The Equality Act (which replaced the Disability Discrimination Act in 2010) is often cited as a reason for supplying medicines in a compliance aid. This is a complex piece of legislation, but, in essence, provides a statutory duty on businesses to make "reasonable adjustments" in relation to the service that they provide to take into account any relevant disability of a service-users.
This statutory obligation might include the provision of a compliance aid where a patient would be at a "substantial disadvantage" without. However, the need to provide medicines in a compliance aid under the Equality Act needs careful consideration and is a balancing exercise.
The NHS Terms of Service for community pharmacies in England state that medicines should be provided in original packs save in certain circumstances, which include because of patient needs.
Advanz Pharma, alongside London-based private equity firms Cinven and HgCapital, is collectively confronted with an £84 million penalty for inflating the
price of the thyroid drug by over 1,000 per cent, soaring from £20 to £248 per package over an eight-year period.
The Competition Appeal Tribunal endorsed 'all key aspects' of the Competition and Markets Authority's verdict on the companies' culpability in the case, the CMA has
said.
Advanz stood as the sole supplier of liothyronine tablets, essential for treating thyroid hormone deficiency, with the cost of a packet of these tablets surging over
12-fold between 2009 and 2017.
Although Advanz Pharma currently possesses ownership of the company, its former owners, PE firms Cinven and HgCapital, also bear responsibility for the imposed fine,
the CMA said.
"NHS annual spending on the tablets in 2006, the year before the implementation of the strategy, was £600,000, but by 2009 had increased to more than £2.3 million
and jumped to more than £30 million by 2016," Britain's competition watchdog said.
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.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is calling on NHS England and its member to pause and reflect before further implementing the pharmacy contraception
service.
NPA board met on Tuesday (25 April) to discuss the Pharmacy Contraception Service and the board decided that - with the community pharmacy sector at breaking
point - it cannot support the immediate roll out of this service.
The association believes that with no new funding for the service, and all existing funds in effect already allocated to other pharmacy activity, any payments
to the sector for delivery of the oral contraception service will ultimately be clawed back by NHS England.
Tweeting after the meeting yesterday, the NPA said: "We can't tell pharmacy owners what they can and can't do. But we can tell them the facts; fact number one is
that with no new funding currently available everyone will be a loser from the implementation of this service on the current terms."
NPA Vice-Chair Jay Badenhorst added: "We cannot be expected to take on more and more services without the increase in funding necessary to deliver them effectively.
Meanwhile, taking on additional work when current workload already exceeds capacity risks impacting negatively on the overall quality of care people experience in
pharmacies. We still believe this could, in future, be a great new pharmacy service, but not without the extra funding necessary to deliver it safely and
effectively. We want to offer women this extra support, but if it's worth doing it's worth doing properly."
Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee Steve Brine MP has called on community pharmacy contractors to join a newly launched a parliamentary 'call for
evidence' which will look into 'prevention' as a key to the future of the NHS.
A former pharmacy minister and keen supporter of the sector, Mr Brine has called on all community pharmacists to "make their contribution count" by taking part in a
major inquiry which will remain open for submission until Wednesday 8 February 2023 and will also involve general practitioners, nurses and other health professionals.
Community pharmacists can submit their proposals written under 750 words, outlining what they think are the issues around prevention the parliamentary body should
explore, why these issues deserve the Commons Select Committee's attention, and how government policy could be developed or improved to address them.
The submissions will then be used to help the committee decide where it should focus its attention in the later stages of the inquiry on prevention, which is a vital
part of the NHS Long Term Plan.
Jeremy Meader has resigned as managing director of Numark after five years on the job, and having lead the wider PHOENIX group's sales and marketing teams for
about eight years.
A press release issued on Wednesday (February 1) said Mr Meader "has decided to leave the business to pursue his career outside of the PHOENIX group", the owner of
Numark.
It said: "PHOENIX thanks Jeremy for his commitment and dedication over the years and wishes him all the best for his professional and private future."
Previous to joining PHOENIX, Mr Meader was head of sales at Alliance Healthcare, a role he took up in 2012 after serving GSK's Consumer Healthcare division for over
13 years in various capacity.
Community Pharmacy England (CPE) to host a Parliamentary drop-in event in July to brief MPs and Peers about the ongoing medicines supply chain issues that
are negatively affecting pharmacies and their patients across the country.
CPE's Pressures Survey earlier this year highlighted the extent of both the operational and financial impacts of medicines supply issues on pharmacy businesses,
therefore it has continued to hear from both pharmacy owners and others about the problems.
