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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) on Wednesday (14 February) launched consultations on two new pioneer curricula defining the clinical capabilities expected of entry-level advanced pharmacists practising in critical care and mental health. The advanced pharmacist critical care curriculum and the advanced pharmacist mental health curriculum are supplementary to the RPS core advanced curriculum. Interested stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the content of the curricula, their feasibility in terms of delivery, their relevance to all countries, and how these may impact different social groups. Both consultations will be open until Tuesday 12 March, and members and non-members of RPS can submit their comments via the online form or the word document.

"Patients deserve choice, but wherever they go they will find vacant nursing posts and overstretched services," responded Professor Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, to the introduction of the new pilot scheme for out-of-hospital patient care. The NHSE and the DHSC have announced a new pilot scheme commencing in autumn "offering patients a choice of where they receive out-of-hospital care". Under the initiative, individuals requiring treatment outside of hospitals will have the opportunity to select from a range of providers across both the NHS and the independent sector. Patients can select their care provider for in-hospital consultant-led services post-GP consultation, offering a choice from at least 5 providers with details on waiting times, distance, and quality.

Scotland has become the world's first country to introduce a simple blood test for Type 1 diabetes patients, enabling them to stop taking insulin by improving the accuracy of diagnosis. The routine C-peptide test, introduced today (November 1), will allow doctors to know how much insulin someone with diabetes is making themselves. The roll-out of test follows a two-year pilot study in NHS Lothian led by diabetes and endocrinology consultant Professor Mark Strachan. Strachan said: "C-peptide helps diabetes specialists make a more accurate diagnosis of the cause of diabetes, and that means we can get people on the most appropriate treatment. In some instances, C-peptide testing allowed people to stop very long-standing insulin therapy; this can be life-transforming."

Nearly half of Type 1 diabetes patients in the NHS England are benefiting from the use of flash monitors that allow them to check their glucose levels more easily and regularly. The wearable gadget, linked with a phone app, has a sensor that attaches to the back of the arm, allowing patients to check their glucose with a simple one-second scan. Eligible patients can access the monitors on prescription from their local GP or diabetes team. The NHS is ahead of target to roll-out the monitors, as the independent health advisory NICE, confirmed it was beginning the consultation to expand the kit's access. As per recent data, around 125,000 patients now uses these monitors to help control their condition. The latest number shows that the NHS significantly exceeded its user target with more than 45 per cent of patients using the monitor.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Scottish Academy of Medical Royal Colleges co-hosted the NHS Education for Scotland annual virtual conference to discuss the environmental impact of prescribing. One of the conclusions drawn from the conference on Thursday (April 28) stressed on environmentally sustainable prescribing should be embedded in undergraduate and postgraduate health care education. Delegates at the session said they or their teams needed more education. They also needed more information and resources when prescribing to be able to consider environmental issues. Sharon Pfleger, Consultant in Pharmaceutical Public Health at NHS Highland, told the session: "There's a lot of work to be done to reduce carbon emissions. The NHS has identified the use of metered-dose inhalers as its second biggest cause of carbon emissions as the propellant gases have significant global warming potential.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)'s diagnostic advisory committee has recommended the use of HM-JACKarc or OC-Sensor quantitative faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) in a draft guidance release for consultation on Wednesday (5 July). Under existing NICE guidance, FIT was already offered to some people presenting to primary care with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer, while others were immediately referred on the suspected cancer pathway. The new draft guidance will now see everyone receive a FIT. A sample is sent in the post to a laboratory where the amount of blood in the faeces is measured. The results are usually available within a week and people with 10 or more micrograms of haemoglobin in their faeces should then be referred for further investigation. Further assessment using colonoscopy, or CT colonography, is required to diagnose cancer. The tests cost between £4 and £5 per sample, and can correctly identify about 9 out of 10 people with colorectal cancer. The committee agreed it is important that GPs can refer people for colonoscopy without a positive FIT result if they think it is necessary and where symptoms persist. The institute believes that the recommendation of the tests should reduce the number of unnecessary colonoscopies, thus freeing up appointments for more non-urgent referrals. This should lead to 50% fewer referrals for urgent colonoscopies being made by GPs in primary care settings each year.

