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The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has challenged price concessions imposed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on some of the medicines. It has raised concerns on the process for setting price concessions to senior government officials responsible for medicines supply, warning that the system is not working in the current environment from a community pharmacy contractor perspective. "When a new government takes over next week, this will be one of several urgent topics being raised by PSNC to new ministers, alongside the fuel price crisis, inflationary pressures and winter pressures on pharmacy businesses," said PSNC. The final update to August price concessions was announced yesterday taking the total concessions granted to a record 138 for August. PSNC said: "Of those, 99 were in line with PSNC requests, but prices for 39 lines were imposed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC): those impositions do not match the purchase prices reported by contractors and the evidence of market prices which we passed on to DHSC. In particular, the final imposed prices of Apriprazole and Temazepam tablets has generated a lot of concern amongst contractors due to the large variation between their reimbursement prices and purchase prices during the month of August."

Thanks to the NHS primary care access recovery plan, more than 23 million people can now view test results and check their consultation notes online without needing to contact their GP practice. NHS England on Monday (4 December) announced that over 81 GP practices in England (more than four in five) are now giving patients access to their new health records online through the NHS App. In May, the NHS announced the primary care access recovery plan setting a target of 9 in 10 GP practices offering patients access to their records through the NHS App by March 2024. By making access to healthcare easier and quicker, the NHSE also aims to free up to 10 million GP appointments a year by next winter.

Community pharmacy teams in England have broken all previous records by a distance and delivered nearly five million flu jabs in the past season. They have administered over 2.08 million more flu vaccinations under the national programme during 2021-22 than the previous year, which is a a 75 increase, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has reported. According to latest data published by the NHS Business Services Authority in its Advanced Service Flu report community pharmacy has administered 4.85 million vaccinations under the national Flu Vaccination Service in 2021-22. The total number of vaccines administered in community pharmacies in 2020-21 was 2.77 million. Commenting on the end-of-season figures, PSNC chief executive Janet Morrison said: "I am thoroughly impressed to hear it confirmed that community pharmacy has had another record-breaking year of flu vaccination provision. The ability of pharmacy teams to deliver the healthcare services that communities need, despite the challenges and pressures this winter, is simply phenomenal.

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."

Ninety-six per cent of community pharmacists surveyed in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Workforce Wellbeing survey said they were at 'risk of burnout'. A higher number of respondents working in community pharmacy (20%) reported not being offered breaks compared to all other sectors (8%) and were more likely to experience verbal or physical abuse from patients and the public (69% vs an average 44%). The annual Workforce Wellbeing survey also revealed that 88 per cent of pharmacists surveyed are at high risk of burnout due to winter pressure. Therefore, RPS is calling for workforce planning for pharmacy to address skill mix and staffing levels so that workloads can be effectively managed. Top factors causing poor mental health and wellbeing revealed by the survey include inadequate staffing (70%), lack of work/life balance (53%), lack of protected learning time (48%) and lack of colleague/senior support (47%). This is the fourth survey RPS has run in partnership with the charity Pharmacist Support on the state of mental health and wellbeing in pharmacy. The findings demonstrate continued pressure on pharmacists and trainees across the workforce, especially in community pharmacy where 96% of those surveyed said they were at risk of burnout.

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has rejected Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England's proposal on price concessions reform and relief measures to ease pressure on pharmacies. The Committee called the proposal 'insufficient' to meet the sector's needs considering the impact of the current crisis, reflecting on the economic pressures that accelerated through the autumn and winter. The Ministers and other decision-makers have shown their interest in the potential role of community pharmacy, particularly in using a Pharmacy First approach and making use of PGDs and the skills of independent prescribers. But the Committee had made clear to them that without new money this is all a pipedream. "We need an urgent injection of funds into the sector, otherwise we will continue to see a degradation of services and eventual collapse of the network. The Committee is clear that there is no further place for warm words while pharmacy collapses," said PSNC. The Committee reflected that the 5-year CPCF agreement had been based on working together to create the capacity and context necessary to deliver the shift towards greater service delivery. Not only has that capacity-release not happened due to slow progress by Government, but pharmacies have also been burdened with these additional, and insurmountable, challenges.