The event aims to ensure that MPs understand the problems and their impact on pharmacies.
Peter Dowd MP is hosting the event, joined by representatives from Community Pharmacy England, the Nuffield Trust, patient groups and more.
The event will also be another opportunity to talk to MPs from across the political spectrum about the very serious situation that community pharmacies still find
themselves in and the need for further investment in the sector.
Janet Morrison OBE, Chief executive of Community Pharmacy England said: "The results of our Pressures Survey earlier this year showed just how much supply issues
are continuing to negatively impact pharmacy businesses and all those who work in them. The survey found that almost all pharmacy owners (97%) are facing
significant increases in wholesaler and medicine supply issues, with 71% saying this was leading to delays in prescriptions being issued.
Two dozen parliamentarians from across the political spectrum have called on the prime minister to act as a wave of pharmacy closures in recent years has
threatened to spiral out of control.
A letter to the prime minister signed by 24 MPs and peers has warned that worse could be yet to come after "spiralling business costs" and "year after year of real
terms funding cuts" have led to hundreds of pharmacy closures.
New data from the PSNC shows that over 639 local pharmacies have been lost in England since 2016.
"This is the equivalent to just short of one pharmacy closure per constituency", the cross-party group warned.
The letter comes as MPs came together at a parliamentary summit to call for pharmacies to be embraced as a "game-changer" for tackling healthcare backlogs and taking
pressure off other areas of the NHS. A 'Future of Pharmacy' event was attended by 53 parliamentarians on July 5 in the Palace of Westminster.
At the event parliamentarians heard directly from frontline pharmacists and representatives of pharmacy bodies where a map of constituency-specific pharmacy numbers
was also unveiled, with details of the number of pharmacy closures in MPs' local area.
Microplates are an important part of many laboratory experiments. They are often used to measure the results of a process or to test a product. When working
with microplates, it is important to use the right closure and sealing method to ensure accurate results. This article will discuss the different types of closures
and seals available, as well as how to choose the right one for your needs.
HEAT SEALING METHOD
One of the most common methods for sealing microplates is the heat seal method. This method uses a heating element to melt the top layer of the plate, which then
bonds to the bottom layer. Heat sealing is a quick and easy way to seal a microplate, and it is often used for plates that will be stored for long periods. For this
reason, heat sealing is the preferred method for sealing storage plates. Heat sealing is also one of the most cost-effective methods for sealing microplates. If you
are interested to learn more about heat sealing, you may be surprised to find that there are many pieces of heat sealing equipment for sale at a very reasonable
price. You just need to take the time to find the right one for your needs. As much as possible, choose the one with adjustable temperature settings so you can
find the perfect heat for your microplates. More often than not, 225 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for heat sealing.
Pharmacy2U has recently acquired LloydsDirect in a confidential deal, bringing together two of the UK's foremost online pharmacies. Over time, both entities
will integrate their operations under the Pharmacy2U brand, the companies said in a joint statement.
The two businesses complement each other effectively, and their teams will now work closely together to uphold the patient-centric approach and service quality
for which both are known individually, the statement added. However, there is currently limited clarity regarding the sale process and its impact on Lloyds staff.
According to NHS Business Services Authority data from PharmData, Pharmacy2U dispensed 1,528,436 items in June 2023, while LloydsDirect, previously owned by
LloydsPharmacy, dispensed 1,142,891 items. This positions them as the top two online prescription pharmacies for items dispensed, with Well.co.uk in third place
at 128,691 items.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has updated the final price concessions for June 2023, following a discussion by Community Pharmacy England
regarding medicine pricing issues reported by pharmacy owners (its members).
A price concession only applies for the month it is granted; any prices agreed for concessions requested late in the month will roll over into the following month.
Community Pharmacy England encouraged pharmacies to report any problems obtaining a Part VIII product at or below the stated Drug Tariff price, using the online
feedback form on the Community Pharmacy England website along with full details of the supplier and price paid for any products sourced above the Drug Tariff price.
The association will investigate the extent of the problem and, if appropriate, discuss the issue with DHSC.
The pharmacy regulator can hold hearings and meetings either remotely or in-person in future as the Council of the GPhC has agreed to a change in its rules.
The rules are expected to come into force on 1 October 2022. Until the rules and new policy and guidance come into force, the GPhC will continue to only hold
remote hearings with the consent of the person concerned and/or their legal representative.
