The National Pharmacy Association has published a medium-term prospectus for the development of pharmacy services, calling it a challenge to old ways of
thinking and an opportunity to redefine the sector's role in the NHS.
It follows months of dialogue with NPA members about what a clinical future could look like for the sector.
The document - Making Changes Meeting Needs - will be shared with the King's Fund and Nuffield Trust who are currently working on a new vision for the future on
behalf of Community Pharmacy England.
NPA chair, Nick Kaye, said: "Building out from the existing portfolio of services, there are some major opportunities within this decade, encompassing prevention,
medicines optimisation, long term medical conditions and urgent care.
Has the government in England learned nothing from the Covid-19 pandemic? Nigel Swift, Managing Director of Rowlands Pharmacy, part of Numark, the UK's
largest pharmacy membership association, asks reflecting on the disorderly launch of this year's flu and Covid booster vaccination program as evidence to the
contrary.
"Community pharmacies play a crucial role in ensuring eligible individuals can easily access their free NHS flu and Covid vaccinations," Swift said, adding that
delivering this essential service necessitates pharmacy staff allocating time for preparation and appointment scheduling.
"Just a few weeks ago, NHSE informed us that the vaccination program would be postponed until October, prompting pharmacies to plan accordingly and notify
patients," he said. "However, NHSE has now reversed its decision and set the program to commence on Sept. 11. Pharmacy recommended an earlier start, but NHSE opted
for a delay instead, resulting in avoidable problems."
On Aug. 30, NHSE announced plans to move up the start of the autumn vaccination drive in England to September 11, deviating from the initial October schedule,
citing concerns about a new Covid-19 variant.
The government has launched a consultation into radically changing the Statutory Scheme for branded medicines (known as the Statutory Scheme).
The consultation comes as delicate negotiations for replacing the alternative Voluntary Scheme are underway, potentially undermining these talks, while also further
damaging industry confidence in the UK as a viable place to research, launch and supply medicine.
The government proposals seek to hold average revenue clawback rates under the Statutory Scheme at historic highs of between 21-27%, compared to the pre-pandemic
averages of 9.4% for the Statutory Scheme (2019-2021), and 6.88% for the Voluntary Scheme (2014-2021). The accompanying cost-benefit analysis ignores any negative
impact this may have on medicine supply and wrongly claims it will boost investment.
The consultation comes on the heels of government data last week showing UK life sciences foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 47% between 2021 and 2022, down
by £900m year on year. This large fall in investment coincided with a rise in the main UK clawback rate under the Voluntary Scheme from 5% to 15%, and led to the
UK falling from 2nd to 9th out of 18 comparator countries for life sciences FDI in 2022. The Voluntary Scheme clawback rate now sits at a record 26.5% in 2023.
Instability in the supply chain network is frequently undermining the profit margins in community pharmacies, former Pharmacy Minister and Chair of the Health
and Social Care Committee Steve Brine has said.
Brine emphasised that community pharmacies often lack information about the prices wholesalers charge for essential generic medications. "They lack visibility
into scarcity, and the pricing of these products is often significantly higher compared to other European countries," the former minister remarked during a
parliamentary debate focused on the future of community pharmacies on September 14.
From financial pressures to workforce crisis and pharmacy closures, the debate delved into critical challenges faced by pharmacies, aiming to propose tangible
solutions for a sustainable future in the sector.
Chaired by Sir Mark Hendrik, the debate was initiated by Conservative MP Peter Aldous and featured contributions from a host of participants including Labour MPs
Taiwo Owatemi and George Howarth among others.
The UK's Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said mistakes at a testing laboratory led to misreporting of tens of thousands of positive COVID-19 cases as negative
and may have resulted in the deaths of about 20 people.
Britain has one of the highest coronavirus death tolls in the world, with more than 177,000 deaths since the pandemic started in 2020.
Many experts have said the contact tracing programme fell well short of the "world-beating" system the government had promised.
An investigation by the government agency responsible for responding to public health emergencies said the Immensa laboratory in central England was found to have
misreported around 39,000 tests as negative when they should have been positive between September 2 and October 12 last year.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee announced last week that it is in discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS
England about relieving capacity pressures, such as a relaxation of pharmacy opening hours requirements.
