The new Flat Fee payment to roll out in April 2023 to all pharmacy contractors who dispense at least 101 items a month, up to a national total of £70m on an
annual basis.
"The value of the Flat Fee payment has now been determined at £533 per month and will be introduced in the April 2023 Drug Tariff," said the Pharmaceutical Services
Negotiating Committee (PSNC).
"As with all payments, the Flat Fee payments are subject to change throughout the year depending on the overall level of funding delivery to Community Pharmacies.
This will be carefully monitored by PSNC and DHSC, and any funding changes will be communicated to pharmacy contractors as soon as they are known," said PSNC.
AstraZeneca on Wednesday (April 5) said a combination of its cancer drugs Imfinzi and Lynparza met the main goal in a late-stage trial in patients with
advanced ovarian cancer.
The drugmaker said treatment with a combination of those drugs, along with chemotherapy and bevacizumab - the existing standard of care - improved progression-free
survival in newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer without certain mutations.
Lynparza is jointly developed with U.S.-based Merck & Co as a treatment for breast cancer in early stage with certain mutations. Imfinzi alone, along with
chemotherapy and bevacizumab, did not reach statistical significance in its interim analysis, the drugmaker added.
Philipp Harter, director, Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology, Evangelische Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Germany and principal investigator for the trial,
said: "DUO-O showcases the power of academia and industry collaboration in advancing new treatment combinations for patients with ovarian cancer. I'm grateful for
the academic cooperative study groups and patients around the world that made this trial possible and look forward to sharing the results with the clinical community."
Susan Galbraith, executive vice president, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "While there has been significant progress for patients with advanced ovarian cancer, an
unmet need still remains. These data from the DUO-O trial provide encouraging evidence for this this Lynparza and Imfinzi combination in patients without tumour
BRCA mutations and reinforce our continued commitment to finding new treatment approaches for these patients. It will be important to understand the key secondary
endpoints as well as data for relevant subgroups."
The Pharmacy Supervision Practice Group consisting of members from AIMp, APTUK, CCA, NPA, PDA, PFNI and RPS held its fourth workshop to continue discussions
on the future modelling of pharmacy practice.
The ideas around 'supervision' shared by the organisation earlier formed the basis of the discussion during the workshop and helped to expand understanding of where
there was consensus and disagreement.
Examples of ideas explored during the workshop include: the extent to which a pharmacist should supervise the medicines assembly process, the purpose and extent to
which a pharmacist might be absent from the pharmacy and how this might affect patient safety as well as the nature of whether fixed rules versus a broad framework
were preferable for future practice.
Chair of the group, Dr Michael Twigg, Associate Professor of Primary Care Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, said "Once again the sector bodies have come together
in a collaborative and positive manner to explore the concept of 'supervision' in the context of current and future community pharmacy practice. This session provided an opportunity to constructively challenge assumptions and viewpoints within the group with the aim of moving the discussion forward."
As part of the session, the DHSC, GPhC and PSNI gave an overview of the difference between legislation, regulation and guidance which was helpful to inform the
group's thinking. Each of the organisations have been asked to use the conversation to refine the ideas presented in advance of the next workshop.
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has advised pharmacies to continue providing rota services on Easter after learning that many pharmacies are
unwilling to provide the services on Easter holidays.
"It is extremely regrettable that community pharmacy representatives have advised that access to rota pharmacies in some parts of Northern Ireland will be reduced
over the Easter holidays," department said.
They have also stated that despite a commitment of recurrent investment, support for new patients assessed by Trusts as requiring blister packs may be restricted.
These actions have the potential to impact on patients and other parts of the Health and Social Care system.
The department has also called the CPNI's demand to increase the funding up to 50 per cent in the sector "unrealistic" in the current financial climate.
It said: "Financial pressures across the entire NI public sector are severe with an extremely challenging health budget anticipated for 2023/24."
"The Department is therefore facing a significant funding gap just to maintain existing services and the whole Health and Social Care system is an extremely
unpredictable and fragile position. The core funding envelope available to community pharmacies in NI has increased by 16% over the past three years."
PSNC has urged community pharmacy contractors and LPCs to engage with their local MPs on the immense pressures that pharmacies are facing.
The organisaiton has also published some new resources to help pharmacists in this regard.
"PSNC is deeply aware of the funding crisis affecting the sector and is working hard to increase the pressure on [the] government to act now with an urgent funding
uplift. This has included upping investment in influencing activities and working closely with LPCs to take united action," it said.
PSNC has last month launched its Four Point Plan to safeguard the future of community pharmacy, setting out how pharmacy could be the solution to a number of
problems if, and only if, it is properly funded, resourced and supported.
As pressures continue to mount, further briefings now focus solely on the urgent need to resolve the funding squeeze in order to protect existing pharmacy services.
The PSNC on Friday said it has warned the DHSC about the "very serious impact" of the limited supply of certain antibiotics on pharmacies who are "having to
chase stock, purchase without sight of any concession prices, and cope with increasing patient questions and abuse."
With higher than usual number of cases of scarlet fever, caused by invasive Group A Streptococci (iGAS) infections, being reported in children across the country,
supplies of antibiotics for Group A Strep treatment have seen a surge in demand, leading to limited supply at certain wholesalers and pharmacies.
PSNC has urged the DHSC to adopt measures that could help to manage the current crisis, such as allowing pharmacists more freedom to change strengths or formulations
without prescriber approval, outside of Serious Shortage Protocols.
It has also raised concerns on the significant rise in wholesale prices of many oral antibiotics as a result of the surge in demand and the ongoing supply
disruptions. PSNC also said they have received reports of some suppliers putting up their prices for any oral antibiotics they do have in stock.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised 'no one should stop taking valproate without advice from their healthcare
professional.'
The latest data on the use of valproate in England revealed that in the last 6 months the number of pregnant women prescribed valproate in a 6-month period has
fallen from 68 women in April to September 2018, to 17 women in October 2021 to March 2022.
In light of concerns that the current regulatory requirements for safe use are not being consistently followed, the MHRA conducted a review of the available data
and asked for advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines (CHM).
"The CHM has advised that no one under the age of 55 should be initiated on valproate unless two specialists independently consider and document that there is no
other effective or tolerated treatment," said MHRA.
"Where possible, existing patients should be switched to another treatment unless two specialists independently consider and document that there is no other effective
or tolerated treatment or the risks do not apply."
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation following 'rocketing prices of antibiotics in the wake of Strep A cases', Sky News
reported on Wednesday (December 14).
On Monday, the Department of Health issued a medicine supply notification for antibiotics for the treatment of Strep A.
"Supplies of antibiotics for the treatment of Group A Strep have seen a surge in demand and may be temporarily in limited supply at certain wholesalers and
pharmacies. Supplies are available with manufacturers, and deliveries into wholesalers and pharmacies are being expedited and are expected in the coming days" said
DHSC.
Sky quoted a spokesperson for the CMA as saying: "People have got real concerns about the price of antibiotics used to treat Strep A, and we want companies to be
clear about their obligations under the law.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for antibiotics for the treatment of Group A Strep.
"Supplies of antibiotics for the treatment of Group A Strep have seen a surge in demand and may be temporarily in limited supply at certain wholesalers and
pharmacies," said DHSC.
"Supplies are available with manufacturers, and deliveries into wholesalers and pharmacies are being expedited and are expected in the coming days."
If the formulation of antibiotic prescribed is unavailable, DHSC has asked clinicians and local pharmacy teams to consider prescribing an alternative form or
strength of the antibiotic where appropriate, ensuring the patient is not intolerant to any of the excipients in the alternative and is counselled on the
appropriate dose (and volume) required.
he Healthcare Distribution Association (HDA) and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiation Committee (PSNC) have urged the NHS England and the Department of
Health and Social Care (DHSC) to issue urgent communications requesting that all those involved in medicines supply do not hoard, stockpile or over-prescribe Strep
A antibiotics.
In a statement HDA said that the sudden spike in demand for antibiotics used for the treatment of Strep A has meant that there is not enough of these medicines in
the supply chain currently to meet this increased demand. As a result, wholesalers are working extremely hard with manufacturers to increase the supply of antibiotics.
It added: "As regards pricing, the prices charged to pharmacies by HDA wholesale distributors will directly reflect the increase in prices wholesalers are having
to pay for these medicines from manufacturers at the moment, in order to be able to continue supplying these medicines to pharmacies. This will be the case until
supply and demand are more in sync."
Product packaging affects the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals to a great extent. This is why pharmaceutical companies ensure they choose appropriate packaging
for drug products. Drug packaging is not always an easy job. However, the tips in this article will help you select the proper pharmaceutical packaging for drug
products without stress.
What Does Pharmaceutical Packaging Entail?
Pharmaceutical packaging involves using packaging containers with safety closures such as a lidding film to hold pharmaceutical products. This is done to keep them
safe and effective.
The most commonly used packaging materials in the pharmaceutical industry are metals, glass, and plastics. These materials are used for different reasons and
different products. In short, a pharmacist considers several factors regarding a product and its target audience before choosing a packaging material for
pharmaceutical formation.
Why Appropriate Packaging Matters
Many benefits come with appropriate pharmaceutical packaging. These benefits make it essential to package drug products in the best ways possible. When pharmaceutical
items are properly packed, they can reach patients for a safe prescription. As a result, the drug stands a higher chance of achieving its prescription purpose. More
so, properly packaged drug products are safer to consume and can be trusted.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has undertaken an additional survey of pharmacists employed in the NHS, before deciding to hold their first-ever
ballot for industrial action.
The PDA has more than 7,000 NHS-employed pharmacists in membership and the union is actively considering balloting those members regarding strike action.
The association said: "The experience of some other unions has shown that the government's restrictive rules, designed to make it difficult for working people to
lawfully take industrial action, means trade unions should test members' strength of feeling before balloting."
"Trade unions are not only forced to rely upon postal ballots, but for lawful industrial action to be taken, the result must also meet three tests- at least 50% of
eligible voters must vote; at least 40% of eligible voters must vote 'yes' and a majority of votes must be for 'yes'."
The association is asking members in England, Northern Ireland and, Wales to show if their collective wish, insignificant enough strength, is for strike action. PDA
has emailed the survey to all its members in the NHS in the three nations and will close on Tuesday 3 January.
The Company Chemist Association (CCA) highlighted its concerns around the recruitment of pharmacists into Primary Care Networks as well as the need for
additional investment.
Commenting on the Ipsos survey findings, the Malcolm Harrison, the Chief executive of the CCA said: "We welcome the findings of the Ipsos survey, confirming that
patients value the quality of service and advice community pharmacies routinely provide.
"We are very concerned however that this cancer detection pilot, and all other pharmacy services, are at risk if the NHS is not prepared to inject urgently needed
funding into the sector."
He stated that without substantial investment, "we will see the continued erosion of the service pharmacies can provide."
In addition to the need for critical additional funding the association is also calling on the NHS to pause the recruitment of pharmacists into GP surgeries.
He said: "Patients are suffering because the demand for pharmacists in England is now significantly greater than that which the existing workforce can deliver."
Nine in ten people surveyed by Ipsos on behalf on NHS positively rated the advice they received from their local pharmacies.
The results from Ipsos found that the vast majority of patients (91%) who had used a community pharmacy in the previous year for advice about medicines, a health
problem or injury, or what health service they should use said they received good advice.
The research comes as more than 11,000 pharmacies in England can now access training to spot signs of cancer as part of a new drive to catch tumours earlier when
they are easier to treat.
Thorrun Govind, Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society English Pharmacy Board, said: "Community pharmacists are working exceptionally hard to make sure that the
public gets the right advice at the right time. This new data shows the public appreciate both the accessibility and quality of advice they receive from community
pharmacists.
"I am delighted that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is working with the NHS to deliver professional development for community pharmacists to further enhance their
clinical consultation skills.
Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca said on Monday (January 9) that it had struck a deal to buy US-based drug developer CinCor Pharma for up to $1.8 billion
to increase its stock of heart and kidney drugs.
Core to the deal is CinCor's experimental therapy baxdrostat, which is in development to treat conditions including high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.
AstraZeneca aims to combine baxdrostat with its own Farxiga, a diabetes drug whose sales ballooned after it was also shown to benefit patients with heart failure
and kidney disease.
Farxiga, whose sales jumped by almost 50 per cent during the first nine months of 2022 to reach $3.2 billion, belongs to a highly competitive class of drugs that
includes rivals such as Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly's Jardiance.
AstraZeneca gets about a third of its revenue from cancer drugs, but its heart, kidney and diabetes medicines are its second most lucrative business by sales,
generating roughly $6.9 billion of the drugmaker's total revenue of more than $33 billion in the first three quarters of 2022.
Chiesi Farmaceutici, the international, research-focused biopharmaceuticals and healthcare group has acquired Amryt Pharma, a global biopharmaceutical company
dedicated to developing novel treatments for rare diseases.
More than 300 million people worldwide are affected by rare diseases, including those who are living with ultra-rare metabolic and dermatologic conditions who still
have no approved treatment.
The acquisition reinforces Chiesi's commitment to deliver innovative treatments to patients with highly unmet medical needs. As a benefit corporation and a B Corp,
Chiesi strives to create a world where it is common to have a therapy for all diseases and acts as a force for good, for society and the planet.
Chiesi's Head of Chiesi Global Rare diseases Giacomo Chiesi commented: "We are excited to add the Amryt family to our company in this acquisition that demonstrates
our commitment to rare diseases and aligns with our growth strategy through partnerships beyond internal research and development."
Chiesi's new CEO Giuseppe Accogli said: "By joining forces and expertise we will be able to grow our capabilities and further strengthen our position to provide a
positive impact on patients living with rare diseases."
With regard to the financing of the deal, cash consideration has been partially financed through a EUR 700m syndicated loan led by BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole
as Global Coordinators and ESG Structuring Banks, acting alongside BPER and Deutsche Bank as Mandated Lead Arrangers. Crédit Agricole is Loan Agent too. Lenders have
been advised by Clifford Chance, while Baker and McKenzie has assisted Chiesi Farmaceutici.
Community pharmacies will be able to deliver approximately 15 million blood pressure screenings by 2026, revealed the Company Chemists' Association (CCA)'s new
research.
This will also prevent 15,000 people from suffering heart attacks or strokes. CCA has called the Government to take up their offer and commission pharmacies as the
first port of call for cardiovascular care.
"Thousands of lives can be saved with ambitious commissioning and the investment to match," said CCA.
There is an opportunity to use the expertise of community pharmacy to go further and provide the care these newly identified patients' need. To do this the sector
needs funding and workforce.
The association said: "Community pharmacy is under great financial pressure, suffering a real term funding cut of over 30% over 8 years. With funding, the sector can
transform to deliver this critical need for patients.
Whilst there are plans to train Independent Prescribers (IPs), there are no clear roles for them to use these skills. There is a need to accelerate training plans to
allow pharmacists to deliver the service described here and play their part in CVD management."
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England have written a letter to pharmacy professionals thanking them for
providing the best possible services to patients and the public, despite experiencing high and sustained demands and pressures.
GPhC Chief Executive Duncan Rudkin and CPhO David Webb indicated that there will be further challenges over the coming weeks and months due to the ongoing industrial
action, and staff shortages due to sickness or caring responsibilities.
They expressed concerned that increased pressure will have a significant and potentially prolonged impact on pharmacy teams both personally and professionally.
Acknowledging that pharmacy professionals may have to make some difficult decisions as they deal with the pressures they face, the leaders have urged those working
in pharmacy to use "your professional judgement to assess and mitigate risk, and to deliver safe and effective care for your patients within your scope of practice."
The nationwide implementation of the Pharmacy First service is viewed as a significant development that benefits pharmacies, primary care, and the broader
National Health Service (NHS). Pharmacy teams are striving to ensure its success despite challenges within the industry landscape. However, not all pharmacists
are able to reap the benefits from it.
Recently, two members of Numark shared their experiences of how the scheme is impacting their pharmacies.
Graham Phillips, who owns Letchworth Pharmacy in Hertfordshire, revealed that patients are responding favourably to the service. "It's all good, people are just
delighted to have easier access to care," he said.
In its first month, Letchworth Pharmacy provided around 100 consultations, and Phillips envisions that as the service matures, they will be able to conduct an
average of 200 interventions per week.
"That will make it financially viable for us and mean that we're acting at scale from an NHS perspective. That's 200 GP appointments we've freed up in a
week - that's a huge capability and capacity bump for the NHS," he added.
Graham credits part of his success with Pharmacy First to the strong relationship he has established with local GPs in his area.
In a groundbreaking move towards modernising healthcare, England's National Health Service (NHS) has successfully implemented digital prescriptions,
as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its latest regional digital health report.
Since January 2024, patients across England have had access to their prescription information through the NHS App, marking a significant leap in healthcare
accessibility and efficiency.
With over 33 million registered users, representing 75 per cent of the adult population, the NHS App has become a vital tool in managing healthcare online.
The introduction of digital prescriptions allows users to order repeat prescriptions online without the need for a GP visit.
This innovation has witnessed a surge in digital requests, with over 3.1 million repeat prescriptions processed monthly.