The new Smoking Cessation Service (SCS) will commence on March 10, 2022, allowing community pharmacy contractors to register to provide the service on the NHS Business Services Authority's (NHSBSA) Manage Your Service (MYS) portal from March 1, 2022. This is the second of the two new Advanced services to be introduced this financial year, after the Hypertension case-finding service, which were agreed outcomes from negotiations for Year 3 of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework. Since the service is an Advanced service, contractors are free to decide if they wish to provide it, as most would be busy completing work for the Pharmacy Quality Scheme 2021/22 alongside winter-related workload, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee said. Therefore, those who decide to start this service should consider the likelihood of receiving sufficient referrals to make provision of the service worthwhile, the PSNC said.

As the weather gets colder, we're all looking for ways to get through the winter months. One of the most popular natural remedies is ginger. It's been used for thousands of years and has been shown to relieve symptoms like sore throat and coughing as well as boost overall health. People often use ginger as a home remedy for treating colds and sore throats due to its antibacterial markers that can help handle pain and inflammation. The Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root is a perennial plant. Our forefathers have consumed ginger as a herbal therapy for decades after decades to cure many health conditions, from arthritis to abdominal pain. Today, we often use ginger when we have a cough or cold. The scientific database reveals that ginger has medicinal effects that could ease the symptoms of a cold or sore throat. This article will examine how ginger may help colds and how you can use it in teas, juices, and other home remedies. How is ginger good for treating Colds? There is no definitive proof that ginger can cure or eliminate colds from roots, but research indicates that it may help control them. Ginger can also aid in improving cold symptoms. One study review shows that there is evidence that ginger can help: prevent colds control or relieve a sore throat ease congestion decrease inflammation However, researchers need to examine ginger's additional benefits to support this evidence. Medicinal properties Ginger has blends called gingerols and shogaols. Experimenters consider that these compounds give ginger its therapeutic properties. It is a potent anti-inflammatory. It's also a natural expectorant and decongestant, which helps to clear up congestion. Ginger is high in vitamin C and manganese, both essential nutrients for boosting your immune system during the cold season. While ginger may not be a cure-all for the common cold or flu (it's always best to consult your doctor if you're sick), it can help keep you feeling better while you recover. Stu

With the chilly weather firmly settled in, it's that time of year again - cold and flu season. While there's no foolproof track to avoid getting ill, you can opt for many kinds of immunity-boosting shifts to sustain your immune system and support yourself in feeling your best! Without further bothering, here are our top 5 pieces of advice for amplifying your immunity:

From over-the-counter flu tablets to crucial antibiotics and antidepressants, medicines are running scarce in UK pharmacies this year, causing concerns among patients, the government, and the wider pharma industry. Drug shortages have accelerated over the past year due to a clutch of problems including the after-effects of the pandemic on supply chains, the war in Ukraine, and soaring input costs weighing on manufacturers. More recently, a sudden spike in respiratory infections - another by-product of Covid-19 that neither pharma companies nor the government were able to predict - has deepened the crisis, with 70 commonly taken drugs out of stock in Britain as of February. The problem is not unique to the UK. In a recent survey of groups representing pharmacies in 29 European countries, three quarters said shortages were worse this winter than a year ago, with a quarter reporting more than 600 drugs in short supply. The US is also facing significant shortages of popular prescription drugs like amoxicillin and Adderall, an ADHD medication. To some extent, the current disruption is laying bare wider challenges facing the industry for several years that were only exacerbated by the pandemic. The over-reliance on foreign suppliers for most active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is one of them. This model has left companies more susceptible to supply shocks, which have in turn increased in frequency and severity due to pandemic lockdowns, the war in Ukraine and other issues such as the shortage of shipping containers. Pharma's long and opaque supply chains, alongside regulatory complexities, also mean it is taking longer for drugmakers to reconfigure manufacturing and distribution in times of additional need.