PSNC is also scheduling webinars to talk with contactors about the steps they might be willing to take in future, to cut costs, should emergency financial relief
fail to materialise.
The pharmacy regulator reported that many of its members felt that it was no longer tenable for pharmacies to keep offering all of the free and non-core services to
patients that they would like to, and that all contractors should consider what steps they could take to try to safeguard their businesses and their core services
for patients.
PSNC is also keen to talk to contractors about their current situation and the steps they might be willing to take in future, should emergency relief not be
forthcoming.
Amgen's experimental obesity drug demonstrated promising durability trends in an early trial, paving the way for a larger mid-stage study early next year,
company officials said ahead of a data presentation on Saturday (December 3).
The small Phase I trial found that patients maintained their weight loss for 70 days after receiving the highest tested dose of the injected drug, currently known as
AMG133.
Amgen shares have gained about 5% since the company said on Nov. 7 that 12 weeks of trial treatment at the highest monthly dose of AMG133 resulted in mean weight
loss of 14.5%.
At 150 days after the last dose, maintained weight loss had dropped to 11.2% below original weight at the start of the trial, according to findings detailed at a
meeting of World Congress of Insulin Resistance, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease in Los Angeles.
Patients treated with AMG133 did have side effects including nausea and vomiting, but most cases were mild and resolved within a couple of days after the first dose,
Amgen said.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said last week (Aug 5) there were "early signs" that the monkeypox outbreak was plateauing across the country and that
its expansion had slowed.
"While the most recent data suggests the growth of the outbreak has slowed, we cannot be complacent," Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections
at UKHSA, said.
There were 2,859 confirmed and highly probable cases of monkeypox in the UK as of Aug. 4, with nearly 99 per cent of the cases among men, the country's health
authority said in a statement.
The recent analysis by the UKHSA showed that "monkeypox continues to be transmitted primarily in interconnected sexual networks of gay, bisexual, or other men who
have sex with men", it added.
British authorities in June were recommending gay and bisexual men at higher risk of exposure to monkeypox be offered a vaccine, as the outbreak of the viral disease
had gathered pace, mostly in Europe.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has notified that it is now mandatory to attend face-to-face training for both injection technique
and basic life support training periodically for pharmacists and other vaccinators providing the annual flu vaccination service.
"Community pharmacy contractors are required to demonstrate that all vaccinators, including pharmacists, providing the flu vaccination service in their pharmacy
have the skills needed to do so," said PSNC.
Prior to this change, pharmacists and other vaccinators needed to undertake a refresher face-to-face training for both injection technique and basic life support,
including administration of adrenaline, every three years.
Vaccinator needs to evidence competence
PSNC said: "Contractors and vaccinators will now need to consider when it would be appropriate to attend refresher training or if ongoing competence of an individual
vaccinator can be evidenced, without the need for face-to-face training.
"An individual's continued competence may be influenced by their prior experience vaccinating patients, including the overall number of vaccines administered and
the regularity with which they administer vaccines."
Bestway operates approximately 750 pharmacies nationwide in the UK under the Well brand. In April 2023, it completed its acquisition of Lexon, which operates
46 pharmacies in the UK under the Knights Pharmacy brand, and Asurex, a wholesale perfume supplier.
On 26th May 2023, CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry. A fast-track Phase 1 investigation found that the merger could lead to a significant lessening of
competition between retail pharmacies in 12 local areas located in Liverpool and North East England.
The merging businesses conceded that the deal raises competition concerns in these areas and have submitted proposals to sell pharmacies within these areas to
restore the competition that would otherwise be lost as a result of the deal.
Colin Raftery, CMA Senior Director of Mergers, said: "Pharmacies are essential public health services, and it's vital that the loss of competition brought about
by a deal like this shouldn't leave people with reduced choice or worse services when they need medical support.
The CMA will now carefully consider whether the remedy put forward by Bestway will address its concerns and ensure that customers in the affected areas continue to
have access to good quality chemists.
