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Two new subvariants of Omicron - BA.4 and BA.5 - are spreading much faster than other corovanirus variants in Europe, which could lead to more hospitalisations and deaths as they become dominant, the EU's disease prevention agency said on Monday (June 13). Most EU countries have so far detected low rates of the two subgroups. But in countries where the proportion has risen - such as Portugal, where BA.5 accounted for 87 per cent of cases by May 30 - there have been surges in overall cases, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The two sublineages were added to the World Health Organization's monitoring list in March and have also been designated as variants of concern by the ECDC. Variants BA.4 and BA.5 do not appear to carry a higher risk of severe disease than other forms of Omicron.But an increase in case numbers from higher transmission rates risks leading to an increase in hospitalisations and deaths, the agency said. "The growth advantage reported for BA.4 and BA.5 suggest that these variants will become dominant," ECDC said in a statement on its website.

Monkeypox appears to be spreading from person to person in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Wednesday (June 1). The usually mild viral disease, which is endemic in west and central Africa, is understood to spread through close contact. Until early May, cases rarely cropped up outside Africa and were typically linked to travel to there. "The current outbreak is the first time that the virus has been passed from person to person in England where travel links to an endemic country have not been identified," the agency said. According to the UKHSA, the majority of cases in the United Kingdom - 132 - are in London, while 111 cases are known to be in gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men. Only two cases are in women. Recent foreign travel to a number of different countries in Europe within 21 days of symptom onset has been reported by 34 confirmed cases, or about 18 per cent of the 190 cases of the disease that have been confirmed by the United Kingdom as of May 31.

A group of 21 community pharmacies in the Midlands and Yorkshire will have a new name - Pickfords Pharmacy. The group has been created by combining three independent pharmacy businesses which traded as Mr Pickford's, McGills Pharmacy and D&R Sharp. All pharmacies in the new group will be rebranded over the coming months, with a series of launch events planned by local teams. Speaking after the unveiling of the first branch to receive new signage in Hexthorpe Doncaster, Mimi Lau, Pickfords Pharmacy's chief operating officer, said: "This is a turning point for the group, with all our pharmacies operating under one name with a consistent, contemporary brand. "Initial reaction has been fantastic and very soon the name Pickfords Pharmacy will be widely recognised for the great service we deliver to customers and patients every day." Speaking of the consolidation, Nick Yarrow, the newly appointed group chief executive officer, commented: "Since the enlarged group came together last year, we have been striving to ensure that the best elements of each business have been retained for the benefit of our customers and team members. "This is part of our journey to be more than just a pharmacy - we want to be a trusted source of healthcare services at the heart of each one of the communities we serve".

The community pharmacy staff in Scotland will not be required to work for a minimum of five full days if they test positive for Covid-19. The Scottish health secretary Humza Yousaf has clarified that health and social care employees, including community pharmacists, will have to follow the guidance on managing staff with symptoms of a respiratory infection, or a positive Covid-19 test. While responding to Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour Party) written parliamentary question, Humza said, "If they work with patients or service users in face-to-face settings, they can return to work if they have had two consecutive negative LFD test results (taken at least 24 hours apart)." Jackie asked the Scottish government, "what its position is on the actions of Well Pharmacy, in light of reports that the company is insisting that staff who test positive for COVID-19 continue to work when they are in patient-facing roles and dealing with clinically vulnerable people?" The Pharmacists' Defence Association said: "This means that Well pharmacy will have to change their policy in Scotland and no longer allow Covid positive staff to work in their pharmacies."

Are you worried about your immunity and want to strengthen your immune system? Taking care of your health and the health of your family, children, and parents is never exaggerated and unfounded. The organism must at all times have immunity that will allow it to cope with the greatest challenges. There are things you can't influence. However, those things that you can influence to fight the virus more effectively, such as strengthening immunity, you must take seriously and take full advantage of this opportunity. That is why we are here to give you some great tips on how to successfully strengthen your immunity and improve your health. HEALTHY DIET A healthy diet is very important for a healthy life. If you have used certain healthy habits in your life for the sake of feeling better in the body while not paying attention to what you eat, then you have probably seen that the lack of proper nutrition won't compensate for anything. A strong immunity can be achieved with a varied and balanced diet. Avoiding bad eating habits can be one of the key factors in boosting your immunity. If you want to boost your immunity, include garlic in your meals. Its antibacterial properties are well-known, and it can be included in natural antibiotics. Citrus fruits are also great for boosting immunity. Lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, and orange contain plenty of vitamin C and flavonoids, which are considered natural guardians of the immune system.