Tynor Wrist Brace with Double Lock is designed with a double lock that will make it simple to apply and remove. Its double lock feature gives rigid support to the wrist. It partially keeps the wrist immobilized. It can easily adjust the compression around the affected area as per the desire. It provides the warming feel to the injured area to allay the local pain and inflammation. It has a high modulus of elasticity which works for a long time, even if use this on a regularl basis. It has striped elastic webbing which is of high quality material. This double lock wrist brace is strong, rigid and comfortable to wear. Its material is porous in nature which keeps the affected area air ventilated. It can adjust the compression pressure according to the will. Its double hook loop locking system is easy to apply and remove as well as comes with universal sizing. This wrist brace provides strength and support to the wrist and keep the wrist protected against the further injury or damage. Tynor Wrist Brace with Double Lock Wrist brace with double lock is designed to support, protect and partially immobilize the wrist. It compresses the area and retain the body heat to allay local pain and inflammation. Extra grip. Extra porous Controlled compression. Easy application. Tynor Wrist Brace with Double Lock Features High quality, striped elastic webbing Strong and durable Porous and comfortable High modulus of elasticity- Retains shape and size for a long time. Excellent compressive strength, better support Hook loop Double locking Easy to apply and remove Ensures optimal compression Better fitting and universal sizing. Tynor Elbow Support Elbow support provides firm compression, warmth & support to the forearm and the elbow joint, to allay pain inflammation and stiffness, generally associated with old age, arthritis, sports injury etc. Light weight Four way stretch Freely breathable Soft and comfortable Tynor Elbow Support Features Anatom

Dry Skin Patches : Winter has arrived and so has the relentless job of dry pare around wind, the rima and all over the face. Moreover, the dry tender pare on look is accompanied by the redness that makes you face much same Rudolph the deer each day.

P90X3 Workout By Tony Horton going to release in this winter. Order P90X3 Workout in between 10th to 15th December and get it for Christmas and Lose up to 43 pounds with this P90X3 workout.

Four spa maintenance tips to freshen up your back yard Spa or Hot Tub in preparation for summer pool parties, cookouts and late night entertaining. Officially, spring starts March 20th. This means more attention will be given to preparing for our annual migration into the back yard. Clearing off decks, cleaning patio furniture, some yard work and let's not forget buying gas for the Barbeque. Visions of pool parties, cookouts and maybe even some late night entertaining come to mind.

No one likes to carry puffy eye bags at work! They make you look sleepy, tired, and also a bit older. Sleep deprivation, stress, and allergies are some common factors that are associated with puffy eyes. Though there are several beauty products in the market that claim to depuff your eyes in minutes, most of them are a sham. Luckily, some useful home remedies come to your rescue and can help you get rid of puffy eyes pretty quickly.

Have you grown habitual of licking your lips unknowingly? If so, chapped lips might be one primary reasons behind this annoying obsession. Dryness and peeling skin on your lips can result from changes in environmental conditions, B complex vitamin and iron deficiencies, lower zinc or iron levels, among many other factors. If left unattended, the issue can result in severe consequences demanding immediate medical attention. So, are there any DIY dry lip cures that will help you get rid of dry lips?

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has called pharmacy employers and pharmacy trade unions to come together to a round table meeting to agree on principles for a way forward that ensures patients benefit consistently from access to high quality, adequately staffed, safe pharmacy services. It has also urged the governments, NHS organisations and individual pharmacy teams to define clear prioritisation plans, which can be embedded in organisational business continuity plans which set out the pharmacy services that are essential and must always be provided and can be de-prioritised at specific levels of pressures. The challenges for pharmacies are compounded by the escalating cost of living crisis. With unprecedented levels of burnout among pharmacists, pharmacy closures and the potential for strike action, RPS has called for three things- 'professionalism, respect and prioritisation.'

For many people who suffer from joint pain, the weather can be a big factor in their pain. While joint pain can be caused by many different things, such as arthritis, injuries, and age, the weather can aggravate and worsen the pain. Several studies have been conducted over the last several years; however, no concrete evidence supports one theory vs. another. That said, let's take a closer look at how weather affects joint pain and what you can do to minimize the discomfort. How Weather Affects Joint Pain It might seem like an old wives' tale, but there is actually some science behind how weather affects joint pain. Temperature Changes The temperature outside can majorly affect how much joint pain you experience. When temperatures drop, your body will get stiffer and more painful joints as the air around them gets colder. During hot days, the air humidity outside may cause swelling and increased inflammation in your joints which could lead to more pain. Pressure Changes Just like a barometer measures changes in atmospheric pressure, so does your body. Pressure changes due to shifts in the atmosphere can affect joint pain because pressure changes directly impact your joints' lubrication levels. When pressure drops and becomes low enough, it can cause extra friction between bones connected by tendons or muscles, resulting in more pain than usual.