You've heard the beauty benefits of turmeric from your grannies; you may know how turmeric soap benefits your skin. Many studies advocate curcumin's skin-lightening effects, a polyphenol emanating from turmeric. There's also evidence to back its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial features. Meanwhile, it's a rich source of antioxidants. The golden powder is not only for flavoring up curries; it is also a mainstay in Ayurvedic therapies, both as a tonic and as a beauty agent. The purported skin benefits of this natural turmeric soap include:
Skin Whitening
Benefits Skin Conditions
Fades dark spots
Treats acne
Fight Aging
Meeting any beauty assertions with a healthy dose of suspicion is wise. (After all, if you've ever undergone distressing skincare bents such as peel-off masks, you might think twice before going for other trends.) Fortunately, turmeric soap emerges to deliver benefits to the skin.
Turmeric Soap Benefits
Although not tangible, analyses indicate that turmeric will soon become a low-cost substitute for relieving skin diseases like eczema, alopecia, etc. Soaping with a turmeric soap bar can help you enhance your skin health in numerous ways. And what's more? Here are excellent turmeric soap benefits that will improve your overall skin health.
Turmeric Soap Benefits Blood Circulation that results in Skin Whitening.
If your major skin issue is dullness, try to check out turmeric since it's a natural exfoliator. Numerous animal and test-tube studies have shown that turmeric and curcumin extract can boost glutathione levels. Researchers conclude that the curcumin found in turmeric can assist in restoring adequate levels of glutathione and improve the activity of glutathione enzymes. It has the power to slough off your dead skin cells, remove pollutants, and clear oil or makeup build-up, leaving you with a smooth and healthy glow. Regular use of turmeric soap benefits your skin's glow and brightens it naturally. This is why turmeric is also
While research on particular supplements is optimistic, it's still too early to declare if they benefit. For centuries, turmeric herb has been used in Ayurveda, traditional Chinese, and Unani medicine to alleviate arthritis pain and other ailments. Modern-day science indicates that its active compound, curcumin, may help resist inflammation. Even though there's little research on turmeric for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, it may be worth trying since curcumin works like a pain-killing agent in your body. To keep things relatively simple, I'll stick to research while telling you the 'Truth about Turmeric for treating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
Turmeric for Fibromyalgia & CFS
If you've got pain, fatigue, and sleep disorder with fibromyalgia, you may wonder if nature-based dietary supplements can provide you some substitute to relieve yourself. Medical professionals are grappling with the exact question. Think how long a supplement has been used for fibromyalgia symptoms. Newer supplements that have become prevalent in the past 3 or 4 years don't maintain a long track history or record, so the long-term effects aren't known still. However, you may say short-term effects are ascertained. Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting illness that yields pain and tiredness throughout the body, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. Scientists do not entirely understand what pushes it, but people with the disease have an amplified pain sensitivity.
Pfizer said on Thursday (June 1) data from late-stage trials showed its experimental combination of antibiotics was effective in treating deadly infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
Deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs, have been on the rise globally, and health regulators have called for the development of newer
treatments as resistance to older antibiotics grows.
The late-stage studies compared the experimental combination of the antibiotics aztreonam-avibactam (ATM-AVI) and existing generic drug metronidazole with a
combination of two older antibiotics - meropenem and colistin - to treat complicated intra-abdominal infections and types of hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia occurs in patients at least two to three days after being admitted, or in those who have life-threatening lung infections with high
mortality rates and who are on mechanical breathing machines.
Pfizer said the data from the studies shows the antibiotic combination of ATM-AVI is effective and well-tolerated in treating infections caused by gram-negative
bacteria.
The cure rate in patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections with Pfizer's combination therapy, along with existing generic drug metronidazole, was 76.4%,
versus 74% using the other antibiotics.
India is increasingly more becoming a famous spot for affordable eye surgery cost in India. Patients from all over the global travel to India for getting treated at state of the art centers, skilled medical staff offering world class treatment.
AstraZeneca said on Thursday (June 30) that a combination of its cancer drug, Imfinzi, and chemotherapy showed promise in a late-stage trial in patients with
an aggressive form of lung cancer, when given before surgery.
Data showed the combination was more effective in removing cancer cells in tissue samples taken during surgery when compared with just chemotherapy in patients with
non-small cell lung cancer, the drugmaker said.