Following positive feedback from those taking part in remote hearings, the GPhC consulted on a proposed permanent change to its rules so it could continue to hold
hearings remotely in the future, when it is fair and appropriate to do so.
The proposal to continue remote hearings, including fitness to practise hearings, received wide support with 78 per cent of respondents agreeing.
"During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and restrictions we had to hold many meetings and hearings remotely by videolink. As such we were granted - along with other regulators - a temporary provision to enable us to do this and carry out our statutory role," Duncan Rudkin, chief executive of the GPHC, said.
It's 2022 and data is everything, isn't it? Advertising, decision-making, you name it, data is behind it. What if an ePharmacy could use its own data as an
asset? If you knew that sooner or later, you'll be able to turn your data into a revenue stream, wouldn't that be something? And this is exactly what Convert Group does.
Convert Group offers the complete eCommerce SaaS ecosystem that helps ePharmacists and brands grow sales, streamline collaboration, and seize data monetization opportunities.
Built for scale, Convert Group's platform leverages automation and offers a unique user experience backed by our leading eCommerce team.
National pharmacy bodies have welcomed two VAT changes related to community pharmacy services announced in the Spring budget on Wednesday (15 March) but were
disappointed that the budget brought no further relief for the sector in a crippling funding crisis.
It was announced that from 1 May 2023, VAT exemption on healthcare would be extended to include medical services carried out by staff directly supervised by
registered pharmacists.
The government will also extend zero rate on prescriptions to medicines supplied through Patient Group Directions. This measure will be introduced in autumn 2023.
HM Treasury said these measures were being introduced to ensure that the VAT system keeps up with changes to how the NHS operates and how healthcare is delivered
across the country.
More widely, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt promised to halve inflation and said that the NHS would soon publish its long-term workforce plan.
Bas Vorsteveld has been elected as the new president of PAGB, the trade association representing the manufacturers of branded OTC medicines, self care medical
devices and food supplements.
Vorsteveld, who is vice president and general Manager of Haleon GB and Ireland, succeeds Neil Lister, managing director UK & Ireland and vice president at Perrigo.
PAGB said the appointment comes at a crucial time for the consumer healthcare association as it looks to expand the role of self-care, secure a long-term favourable
business environment for members, adapt to environmental challenges and continue to deliver excellent services for members.
"We are so pleased to welcome Bas to the role of President. Bas has been actively involved with PAGB as a board member and we're looking forward to continuing our
work with him. I have already seen from Bas's time on our Board that he combines great sector knowledge with drive, energy and genuine passion for what we do and
we're so excited to have him as our President," Michelle Riddalls, chief executive of PAGB, said.
"Bas's input and guidance as our strategy evolves over the coming years will be vital as we respond to new challenges as they emerge and make the most of the
opportunities ahead."
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has urged the healthcare professionals to share their views on the consultation on 'how MHRA
communicate with healthcare professionals to improve medicines and medical devices' safety'.
Through this consultation the agency wants to review its approach to engagement with healthcare professionals to improve the safety of medicines and medical devices.
"We want to ensure that healthcare professionals are receiving actionable information and guidance on safe use of medicines and medical devices that they can take
into their working practice, providing timely advice to patients," said MHRA.
"We need to improve the way we communicate with healthcare professionals. We want to hear from you to enable us to transform how we communicate with you and how we
work together on our common goal of greater patient safety."
Choosing the right healthcare certification for your career goals should not be taken lightly. With so many certifications available today, it can feel
overwhelming and confusing to decide which one is best suited to your individual needs. Whether you're looking for a promotion at work or want to switch careers,
having the correct certification can make all the difference when reaching those goals. Thankfully, with some proper research and advice from experts in the field,
you can find the perfect healthcare certification for your career goals - let's dive into how!
CONSIDER YOUR CURRENT GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS
When choosing a healthcare certification, it's important to consider your current goals and aspirations. Before diving into a program or course, reflect on what you
want to get out of the experience - is it increased knowledge and skill set, better job prospects, and advancement opportunities? Even if you aren't currently
sure about what type of career you want in healthcare, research different certifications and see which ones would bring you one step closer to achieving those goals.
For example, medical coding certification is a must for anyone interested in pursuing a career in medical coding and billing. Think about the best investment of your
time and energy, so you can reap the benefits later on down the line. No matter where you're starting from or where you hope to go with your career, there are
certifications that provide valuable skills in all areas of healthcare.