Chemist & Druggist articles from October 2007

Chemist & Druggist archives from October 2007

Uproar over purchase profits raid.
October 6, 2007... The government's category M cut could cost each pharmacy up to #40,000 a year, representatives warn Jennifer Richardson Contractors, wholesalers and manufacturers have reacted angrily to the government's raid on generic purchase...

Prime Minister pushes ahead with blueprint.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Gordon Brown has brought forward an interim report by Lord Darzi that was expected to bring a greater role for community pharmacy. The Prime Minister had planned to unveil the package in mid-October but it was to be released on Thursday...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Eisai appeals Nice verdict.(National Institute for Clinical Excellence)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Aricept (donepezil) maker Eisai has announced plans to appeal the court verdict on Nice's Alzheimer's disease decision. Eisai is looking to appeal against the High Court ruling that Nice did act correctly when it assessed three Alzheimer's...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Going separate ways.
October 6, 2007... The NPA and PSNC have said they will no longer be considering a merger as they have found no compelling case for doing so. Neither would comment on how the decision was reached. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Smoking cessation boost.(National Pharmaceutical Association)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Smoking cessation services could experience a boost in patients following the increase in the legal purchasing age for cigarettes to 18 years old this week. The NPA said pharmacists could see more young patients seeking help, as well as older...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Syringe recall.(Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... The MHRA is recalling a large number of BD Plastipak 1ml, 2ml, 5ml and 10ml Luer slip syringes, following reports of connection problems. The batches were made between April and August. See www.tinyurl.com/2h5pd3 Copyright: CMP Information...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Wessex conference advice.
October 6, 2007... Pharmacists looking to exploit government policy to expand their clinical role should seriously consider becoming pharmacists with special interests and prescribers, last Sunday's RPSGB Wessex Regional Conference heard. ...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Raj Singh Dhamu.
October 6, 2007... Pharmacist Raj Singh Dhamu of Leamington Spa was featured in last week's issue (C+D, September 29, 2007, page 7) after appearing on ITV's X Factor. The picture of Mr Dhamu, which should have been next to the X Factor story, was unfortunately...

No fee decision until November.(2008 retention fees)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Consultation results will be analysed by independent consultant Zoe Smeaton Pharmacists must wait until November to find out how much extra they will pay for 2008 retention fees, a meeting of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council...

`Inadequate' evidence for fee hike, say multiples.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... The UK's biggest pharmacy retailers have slammed the "inadequate" evidence behind the RPSGB's proposed hike in retention fees. The Society had failed to make "a robust case" for the 50 per cent increase in charges for 2008 the CCA said....

Council rejects `overkill' OTC sales security.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Pharmacists should not have to personally oversee every sale of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine containing medicines, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has said. In a narrow vote, the Society's Council voted against a motion to recommend that...

Pseudoephedrine consultation launched.
October 6, 2007... The MHRA is seeking views on a proposal to make the sale and supply of products containing more than 720mg of pseudoephedrine and 180mg ephedrine available only with a prescription. This would be another measure to help prevent the manufacture...

BMA `quite wrong' to attack rural pharmacies, says negotiator.(British Medical Association)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Industry hits back at GPs' claim that new pharmacy contracts limit their local medical services Jennifer Richardson The Scottish pharmacy contract negotiator has hit back at doctors' claims that the introduction of community pharmacies...

Team members - US style.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Pharmacists in Scotland could delegate work to a new team member, under an idea from the country's chief pharmaceutical officer. Bill Scott is considering an American model - currently being piloted in Scottish hospitals - in which...

Scotland's first Alcohol Awareness Week.(public health minister Shona Robison )(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Scotland's public health minister Shona Robison joined players from the national rugby team, who face Argentina in their World Cup quarter final this weekend, to promote understanding of alcohol units. The event marked a countdown to Scotland's...

Violent attack tally doubles in a year.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Call for more money to fund risk assessments and improve safety Zoe Smeaton Physical violence against pharmacists and other retail staff has risen by 50 per cent in the past year, according to a survey by the British Retail Consortium...

DISPENSARY TALK: Is working in a pharmacy safe?
October 6, 2007... It just depends what kind of area you're working in. It's nearly always young men trying to steal and when you try to stop them they get aggressive. But I've never had problems from patients. Brian Rafferty, Village Pharmacy, Essex I...