The interim result is a boost to the company's oncology efforts - a major area of focus - following disappointing data for Imfinzi earlier in the year in another
area of therapy.
AstraZeneca added the trial would continue as planned to assess the additional main goal of event-free survival, and the interim data would be shared with health
authorities globally.
Imfinzi belongs to the immunotherapy class of treatments, which boost the body's defences to fight cancer by using antibodies that block or bind to foreign
substances in the body. The treatment generated $2.41 billion in 2021 sales.
Sobha Sharma Kandel wants community pharmacy teams up and down the country to be super responsive to emerging needs of their patients - by always being
pro-active rather than reactive.
"We know that every patient benefits from our proactive approaches - listening, asking questions, providing information and making clinical interventions when
appropriate.
"At a time when general practice is overstretched, community pharmacy must be relied upon as the frontline of the NHS when it comes to providing diagnosis,
treatment and continuous care in our communities to promote health and wellbeing of our patients."
Sobha believes Covid-19 has helped shift public perception of community pharmacies from being a place where one goes to collect a prescription to a hub where one
can access a range of healthcare advice and services.
"We are way more than just a shop where you can collect your medicines," she said, giving examples of how her interventions have helped reduce medication errors,
prevent harm and subsequently reduce cost of care.
She once saved a baby from getting overdosed with omeprazole when they had issues with gastroesophageal reflux. On another occasion, she managed a lady's high blood
pressure by finding equivalent medications to a combination dose prescribed by her doctor in another country.
Addiction is a difficult disease to deal with, both for the person who is struggling with it and for their loved ones. If you have a family member who is
battling addiction, it can be hard to know what to do to help them. The good news is that there are things you can do to support your loved ones and improve their
chances of recovery. In this blog post, we will discuss six ways that families can help their loved ones struggling with addiction.
1. EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT ADDICTION AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
To truly be able to help a family member who is struggling with addiction, you first need to educate yourself about the disease. This means learning about what
causes addiction, how it affects the mind and body, and what you can do to support your loved one through their recovery journey.
There are plenty of resources available online and at your local library that can help you learn more about addiction. You can also attend support groups for families
of addicts, which can provide valuable information and emotional support.
If you take the time to educate yourself about addiction, you'll be in a much better position to help your loved one through their struggle.
Eighty-five per cent of adults responding to a survey commissioned by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) have agreed that community pharmacies are
underfunded and that the sector needs more investment to be able to do the work it does.
The survey of 1,000+ adults in England was carried out online between August 26 and 30 by an agency called Research Without Barriers (RWB) on behalf of the NPA.
Pharmacies in England are now paid less for providing NHS services than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic, after years of real terms cuts.
Seventy-four per cent respondents think it's unfair that community pharmacies in England have had no increase in funding for eight years, despite rising business
costs.
When asked whether it's fair or unfair that pharmacies in England are now paid less for providing NHS services than they were before the pandemic, 81 per cent of
people replied that it's unfair.
It was a night filled with anticipation and excitement, and the atmosphere was electric with a sense of achievement and pride.
The 23rd annual Pharmacy Business Awards had the honour of hosting the distinguished Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, who
served as the event's chief guest.
The event took place on 4 October at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, located on the South Bank of the River Thames, right across from the Houses of Parliament.
There was a gathering of 600 guests, impeccably attired by the dress code, which added to the festive atmosphere.
In his keynote speech, Labour MP Streeting said the NHS, which marked its 75th anniversary in July, could once again become the "envy of the world".
Rising chronic illnesses and an aging population are threatening to bankrupt the National Health Service, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has
said on October 11.
Streeting announced a substantial £1.1 billion injection to strengthen the NHS with the goal of clearing the backlog and introducing additional clinics on
evenings and weekends.
The frontbencher outlined a reform agenda to ensure NHS is back on its head for the future of healthcare in the UK.
Streeting said that a Labour government will not waste "money we don't have"- instead aims to revolutionise the NHS by shifting its focus from hospitals to
communities.
"Our emphasis is on transitioning from an analogue to a digital framework and prioritising prevention over sickness-oriented healthcare," he noted.
