One type of bacteria found in the gut may contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes, while another may protect from the disease, according to early
results from an ongoing, prospective study led by investigators at Cedars-Sinai.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetes, found people with higher levels of a bacterium called Coprococcus tended to have higher insulin
sensitivity, while those whose microbiomes had higher levels of the bacterium Flavonifractor tended to have lower insulin sensitivity.
Mark Goodarzi, the director of the Endocrine Genetics Laboratory at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, California, is leading an ongoing study that is following and
observing people at risk for diabetes to learn whether those with lower levels of these bacteria develop the disease.
"The big question we're hoping to address is: Did the microbiome differences cause diabetes, or did diabetes cause the microbiome differences?" said Goodarzi, who
is the senior author of the study and principal investigator of the multicenter study called Microbiome and Insulin Longitudinal Evaluation Study (MILES).
John Dawson, the founder and former CEO of Alliance Pharma, has donated £5million to the University of Sunderland towards the creation of a new drug
research centre.
The donation - the biggest in the university's history - will create the John Dawson Drug Discovery and Development Research Institute to improve health and
wellbeing of millions of people worldwide.
The new centre has been named after the pharmaceutical entrepreneur and Sunderland graduate who, alongside wife Sam, has provided the funding.
He and Sam were on Thursday (April 20) joined by specially invited guests from across the region's health, education, and business communities, to launch the
Institute housed in the University's Sciences Complex.
Unveiling a plaque inside the building, John said: "It's an absolute honour and privilege to be able to launch the new Drug Discovery and Development Research
Institute at the University of Sunderland today.
"It's been wonderful to be back on the campus and see the incredible developments that have taken place since I studied pharmacy here more than 50 years ago.
"I was immediately impressed at what has been achieved in that intervening half-century and I've been delighted to assist the University continue its development,
particularly in the health arena.
"I hope the launch of this institute will mark the next phase in the University's evolution and I'm very much looking forward to working with the team as they bring
their projects to fruition."
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.
In a remarkable turn of events, the NHS App has emerged as a financial saviour for the National Health Service, slashing costs by over £1 million in the
last year alone.
The revelation comes as a testament to the app's growing significance in streamlining patient communication and service delivery.
Throughout the fiscal year 2023/24, a staggering 22.5 million messages traversed the NHS App, a feat previously reliant on traditional methods like text messages
or letters.
This monumental shift not only signifies a boon for efficiency but also heralds substantial savings, with each text message costing an average of 5p.
Drastically reducing these expenses has amounted to a commendable £1.1 million in savings, marking a pivotal milestone in NHS expenditure management.
In a significant leap forward in the fight against HIV, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has given the green light to two
groundbreaking formulations of cabotegravir.
Apretude 30 mg film-coated tablets and Apretude 600 mg prolonged-release suspension for injection are now authorized for preventing sexually transmitted HIV-1
infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35kg at increased risk.
This approval marks a pivotal moment in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) prevention, offering an alternative to existing standard pre-exposure prophylaxis or
PrEP treatments.
HIV, a virus notorious for compromising the immune system, has long been a global health concern.
Cabotegravir, a member of the integrase inhibitor group, works by blocking a key enzyme necessary for the replication of HIV-1, thereby reducing the virus's
ability to spread.
In a recent announcement, King Charles has agreed to become a patron of the society at Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) following the footsteps of the
late Queen.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the news, marking the first anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen.
This prestigious appointment comes after a meticulous evaluation of over 1000 Patronages, previously held by The late Queen, The former Prince of Wales, and The
former Duchess of Cornwall.
The decision underscores His Majesty's commitment to supporting organisations dedicated to advancing healthcare and patient well-being.
The RPS has a rich history of association with the Royal Family, notably with The late Queen, who served as patron from 1953 until her passing in 2022.
The UK based Pharma giant Futura Medical Plc's lead product, Eroxon, a topical Stim-gel is now available on NHS prescription in England and Wales for the
treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
The Muti-Drug Resistant (MDR) approved alternative to PDE5i, Eroxon is available as an over-the counter off shelf at retailers like Boots and Superdrug; and is
available on NHS prescription in England and Wales as a CE-marked medical device.
Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to get and maintain an erection, typically concerning men over the age of 40 due to both,
psychological and physical causes such as anxiety, depression, diabetes, and obesity.
According to UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA), the approval of the medication is based on evidence from 2 Phase three clinical studies, which showed that
60 per cent of patients taking Eroxon achieved Minimal Clinically Important Differences (MCID) at 12 weeks.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) is bolstering its leadership team with the appointment of Jay Badenhorst as the Director of Pharmacy, a newly
created position aimed at fortifying its commitment to advancing pharmacy practice.