Project to target health inequalities.
October 6, 2007... Northern Ireland's health chiefs celebrated last Friday pharmacists' role in a #1m project to target health inequalities in the country's most deprived areas. Dr Norman Morrow, NI chief pharmaceutical officer, said pharmacists could be given...

YPG project includes GP.
October 6, 2007... A Young Pharmacists Group project to run a pharmacy piloting innovative practice will include an in-store GP surgery when it opens in Dudley later this year. Feedback from the project will be shared with the wider profession and could...

Period pain drugs may switch.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Two drugs for period problems could be switched from POM to P this autumn. The MHRA said it hoped naproxen and Cyklo-f could be launched this November. Dr June Raine, director of vigilance and risk management of medicines at the agency...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Numark diabetes training.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Numark's autumn training sessions will encourage members to explore services their pharmacy could offer to diabetic patients. Prescriptions for diabetic patients account for over a fifth of all dispensed items. www.numarkpharmacists.com...

NEWS IN BRIEF: PHARMA awards shortlist.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... A shortlist for the first PHARMA for Pharmacy awards has been announced. The awards aim to recognise people working at all levels of pharmacy. The inaugural ceremony takes place in Birmingham on the first day of the Pharmacy Show 2007. The full...

NEWS IN BRIEF: C+D Guide to OTC Medicines clarification.
October 6, 2007... The Breeze 2 blood glucose meter from Bayer Diabetes Care uses Breeze 2 test strip discs (PIP 297-0531). The monograph should read: Breeze 2 - Bayer Diabetes Care Compatible with Breeze 2 Disc 1 l blood required Memory...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Leicestershire meeting.(Royal Pharmaceutical Society )(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... The Leicestershire branch of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society will meet on October 9 to discuss practice-based commissioning. The meeting will take place at 7pm in the Granby Suite, Leicester College. ianbell130@btinternet.com Copyright:...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Critical conference.
October 6, 2007... The RPSGB will host an international conference, linking process understanding to control strategy, at its headquarters from November 26- 27. For more details email science@rpsgb.org or visit www.rpsgb.org Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Pet prescription.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Dog and cat owners can now buy healthcare products for their pets, including flea and tick treatments and worming medication, in more than half of the Co-operative Pharmacy's 700 branches. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Struck off for cash theft.(Joanna Tisdale )(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Pharmacist `still maintains her innocence' despite conviction A pharmacist who was convicted of stealing from the till of a Boots store in West Bromwich has been struck off by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Disciplinary chairman...

`Deliberate' fraud by pharmacist.(Bharat Suchak)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... A Surrey pharmacist has been struck off after dispensing large medicine packs while claiming for smaller, more expensive alternatives. Bharat Suchak of Worcester Park, Surrey, "knowingly and deliberately" defrauded medicine claims worth...

PharmacyHealthLink viewpoint: Robust pharmacy response is crucial.
October 6, 2007... Roger Walker and Georgina Craig explain the rationale behind the restrictions on pseudoephedrine sales Pharmacy has made an effective case for the retention of medicines containing pseudoephedrine and ephedrine within the pharmacy (P)...

LETTER: In defence of `flagship' event.(Letter to the editor)
October 6, 2007... The RPSGB is working hard to make the event more accessible, says BPC As chair of the Society's conference committee, I can't let the comments made by Xrayser (C+D, September 22, p15) concerning the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC)...

Comment from the editor: 06.10.07.(pharmacy contracts)(Editorial)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Up to #40,000 per year, #3,333 per month, or #833 per week per pharmacy. Whichever way you look at it, can you afford to lose this much off your bottom line? For some pharmacies, this may be a big part of their weekly takings, while for large...

Your views: Balancing risk and benefit.(view of Kent Woods on British Pharmaceutical Conference)
October 6, 2007... C+D columnist Kent Woods gives the MHRA view on pseudoephedrine Balancing risks and benefits - the theme for this year's BPC conference - is particularly relevant to my organisation, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency....

NORTHERN IRELAND NOTEBOOK: What next for PSNI?(Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland)(Editorial)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... The editorial (C+D, September 8, p12) on the future direction for PSNI was as insightful and blunt as it was realistic. PSNI can consult all it likes but this will not affect the direction that the government is taking it. Some years ago...

XRAYSER: Innovation shines through.(Myrepeats.com)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Myrepeats.com - why didn't I think of that? A system where patients can order repeat prescriptions via your pharmacy from a number of local GP practices and then either collect their prescription from your pharmacy or have it delivered to their...

