Friday 6 August 2010

Prescriptions volume just keeps on increasing

The fact that the number of prescriptions dispensed in the community has increased by over 67 per cent in the past 10 years will come as no shock to some. In fact, findings from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s workplace pressure survey last year revealed that 74.3 per cent of respondents believed that the number of prescriptions to be dispensed was a key issue affecting stress in the workplace.

With the increasing work burden placed on pharmacists, it is nice to see this week that pharmacists have been commended for their contribution to managing the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reports that restrictions on the sale of these products are working.

The restrictions came into force in 2008. To take part in our “Search to win” competition this week (for details see below) tell us the date The Journal’s news team confirmed what these restrictions would be.

Nicola Cree
PJ Online support

News this week

Trial of prescription vending machines begins
Superdrug to dispense private prescriptions with no mark up
Licensing proposed for pharmacies providing NHS services
Draft principles for harmonising on-call payments out for consultation
Overseas pharmacists should check UK-working status

Clinical news

Call for dosing caution with low molecular weight heparins
Bupropion and naltrexone combination combats obesity
Calcium supplements linked to increased CV risk
Petition launched against Mixtard 30 withdrawal

Read - and comment on - all our news online

How to...

. . . enter the PJ Online "Search to win" competition - Answers to the competition should be sent to editor@pharmj.org.uk with “Search competition” in the subject line. Each week, one winner will receive a £25 voucher for Marks and Spencer or Amazon.co.uk.

The winner will be selected at random at 10am each Friday for the duration of the competition, and announced via the next newsletter.

Congratulations to Sharon Berry who last week successfully found that the Department of Health consultation that revealed that half of respondents did not want the responsible pharmacist Regulations to be introduced was reported by The Journal on 31 May 2008.

Articles of the week

Taking safety into design: a look at the new Green Light Pharmacy model

A new Green Light Pharmacy, which opened in June 2010, caught The Journal’s eye. Why? Because it has used design to improve the delivery of care to patients — something that healthcare has been slow at, according to the National Patient Safety Agency. Leila Taheri visited the innovative premises in Euston, London

Learning and Development

Delirium: a guide to a common condition

Delirium is not a benign condition — its presence predicts significantly increased morbidity and mortality, often in already vulnerable patient groups.

Mark Borthwick and Nina Barnett give an overview of delirium, its prevention, detection and treatment, highlight the latest NICE guidance, and suggest a role for pharmacists.

After reading the CPD article, why not "Check your learning"? 

Are you ready...

... to treat summer feet?

Padding around on the hot sand, paddling in an azure pool and ditching your sensible shoes for a pair of flip-flops is the stuff of summer holiday dreams, but can leave behind some foot-related nightmares.

Be it verrucas, warts, blisters, athlete's foot or fungal nail infections, this month's "Are you ready...?" helps your pharmacy team gear up for the hobbling, post-holiday footfall.

And don't forget that you can always find resources to help you prepare to assist people with other enquiries by taking a look at our Are you ready... section for previous topics.

Comment and opinion

Can we really do without the NPSA?
Swallows and Amazons and asthma
How instant communication began

Do you agree with our writers? You can discuss these views on PJ Online.

Visit PJ Careers to search for your perfect job

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And finally...

... has it been a while since you put those grey cells to studying chemistry? Why not brush up on your skills by reading our article on “The rational redesign of penicillins to help combat penicillin resistance”.