The modern-day alchemist is a pharmacist, unbeknownst to many. This career path has long been associated with science and chemistry, but the role of pharmacists today is much more than just preparing potions or drugs. If you have an interest in the science of medicine, and a desire to help people better manage their health, becoming a pharmacist could be the perfect career choice for you. In this article, we'll discuss what it takes to become a pharmacist, as well as the rewards that come along with the job. 1. ASSESS EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Since a career as a pharmacist requires post-secondary education, the first step in becoming a qualified pharmacist is to assess the educational requirements. This includes researching what courses are necessary, at what level of education they must be taken, and which universities offer these courses. And, as pharmacists must be licensed before they can legally practice, prospective professionals should also research the regulations associated with becoming a pharmacist. 2. CHOOSE A PHARMACY SCHOOL When deciding which pharmacy school to attend, it is important to consider the school's curriculum, accreditation, and reputation. Researching schools that have strong faculty and offer internships is also an important consideration. Also, have in mind that whether you want to know how to become a pharmacy tech in California for instance, or anywhere else for that matter, you can find useful information on the internet. As a rule of thumb, as an aspiring pharmacist, you should aim to attend an accredited school that offers specialized courses in pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry, and other related areas.

Some herbs have diuretic effects and may help with sodium and water retention. Instances include: Dandelion "Ginger" Parsley Hawthorn Juniper Natural diuretics could help lessen fluid retention by making you urinate more. But more scientific evidence can prove that these herbs have diuretic impacts, so you may not find them compelling. Ginger is a spice that has a long history of use as a medicinal herb. It's been used to treat everything from colds to diarrhea, but one of the most common uses for ginger is that it acts as a diuretic to get rid of water retention (swelling) in the body. While there's no single cause for swelling or bloating, it can happen because of a variety of factors, including being overweight or gaining weight rapidly due to muscle building or pregnancy. However, ginger isn't just used as an herbal remedy: its active ingredient, shogaol, also exists naturally in other foods like broccoli and carrots! What is ginger? The ginger plant is the underground, fleshy part of the plant that forms a rhizome. It's a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the Zingiberaceae family. It looks like a small palm tree with reddish-brown stems. Its flowers are white and fragrant with five petals and look like gingerbread cookies! The plant originated in Southern China but now grows in tropical regions all over the world, including India, Japan, and Jamaica. Ginger is used for cooking, medicine, and perfume making because of its intense flavor (which comes from an oil called gingerol). How are diuretic herbs good for you? A diuretic is a substance that promotes the production of urine. Diuretics can treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney problems. They are also sometimes prescribed as a weight-loss aid to help the body eliminate excess water weight associated with bloating or edema (swelling). As you can see from its many uses and benefits, having a diuretic handy when you're feeling bloated is always a good idea. How can you make

A pharmacist in a leading independent pharmacy chain shares his myth-busting Ramadan advice on managing health and the use of medication while fasting. While the holy month means total fasting in terms of oral consumption, it's still ok, says Ifti Khan, superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, to have vaccinations and blood tests and to use eye drops or other medical items that are not ingested through the mouth. It's also important for people to keep taking their prescribed medication over the Ramadan period. Anyone who is concerned should speak to their pharmacist about whether they can take their medicine at different times, as stopping it could have serious consequences. Mr Khan, who will be observing Ramadan himself, said: "Confusion can sometimes arise when it comes to medication and managing health conditions whilst fasting", adding it is important for patients to keep managing health during Ramadan. Having injections or vaccinations is fine, as are blood tests, using eye or ear drops, and using anything that patients don't consume orally - so nicotine and other transdermal patches, pessaries and dialysis, for example. It's also ok to eat and drink as a result of a condition which causes forgetfulness.

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has published a guidance for community pharmacies to help them in the implementation of the new Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The new policy will rollout from 1 April 2023, patients who are not already exempt from NHS prescription charges will be able to purchase an annual HRT PPC for the cost of two single prescription charges Major concern raised by PSNC is that the NHS systems have not kept pace with policy, as the certificate is launching without the IT in place to support it. PSNC has been clear that this is totally unacceptable, including raising this with Ministers directly and warning them that introducing the PPC without this infrastructure risks causing confusion for some patients and adding to the burden for pharmacy teams. "Government recognises the challenges but is determined to move forwards with the policy, said the committee. "DHSC has recognised the impact this will have on pharmacies and we are still pressing for appropriate financial compensation. We have also sought guidance for GPs, and now published our own guidance to try to make the launch go as smoothly as it can for pharmacy teams."

