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The government has launched a consultation into radically changing the Statutory Scheme for branded medicines (known as the Statutory Scheme). The consultation comes as delicate negotiations for replacing the alternative Voluntary Scheme are underway, potentially undermining these talks, while also further damaging industry confidence in the UK as a viable place to research, launch and supply medicine. The government proposals seek to hold average revenue clawback rates under the Statutory Scheme at historic highs of between 21-27%, compared to the pre-pandemic averages of 9.4% for the Statutory Scheme (2019-2021), and 6.88% for the Voluntary Scheme (2014-2021). The accompanying cost-benefit analysis ignores any negative impact this may have on medicine supply and wrongly claims it will boost investment. The consultation comes on the heels of government data last week showing UK life sciences foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 47% between 2021 and 2022, down by £900m year on year. This large fall in investment coincided with a rise in the main UK clawback rate under the Voluntary Scheme from 5% to 15%, and led to the UK falling from 2nd to 9th out of 18 comparator countries for life sciences FDI in 2022. The Voluntary Scheme clawback rate now sits at a record 26.5% in 2023.

Despite significant sales growth in the quarterly results, high street chemist Boots is moving forward with its plan to close 300 stores in the UK. The move, aimed at improving profit margins amid rising costs and competition, will reduce the chain's portfolio from around 2,200 to just 1,900. Last month, the U.S.-based Walgreens Boots Alliance, the parent company of Boots, announced upcoming store closures within the next year. However, the company assured that there will be no job losses as all employees will be given the opportunity to be redeployed to nearby shops. The following sites are confirmed for closure on the specified dates: Heathside Rd, Woking (end of July) UEA campus (end of July) Hamlet Ct Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea (August 1) Windhill Road, Wakefield (October 6) Upper Warrengate, Wakefield (October 7) Glastonbury (October 13) Guildford Road, Woking (end of October) Boots stores at Salford Shopping Centre in Greater Manchester, Church Street in Malvern, The Port Arcades Shopping Centre in Ellesmere, and King William Street in London have already closed since spring.

The pharmacy bodies have welcomed Health Select Committee's inquiry into pharmacy services and are calling the community pharmacies to engage fully. On Thursday (8 June), MPs launched a new inquiry to examine the 'readiness of pharmacy services'. At the end of the inquiry, the committee will be making recommendations to the government on what action needs to be taken to ensure the potential of pharmacy is realised. It is currently seeking views and evidence from anyone who can answer any or some of the questions listed here by Thursday 6 July. National Pharmacy Association (NPA), Company Chemists' Association (CCA) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) have confirmed that they will be submitting the written evidence. RPS said it will be submitting written evidence, and if they are called to give oral evidence they'll do so. Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the CCA commented: "We welcome the Health Committee's much-awaited inquiry into pharmacy. Whilst the recent announcement of investment into the sector is welcome, this is new money for new activity. The historic underfunding of community pharmacy remains, and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) continue to directly recruit community pharmacists.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has released conclusive draft guidance, suggesting Pfizer's Vydura (rimegepant) as a choice for treating acute migraines in adults with or without aura. However, there is a caveat. This recommendation applies exclusively to individuals with a prior history of migraines, meeting one of the following criteria: At least 2 triptans were tried and they did not work well enough or Triptans were contraindicated or not tolerated, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol were tried but did not work well enough. This drug was developed by the US-based Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, acquired by Pfizer in 2022, in an $11.6 billion deal. Nurtec ODT is the commercial name for the drug in the US, while the European Union approved the drug under the name Vydura in April 2022. NICE recommended rimegepant, an oral lyophilisate (dissolving wafer) and the first oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for acute migraine treatment, to be taken at the onset of a migraine attack. Migraine affects one in seven people in the UK, often with a debilitating impact, Pfizer UK said in a statement. The condition entails symptoms such as head pain, vomiting, nausea, altered vision, fatigue, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and odours.

There are few conditions that bring the degree of isolation, embarrassment and self-consciousness that bowel and urinary incontinence does. In the UK, about 14 million adults experience bladder control problems and 6.5 million have bowel control difficulties. Additionally, there are just under a million children in the UK experiencing continence conditions at any one time. Over £200 million is spent on personal incontinence products; this is in addition to over three times the same amount spent by the NHS. With a rapidly ageing population and unaddressed contributing factors, the significant financial burden, but importantly, the impact on the quality of life and dignity is devastating. We also know that cultural and communication difficulties can create barriers making treatment access and symptom alleviation more difficult. Considering the demography that this has a greater impact on - patients with a learning disability, non-English speakers and disabled patient - it becomes apparent this is a form of health inequality. However, pharmacy teams are best placed to tackle this head-on. Incontinence is the inability to control your bladder or bowel, so you accidentally lose urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or faeces from the bowel (bowel incontinence).

The Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) provide an opportunity to break the silo mentality in the health and care sector, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chair Andrew Lane told MPs. While giving evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee on 6 December about the effectiveness of ICSs, Lane also poured cold water on newspaper reports that community pharmacists will be drafted in to break the NHS strike, as he reiterated the call for a "properly costed and funded environment." "We've been in different silos historically and ICSs are an opportunity to pull all systems together for the benefit of patients," he told committee members. Lane pointed to dementia-trained pharmacy delivery drivers and the Discharge Medicines Service as instances where the influence of community pharmacy already stretches beyond primary care into hospitals and social care. "We've seen pharmacists prescribe and get UTIs off doctors' desks, so we are starting to release capacity [in the system] and we're on that clinical journey. We welcome that, but it has to be with the right level of funding," he added.

If you are one of the unlucky few who require serious knee surgery, you will likely want to do everything possible to ensure a successful recovery. Knee surgeries can be difficult and frustrating, but with the right attitude and approach, you can make the process much easier on yourself. In this blog post, we will discuss six tips for recovering from serious knee surgery. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to a successful recovery! 1) FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR'S ORDERS This may seem like an obvious tip, but it is important to follow your doctor's orders after knee surgery. Your doctor knows what is best for you and your recovery, so make sure to listen to their advice. Also, you can find useful information on the St Vincent's Private Hospitals website regarding your specific type of surgery. It is important to get well informed about your surgery so that you can be prepared for the recovery process. For example, if you are having a partial knee replacement, you will want to know what activities you should avoid during your recovery. Or, if you are having a full knee replacement, you will want to know what kind of rehabilitation exercises you should be doing. 2) GET PLENTY OF REST Your body needs time to heal after surgery, so make sure to get plenty of rest. This doesn't mean that you have to stay in bed all day, but you should avoid any strenuous activity. Take naps when you feel tired and give your body the time it needs to recover.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has launched a new campaign to help parents and carers in pharmacy get the support they need in the workplace as part of its inclusion and diversity work. "A lack of flexibility in employment can mean work life balance is hard to keep, ramping up the pressure even more," said RPS. The society wants to lift some of the burdens on parents and carers and challenge barriers to inclusion in the workplace. It'll challenge negative attitudes to parents and carers through a brand new guide to the microaggressions you experience in the workplace. Drop in ABCD meeting at 7pm on 05 October to contribute your ideas. It wants pharmacists to be able to choose flexible working whenever they need it. Join RPS's livestream across all its social media channels at 6.30pm on Weds 26 October to hear from two pharmacists about how to make it happen!

Prime minister Rishi Sunak appointed Conservative MP for North East Cambridgeshire Steve Barclay as secretary of state for health and social care on 25 October 2022. He previously held the same role between 5 July and 6 September - after Sajid Javid resigned as health secretary. As head of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) his responsibilities will include "overall financial control and oversight of NHS delivery and performance" as well as "oversight of social care policy". Mr Barclay was succeeded by Thérèse Coffey, who thanked her "great ministerial team" at the DHSC in a Tweet, before taking up her new responsibility as environment secretary in the new cabinet. As head of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) his responsibilities will include "overall financial control and oversight of NHS delivery and performance" as well as "oversight of social care policy". Mr Barclay was succeeded by Thérèse Coffey, who thanked her "great ministerial team" at the DHSC in a Tweet, before taking up her new responsibility as environment secretary in the new cabinet.

Your body is constantly working hard to keep you healthy and moving. From time to time, you may experience aches and pains that can interfere with your daily activities. While over-the-counter medication can help to relieve some of the discomforts, there are also a number of natural ways to ease your body aches. Here are a few simple tips to help relieve your body aches: KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR FEET Your feet are the foundation of your body and support you throughout the day. It's important to take care of your feet and keep an eye on any changes that may occur. If you experience any pain or discomfort in your feet, be sure to see a doctor to have them checked out. You can also help relieve foot pain by consulting a Chiropodist for regular foot care. Besides seeing professionals for care, you can also take some simple steps at home to keep your feet healthy. These include wearing comfortable shoes that fit properly, stretching your feet regularly, and resting them when you feel tired or sore. By taking care of your feet, you can help prevent pain and discomfort in other parts of your body.

