The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Thursday regarding falsified semaglutide medications used for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity
in select countries.
This WHO Medical Product Alert addresses three falsified batches of the specific brand Ozempic that were detected in Brazil (October 2023), the United Kingdom
and Northern Ireland (October 2023), and the United States (December 2023). These falsified semaglutide products were distributed through the regulated supply chain.
Novo Nordisk, the genuine manufacturer of Ozempic, confirmed that the three products mentioned in the alert are falsified and were not produced by the company.
Healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public are advised to remain vigilant regarding these falsified batches of medicines.
Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, urged stakeholders to stop any usage of suspicious medicines and
report them to relevant authorities.
On June 3, Synnovis, a pathology laboratory serving several NHS organisations in South East London, was targeted by a ransomware attack.
This cyber incident has disrupted vital blood testing services, crucial for a range of medical treatments, and raised significant concerns over data security.
NHS England confirmed that a cybercriminal group, Qilin, published data online, claiming it was stolen from Synnovis.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are currently working to authenticate the data and understand its contents.
A helpline has been established to address patient concerns, and NHS England urges patients to attend their appointments unless otherwise directed.
The attack has rendered some of the NHS's blood testing systems inoperable, causing substantial disruption to medical services in South East London.
In a unified effort to improve women's healthcare, four leading organisations-the Company Chemists' Association (CCA), the National Pharmacy Association (NPA),
the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH)-are calling for the commissioning of a National Emergency
Hormonal Contraception (EHC) service in England.
They are proposing that this service be provided free of charge through community pharmacies to women of all ages across the country.
They emphasised that such a service would "not only transform access to care for all women, but directly tackle health inequalities and vastly improve health
outcomes."
"Only around half of ICSs have a Chief Pharmacist," indicating a significant gap in leadership that hampers the pharmacy sector's ability to influence
critical healthcare decision, a report on medicine optimisation by the Public Policy Projects (PPP) highlights.
In PPP's latest report, a notable concern highlighted is the inadequate representation of pharmacy leadership within Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) despite the
role of pharmacy being "central in the delivery of system priorities, with pivotal roles in improving population health and tackling inequalities".
In recent years, the role of pharmacy within the NHS has evolved significantly with recent developments including Pharmacy First Services and legislative
amendments that allows pharmacy technicians under PGDs to administer and supply medicines.
A recently published report on medicines optimisation highlights the urgent need for transformative changes across all pharmacies to unlock their full
potential in delivering integrated care.
The report by Public Policy Projects (PPP) is first of the four in the series that emphasises the significant benefits that medicines optimisation can bring to
integrated care systems (ICSs).
This includes reducing health inequalities and improving population health.
Pointing to the "untapped opportunity" that medicines optimisation presents for ICSs facing financial challenges, the report underscores the vital role of
pharmacies in enhancing patient outcomes.
The launch of the Pharmacy First services has already demonstrated the essential contribution of pharmacies to the health and care system.
With "medicines being the second highest cost to the NHS," the report recommends ways "to achieve better value for money while improving patient outcomes".
A judicial review claim launched by the British Medical Association (BMA) against the General Medical Council (GMC) has parallelly intensified Pharmacists'
Defence Association's (PDA) scrutiny over the use of the term 'pharmacy professionals'.
PDA has criticised the evolving definition of 'pharmacy professionals,' and the potential risks to patient safety amidst regulatory ambiguity as part of "a far
wider agenda."
Concerns stem from what the PDA perceives as a blurring of distinctions between pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as "attempted homogenisation" by bodies like
the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), NHS, and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).
Raising similar issue as the BMA against the GMC over its use of 'medical professionals for doctors and Medical Associate Professions (MAPs), Mark Koizol,
Chairman of the PDA has said:
The business landscape worldwide is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from a sole focus on profitability to incorporating a broader spectrum
of considerations. Today, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are integral to business operations, reflecting a commitment to sustainable and
ethical practices alongside financial growth.
