Global logistics company, JAS has received the Wholesale Distribution Authorisation (WDA(H)) license from the UK's Medicine and Healthcare Products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for its Pharma and Healthcare Division.
In a press release issued on Thursday (22 February), the company said that securing the license empowers its UK healthcare division to "seamlessly connect" with
its more than 40 GDP (Good Distribution Practice) certified overseas stations, strengthening its capabilities for handling pharmaceutical shipments.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the company boasts a team of over 7,000 professionals, with operations spanning over 100 countries.
Adrian Frodsham, Regional Director for JAS, said that they were granted the WDA(H) license after a "stringent audit process."
"JAS UK's pharma and healthcare division prides itself of offering innovative solutions for the international delivery of pharmaceutical products, further
enhancing the growth of our pre-established healthcare division," he added.
Global consumer healthcare company Haleon has launched a new centre of excellence for a global leader in consumer health which will bring together world leading
academics in human behaviour and frontline healthcare professionals including community pharmacists.
Unveiled at the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Congress in 'sunny' Seville, Spain on September 20, the Centre will operate as a community of healthcare
professionals and specialists in behavioural science, health psychology and the social sciences to solve some of the most pressing everyday health challenges.
Named the Centre for Human Sciences (CHS) the initiative will be the first major programme for healthcare professionals since the Haleon's launch on July 18 as an
independent, global leader in consumer health.
The Centre's mission is to support practising health professionals - pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and dental professionals - in serving their patients and
communities. Combining science with deep human understanding, CHS will bring expertise in physiology together with human sciences to deliver real world-solutions
and tangible interventions, resulting in measurable improvements in health outcomes through sustained behavioural change.
The Centre is facilitated by Robert Horne, professor of Behavioural Medicine at UCL School of Pharmacy, who started his career as a practising pharmacist but later
chose to become a behavioural scientist when he saw an opportunity to address issues around psycho-social factors that acted as a hindrance in pharmacy practice.
Speaking to me in an exclusive three-way conversation alongside Tess Player, the global head of healthcare professional & health influencer marketing at Haleon, on
the sidelines of the FIP Congress 2022, Prof Horne expanded on what the Centre was all about and how it would work.
"We've got some good ideas, but it's not a pre-filled prescription that we're going to deliver at scale from the start. What Haleon is t
Pharmacy professionals to be included as key stakeholders in the implementation, delivery and evaluation of a wide range of genomic services, said the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).
RPS's statement has been developed in collaboration with pharmacy organisations who have co-badged the report, such as the British Oncology Pharmacy Association,
the UK Clinical Pharmacy Association, Association of Pharmacy Technicians and the College of Mental Health Pharmacy.
It looks at current and future roles for pharmacy professionals in genomic medicine across many aspects of practice such as person-centred care and collaboration,
professional practice, education, leadership, management and research.
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the UK have already established roles in the application of genomic medicine in some areas of practice, such as antimicrobial
stewardship and infectious diseases, and the management of certain genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis.
The society believes, the current role of pharmacy professionals in genomics can be expanded upon in the future to both lead and support many relevant aspects of
genomic implementation. These are described across all healthcare sectors, within the Genome UK strategy produced by the UK Government, and within the implementation
plans published in England, Scotland and Wales.
Lead for Pharmacogenomics at RPS Sophie Harding said: "Pharmacy professionals are the gatekeepers of medication safety and efficacy across all areas of healthcare.
They are skilled at interpreting complex scientific data and use evidence-based medicine to maximise the benefits of treatments for patients, whilst supporting
shared decision-making with patients and the multidisciplinary team.
Alitam has announced that it has merged with clinical skills training provider MHRx to upskill UK pharmacists so that its chain of community pharmacies in the
UK can diagnose and treat minor medical ailments "quickly and safely".
This is a second merger deal announced by the group that has 100-plus pharmacies, just days after its merger with Pharmadoctor to "radically transform the UK and
Ireland's community pharmacy sector" into a truly preventative healthcare system.
Following the merger with MHRx, Alitam will now be providing a career development platform for its pharmacy teams, which also include nurses and other healthcare
professionals.
MHRx's training incorporates every aspect of general practice alongside relevant topics including making appropriate patient consultation records in line with NHS
guidelines.
This, Alitam believes, will allow community pharmacies to carry out formal diagnoses, formulate differential diagnosis plans, and perform full clinical examinations.
According to the founder and CEO Feisal Nahaboo, mergers such as these will lead to "a healthcare revolution predicated on building the world's first truly
preventative healthcare model".