The NHS has launched plans to expand pioneering subscription-style drug contracts to develop lifesaving antibiotics of the future. It is building on its world-first pilot to incentivise the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antibiotics that could be offered to NHS patients when they need them the most. The consultation has launched almost a year to the day that contracts for two superbug-busting drugs were rolled out as part of a world-first pilot. Cefiderocol and ceftazidime-avibactam, new antibiotics manufactured by Shionogi and Pfizer respectively, were awarded world-first subscription contracts which provided the companies with a fixed annual fee based primarily on the availability of the drugs and their value to the NHS, as opposed to the volumes used. By breaking the link between the payments companies receive and the number of their antibiotics prescribed, the NHS is removing any incentive to overuse antibiotics, decreasing the risk of life-threatening infections, such as sepsis and pneumonia, becoming resistant to treatment.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a class 2 medicines recall for Sabril 500 mg film-coated tablets & Sabril 500 mg granules for oral solution. Sanofi UK has recalled the batches of Sabril tablets and Sabril granules as a precautionary measure due to the detection of traces of tiapride in the batches of the source material of the manufacturer for vigabatrin. Sabril (vigabatrin) is indicated for adjunctive treatment of focal seizures with or without secondary generalisation not satisfactorily controlled with other antiepileptics (under expert supervision) and monotherapy in the treatment of infantile spasms (West's syndrome). All patients are advised not to discontinue Sabril tablets or Sabril granules without consulting with their prescriber. The risks of suddenly stopping medication for seizures/epilepsy is higher than the potential risk presented by the presence of tiapride. Sanofi UK have confirmed to DHSC that no other batches are impacted, and other stock remains available.

An ever-increasing emphasis is being placed on getting and staying fit and mobile, whatever your age, with good reason. Regular aerobic exercise (physical activity which gets the heart beating faster) helps patients to: Reduce or maintain body weight Reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetes Control blood sugar (helpful for diabetics) Maintain mobility and muscle strength, allowing daily activities to be undertaken more easily Improve mood, physical activity can be beneficial for everyone. However, injuries sometimes happen during exercise or everyday life. Collectively, injuries to tendons, ligaments and/or skeletal muscle, are referred to as musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. Post pandemic pharmacists are now the first port of call for many seeking to self-treat so it is important that information, advice and a wide range of treatment options are available. While the precise incidence and prevalence of such disorders are difficult to define, they are known to be the most common rheumatic causes of sickness absences from work. Indeed, soft tissue complaints account for up to 59 per cent of new patient referrals to rheumatology practice and up to 15 per cent of consultations in primary care. Ankle injuries are very common with an estimated incidence of one per 100,000 population per day. They account for about one in five of all sports related injuries. The majority of ankle injuries are moderate ligament sprains. With appropriate treatment the majority of patients should be able to return to normal activities within a few weeks.

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.

Three batches of Mexiletine hydrochloride 50mg, 100mg and 200 mg hard capsules manufactured by Clinigen Healthcare has been recalled. Pharmacists are urged to quarantine the said batches and return it to the supplier by or before 12 August. Clinigen Healthcare Ltd has initiated a recall of three batches of Mexiletine hydrochloride hard capsules due to a potential risk of under dose or overdose, which could have consequences for the safety of patients. The manufacturer has confirmed that no alternative batches of Mexiletine hydrochloride 50mg, 100mg or 200mg hard capsules will be available until later in the year, therefore the recall of these batches from patients should only be considered where patients have access to appropriate alternative products. See below for more information on resupplying patients with alternative products. "Patients should be advised not to stop any treatments without consulting their relevant healthcare professional. The risks of suddenly stopping medication for ventricular arrhythmias is higher than the potential risk presented by too much or too little of the active ingredient in the capsule."