ESG stands for three interconnected pillars: Environmental, focusing on reducing a company's ecological footprint; Social, addressing the impact on employees,
diversity, equity, inclusion, and the broader community; and Governance, which ensures responsible management practices, ethical behavior, and compliance with
regulations.
This holistic approach is becoming a critical foundation for long-term success in various industries, including healthcare. For the UK healthcare and pharmacy
sectors, integrating ESG not only aligns with global sustainability goals but also offers substantial benefits. This article delves into the specific implications
of ESG for UK pharmacies, highlighting how they can leverage these practices to foster both community well-being and business success.
As the general election campaign continues, Labour is set to introduce a series of policies aimed at supporting small businesses.
On Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer, alongside shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and other shadow cabinet ministers, is expected to unveil the party's plans for the sector.
Key proposals include an overhaul of the business rates system to enable high street shops to compete with online giants and ensure access to high street
banking services by accelerating the establishment of banking hubs.
Labour will also commit to addressing the issue of late payment of invoices by requiring large businesses to disclose their payment practices and "revitalise" high
streets by tackling antisocial behaviour.
Sir Keir described small businesses as "the beating heart of driving growth and creating jobs for local people."
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.
As the general election campaign heats up, major political parties - including Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats - have released their
manifestos, detailing their plans and visions for the future of community pharmacy.
While the Conservative Party promises to expand Pharmacy First initiative, Labour pledges support for small businesses, with plans to overhaul the business
rates system.
The Liberal Democrats' election manifesto commits to developing a fairer and more sustainable long-term funding model for pharmacies.
Announcing their plans recently, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that they are investing in community care services to secure the future of the NHS and make
healthcare more accessible.
The Conservatives plan to fund these initiatives by cutting NHS managerial positions back to pre-pandemic levels and halving the government's management
consultancy expenditure.
Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect women from cervical cancer, which claims nearly two lives daily in England, according to NHS England.
Therefore, all women and those with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 are encouraged to attend cervical screening when invited.
Sadly, 3 in 10 of those eligible for cervical screening do not take up the potentially life-saving offer, as revealed by the NHS Cervical Screening Programme,
England 2022-2023 annual report.
Pharmacist Thorrun Govind, also a Healthcare Lawyer (Brabners LLP), underscores the significant role pharmacists and pharmacy teams can play in promoting cervical
cancer screening.
The former Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in England told Pharmacy Business: "Pharmacists and pharmacy teams are a trusted part of the local
community. They therefore have a key part in promoting cervical cancer screening."
To combat 14 years of Tory neglect, Labour Party under the leadership of Keir Starmer has revealed plan to create "healthiest generation of children", ahead
of the general elections.
The broader mission includes shifting NHS focus towards prevention to improve healthy life expectancy and reduce regional health disparities within a decade.
Proposing a Child Health Action Plan aimed at fostering the healthiest generation of children ever, the party has plans to ban the sale of highly caffeinated
energy drinks to under-16s.
Addressing concerns from health and education experts about inadequate labeling, drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per liter will be restricted from retail
and online sales to minors, with enforcement through trading standards.
Labour leader underscores the significance of children's health as a national wellbeing indicator.
He criticises the current government for its short-term approach, which he claims has led to deteriorating health among the nation's children.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) recently announced a valuable addition to their e-library collection: the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines,
authored by renowned experts Mark Horowitz and David Taylor.
Designed to assist pharmacists and clinicians in recognising and appropriately treating withdrawal effects of medications, the guidelines have garnered praise
from industry figures like Peter Pratt, National Speciality Advisor for Mental Health Pharmacy and RPS Fellow.
This initiative responds to the increasing demand for guidance on safely reducing or discontinuing psychiatric medications, providing comprehensive support for
clinicians and patients alike.
Drawing on insights from contributors to The Lancet Psychiatry, the handbook offers step-by-step instructions for tapering antidepressants, benzodiazepines,
gabapentinoids, and z-drugs, along with troubleshooting strategies.
Since its launch on January 31st, the Pharmacy First service by the Company Chemists Association (CCA) has achieved a significant milestone, completing over
200,000 consultations to date.