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has published a consultation to review the 'Professional standards for the reporting, learning, sharing, taking action
and review of incidents error reporting' in collaboration with Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK and Pharmacy Forum of Northern Ireland.
The consultation is open from 21 April 2023 until 2 June 2023 and are due to be published in early 2024.
All three professional leadership bodies are calling for contributions from anyone using the standards to ensure they are clear, current, relevant and fit for
purpose.
"The review affects all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, trainees and members of the pharmacy team working in all sectors across the UK," RPS said.
"The standards may also be of interest to the public, people who use pharmacy and healthcare services, healthcare and professionals working with pharmacy teams.
Thorrun Govind, a former chair of the English Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, has joined Brabners' regulatory & professional conduct team.
With nearly a decade of experience as a GPhC-registered pharmacist, Govind will provide guidance on regulatory and professional conduct issues.
Govind's expertise extends to healthcare advisory and disputes involving NHS Trusts and social care organisations.
She has been recognised as the 'Young Pharmacist of the Year' by Pharmacy Business Magazine and is a frequent commentator on public health and healthcare law
for major television networks.
Her appointment underscores Brabners' commitment to offering top-tier legal services to the healthcare industry.
Highlighting the growing workforce challenges in the UK, a new report has indicated that nearly one in five (18 per cent) flexible health and care sector
workers, engaged in agency work through private providers, might leave the sector in the next two years.
With tens of thousands of flexible staff working within the sector every week, providing care for thousands of people, the report cautioned that failure to address
their concerns could result in poor system performance and patient experience.
The report is based on views drawn from over 10,000 flexible health and social care professionals, including a significant number of those working in pharmacy,
gathered by strategic workforce partners Acacium Group.
According to the report, 24 per cent of workers surveyed reported feeling overstretched by their workload, contributing to burnout and dissatisfaction.
Concerns about working conditions and the level of support from management were cited as key reasons why some healthcare professionals are considering leaving
the sector.
Professor Mahendra Patel OBE, CEO of the Oxford University Centre for Research Equity (CfRE), has been appointed as an independent expert member of the UK
Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board.
The newly established Board comprises nine independent expert members (IEMs) with outstanding leadership capabilities, who were appointed through open recruitment,
ensuring a "broad, balanced, and diverse" representation.
Sir Hugh Taylor KCB, the Independent Chair of the Board, and the UK Chief Pharmaceutical Officers (CPhOs) - Andrew Evans (Wales), Cathy Harrison (Northern Ireland),
Alison Strath (Scotland), and David Webb (England) - announced the appointment of IEMs in an open letter to the UK pharmacy professions.
"Bringing a wealth of experience and expertise, they will play a pivotal role in the Board's work to deliver an exciting vision through supporting a new and dynamic
phase of collaboration," the CPhOs said.
As the CEO of CfRE, Professor Patel spearheads efforts aimed at addressing inequalities in healthcare.
Are you looking to start a career in the medical field but don't know where to begin? There are many different paths to choose from when it comes to entering
the medical profession. It can be daunting trying to figure out which one is right for you. But with some research, planning, and dedication, you can find your way
into this rewarding and fulfilling industry. Here are 8 tips that will help get you started on your journey toward becoming a successful healthcare professional.
1. ONLINE PROGRAMS
If you have already decided on a career path and need to obtain additional qualifications or knowledge, there are many online programs available for medical
professionals. These courses provide students with the opportunity to learn from home and gain experience in their chosen field without sacrificing the quality of
education. You can find an online medical assistant programs, medical biller and coding programs, lab technician training, and more. It's important to research each
program and make sure it's accredited before enrolling. While online programs may not offer the same hands-on experience as a traditional school, they can be an
affordable and convenient way to get your foot in the door.
2. VOLUNTEERING OR WORKING IN A CLINICAL SETTING
Volunteering or working part-time in a clinical setting is an excellent way to gain experience and decide if the medicine is the right profession for you. Even
volunteer work can provide invaluable insight into how the medical field works, allowing you to network with professionals, observe procedures and treatment methods,
and develop skills from patient interaction. Additionally, any volunteer work or job experience related to healthcare that appears on your resume establishes you as
a serious candidate for a career in medicine. While you are likely to find many volunteer opportunities, be sure to do your research and only take positions in
reputable organizations.
"Raise awareness of pharmacies as places of primary health care provision," advocates the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), emphasising the
need for universal recognition of pharmacists as essential healthcare professionals.
Despite significant advancements in pharmacy practice, many policymakers and members of the public still view pharmacies primarily as commercial enterprises
rather than essential providers of healthcare services.
