcare services. Dr Shribman is currently the medical...

National Patient Safety Agency - Appointment.(Wendy Harris)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Wendy Harris has been promoted to head of safety solutions at the National Patient Safety Agency. She will be responsible for managing safer practice teams and addressing patient safety problems. Wendy was formerly a senior pharmacist at the...

Taking heart from South African example.(United South African Pharmacies)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... UK independents fearing that the recent control of entry consultations have echoes of the OFT report should take heart. In South Africa independents have won an appeal against a major retailer on the basis that the country's pharmacy...

Alliance Boots merger will reshape pharmacy.
October 8, 2005... Plans to create an Alliance Boots super group will provide a platform for the future success of pharmacy, according to senior figures at Boots and Alliance UniChem (AU). The proposed #7 billion merger between the retailer and healthcare...

Storm brews over tie-up.(Boots mergers with Alliance-UniChem to form Alliance Boots )
October 8, 2005... Boots's proposed #7 billion merger with Alliance-UniChem (AU) has sparked mixed reactions among pharmacy industry experts. The creation of an Alliance Boots super group received reserved backing from the National Pharmacy Association. ...

Proposed merger.(Alliance UniChem PLC merges with Alliance UniChem PLC to form Alliance Boots)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2005... UniChem managing director David Coles has called the proposed merger "an excellent opportunity for our independent pharmacy customers". Writing in this week's C&D (see p15) Mr Coles says that the creation of Alliance Boots would allow increased...

IN BRIEF: RPSiS event.
October 8, 2005... A registration ceremony for new members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society will be held in Edinburgh on November 9. More details of the evening at the Society's House at 36, York Place, Edinburgh, are available from Wilma MacDonald at the...

IN BRIEF: Pre-reg conference.
October 8, 2005... The British Pharmaceutical Students' Association is holding a conference for pre-registration students on November 6. Entitled Aiming High, it will be at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham. For more information, e-mail Lamia Samrin at...