XRAYSER: Gin-soaked raisins?(product counterfeiting)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Recent media reports about the prosecution of drugs counterfeiters led one patient to question the authenticity of the Viagra I'd dispensed for him the previous week. I'm always pleased to see people taking responsibility for their medicines...

Pharmacy Champions: Alliance Pharmacy.(interview of Alan Erwin)(Interview)
October 6, 2007... Alan Erwin, of the Alliance Pharmacy on Sandy Row, Belfast, has used a harm minimisation study to improve the medicines usage advice he gives to patients and to inform his staff Misuse and abuse of over the counter medicines is a pertinent...

Glitazone evidence questions heart failure significance.(New England Journal of Medicine )(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... A fourth major metastudy of glitazone study data has concluded that treatment with both rosiglitazone (Avandia, GSK) and pioglitazone (Glustin, Takeda) increases the risk of congestive heart failure, but not cardiovascular death. The...

Glutafin gets fresh with brown bread.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Glutafin is hoping to capitalise on the success of its Select Fresh White Bread with the launch of a brown variant. Glutafin Select Fresh Brown Bread is baked to order and delivered on a weekly basis to customers via pharmacies. The product...

IN BRIEF: SPC changes.
October 6, 2007... Olmetec tablets (olmesartan medoxomil). Revised regarding use in hepatic impairment. Psoriderm Emulsion 40% w/v Bath Additive (distilled coal tar). Change of name from Psoriderm Bath Emulsion Inovelon tablets (rufinamide). New product...

ADR gene project goes Europe-wide.
October 6, 2007... A Europe-wide project to create a collection of DNA samples from patients who suffer adverse drug reactions is being funded by the EU in its first year and samples collected from at least 500 cases for each of six ADRs. www.eudragene.com...

Januvia scoops top US prize.(2007 Prix Galien USA Awards)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Januvia (sitagliptin) has been named Best Pharmaceutical Agent at the 2007 Prix Galien USA Awards. The type 2 diabetes agent was considered alongside 19 other compounds before receiving the prize, which recognises innovation by the...

Genes reduce sickle-cell effects.(Kings College )(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... King's College researchers have identified three genes that control a haemoglobin variant known to be helpful in patients with sickle-cell anaemia. The genes control patients' foetal haemoglobin levels, which is found in children and...

EU OK for diabetes drug combinations.
October 6, 2007... The European drug regulator has given the green light for two new anti- diabetes drug combinations. The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) adopted a positive opinion on Novartis' Eucreas, which contains vildagliptin and metformin. A second...

US research quashes thiomersal link to neuro damage.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Early exposure to mercury-containing vaccines does not affect neurological development in children, US researchers have concluded. The study considered 42 neuropsychological outcomes (but not autistic spectrum disorders) in over 1,000...

Pharmacy Update: An eye for an eye.
October 6, 2007... All you need to know to help you advise customers on the correct use of contact lenses Key points * The main lens types are rigid gas permeable and soft (hydrophilic), with the latter available as disposables for daily, fortnightly or...

Hand cleanser range debuts.(Veggie Mart)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Asseptgel is a new range of hand sanitisers available from Veggie Mart. Said to kill 99.99 per cent of germs in less than 15 seconds, the brand removes the need for soap, water or towels. Asseptgel contains water soluble oils from plants,...

Cymex turns up the Heat.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Cold sore cream Cymex is being backed by a #750,000 consumer marketing and PR campaign, reports Actavis. Focusing on the women's press, ads are running in titles such as Cosmopolitan, Heat and Now. Online, a website will launch this month...

Multibionta gets busy on the box.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Probiotic multivitamin Multibionta is being backed with a #1 million TV ad budget this month. Targeting both men and women with busy lifestyles, there are two ads promoting Multibionta and its Activate variant. They will be screened...

Daily dose of Haliborange.(Seven Seas Healthcare)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Haliborange Omega-3 for Infants has been launched by Seven Seas. Suitable from six months of age, the product provides the essential fatty acid DHA, said to be important for brain development. The flavourless, odourless oil is derived from...

Seven Seas twisting lessons.(Seven Seas Healthcare launches a advertising campaign)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Seven Seas is running a #4 million campaign aiming to teach consumers the benefits of its Joint Health brands, Cod Liver Oil and JointCare. Continuing until Christmas, the `Do the Seven Seas twist' campaign spans TV, radio, press and online...