The FIP is leading a campaign to change this perception, advocating for pharmacies to be recognised as vital components of primary health care.
Primary health care is crucial for achieving "health for all."
In 2018, the Declaration of Astana saw governments recommit to strengthening primary health care to achieve universal health coverage.
FIP, a signatory to this declaration, has since been dedicated to enhancing the role and impact of pharmacies in primary health care.
Pharmacy technicians will soon be recognised as fully regulated healthcare professionals in North Ireland.
Work has begun to bring pharmacy technicians under statutory regulation by the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, health minister Robin Swann has announced.
The public consultation was launched in March 2022 on a proposal to introduce statutory regulation of the Pharmacy Technician workforce in Northern Ireland.
The minister said: "This will be a key enabler to enhancing the contribution that pharmacy technicians can make to the delivery of healthcare across all settings.
It will allow the regulator to strengthen its role in protecting patients and promoting high standards, thereby enhancing the public's confidence and trust in
pharmacy practice."
He added: "While there are many practical issues to be worked through with stakeholders, and legislative change required, I have now instructed my Department's
officials to develop a detailed project plan to bring about the statutory regulation of pharmacy technicians by the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland".
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has produced a new resource to support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who are providing pharmacy services to
children and young people with gender incongruence or dysphoria.
It emphasises that pharmacy teams providing such services need to adhere to the standard process of clinical assessment and care provision they have been trained
to take as healthcare professionals.
The starting point is that pharmacy professionals must provide compassionate, inclusive and person-centred care, within the current relevant legal and regulatory
context.
"It's essential that all patients have access to appropriate, high-quality and respectful healthcare, free from discrimination or bias," the GPhC noted
Errors of any kind in medical settings can have dire consequences for patients and healthcare systems. Unfortunately, negligence, misdiagnosis, and
medication errors aren't uncommon in the UK.
In this article, we discuss the nature of medication errors in the NHS, outline potential causes, and delve into how and why technology could be turning the tide
on the issue.
Prevalence and consequences of medication errors
Medication errors are incidents involved with the administering, prescribing, dispensing or monitoring of medicine to patients. It can happen at many different
steps in the healthcare process and by any medical professional in the system. Many cases are avoidable.
According to analysis from BMJ, there are an estimated 237 million medication errors made in England every year. The majority of these are minor errors, but 1 in 4
cases has the potential to cause moderate to serious harm to patients.
Not only do these errors cost the NHS significantly, at almost £100 million every year, but there is a shocking cost to public health. Lives are being lost because
of medication errors which is unforgivable and tragic for the families involved.
Drains on NHS resources have widespread impacts on public health and the operations of healthcare organisations up and down the country. Individual errors and
mistakes may seem inconsequential (in minor cases), but they all add up in the big picture to a significant concern for policymakers.
Whether it's the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and those suffering with long Covid, or the financial pressures of rising living costs, these hard times
can affect absolutely anyone's mental health.
Mental health problems have worsened across all age-groups in the last few years, from lack of social interaction, unexpected bereavements or the significant impact
of a physical injury or long-term illness taking its toll on mental wellbeing - these challenging experiences and situations that we face throughout life leave a
big strain on the population.
Ultimately, there is an urgent need to reduce rising levels of mental ill-health in our society. As a pharmacist with 25 years' experience in healthcare, I feel I
have an obligation to my patients to support them with their healthcare needs, and mental health should be treated just the same as physical health.
Despite efforts to improve NHS mental health services, patients may still not be receiving the appropriate immediate care as they are often provided with online
counselling or an App for long-term support (online support introduced since the pandemic).
Community pharmacists are in a unique position to be advocates for patients with mental illness as they are the healthcare professionals' patients see most often.
This is a good opportunity for pharmacists to speak to patients face-to-face and give them advice in a more practical way rather than potentially waiting weeks for
an GP appointment.
UK-based consumer health company Kenvue has developed a series of tools and materials to support healthcare professionals - including pharmacy teams - with
their conversations with smokers on their quit journey.
This is part of their newly launched Smokefree Families initiative, which aims to help reduce the number of smoking households with children in England.
Kenvue believes that pharmacists and their teams are vital to the success of this initiative, as they play a crucial role in supporting smokers in their quit
journey.
"As trusted sources of support and advice to families across the country, we firmly believe that community pharmacy teams are crucial to the success of our Smokefree
Families initiative," Manoj Raghunandanan, Area Managing Director, Northern Europe at Kenvue, told Pharmacy Business.