This move comes amidst a period of significant change and challenge for frontline pharmacists, prompting the independent trade union to enhance its influence
in the evolving healthcare landscape.
Mr. Badenhorst, who previously served Whitworth Chemists as the Managing Director and also has leveraged his extensive knowledge of the pharmacy practice and
organisational leadership as the Vice Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, reasons his "commitment to being at the forefront of positive change within
the pharmacy profession."
Mr. Badenhorst expressed his enthusiasm stating: "I am delighted to be joining an organisation that has so much vision, ambition and drive at a time when
pharmacists have so many opportunities to develop their roles for the benefit of patients."
According to Mark Koziol, Chair of PDA, the new position is a reflection of the union's commitment to pharmacy and described the new Director of Pharmacy
as "a senior level, proven and award-winning pharmacy leader."
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised the public to exercise caution when buying anti-choking devices online,
ensuring these products are purchased from reputable sellers.
As estimated by the regulator, more than 10,000 counterfeit or unbranded anti-choking devices have been purchased by the public within the last two years through
listings on online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay, as well as drop-shipping websites.
People are cautioned that the use of such products poses a substantial risk of failure in clearing blockages and could exacerbate the situation by pushing
obstructions further down into the airway passage.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: "Buying anti-choking devices that do not have a valid UKCA or CE mark increases the risk of receiving a product
which does not include appropriate instructions and is either fake or does not meet the UK's regulatory requirements.
"These products do not meet our strict quality standards and may put your health and safety at significant risk by failing to resolve or even worsening choking
incidents."
In a groundbreaking move, the Department of Education has initiated the first phase of its ambitious childcare expansion plan, offering a lifeline to
thousands of working parents of two-year-olds nationwide.
Effective from April 1, working parents now have access to 15 hours a week of government-funded childcare, marking the onset of the largest-ever childcare
provision expansion in the country's history.
This milestone initiative aims to alleviate the financial strain on families and promote workforce participation, with over 150,000 children projected to benefit
from government-funded places.
By September 2025, the expansion will culminate in working parents gaining access to 30 hours of free childcare, offering substantial annual savings and enabling
parents to navigate the delicate balance between work and family commitments.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of childcare in supporting families and driving economic growth, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the government's commitment
to delivering on its promise of expanded childcare provision.
Patients suffering from chronic and episodic migraine attacks are set to benefit from a groundbreaking recommendation by the National Institute for Health
and Care Excellence (NICE) regarding a new medication.
The atogepant, a first-of-its-kind preventive drug for migraine, offers hope for those grappling with this debilitating condition and can be taken orally.
Published as part of the final guidance draft, NICE has greenlit the atogepant, also known as Aquipta and manufactured by AbbVie, as an option for preventing both
chronic and episodic migraines in adults.
Specifically, this recommendation is for individuals who have experienced at least four migraine days per month and have failed to find relief with at least three
previous preventive treatments.
With approximately 4.5 million people in the UK affected by various forms of migraine, this new recommendation marks a significant advancement in migraine management
as the condition significantly impacts patients' day-to-day activities as well as places a heavy burden on the NHS and the wider economy.
In a move towards greater diversity and inclusivity, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has welcomed three accomplished women to its board of key members.
Aisling O'Brien, Sukhi Basra, and Sehar Shahid-who is the youngest member- have joined the board, marking a significant step in the organisation's commitment
to equality and representation.
The announcement, made on the occasion of the International Women's Day, by chief executive, Paul Rees MBE via X reflects the organisation's dedication to
celebrating and empowering women in the pharmacy profession.
Sukhi Basra, the inaugural female board member since last April, adds a valuable dimension to the NPA. With her role as a Community Pharmacy KCW committee
member and her experience in clinical pharmacy spanning over 25 years, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a distinctive viewpoint.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has appointed Jennifer Laskey as Scotland's first consultant pharmacist, marking a significant step forward for pharmacy
profession in the country.
Laskey's new role involves providing support to the West of Scotland Cancer Network, where she will play a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare outcomes.
Her appointment underscores the commitment of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to improving patient care and highlights the growing importance of pharmacist-led
initiatives in Scotland's healthcare landscape.
Laskey, a pharmacist from Scotland, will extend her expertise to bolster the West of Scotland Cancer Network, aiming to enhance outcomes and survival rates
across various healthcare settings.
As part of recruitment to become a consultant pharmacist, Laskey obtained credentials from the RPS serving in an accredited consultant post ensuring
standardisation across the UK for patients and the system.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has announced the names of five new members who will be joining its governing Council over the next two years.
The new council members are:
Professor Dianne Ford, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at Northumbria University.