The health secretary, Steve Barclay was asked over the delay of 'Pharmacy First' model in England that was proposed by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) last year, at the Health Committee evidence session held on Tuesday (31 January). Taiwo Owatemi MP (Chair of the Pharmacy APPG) asked whether he was adhering to his statutory responsibility to ensure continued access to medicines and cited the CCA's closures in areas of deprivation research. Barclay replied that the government is 'investing more'. He said, "We put an extra 100 million on top of the 2.6 billion a year we commit to community pharmacy to expand the range of clinical services. We've got over 2 million patients that have been referred to community pharmacy from NHS." He further added: "One of the issues I'm very keen on is to explore what more we can do in pharmacy not least given the pressures on GP and the opportunity to look at what it is currently people go to GPS for where potentially the risk to do more at the pharmacy and we're already doing that."

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, India's largest drugmaker by revenue, reported a better-than-expected 5.2 per cent rise in third-quarter profit on Tuesday, driven by higher sales of its specialty drugs. The company, known for its consumer healthcare products such as Revital vitamins and pain relief medicine Volini, said it earned a consolidated net profit of 21.66 billion rupees ($265.23 million) in three months ended Dec. 31, up from 20.59 billion rupees last year. Analysts, on average, had expected the company to report a profit of 21.26 billion rupees, according to Refinitiv IBES data. Total revenue from operations climbed nearly 14 per cent to 112.41 billion rupees. Input costs rose 8.5 per cent. Drug sales in India rose 7.1 per cent to 33.92 billion rupees, whereas sales in the United States climbed 16.6 per cent to 34.66 billion rupees, with each of the two regions accounting for 31 per cent of the company's total consolidated sales. The company, founded in 1983, makes over-the-counter medications, anti-retrovirals and active pharmaceutical ingredients for chronic and acute treatments.

The UK Commission on Pharmacy Professional Leadership set up by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officers of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales has published its recommendations for the 'future of pharmacy professional leadership in the UK' on Monday (6 February). The Commission is co-chaired by Nigel Clarke, Former Chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council, and Professor Dame Jane Dacre, Professor of Medical Education at University College London Medical School. The Commission proposes that closer collaboration between professional leadership bodies and specialist professional groups as part of a Pharmacy Leadership Council will enable and support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead. The Council will be set up in 2023 to lead the implementation of the report's vision and recommendations over five years. Commission Co-Chairs, Professor Dame Jane Dacre and Nigel Clarke: "The Commission has set out a collaborative approach to transform pharmacy professional leadership and deliver sustained benefits for patients and the public and pharmacy professionals in the UK.

Colonis, a subsidiary company of the Clinigen Group has received the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval for Melatonin 1mg/ml Oral Solution for sleep onset insomnia in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Clinical evidence demonstrates that Melatonin has the potential to decrease sleep latency and increase sleep efficiency in children with ADHD and chronic sleep onset insomnia. Children with ADHD are statistically more likely to have sleep onset insomnia than non-ADHD children. The prevalence of sleep onset insomnia in children with ADHD ranges from 25%-50%. Sleep onset insomnia in children with ADHD can affect their mood, attention, behaviour and school performance. Henno Welgemoed, Director of Medical Affairs at Colonis said: "We welcome the MHRA's approval for a condition that negatively affects the quality of life for children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and increases the burden for support networks."

There are many reasons why people choose to go vegan. For some, it's a matter of ethics, while others believe that veganism is the healthiest way to live. Whatever the reason, there are many benefits to be had by making the switch to a vegan lifestyle. Here are six of the most important ones: 1. YOU'LL LOSE WEIGHT If you're carrying around a few extra pounds, going vegan is a great way to shed them. A vegan diet is naturally lower in calories than one that includes meat and dairy, so you'll likely find yourself eating less without even trying. And since plant-based foods are typically packed with fiber, you'll feel full and satisfied after meals, without the need to overeat. You can do some research if you visit www.veganfitguide.com or by reading various online resources. Keep in mind that you may not lose weight immediately, as your body will need time to adjust to the new way of eating. But once it does, the pounds should start coming off. Additionally, since a vegan diet is typically rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you're likely to get all the vitamins and minerals you need, without having to take supplements.

Kids get stomach problems all the time due to low immunity or lifestyle risk factors. While taking medications can reduce a bloated stomach or excess diarrhea, learning how to improve gut health can help your kid avoid stomach problems. One of the most effective gut health products is probiotics. Whether you plan to provide your kid with good strains of gut bacteria through Sproutedbiome supplements or introducing the good bacteria through diet, knowing what to expect can help you determine if they are working. HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR KID IS RESPONDING TO PROBIOTICS? Fewer tantrums and outbursts Gut health and mental health go hand-in-hand. A child with gas or stomach cramps tends to be fussy. The fussiness may progress to outbursts and tantrums due to symptoms in the gut. Probiotics trigger serotonin production, a neurotransmitter that improves your child's mood, sleep and appetite. If your once moody child starts getting happy and has sufficient sleep after taking probiotics, you will know they are working.