This milestone underscores the service's vital role in providing same-day NHS care through community pharmacies across England.
Recent analysis by the CCA has revealed a pressing need to bolster GP referrals, with disparities observed between different Integrated Care System (ICS) areas,
resulting in what's described as a 'postcode lottery' for patients.
CCA Chief Executive, Malcolm Harrison, emphasised the importance of sustained funding for Pharmacy First beyond 2025, ensuring its availability for patients,
community pharmacies, and the wider NHS.
A recent analysis conducted by the Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has revealed stark disparities in patient engagement with the Pharmacy First
service across the country, likening the pattern to a 'patchwork quilt'.
It indicated that patients in the highest-performing Integrated Care System (ICS) received seven times more Pharmacy First consultations than those in the
lowest-performing regions.
As of April 21, more than 3,000 CCA member pharmacies had delivered 126,484 Pharmacy First consultations since the programme's launch.
However, the analysis found significant regional variations, with nearly 13,000 consultations completed in the North East and North Cumbria ICS, while only
948 were completed in Gloucestershire ICS.
The CCA calculated that if every ICS had as many consultations as the highest-performing ICS, there would have been an additional 600,000 Pharmacy First
consultations nationwide.
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.
Healthcare reform emerged as a cornerstone of the Labour Party's manifesto leading up to the recent general election. A standout pledge was the establishment
of a Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service, aimed at granting pharmacists independent prescribing rights where clinically suitable. This initiative is seen as a
positive step in addressing critical challenges within the National Health Service (NHS).
Numark Chairman Harry McQuillan praised Labour's recognition of pharmacists' role in patient care through expanded prescribing rights.
"Let's be honest, pharmacists are an underutilised resource within the healthcare system. We possess extensive training and expertise, yet our full potential
hasn't always been acknowledged.
"By harnessing pharmacists expanded prescribing rights, Labour is acknowledging our significant role in patient care. This initiative aims to recognise our skills
and enhance patient care, ensuring quicker access to necessary treatments," he said.
However, he pointed out that the concept requires further exploration, as the rights to prescribe are already granted through the recent change to undergraduate
training that incorporates prescribing.
With the Labour Party now in power, there is keen interest in the healthcare initiatives they pledged during their election campaign and how these proposals
will shape the future of NHS.
One of the key pledges in their healthcare reform is the introduction of the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service, which aims to empower pharmacists with
independent prescribing rights where clinically suitable.
While pharmacists appreciated Labour's acknowledgment of their role in patient care through expanded prescribing rights, they foresee some challenges in
implementing the service.
"Budgets will be a key issue," said Pharmacist Thorrun Govind, also a Healthcare Lawyer (Brabners LLP).
However, she noted that, given the success of pharmacist prescribing services in the devolved nations, there is "a road map in place."
Pharmacies across Northern Ireland are in financial turmoil, reporting that they are dispensing prescription medicines at a loss due to inadequate
reimbursement from the Department of Health (DoH).
This crisis has led to the closure of almost a dozen pharmacies over the past 18 months, with many others struggling to stay open.
Siobhan McNulty, who runs Melvin Pharmacy in Garrison, County Fermanagh, described the dire situation. "We're dispensing medicines at a loss," she said.
"The reimbursement rates don't match the cost of the drugs, and we're left to cover the gap."
McNulty relies on sales of non-pharmaceutical products to keep her business running.
The Green Party has previewed its upcoming manifesto with a bold proposal for the National Health Service (NHS) and social care system, promising an
unprecedented level of investment to restore and enhance these critical services.
By 2030, the Greens aim to inject over £50 billion annually into health and social care, accompanied by an additional £20 billion capital investment to modernise
healthcare infrastructure.
Green Party Co-Leader Adrian Ramsay emphasised the urgency of these reforms, stating, "Our NHS is at breaking point following 14 years of underfunding."
"Patients are stuck in hospital corridors, people can't see their GP or NHS dentist when they need to, and staff are severely overstretched."
The manifesto highlights a comprehensive approach to revitalising the NHS, including:
