Walgreens Boots Alliance, Boots UK's parent company, has appointed Tim Wentforth as its new CEO, effective on 23 October.
He joined WBA at a pivotal time when the company plans to downsize the business while driving execution and creating greater value for employees, patients,
customers and shareholders.
Wentforth replaced Rosalind Brewer, who stepped down on 1 September, after two years at the helm.
He joined from Evernorth, Cigna's health services organisation based in Connecticut, where he served as its founding CEO.
Prior to Cigna, he also held top roles in companies including specialty pharmacy company Accredo and pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts.
Boots UK's chief pharmacist has been encouraging people to get a flu vaccination by the end of November to help protect themselves, their loved ones and the
NHS this festive season.
Flu cases in the UK are usually highest in the winter months, from December to March. This year, the UK has seen a rise in cases earlier than usual, and therefore
Claire Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist at Boots, reminds people that it is even more important to get protected early to help reduce the risk of spreading the
virus due to increased mixing at Christmas parties and family get togethers.
Approximately 33 million people are eligible for the free NHS flu jab, including those over 50 years of age, pregnant women and those with medical conditions such as
diabetes or heart disease.
The pharmacy multiple says it offers the winter flu jab service, which is suitable for those eligible for the free NHS flu jab as well as privately, adding that it
has already administered over one million flu vaccinations this season.
Ms Nevinson explains: "December is a time to get together with friends and family to celebrate the month's festivities. It's a good idea to plan ahead to ensure you
have your flu jab, and your COVID-19 booster vaccination if you are eligible, if you've not had them already, this the best way to protect yourself and reduce the
risk of passing the viruses to others.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has reiterated its call for all pharmacists working at Boots to join the PDA Union to support the collective voice of the profession within the company.
It said this would enable PDA to send direct communications to pharmacists working at Boots and keep them up to date with key matters impacting their work life.
Currently, the association uses the company communication channels to cascade key information to the non-member pharmacists, however, it fears such measures can be
disrupted by management.
Besides, having more member pharmacists at Boots would strengthen their "negotiating power", PDA said.
Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) members working for Boots have raised concerns over possible reduction in their pay following the multiple's proposed changes to some pharmacies' opening hours.
Member pharmacists have expressed concerns as "despite verbal assurances that the company aim to minimise pharmacist job losses, they are being told that proposed changes will reduce their income if they remain with the company," PDA has stated.
PDA added that several pharmacists have been told that the proposed reduction to their hours will be more than 10 per cent, which could result in reduction in pay every month.
Salary cuts could render future employment unsuitable and might force pharmacists to leave the company with redundancy, the association said.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) Union has reached a deal for its members working at Boots, covering 6,000 pharmacists employed by the British retailer and pharmacy chain.
As per the agreement, union members working at the multiple will receive a 2 per cent pay rise effective from November 1, 2021, the two entities said in a joint statement.
The settlement, reached under the guidance of Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), covers provisionally registered pharmacists, pharmacists and pharmacist store managers in the bargaining unit for which the PDAU is recognised.
There will be improved benefits for those at the beginning of their careers as "all pharmacists qualifying in 2021 will be paid at least £38k gross FTE, including those who would otherwise be ineligible due to the 1st August cut-off."
Rosalind Brewer, the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA), the parent company of Boots UK, has resigned from her position after serving for less
than three years. The prominent US pharmaceutical company is currently in the process of searching for her successor. Ginger Graham, the lead independent director,
has been appointed as the interim CEO.
"WBA's board of directors and Brewer have mutually agreed on her departure as chief executive and board member," the company said in a statement.
Brewer officially stepped down from her roles as chief executive and director on Thursday (Aug. 31). She assumed the CEO role in March 2021, succeeding Executive
Chairman Stefano Pessina. Prior to this, Brewer held the position of CEO at Starbucks.
The leadership change aligns with WBA's shift towards becoming a broader healthcare company, a strategic move initiated by Brewer and her team in October 2021.
Nottinghamshire Police have released a CCTV image of a man over the theft of £1,400 worth of cosmetic products from a Boots store on Sunday (18 June).
Police have made appeal they would like to speak to the man in the CCTV image to in connection with the theft from a Boots store in St Peter's Retail Park,
Mansfield.
On Sunday (18 June) boxes of eye serum were stolen from the store at around 10.35am. Officers would like to trace the man pictured as they continue with their
inquiries into the theft.
Police Constable Beth Richards, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. Offences of this sort can have a hugely detrimental
impact on retailers and wider communities.
"We have carried out initial inquiries but are now asking the public to assist us in identifying who this person might be - as he could help aid our investigation.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate patient counselling takes place and
patients are aware of the missing information on the patient information leaflet (PIL) of Decongestant Tablets and Decongestant with Pain Relief Tablets.