Gareth Powell, a chartered accountant and a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Port of Milford Haven, the UK's largest energy port.
Adeyemi (Ade) Williams MBE, Superintendent Pharmacist and Director of the M J Williams Pharmacy and lead Pharmacist at the Bedminster Pharmacy, Bristol.
Tim Jaggard, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Raliat Onatade, Chief Pharmacist and Director of Medicines and Pharmacy for North-East London Integrated Care System.
Professor Ford, Powell and Williams will begin their terms on 1 April 2024, replacing Jo Kember, Mark Hammond and Arun Midha.
Period problems, women's health research and support for domestic and sexual abuse victims are among the government's priorities for women's health in
2024, which Health Secretary Victoria Atkins announced at the Women's Health Summit on Wednesday.
Organised in central London, the event marked the second year of the landmark Women's Health Strategy for England.
Victoria joined women's health champions to celebrate successes of strategy's first year and outlined plans for coming year, which also include improving maternity
care and support for mothers who suffer birth trauma.
Successes achieved over the strategy's first 12 months include reducing the cost of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for nearly half a million women and the
rollout of specialist women's health hubs in every local health area.
A new dedicated women's health section of the NHS website was also created, providing updated information, advice and practical resources for women's health
across the life course.
The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) on Monday alerted the Health and Social Care Committee that medicines shortages have increased and
are "around double what they were a year ago."
BGMA chief executive Mark Samuels told the committee that they have been highlighting the medicine shortage risk to ministers since July 2021 and the association
is "very concerned" about the current situation.
"We've been monitoring it for several years now, and as you saw in the written evidence, shortages have increased. They're around double what they were a year ago.
We have them at 101 shortages in February this year," said Samuels.
Dr Rick Greville, director of distribution and supply at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), highlighted that the problem of drug
shortages in the UK is a "long-standing issue" and the scarcity of certain medications "continues to be challenging".
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has promoted Louise Edwards to the position of Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy Registrar.
Louise is currently the Director of Regulation and Digital Transformation at the Electoral Commission, responsible for the organisation's regulatory work and
digital, data, technology and facilities infrastructure.
This includes funding and spending at elections and referendums, registering political parties, enforcement work, and data and information management.
Louise will take over Mark Voce, the GPhC's current Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy Registrar, who is retiring early in July 2024.
Louise said: "Pharmacy services are at the heart of health care for many people. Having effective regulation and standards in place can transform and give
confidence in the quality of care that people receive.
"Record long NHS waits are forcing huge numbers of people out of work, including doctors and nurses," said Wes Streeting MP, Labour's Shadow Health and
Social Care Secretary as Labour announced a new partnership with Nuffield Health today to tackle joint pain issues among NHS staff and reducing waiting lists.
Musculoskeletal problems, including back, knee, hip, and neck pain, are the second leading cause of NHS staff absences, surpassed only by mental health issues.
In December 2023 alone, NHS workers missed a record 198,000 days due to these issues, marking a 13 per cent increase from the 174,000 days recorded in December 2019.
Nurses and health visitors accounted for 52,000 of these days, up from 47,000 pre-pandemic, while doctors took 3,500 days off, a 9 per cent increase from 2019.
The partnership with Nuffield Health will provide up to 4,000 extra places for NHS staff in Nuffield Health's Joint Pain Programme at no cost.
Insect bites and stings typically increase in the summer in England. This year, however, there's been an earlier-than-usual spike in the number of people
seeking NHS advice on the condition.
According to the NHS England, visits to its insect bites and stings web page have nearly tripled in the last three weeks compared to the same period last year,
peaking at an average of one visit every 22 seconds in the past week.
Over the span of 21 days, a total of 68,986 visited the page, marking a significant 162 per cent increase compared to the 26,368 visits recorded in the first three
weeks of May 2023.
Although insect bites or stings are usually not serious and people tend to get better after a few days, the health service has cautioned that they can lead to
infection or severe allergic reactions.
People are encouraged to refer to the NHS website for advice or visit their local pharmacy to get advice and treatment for common health conditions, including
infected insect bites.
Benjamin Hannan, director of reform and transformation at NHS Fife, has been honoured with the prestigious title of Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
(RPS), marking a significant milestone in his career.
Hailing from Falkirk, Hannan is the youngest Scottish Fellow in the society's history, a testament to his exceptional contributions to the field of pharmacy.
The fellowship, a distinction bestowed upon members who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in advancing pharmaceutical knowledge or have shown exceptional
distinction in pharmacy science, practice, profession, or history, is a recognition of Hannan's dedication and expertise in the field.
Expressing his gratitude, Hannan told The Faulkner Herlad, "I am delighted and humbled to have been made a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society."
