Friday 25 June 2010

Remote dispensing

Michael Thompson
Editor - PJ Online

News this week

Abolition of GP waiting time target could create opportunities for pharmacy
CPS guidance on dispensing errors criticised
Guidance on dispensing errors published by Crown Prosecution Service
Hospital doctors often unaware of errors corrected by pharmacists, says Health Foundation report
Pay freeze for most NHS pharmacists
Pharmaceutical Press partners with US university to produce digital Remington
Pharmacy White Paper discussions to cease
Promoting self-care for minor ailments could save GBP1.6bn, says 2020health
Remote dispensing systems to be trialled in UK hospitals
True costs of direct-to-pharmacy distribution yet to hit, BAPW chairman warns
Wholesalers must evolve but in doing so will they tread on pharmacy's toes?

Clinical news

COX-2 selective NSAID caused fewer gastrointestinal problems than non-selective NSAID but review of guidelines premature
Mixtard 30 discontinuation prompts concerns
Nilotinib better than imatinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia
Pemetrexed recommended for treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
Sativex launched for the treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis
Sun exposure in those taking photosensitising medicines may increase risk of cortical cataracts
Tocilizumab may be viable treatment for juvenile arthritis, early data suggest
Topical NSAIDs effective on acute musculoskeletal pain, Cochrane reviewers say

Read - and comment on - all our news online

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Article of the week

Pharmacists can help patients take oral cancer drugs and stick with them

Eileen Neilson, an independent consultant, argues that although most oncology adherence interventions in the community are nurse-led, there is an opportunity for community pharmacists to offer such support, provided they receive training and are supported by specialist pharmacists.

Are you ready...

... to advise on sun protection?

Summer is almost upon us and and many of us have already been able to catch the early sunshine. Before long, many of your customers will be heading for the British coastline or setting off for warmer climes.

Following on from last month's Are you ready...for the holiday season?, this month we offer articles and resources to help you and your team offer advice on sun protection.

And don't forget that you can always find resources to help you prepare to help people with other enquiries by taking a look at our Are you ready... section for previous topics, including hay fever, treating headaches and migraines, helping people stop smoking, tackling head lice, and many more.

Article

Are quality standards being reduced as eye drops are classed as devices?

In March 2009, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society published "Practice guidance: medical devices" (PDF 130K). In this guidance it advised that pharmacists, when deciding to purchase a medical device for retail sale, should ensure that it is CE marked, that it is suitable for its intended use or purpose and that instructions for its use are appropriate and easy to read.

Although not listed among the examples given in the guidance, there are now many artificial tear eye drops classed as devices rather than medicines. Pharmacists are now purchasing these CE-marked eye drops not only for over-the-counter sale but, since April 2008, to fill NHS prescriptions.

Ophthalmic specialist pharmacist Lucy Titcomb argues that pharmacists need further guidance before recommending that these products be used for more than four weeks. She recalls a number of withdrawals of ophthalmic devices because of bacterial and fungal contamination and expresses concern that the efficacy tests for preservatives in ophthalmic preparations are becoming less stringent.

Comment and opinion

Blogs from Glastonbury 2010
Clear as mud
New hope for metabolic diseases
No fee without representation
Old and new uses for volcanic ash
Online doctor service starts at Lloydspharmacy
They're behind you
Those Montgolfiers and their balloons

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