The advise came after Boots has identified an error with the printed PIL provided with batches of the tablets.
Check the website for more information.
Too many unreasonable demands placed on pharmacists by employers affect their health and wellbeing at work, a stress and wellbeing survey conducted by The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) Union revealed.
The survey, conducted during Autumn 2021, covered views of over 2,000 pharmacists employed by big multiples - Lloyds, Boots, and Well.
This survey used questions developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which enabled the union to understand more about stress and wellbeing in three of the
largest community pharmacy multiples.
Analysing the survey, the PDA said that some pharmacists working for each of the three employers highlighted "unachievable targets, unrealistic time pressures, and
most worrying of all reported numerous instances of bullying and harassment."
An overwhelming majority of the respondents reflected personal sacrifices made by the pharmacists to ensure patient services are not impacted by the poor conditions
and environments in some pharmacies.
Locate a Locum's analysis has found that there has been around 14 per cent rise in rate of locum pharmacists in a year.
The report said: "Post-covid locum pharmacist rates remain at an all-time high because of a variety of internal and external factors, including continued strong
local and regional demand for pharmacist services, which is more acute in some areas, and some persistent last-minute or unplanned booking activity among pharmacies."
The study is based on an analysis of more than 30,000 locum pharmacist shifts booked on the Locate a Locum platform between April 1 and June 30 this year and compared
with the same period in 2021.
"Locum pharmacy rates are a hot topic within the industry and this interest looks likely to continue, particularly given our latest analysis of rising prices and our
assessment that if current market conditions persist, they will continue to increase into 2023," said Locate a Locum founder and chief executive Jonathan Clarke.
Drug testing is a crucial part of many people's lives. Whether you're applying for a job in the law enforcement field, military, or pharmacy industry, it can
be difficult to find out what drugs are on your application. Luckily, there are new ways to test yourself at home to see if you have any traces of drugs inside of
you.
WHERE TO FIND DRUG TESTS
There are a variety of at-home drug tests available on the market. Drug tests can be found at most pharmacies and online retailers, like Drug Test City. Some of
these sites are free, while others charge a fee. Here are some tips to help you choose the right site for your needs:
Make sure the site is reputable. There are many scam sites out there that will take your money and not deliver on their promises. Do some research to make sure the
site you're considering is legitimate.
Consider the cost. Some sites charge a fee for their services, while others are free. Decide what you're willing to spend before you start your search.
Compare features. Not all drug testing sites are created equal. Some offer more comprehensive services than others. Take a look at what each site has to offer and
choose the one that best meets your needs.
All adults aged 50 years and above are eligible for free flu jabs in England under the autumn Covid-19 booster programme, the Department of Health and Social
Care (DHSC) has announced.
"The flu virus could also be highly infectious at this time of year, so I am also announcing that those eligible for a free flu vaccination this year will include
everyone aged 50 and over, primary school children and secondary school pupils in years 7, 8 and 9, as well as people in clinical risk groups, unpaid carers and
household contacts of those who are immunosuppressed," said new health secretary Steve Barclay.
Commenting on the DHSC's announcement, CCA chief executive Malcolm Harrison said: "We welcome the decision to accept the advice of the JCVI on who can have free
Covid-19 boosters and flu jabs this autumn. Community pharmacies have turbo-charged the Covid-19 vaccination programme over the past 18 months and last year we
witnessed the most successful community pharmacy flu campaign ever."
Viveca Biomed has launched an innovative and clinically-proven bladder support device that offers women immediate relief from stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
and provides community pharmacy contractors with a way to build a new consumer base, customer loyalty and sales margins.
The product, named 'Contrelle Activgard', has already recorded millions of sales in Scandinavia over a decade.
The company behind the UK launch is female healthcare business Viveca Biomed, founded in 2019 by Andrew Tasker who has spent 30+ years in senior roles within the OTC
and pharma industry.
Contrelle is manufactured, packed and distributed in the UK at Viveca Biomed's factory near Newcastle, with no outsourcing, and thus offering the best possible
continuity of supply.
Ahead of the launch, the company commissioned a large consumer lifestyle survey with 500 women over 40 years of age who experience bladder leaks, to reveal the extent
of its detrimental impact.
Contrelle Activgard is a safe, discrete, easy-to-use and highly effective, single-use vaginal device, designed to immediately prevent SUI rather than just deal
with the leakage.
WBA, Boots parent company revealed the results for its fourth quarter of the financial year, showing three months to August 2023.
The reports published on 12 October show the loss of at least $1bn following a net loss of $3.1bn on an annual basis. This marks a decrease compared to a profit
of $4.3bn in the previous financial year.