Crystal clear armpits.(Crystal Spring)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Crystal Spring has launched a range of Natural Body Deodorants containing crystallised salts from Thailand. The products are free from parabens and aluminium and are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and not tested on animals. The range...

It's a Breeze.(blood glucose monitoring system launched by Bayer AG Pharmaceutical Div)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... The Breeze 2 blood glucose monitoring system has been launched by Bayer. The product is designed for improved accuracy, speed and convenience, says the company. Once loaded, the meter will give 10 tests. Results are provided in five seconds...

YSX rapid beauty answers.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... A range of beauty treatments has been launched by YSX under the Rapid Action Solutions name. New products include Forever Spot Free, containing witch hazel and zinc to freshen the skin, and Vein Repair Cream, which reduces the appearance of...

Cura-Heat range expands.(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... A neck and shoulder pain variant has been added to Cura-Heat's pain relief range. The U-shaped product is said to provide warmth for up to 10 hours. Winter will see the brand on TV and via PR activity with pharmacy- specific promotions...

Tisserand bearing new gifts.(Tisserand Aromatherapy)(Brief article)
October 6, 2007... Aromatherapy brand Tisserand is getting into the festive spirit with the launch of the Bath & Shower Oil Collection. Behind an acetate sleeve are six glass 4ml bath and shower oils in three fragrances - revive, relax and re-balance - hand...

Government `rebases generics reimbursement'.(category M for generic drugs )
October 6, 2007... Find out what the latest generics price changes mean for you with C+D's Category M Barometer The Category M Barometer swings freely into negative territory this quarter following the news this week that #400 million will be removed from...

Get IT connected.(United States. National Institutes of Health)(pharmacy uses electronic prescription service )
October 6, 2007... With release two of the electronic prescription service (EPS) to be rolled out next year, what should you be doing now to be ready in time to join the electronic NHS? Zoe Smeaton reports Some have been slow to adopt, some are totally...

Schering-Plough in supply talks.
October 13, 2007... Drugs firm approaches wholesalers but puts changes on hold until OFT completes market study Max Gosney Schering-Plough UK has become the latest drugs manufacturer to review the way its medicines are supplied to pharmacies. The...

Retention fees consultation `not public vote'.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's consultation on retention fee rises is "not a public vote", Lambeth has stressed. The warning came in response to questions on whether a 10,000 strong online protest against fee rises will be counted as a...

Cash injection for health by 2011.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... The government has announced that spending on healthcare will increase over the next three years to #110 billion by 2010-2011. The Treasury's 2007 comprehensive spending review (CSR) includes a three-year settlement for the Department of...

IN BRIEF: NCSO update.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... The Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales have agreed to allow NCSO endorsements for the following items for October prescriptions: diamorphine 5mg injection ampoules; diamorphine 100mg injection ampoules; and diamorphine...

IN BRIEF: Coming to Cape Town.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... AAH will host its 2008 convention in South Africa from April 15 to 21. The Cape Town conference will carry a "passion, performance and delivery" theme according to the wholesaler. Pharmacists interested in attending should call 020 7812 7013....

IN BRIEF: Muscat next for UniChem.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... UniChem's 2008 customer convention will be held in Muscat, Oman. The event will be held between October 13 and 20 2008, at the Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Hotel, and customers interested in attending should contact 0800 634 0119. ...

IN BRIEF: Clarke goes live.
October 13, 2007... The website of an independent inquiry into a future professional leadership body for pharmacy is now live at www.theclarkeinquiry.com. The consultation document will be available on the site from the end of the month. Copyright: CMP...

PSNI fears future voice.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... President says evidence points to Northern Ireland pharmacists being ignored Zoe Smeaton and contributed A UK-wide solution to professional regulation could result in Northern Ireland's pharmacists losing their voice, according to...

Vigilance needed over category M.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... Contractors must be "vigilant" in monitoring disruption to their cashflow due to the unprecedented reduction in generics purchase profits, a pharmacy finance expert has said. Umesh Modi, a partner at accountancy firm Silver Levene, said...

Safeguard contractors' incomes, says PSNC.(Primary care trusts )(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... Fears raised as #991m set to transfer to local commissioners Jennifer Richardson Primary care trusts must not gain control of pharmacy funding unless "robust" measures to protect contractors' incomes are put in place, PSNC has warned....

Dispensary Talk: Who should play 'The Pharmacist'?(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... It all depends on how you want to portray a pharmacist. All the ladies would say Brad Pitt but then I think Michael Caine would make a good one too. Ivo Vincour, Day Lewis Pharmacy, Billericay, Essex I don't know. Nobody springs to...