If you're thinking of heading a startup, owning a local pharmacy could be an incredibly lucrative opportunity. When you set up a business in the healthcare sector, it's important to ensure that you operate with transparency to keep yourself and your patients safe. Whether you've acquired pharmacies before or you're turning to a new venture with different partners, learning the relevant steps before getting involved is imperative. Successful pharmacies rely on medical expertise, professional knowledge, and an excellent quality of service. Step 1: Do you need qualifications to be a pharmacist? No matter if you already have a background in pharmacy or you're entering the field from an entrepreneurial perspective, you'll need to have the right qualifications. You can become a pharmacist by completing a Master of Pharmacy degree at a university. Your chosen course needs to be approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council and will take at least four years to complete. After your degree, you'll also need to take the one-year pharmacist foundation training scheme. To access these courses, you'll usually need two or three A levels, including Chemistry. Alternatively, you could do a pharmacy foundation degree if you only have one A level or equivalent.

Organic Turmeric powder has long been used as a natural beauty agent as it is used to make a paste and face masks for treating various skin issues till now. As per the latest research, turmeric Soap helps banish dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Also, a study published in the journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology affirms that topical turmeric curcumin extract in a moisturizing cream and soap formula reduces the appearance of facial spots, fine lines, aging, and wrinkles on human facial skin. Also, it was found that hyperpigmentation can be reduced by 14-15% within four to five weeks of turmeric-based skincare products. Being a natural ingredient, turmeric soap is safe for all skin types and is even recommended for people with skin conditions. So let's further explain why this is so good for you. Naturally, turmeric is rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties. The antibacterial and antioxidant content in turmeric battle acne, whereas the mighty antioxidant makes the skin tone clear. And the same properties go for turmeric used in soaps. Is turmeric soap good for your face? Yes, turmeric soap is virtually good for your face because modern dermatologists have explored its positive and healthy effects on the skin. On the other hand, it is becoming famous because of its beneficial impacts on the skin. Turmeric soap benefits for skin Backed by clinically proven research, this skin-healthy soap has the following benefits: 1. Antiseptic, Anti-bacterial & Anti-inflammatory Soap Turmeric is a known herb that treats acne. This is because it boasts natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities that prevent clogged pores and stop the growth of acne-causing bacteria while reducing redness and inflammation. As an anti-inflammatory agent, it can help calm the skin and prevent long-term acne scars. Anti-bacterial content in turmeric arrest acne breakout and prevents further infection both for skin as well as oral health. You must add this soap to your ski

Well Pharmacy is urging those eligible to take up the offer of a further Covid booster jab this spring. Adults aged 75 years and over and anyone over 5 years old and are immunosuppressed - such as those who are undergoing chemotherapy or have had an organ transplant - are entitled to have a further Covid booster jab from mid-April, said one of the UK's largest community pharmacy chains. Taking part in the vaccination programme again, Well Pharmacy is encouraging people to book another booster as soon as they are contacted by the NHS - which should be at least six months after their previous booster. The national booking site for those eligible opens this week. The jabs have been updated since the vaccines were introduced to now target newer strains of Covid-19, Well said in a press release issued on Wednesday, 5 April. Thousands of people are still testing positive for Covid each week according to Government data, and - while hospitalisations are down - a large number of people are still being hospitalised with Covid, so getting jabbed is as important as ever. And the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recently confirmed that hospital admissions last autumn highlighted that the risk of becoming seriously ill from coronavirus was noticeably higher in people over 75.

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has advised pharmacies to continue providing rota services on Easter after learning that many pharmacies are unwilling to provide the services on Easter holidays. "It is extremely regrettable that community pharmacy representatives have advised that access to rota pharmacies in some parts of Northern Ireland will be reduced over the Easter holidays," department said. They have also stated that despite a commitment of recurrent investment, support for new patients assessed by Trusts as requiring blister packs may be restricted. These actions have the potential to impact on patients and other parts of the Health and Social Care system. The department has also called the CPNI's demand to increase the funding up to 50 per cent in the sector "unrealistic" in the current financial climate. It said: "Financial pressures across the entire NI public sector are severe with an extremely challenging health budget anticipated for 2023/24." "The Department is therefore facing a significant funding gap just to maintain existing services and the whole Health and Social Care system is an extremely unpredictable and fragile position. The core funding envelope available to community pharmacies in NI has increased by 16% over the past three years."

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has allowed pharmacists to supply alternative penicillin to treat Strep A. It has issued Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for three penicillin medicines. "The SSPs will help mitigate local supply issues of oral penicillin and allow pharmacists to supply alternative forms of the medicine if they do not have the specific formulation stated on the prescription," said DHSC. SSPs have been issued across the UK for 3 penicillin medicines on Thursday (December 15. "Issuing an SSP allows pharmacists to legally supply a specified alternative medicine, removing the need for the patient to return to the prescriber - which saves time in GP practices and inconvenience for patients." "Demand for penicillin has risen recently as it is used to treat strep A and scarlet fever, and the increased demand means that some pharmacists are experiencing temporary and localised supply issues and may not have the specific formulation listed on the prescription."