The loss was attributed in part to a $5.5 billion after-tax charge related to opioid claims and litigation during the period, as well as the comparison against a
$2.5 billion after-tax gain from the company's investments in Village MD and Shields Health Solutions in the same period last year.
Ginger Graham, WBA's Interim Chief Executive spoke about the company's performance and its dedication to their customers and patients.
HayMax, maker of the famous organic drug-free allergen barrier balm has been awarded the 'British Made Award' for Best British Allergy Product 2022.
The award celebrates businesses that work tirelessly to make their region one of the most diverse and dynamic the UK has to offer.
HayMax MD and creator Max Wiseberg comments: "This award means a great deal to us. We've always been proud that our products have been manufactured in the UK. We
are passionate about reducing the cost to the environment so being British-made means we keep the miles down and reduce our carbon footprint."
HayMax balms are manufactured in the UK. It buys local to reduce the cost to the environment, even if it means it costs a bit more. HayMax's current pots are now
made in the UK, which has been great for reducing their carbon footprint. Its tins come from London.
The new pots can be recycled and re-used. The brand has now switched to using sugar cane to make its pots and has also reduced the amount of material used in the
pots by just over 54%. And they have switched from the plastic labels to paper labels.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued a class 2 medicines recall notice for Olopatadine USV 1mg/ml eye drops.
Specific batches of this product are being recalled by USV UK Limited as a precautionary measure due to the identification of out of specification results for impurities during routine stability testing.
USV UK Limited are recalling the affected batches as a precautionary measure due to out of specification results for impurities during routine stability testing.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association has helped its members to secure around £196,000 last year from employers who treated pharmacists badly or breached their
rights in some way.
The association strives to help members to resolve workplace disputes quickly, locally, and amicably, however some cases need escalation into the legal system, it said.
It helps pharmacists to understand and exercise their rights in case unfair treatment occurs to them.
Though no employee expects to be treated badly, this is the reality for some pharmacists, the PDA stated.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) have issued a joint enforcement notice about
the 'illegal' advertising of Kenalog injections on digital platforms.
The notice warns all organisations offering Kenalog as a 'hay fever treatment' to stop advertising it in any of their social media or website advertising.
"Kenalog is a prescription-only medicine (POM), which must not be directly or indirectly advertised to the public. Kenalog is not licensed for the treatment of hay
fever in the UK, although it is offered by some beauty and aesthetics clinics, under the personal responsibility of an individual prescriber, and advertised widely
on social media," said MHRA.
"Now, advertisers must ensure that all references to Kenalog in the text, images or emojis on social media are removed, as well as commonly-used descriptive phrases
for the jab such as 'hay fever injection' or hay fever jab' or any account names, testimonials or memes by 29 August 2022."
After this date, the CAP's compliance team will remove non-compliant ads using targeted software and those who continue to promote it may be referred to the MHRA for
further enforcement action.
Superdrug has reported more than 400 per cent spike in sale of the chickenpox vaccines in the UK.
To protect children against the disease during chickenpox season, nearly nine out of 10 patients (87 per cent) have taken their wards under the age of five for vaccination in the last eight weeks.
Chickenpox can be a seasonal disease with children usually catching it in the winter and spring, with UK peaks often between March and May.
The last two years of spending time in and out of various lockdowns have meant less interaction between people, and so less transmission across the general population.
Caris Newson, head of healthcare services at Superdrug, said: "One of the knock-on effects of Covid is that people have a greater awareness and understanding of the benefits that vaccines can offer.
"We launched the chickenpox vaccination service five years ago in 2017 and it's now that we're beginning to see greater interest in how it can support family health. In fact, our fully qualified nurses have told us that they've had more parents ask about the chickenpox vaccination service, and word of mouth has then spread amongst parents and schools."
The renowned health and beauty chain has announced impressive annual sales and profit figures, following the expansion of its British high street estate.
According to a report by The Times, Superdrug's pre-tax profits jumped by 43.6 per cent to £111.6 million in the year ending December 2023 compared to the previous
year.
The company's revenue also experienced significant growth, rising by 11.8 per cent to reach £1.52 billion, marking its third consecutive year of market share growth.
Key factors driving this growth include the opening of 14 new stores across strategic locations such as The Trafford Centre in Manchester and Brent Cross shopping
centre in north London, and the refitting of 45 stores last year.
Additionally, the continued expansion of its cheaper, own-label products, along with exclusive launches from brands like Bioré SPF, Nyx X Barbie, and Billie Eilish
fragrances, significantly contributed to a 4.2 per cent year-on-year increase in Superdrug's sales volume.