The Keto diet is one of the most popular diets in the world at the moment and for good reason. This low carb high in good fats diet helps the body burn stored fat through a process called "ketosis", hence the name. The key to success is sticking with the diet because when you slip up, your body slips out of the ketosis state you've put it in. When it comes to sweet goodies this can be a little bit difficult. However, it doesn't have to be! Here are 6 smoothie combinations for you to try playing around with that will feel like you're cheating on your diet but are perfectly keto-friendly. 1. COCONUT CHOCOLATE DELIGHT Coconut is one of the best ingredients for a keto smoothie. It has those good fats your body needs in order for it to stay in ketosis. It tastes pretty good, but what tastes better than coconut? That's right - chocolate. Chocolate and coconut are a smoothie match made in heaven and can be used to make a Keto smoothie bowl recipe that acts as an alternative to chocolate pudding. The coconut gives the mixture a really smooth and creamy consistency and using cocoa powder is a really healthy way to get your chocolate fix for the day. If you want to be extra healthy, you can substitute the cocoa powder with a chocolate protein powder.

A pharmacy group operating in London and the surrounding areas has said it's cliched a financial deal worth £4.25 million with a major global bank to bolster its mergers and acquisitions activity. Osbon Pharmacy Group said on Monday (19 June) that it would use the multi-million-pound funding package from HSBC UK to also invest in bringing accessible and comprehensive medical services closer to the doorstep of Londoners and people of South East England. The family-run business said the new money will open new position which will include opportunities for pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, dispensers, accounts clerks and delivery drivers, taking the company's total headcount to 185. The group, which currently has 26 pharmacies across London and South East England, was established in 2005. The company offers a range of medicine and prescription services as well as offering customary help and advice. It switched to banking with HSBC UK last year as part of a £6.9M refinance package, which saw the business acquire nine pharmacies and takes the total funding provided by HSBC UK to date to £11.1m.

An experimental Alzheimer's drug developed by Eli Lilly and Co slowed cognitive decline by 35% in a late-stage trial, the company said on Wednesday, providing what experts say is the strongest evidence yet that removing sticky amyloid plaques from the brain benefits patients with the fatal disease. Lilly's drug, donanemab, met all goals of the trial, the company said. It slowed progression of Alzheimer's by 35% compared to a placebo in 1,182 people with early-stage disease whose brains had deposits of two key Alzheimer's proteins, beta amyloid as well as intermediate levels of tau, a protein linked with disease progression and brain cell death. The study also evaluated the drug in 552 patients with high levels of tau and found that when both groups were combined, donanemab slowed progression by 29% based on a commonly used scale of dementia progression known as the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR-SB). Using that scale, experts said Lilly's findings were roughly on par with Eisai Co Ltd and Biogen Inc's lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi, which reduced cognitive decline by 27% in patients with early Alzheimer's in a study published last year. The results drove Lilly's shares to a record high, up more than 6% at $429.85. Dr. Ronald Petersen, an Alzheimer's researcher at Mayo Clinic, said Lilly's trial is the third to show removing amyloid from the brain slows progression of the disease, which could put to rest some lingering doubts about the benefits of drugs in the class and the amyloid-lowering theory. "It's modest, but I think it's real," he said of the benefit, "and I think it's clinically meaningful." Dr. Erik Musiek, a Washington University neurologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, said the efficacy looks as good or better than lecanemab.

Community pharmacies were responsible for dispensing over 99 per cent of items in 2022/23, revealed General Pharmaceutical Services for Northern Ireland, Annual Statistics 2022/23 published on Thursday (29 June). While the remaining one per cent dispensed by appliance contractors and dispensing doctors. According to the statistics, on average, each community pharmacy dispensed over 84,000 items in 2022/23, witnessing a growth of over 3 per cent on the previous year to 44.6 million in 2022/23, which is the highest level of dispensing recorded. This equated to BSO processing 2.1 million prescription forms per month, on average, throughout the year, representing a 4 per cent increase on the just over 2.0m processed each month last year. The total ingredient cost over the year was £486.9 million. This was an increase of approaching 7 per cent on the previous year, which was around double the percentage increase in the number of items dispensed. The annual ingredient cost total has fluctuated since the beginning of the series but was over 18 per cent higher in 2022/23 than in 2013/14.