"To support them, we've created a series of tools and materials that can help pharmacists and other healthcare professionals tackle sensitive conversations with
new and expectant parents, their partners and support networks, and ultimately motivate them on their quit journey."
The Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC) has undertaken an inquiry into prevention and has published its first report of the series which focuses on
vaccination.
It has announced ten workstreams that will form the basis of inquiry, of which vaccination is one.
HSCC said: "The UK has long been one of the world leaders on vaccination - one of the most successful and cost-effective preventative tools available. However,
if challenges around uptake and bureaucratic processes in clinical trial set-up are not addressed, there is a very real risk that the UK's position as a global
leader could be lost. This cannot be allowed to happen and in this report we set out some of the steps that we think will make a difference."
It recommended a more flexible delivery model making use of a wider range of healthcare professionals.
"The NHSE vaccination and immunisation strategy must have a strong focus on tackling practical challenges that limit vaccination access, make best use of a wider
array of professionals, empower local leaders to pursue ways of addressing uptake in their own areas, and to set out guidance and examples of best practice around
how voices other than NHSE can communicate important messaging around vaccination programmes," it suggested.
Three batches of Mexiletine hydrochloride 50mg, 100mg and 200 mg hard capsules manufactured by Clinigen Healthcare has been recalled.
Pharmacists are urged to quarantine the said batches and return it to the supplier by or before 12 August.
Clinigen Healthcare Ltd has initiated a recall of three batches of Mexiletine hydrochloride hard capsules due to a potential risk of under dose or overdose, which
could have consequences for the safety of patients.
The manufacturer has confirmed that no alternative batches of Mexiletine hydrochloride 50mg, 100mg or 200mg hard capsules will be available until later in the year,
therefore the recall of these batches from patients should only be considered where patients have access to appropriate alternative products. See below for more
information on resupplying patients with alternative products.
"Patients should be advised not to stop any treatments without consulting their relevant healthcare professional. The risks of suddenly stopping medication for
ventricular arrhythmias is higher than the potential risk presented by too much or too little of the active ingredient in the capsule."
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has maintained the prescription-only status of Aquiette 2.5mg Tablets for symptoms of
overactive bladder, following a public consultation and the review of a reclassification application from the manufacturer Maxwellia Ltd.
Aquiette, which contains the active ingredient oxybutynin, is used for the treatment of long-term symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) in women aged between 18
and 65, such as the urgent need to urinate and frequent urination without pain.
The regulator decided against the reclassification of Aquiette 2.5mg Tablets from a prescription-only medicine (POM) to a pharmacy (P) medicine, concluding that
a medical prescription continues to be required to ensure the safe use of Aquiette.
Since an OAB diagnosis requires medical supervision to ensure that the correct treatment is received, and other health conditions are not overlooked or left untreated,
the MHRA said the decision would ensure that the medication is used safely and appropriately under medical supervision.
"After taking on board the views of the many patients and healthcare professionals who responded, we have decided to refuse the reclassification of Aquiette 2.5mg
Tablets for women with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB)," Dr Laura Squire, MHRA chief healthcare quality and access officer, said.
A new legislation has been introduced to allow authorised pharmacists along with other healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland to certify 'fit notes',
health minister Robin Swann has announced.
Pharmacists and some other healthcare professionals in England, Scotland and Wales are already allowed to sign 'fit notes'.
Swann announced that 'fit notes' were also set to go fully digital in the future, meaning they would no longer need to be signed in ink.
He said: "I am delighted to introduce this legislation in Northern Ireland. This change will make it easier for people and employers to get the advice they need so
people can stay in work and will help free up doctors' time.
"Too often we see people being faced with unnecessary challenges to get a fit note. More professionals being able to offer this vital service will speed up the
process and support people to return to or remain in work."
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched a consultation on the reclassification of codeine linctus to a prescription-only
medicine after considering multiple Yellow Card reports for its opioid effects, rather than for its intended use as a cough suppressant.
This medication is currently licensed as a pharmacy medicine, which means that it is available to purchase over the counter in pharmacies. If reclassified as a
prescription-only medicine, all strengths of codeine linctus will only be available upon presentation of a prescription.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: "Codeine linctus is an effective medicine, but as it is an opioid, its misuse and abuse can have major health
consequences.
Every response received will help us to develop a broader view on whether codeine linctus should be restricted to prescription-only status.
We want to hear from members of the public, health professionals and others who would be affected by this potential change so we can make a properly considered
decision for the benefit of patients, carers, and healthcare professionals across the UK.