There are a lot of different beauty procedures that you can try in order to achieve healthy-looking skin. It's essential to consult with a dermatologist or other skin care professional to find out which procedures will work best for you, depending on your skin type and concerns. This article will briefly describe some of the different procedures that are available. Here are some contemporary beauty procedures to consider. 1. SKIN NEEDLING Skin needling, also known as micro-needling, is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to improve the overall appearance of your skin. It involves using a device with fine needles to create tiny punctures on the skin's surface. Additionally, the effects of skin needling can last long after the initial treatment, making it a popular choice for those looking for a more lasting solution. This helps to stimulate collagen production and can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, scarring, and other skin imperfections. Skin needling can be done independently or with other treatments such as radiofrequency therapy or chemical peels. It's important to note that skin needling should only be performed by a licensed professional. 2. RADIOFREQUENCY THERAPY If you're unhappy with the way your skin looks, it may be time to consider a radiofrequency therapy treatment. Radiofrequency therapy uses electromagnetic waves to heat up the deeper layers of your skin, stimulating collagen production and improving blood circulation. This can help to improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Additionally, radiofrequency therapy can also help to improve the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks. It's a relatively safe and non-invasive procedure, and there is little to no downtime.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted AbbVie's RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). Upadacitinib offers an additional treatment choice in the therapeutic class of janus kinase inhibitors. "Daily life with ulcerative colitis is difficult due to the debilitating and unpredictable nature of its symptoms", said Dr Jonathan Macdonald, Consultant Gastroenterologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. "Clinical trials have shown that upadacitinib as a once daily pill controls symptoms in eight weeks for many patients and provided sustained responses at one year. The SMC's decision is good news for people with ulcerative colitis in Scotland as it provides an additional treatment option to help them gain control of their condition." The SMC decision is based on data from the induction studies U-ACHIEVE and U-ACCOMPLISH, as well as the Phase 3 U-ACHIEVE maintenance study, which demonstrated the efficacy of upadacitinib versus placebo in its ability to achieve clinical remission. The SMC's decision follows the granting of Marketing Authorisation for upadacitinib in UC in July 2022.

The opinions of pharmacists on the ketogenic diet can vary greatly. Some believe that it is a potentially effective and safe way to lose weight, while others are more skeptical about its ability to promote sustainable health benefits over the long term. Ultimately, the success of the ketogenic diet will depend on each individual's unique circumstances and personal goals, so it is important to consult with a medical professional before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle. 1. KETO DIET IS CONSIDERED A GOOD WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT Some people find that the ketogenic diet can boost their energy levels and help them lose weight quickly, while others feel that they are more easily able to stick to this diet as it allows them to eat a wider variety of foods. Many people find that the ketogenic way of eating prevents cravings and helps them avoid unhealthy food choices, which can be an important factor in weight loss success. So if you are starting your ketogenic diet journey, it is important to seek out the advice of a medical professional who can help you create an individualized plan that will support your specific goals. It's also important to track your progress regularly and monitor how you are feeling so that you can make any necessary adjustments along the way.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed on Thursday (15 June) that everyone aged 60 and over will continue to receive free prescriptions. In response to a consultation launched by the DHSC in 2021 looking at whether the age free prescriptions become available should be aligned with the State Pension age, which is currently 66, the government decided to freeze the age at 60. Minister for Health Neil O'Brien said: "This government recognises the pressures with the cost of living caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. That's why we are providing cost of living help worth £3,300 on average per household over last year and this, among the most generous help anywhere in Europe. "It's also why we have decided to maintain the prescription exemption age where it is. Nine out of 10 prescriptions are already free at the point of use and on top of that we also provide financial help to others on low incomes who don't automatically get prescriptions for free. "Prescription charge exemptions will also remain in place for those aged under 16 or aged 17 and 18 but in full time education, while those in receipt of certain benefits can also receive free prescriptions," said DHSC. For those who do not qualify for an exemption or the NHS Low Income Scheme, prepayment certificates (PPC) are available to help with frequent prescriptions should they be required. The annual PPC can be paid for through 10 instalments. This means people can have as many prescription items as needed for just over £2 per week.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has welcomed the government's defeat in the House of Lords on the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill. It believes that the proposed Bill, if enacted, would allow the government to dictate minimum levels of service during times of industrial action, enabling employers to name specific employees that they require in work. Those employees could then face losing their jobs if they failed to turn up to work on that day. Trade unions could also be fined if they did not force those named individuals to go to work. PDA director, Paul Day said, "This Bill should be of real concern to pharmacists and other health professionals. The idea of their employer being able to effectively conscript them to work or face the sack does not feel like a positive employment relations environment." The House of Lords has voted for key amendments to the Bill to prevent unions from being required to force workers to comply. This also prevents workers from being forced to work or face the sack and allows for greater consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny on the proposals which the Westminster government is trying to implement. The House of Commons will now be required to vote on the amendments over the next few weeks. Whilst the House of Lords amendments are likely to be defeated, it shows the degree of opposition there is to this Bill.