The trade bodies and four largest pharmacy chains in England, have jointly written to the Secretary of State for Health, Steve Barclay, warning that the sector needs urgent investment for sustainability. The letter from AIMp, CCA, NPA, PSNC, Boots UK, Lloyds Pharmacy, Well, and Phoenix UK, warned that the 30 per cent real terms funding cuts that pharmacies have faced over the past seven years have left many businesses in a cashflow crisis. The letter said that the government is facing a choice over the future of the country's 11,000+ community pharmacies, with permanent closures likely and medicines supply at risk if no urgent action is taken. "If the funding situation is not addressed, the sector is likely to move rapidly towards many permanent closures of pharmacies." The organisations say that once these closures start, they will be hard to stop, as the sector is now so fragile other pharmacies would struggle to pick up the slack.

Professor Michael Gordon Scott and Professor Charlotte Anne Skitterall have been recognised in the New Year Honours list 2023 for their 'service to pharmacy'. Professor Scott Director, Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre was one among the 1,107 people to received MBE for his 'service to pharmacy' in Northern Ireland. In 1994 he established the first academic practice unit in the province in conjunction with the Queens University of Belfast. In 2004 he was made a fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. In June 2009 he was made an honorary Professor of Pharmacy Practice at QUB. Professor Skitterall, Group Chief Pharmacist, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust received MBE for 'services to Pharmacy'. Last year, she was appointed as a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. "I think it was awarded in recognition of the work I have done as chair of the National Medicines Optimisation Clinical Reference Group. I also supported the National Pharmacy Task and Finish Group for Covid Vaccine deployment," she commented. This year, dozens of NHS staff have been recognised in the New Year Honours list ahead of the health service's 75th birthday.

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).

An executive director of Day Lewis and also board director and member of Association of Independent Multiple pharmacies (AIMp) Jay Patel highlighted the key issues and on ground challenges faced by the community pharmacies in a meeting hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and health secretary Steve Barclay in Downing Street on Saturday (January 7) to tackle the NHS pressure. In his interview with BBC, he said: "He (prime minister) was very engaging and trying to understand the key issues and practical challenges on the ground." Patel described the meeting atmosphere as 'collaborative and proactive', and said, "people were genuinely asked their options and there were listeners too." On BBC, answering to a question on 'how community pharmacies can alleviate the NHS pressure?', Patel said: "Pharmacies is the workplace for this. We have trust of our patients; we have high skilled workforce both clinically and professionally. One of the opportunities we have is working around the acute treat

Chiesi Farmaceutici, the international, research-focused biopharmaceuticals and healthcare group has acquired Amryt Pharma, a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel treatments for rare diseases. More than 300 million people worldwide are affected by rare diseases, including those who are living with ultra-rare metabolic and dermatologic conditions who still have no approved treatment. The acquisition reinforces Chiesi's commitment to deliver innovative treatments to patients with highly unmet medical needs. As a benefit corporation and a B Corp, Chiesi strives to create a world where it is common to have a therapy for all diseases and acts as a force for good, for society and the planet. Chiesi's Head of Chiesi Global Rare diseases Giacomo Chiesi commented: "We are excited to add the Amryt family to our company in this acquisition that demonstrates our commitment to rare diseases and aligns with our growth strategy through partnerships beyond internal research and development." Chiesi's new CEO Giuseppe Accogli said: "By joining forces and expertise we will be able to grow our capabilities and further strengthen our position to provide a positive impact on patients living with rare diseases." With regard to the financing of the deal, cash consideration has been partially financed through a EUR 700m syndicated loan led by BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole as Global Coordinators and ESG Structuring Banks, acting alongside BPER and Deutsche Bank as Mandated Lead Arrangers. Crédit Agricole is Loan Agent too. Lenders have been advised by Clifford Chance, while Baker and McKenzie has assisted Chiesi Farmaceutici.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) on Wednesday confirmed that several MPs have come forward to support their campaign for fair funding for pharmacy students, as well as announced their plan to take the campaign to Wales. The campaign that began last year is focussed on the issue of pharmacy students being left out of the scope of the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF), which provides supplementary funding for healthcare students in England. MPharm students and PDA Student Reps have been sending letters to their MPs requesting them to escalate the issue to the health minister, and they have been able to gather considerable support. "There appears to be some cross-party support for the campaign, with welcome responses coming from Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs," the PDA said.