Pharmacist film gathers pace.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... Pharmacists across the country have been struck by film fever following the announcement of a movie called The Pharmacist last month. C+D has heard from several pharmacists offering their premises as a film location, and others suggesting...

New visualisation software by IBM.(IBM introduces New visualisation software)(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... New visualisation software, developed by IBM, could enable healthcare professionals to view patient medical records on animated human bodies. A 3D `body' would allow doctors or pharmacists to select a part of the patient's body and retrieve...

IN BRIEF: IT group meets.
October 13, 2007... The pan pharmacy IT group, set up to ensure pharmacy is more closely involved in NHS IT programmes, met last Thursday. NHS Mail and EPS release one were discussed, but attendees could not give more details as C+D went to press. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Ooh aah MUR!(Public notice)
October 13, 2007... Elland Road, former home of football legend Eric Cantona, will host a medicines use review accreditation day next month. Medway School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical & General Provident Society will host the event at the football stadium on...

IN BRIEF: TB script exemption.(Tuberculosis medication exempted from prescription charges)(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... Tuberculosis medication is now exempt from prescription charges in Scotland, under new regulations which came into effect on October 1. Until new prescription stationery is issued in the new year, TB patients will mark Box L (free of charge...

IN BRIEF: Red Tape reward.(Better Regulation of OTC Medicines Initiative)(over the counter drugs)(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... The Better Regulation of OTC Medicines Initiative has won the Red Tape Reduction Award 2007. BROMI, which aims to reduce regulatory burdens, was named the winner by the International Standard Cost Model Network in Warsaw. Copyright:...

Play politics to prosper.(pharmacists need to get more politically active)(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... Profession must `shout louder' to register on Westminster's radar, says RPSGB chief James Clegg Pharmacists must get more political to preserve the future of the profession, a Royal Pharmaceutical Society Council member has claimed....

Call for wider role for sector.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... Pharmacy can look back on mixed fortunes from the opening phase of Lord Darzi's blockbuster NHS review, industry chiefs have said. Last week's interim report on delivering a "world class" healthcare discussed the profession's role in...

NHS campaign to reduce medicine wastage.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... The NHS in the West Midlands has launched a six-week campaign to reduce medicine wastage. Local health chiefs said more than #35 million was spent on waste medicines in the region every year. To save money, GPs and pharmacists across the West...

Northern lights.(Building the Community-Pharmacy Partnership)
October 13, 2007... As another NHS review struggles to get the best from England's pharmacists, Max Gosney takes a trip to Belfast to see how Northern Ireland is converting contractors' potential Another year, another blockbuster NHS review, but for...

Building the Community Pharmacy Partnership.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... What is it? The group aims to improve healthcare in Northern Ireland through working partnerships between pharmacists and communities. It is run as a joint project between Northern Ireland's Department of Health, Social Services and Public...

Northern Ireland pharmacists on BCPP.(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... Brendan Lilley, of Medical Hall Pharmacy, Irvinestown, gives presentations on health issues to the local community: "I work with a wide range of groups. I talk to them with a flow chart about different health issues. It can be anything from...

CLINICAL ALERTS: New products.(New drugs for moderate knee osteoarthritis)(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... Alateris tablets (glucosamine): symptomatic relief of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Florinef 0.1mg tablets (fludricortisone): 100 pack size. Pergoveris powder for injection (FSH and LH): stimulation of follicular development in...

CLINICAL ALERTS: Discontinued products.
October 13, 2007... Minulet (ethinyloestradiol plus gestodene): immediate discontinuation - out of stock since January. Tri-Minulet (ethinyloestradiol plus gestodene): immediate discontinuation - out of stock since May 2006. Copyright: CMP Information...

CLINICAL ALERTS: SPC changes.
October 13, 2007... Aclasta intravenous infusion (zolendronic acid). Additionally indicated for post-menopausal osteoporosis in women at increased risk of fracture. Univer capsules (verapamil). Addition of interactions with simvastatin, erythromycin,...

CLINICAL ALERTS: OTC orlistat for Europe?(GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health to market orlistat as over the counter drug )(Brief article)
October 13, 2007... GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health has applied to sell the anti-obesity agent orlistat over the counter in Europe. According to the PharmaTimes website, the European drug regulator is reviewing the application. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd....