The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published a notification regarding the shortage of Guanfacine 2mg and 3mg modified-release tablets has
raised concerns within the healthcare community.
This critical medicine supply notification, issued on March 28th, projects the unavailability of these tablets until the week commencing May 6, 2024.
Guanfacine tablets, commonly prescribed to alleviate symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity while enhancing attention and concentration, play a vital role in
managing conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
However, the scarcity of these specific strengths poses challenges for patients reliant on this medication.
Last year, several countries across the globe experienced shortages of medications for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)including
the UK, the US and Australia.
Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has cautioned that while alternative strengths of Guanfacine remain accessible, they may not adequately meet the heightened demand,
potentially resulting in treatment interruptions for patients.
Patients are highly satisfied with the new Pharmacy First service, which enables pharmacists to assess and treat patients for seven common conditions,
according to a survey by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).
Nearly 100 NPA members participated in the snapshot poll conducted at the end of the first full week of the service.
Nine in ten respondents (87 per cent) said that "most or all patients expressed satisfaction" with the service they received.
However, many independent community pharmacy owners are facing challenges in implementing the service.
While 56 per cent of pharmacy owners surveyed expressed feeling "motivated" by the new service, a larger proportion (70 per cent) indicated being "under
additional pressure."
More than 30 per cent of the respondents found implementation of the service "harder" than they had expected.
The 14th Annual Community Pharmacy Conference by Sigma Pharmaceuticals began on Monday, 25 February at Sun City, South Africa.
Dr. Bharat Shah, Manish Shah, and Kamal Shah, co-founders of the company, extended a warm welcome to the delegates in attendance at the event.
In a written message, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak extended his best wishes to all the participants attending the conference.
The message read: "This conference is timely as it coincides with the launch of the Pharmacy First, a new initiative launched across England that will enable
patients to receive treatments for seven common conditions directly from a pharmacist without the need for a GP appointment or prescription."
"We are all grateful for the tremendous contributions that pharmacists make to our NHS. The fantastic work you do is critical to the success of Pharmacy First
and many other initiatives."
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has raised concerned about rising cases of scabies in the UK, and suggested that the current shortage of
medicines is contributing to the outbreak.
Usually, this skin condition is treated using topical creams or oral medication in more severe cases, but shortage of scabies drugs has been reported since May 2023.
Both permethrin 5% cream and malathion liquid, which are two main topical treatments for scabies, are in limited supply in the U.K.
Paula Geanau, a spokesperson for BAD, told Fox News Digital on Friday (19 January) that the rate of scabies is double the seasonal average, with three cases
per 100,000 of the population recorded at the end of November by the Royal College of GPs.
Britain's drug regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on Monday announced that fluoroquinolone antibiotics must only be
administered when no other antibiotics are appropriate for use.
It elaborated that fluoroquinolones given systemically (by mouth, injection, or inhalation) should only be prescribed "when other recommended antibiotics have
failed, will not work due to resistance, or are unsafe to use in an individual patient."
Previous regulations on fluoroquinolones stated that this class of antibiotics should not be prescribed for mild to moderate or self-limiting infections, or
non-bacterial conditions.
Further restrictions have been introduced after receiving reports from patients who have experienced long-lasting or disabling reactions following use of
fluoroquinolones, the MHRA revealed.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: "Patient safety is our top priority. We have listened to the experience of patients regarding long-lasting
and potentially irreversible adverse reactions following use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, in some cases prescribed for mild-to-moderate infections.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have been tasked to evaluate the impact, safety and effectiveness of the
Pharmacy First service, which was launched across England in January 2024.
They have been awarded £2.4million by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to generate evidence on the new service that allows
pharmacies to provide advice and treatment for seven common conditions without the need for a GP appointment.
After consultation, if necessary, a community pharmacist can supply some prescription-only medicines to treat earache, sore throat, sinusitis, impetigo,
shingles, infected insect bites or uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
The LSHTM researcher team will be working together with experts at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Universities of Oxford, Manchester and
Nottingham on the project.
Dr Rebecca Glover, assistant professor in Antimicrobial Resistance at LSHTM, who will lead the three-year project, said they will evaluate "Pharmacy First's
impact on GPs and the wider NHS, pharmacy services and patients."
To maximise the benefits of the Pharmacy First service for patients, the NHS, and community pharmacies, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has advised the
community pharmacists to to establish a robust relationship between community pharmacies and local general practices.
The news comes after several reports highlighted issues regarding GP referrals for the seven minor ailment conditions under the Pharmacy First services.
According to the reports, many pharmacists claimed that "many GPs in England are not sending patients to them to be treated - and that some are refusing to
participate at all in the "groundbreaking" Pharmacy First scheme".
In response to foster better relationship with the GPs, CPE has said that strong local collaborations will enable general practice teams to confidently refer
patients to the Pharmacy First and other community pharmacy services where appropriate.
Moreover, the organisation emphasised implementation of long-term changes in practice will take time. The current focus on integrating GP referrals to Pharmacy
First will likely require sustained effort over several months or longer.
With more than half of the UK population experiencing gum problems and many not believing their condition warrants treatment, there is a significant need for
an oral care range that promotes good gum health and prevents future issues.
Corsodyl is set to launch a new Gum Strength & Protect line, featuring two toothpastes and a daily mouthwash which are clinically proven to protect against gum
problems.
This range aims to meet the growing consumer demand for oral care solutions that help proactively manage gum health and prevent issues related to poor oral hygiene.
The Corsodyl Gum Strength & Protect line is designed to strengthen the gum seal around teeth, offering long-lasting protection.
The product is enriched with hyaluronic acid, a key building block for strong gums, and includes IPMP (Isopropyl Methylphenol) and zinc as antibacterial active
ingredients.
At the recent 'Locum Matters' online event held on June 25, 2024, members of the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) discussed critical issues facing
locum pharmacists, with a disturbing trend taking center stage: employers pressuring locum pharmacists to accept lower rates under the threat of potential pharmacy
closures.
The event, organised in response to feedback from PDA locum members, addressed a range of significant topics including training for the recent Pharmacy First
Services, respect for professional autonomy, and the need for adequate rest breaks.
However, the issue of rate pressure and pharmacy closures was a focal point.
Several locum pharmacists reported that some employers were leveraging the possibility of pharmacy closures to coerce them into working for lower pay.
This unethical practice has raised alarm within the locum community, highlighting the precarious working conditions many face.
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has announced its support for the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA)'s Safer Pharmacies Charter,
which aims to improve safety and care for patients, through better working conditions in UK pharmacy practice.
The Charter establishes basic standards to ensure safe practices across all pharmacy settings. It outlines seven commitments that, according to the PDA, "must be
standard practice whenever and wherever pharmacy work is carried out."
Dr Catherine Duggan, FIP CEO, said: "We are pleased to support the PDA's Safer Pharmacies Charter which defines basic standards to ensure safe practice wherever
pharmacists work.
"The overall objectives of the Charter align with FIP's development goals and overall mission."
FIP, the global body representing pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, plans to distribute the Charter among its members and share it with its Community Pharmacy
Section for information purposes.
Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is characterized by the consistent or recurrent inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection
sufficient for sexual intercourse. It becomes increasingly common with age, affecting approximately 50 - 55 per cent of men aged between 40 and 70 years.
ED is estimated to affect up to three-quarters of men globally, and by 2025, 322 million men are expected to experience it.
Research indicates that erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in the UK, affecting over a quarter of younger men. Among Brits with ED, cardiometabolic
and psychological conditions were frequently observed.
Despite the high prevalence of erectile dysfunction among men, it remains poorly understood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated.
Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has taken an interesting step to increase public awareness and understanding of the Pharmacy First service.
The organisation has launched a new video animation that provides clear and concise information about the service, highlighting the seven conditions covered,
the eligible age ranges within the clinical pathways consultations, and explaining how patients can access these services.
Pharmacy owners and their teams are encouraged to use the new animation with existing resources to communicate the benefits and scope of the service to their
patients.
The animation can be linked to pharmacy social media content and downloaded for display on digital screens in pharmacies. General practices are also encouraged to
use the animation on digital screens in their practice waiting areas.
Released on Monday morning, the election manifesto shared by the Liberal Democrats pledges to "strengthen patients' rights" by tackling public health
inequalities and providing early access to community services.
The Liberal Democrats Party's manifesto promises to address the issues at both the "front and back doors" of the National Health Service (NHS), which the party
claims has been plunged into crisis by the Conservatives.
Pledging to invest in public health and early access to community services, the party aims to "work towards a fairer and more sustainable long-term funding model
for pharmacies and build on the Pharmacy First approach to give patients more accessible routine services and ease the pressure on GPs."
The pledge also includes making prescriptions for people with chronic mental health conditions free on the NHS, as part of a wider commitment to review the entire
schedule of exemptions for prescription charges.
Community pharmacists in England have launched a new digital platform called My Local Surgery, enabling patients to access Pharmacy First consultations online.
This initiative, a part of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, facilitates free video consultations for six common conditions, connecting patients with community
pharmacists for clinical advice and treatment.
The platform, spearheaded by a team of pharmacy, tech, and clinical services experts, including experienced community pharmacists Darren Lingaloo and Gulraj
Dhillon, tech specialist Nav Ramiah, and Dr. Adam Kirk, a seasoned NHS and digital healthcare professional, seeks to meet the rising demand for clinical services.
Darren Lingaloo, co-founder and chief pharmacist at My Local Surgery, said: "The evolving role of pharmacists is long overdue and has the potential to save
millions of GP appointments every year.
The number of people in England identified as at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased by over half a million within a year, according to
NHS figures.
Data released by the National Diabetes Audit on June 12 showed that 3.6 million people registered with a GP were found to have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia
(also known as pre-diabetes) in 2023, compared with 3.1 million people in 2022 - a notable 18 per cent increase or nearly 550,000 people.
Among those under 40 years old, the figures showed an increase of almost 25 per cent from 173,166 in 2022 to 216,440 in 2023.
People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, and they are at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes and
cardiovascular diseases. Typically, this condition is detected through routine blood tests at GP surgeries.
People are advised to be mindful of medications that may cause sun reactions, and to watch out for dodgy hay fever treatments and fake weight loss pens.
For those traveling abroad, the MHRA advises considering the suitability of medicines available to reduce the risk of contracting tropical diseases.
Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, said: "The summer is an exciting time for many of us, as we take time off to travel and enjoy the warmer weather.
"But it is important to understand what this time of year means for our medicines and medical devices, and take the precautions necessary to use products safely
and protect ourselves."
Watch out for dodgy hay fever treatments
Millions of Britons suffer from hay fever symptoms in the summer. The MHRA advises consulting a healthcare professional to find the best treatment for your symptoms.
People are also warned to be cautious of medicines advertised as hay fever treatments but not approved for use in the UK, such as Kenalog. This is a
prescription-only steroid injection licensed as a medicine for other conditions, but not for the treatment of hay fever.
The Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB) has called on the new Labour government to prioritise six key actions within its first 100 days to
harness the benefits of self-care for the public, the NHS, and the wider economy.
Aimed to ease the burden on the NHS, the PAGB hopes that the suggest six key actions would help during the incoming winter illness season.
According to PAGB, the NHS deals with approximately 25 million GP appointments and 5 million A&E visits each year for self-treatable conditions.
By empowering individuals to manage their own health more effectively, the NHS could potentially save up to £1.7 billion annually.
In her letter to Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Michelle Riddalls, CEO of PAGB, urged the government to act promptly.
Many men around the globe suffer from the condition called Gynecomastia. It is also referred to as "man boobs." It is the swelling and enlargement of breasts in boys and men. This may not cause physical harm. However, it may psychologically affect them, especially their self-esteem and self-confidence.
With scientific advancements we can expect something new everyday. The latest trend in the medical world is nuclear medicine. It is the latest medical speciality using radioisotopes for any diagnosis and treatment.