In response to new research that revealed inequality in menopause support with 51 per cent of women from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, Holland & Barrett, the UK's leading health and wellness retailer, has decided to continue its menopause campaign work to make "every menopause matter". A quarter of women (26 per cent) from minority ethnic communities say they find it difficult to access menopause support relevant to their specific backgrounds. Alongside support from Olympian and menopause campaigner, Michelle Griffith Robinson and expert, Meera Bhogal, the retailer is launching several new initiatives to make its information and support on menopause more inclusive by offering more diverse and personalised advice and content, tailored to different needs. Almost a third (31 per cent) believe being able to speak to a female healthcare professional of the same ethnicity as them would have made a difference to their menopause experience. Fifteen per cent go as far as saying that communicating in their native language would have made a positive difference. Based on these findings, Holland and Barrett is the first retailer to launch a free, multi-language menopause online consultation service. The service will see trained H&B menopause advisors offering guidance and symptom support in multiple languages, starting with Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati and Punjabi.

Men, it's time to start paying attention to anti-aging procedures! While you may not be as worried about wrinkles and fine lines as your female counterparts, that doesn't mean you can neglect your skin. There are a number of unconventional procedures out there that can help keep you looking young and handsome for years to come. In this blog post, we will discuss four of the most popular unconventional procedures for men interested in anti-aging. WHAT ARE ANTI-AGING PROCEDURES? Anti-aging procedures are any type of cosmetic procedure that is used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. These procedures can be invasive, like facelifts, or non-invasive, like Botox injections. There are a number of different anti-aging procedures available, and new ones are being developed all the time. The most important thing to remember when considering any type of anti-aging procedure is that you should always consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon before moving forward. This is the only way to ensure that you are getting the best possible treatment for your needs.

HRA Pharma is celebrating the 1st anniversary of Hana, the first type of daily oral contraception available in the UK without a prescription. The launch of Hana in 2021 followed the historic decision of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to grant a marketing authorisation and marked a significant step forward in the women's contraception category. The company reports that pharmacists have embraced the reclassification and have found merit in using emergency contraception consultations as an opportunity to educate women on their over-the-counter contraception options. Alison Slingsby, innovations project manager at HRA Pharma, commented: "We have been delighted with Hana's reception - within weeks of launch, it quickly became the best-selling mini-pill without prescription, with more than 95 per cent market share, and has maintained this market leading position ever since. We previously had the experience of switching emergency contraceptive ellaOne to a P medicine, Hana is on track to match and eventually exceed the ellaOne volumes.

Pharmacists are a vital member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) supporting older people to manage their pain. The pharmacist is uniquely positioned to holistically review drug interactions and potential risks associated with each patient's medication and has the expertise to suggest alternative treatment options to reduce the risks associated with polypharmacy or unwanted side effects caused by other medications. Chronic pain The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage. Although universally experienced by everyone, the perception of pain is a deeply personal experience influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, and constitutes an essential behavioural feedback mechanism aimed at protecting us from harm. Pain may be perceived as either acute or chronic. Chronic pain, defined as pain that persists longer than the normal healing time, constitutes a substantial healthcare burden, affecting approximately 20 per cent of people worldwide and accounts for 15-20 per cent of physician consultations. Chronic pain is often associated with disrupted mood and sleep, substance misuse and other chronic conditions. Additionally, comorbidities of chronic pain may also lead to complex medication regimens that increase the risks of adverse drug interactions and unwanted side effects.