There is a realistic possibility of large waves of Covid-19 infection in the future in Britain and such waves might even be considered likely, epidemiologists who model the Covid-19 pandemic to inform government advice have said.
Prime minister Boris Johnson has ditched legal restrictions in England, saying that, while the pandemic was not over, Britain needs to learn to live with Covid.
The Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group (SPI-M-O) said the emergence of new viral variants was the biggest unknown factor in the medium-to-long term, along with waning population immunity and changes in mixing patterns.
"Large future waves of infection that need active management to prevent detrimental pressure on the health and care sector are, at least, a realistic possibility (high confidence) or likely (medium confidence)," SPI-M-O said in a consensus statement published on Friday.
WAGMI or 'we are all gonna make it' is an established abbreviation in the crypto world, and pharmacists can learn from it. To all the dreamers, the visionaries,
the go-getters, the futurists - we need you all.
In the past few months, since the rebranding of Facebook into Meta, the word 'Metaverse' has become exponentially popular and there is a huge opportunity for
pharmacists to get involved.
In his popular podcast, Aragorn Meulendijks, the chief marketing officer at Your Open Metaverse - YOM, gave a crystal-clear vision on the unique and valuable possibility of a metaverse pharmacy or metapharmacy.
Imagine it is 2030, and there are over a billion users of Virtual Reality headsets. You have recently been hired as the new metaverse pharmacist (metapharmacist) at the global metaverse pharmacy (metapharmacy) "YOMRx".
Your patient comes to your metapharmacy with their digital twin (different to digital avatar)where you are able to provide them with medical advice (metaconsultation).
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.
To become a yoga teacher, enroll in a yoga teacher training 2022 at Oceanic Yoga Training School in Goa, India. During the training, trainees experience life in a community of yogis, learn about asana alignment and adjustments, and study yogic philosophy and anatomy. Additionally, they become knowledgeable about the ethical responsibilities of a yoga teacher. The yoga teacher training in person at Oceanic Yoga School in Goa, India, provides a solid foundation for yoga practice.
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 specification for the Pharmacy Contraceptive Service has been launched for pharmacy contractors to download from the NHSBSA website.
However, the service will not start on 11th January 2023, as originally planned, but it is expected to commence in early 2023, revealed the Pharmaceutical Services
Negotiating Committee (PSNC).
It added: "The exact start date is yet to be agreed, as now the service specification has been published, community pharmacy IT system suppliers need time to develop
support for the service, so this is available to contractors from the service commencement date."
Commenting on the publication of the service specification, Alastair Buxton, Director of NHS Services, at PSNC said: "When time in their busy professional lives
allows, the publication of the service specification ahead of the start of the new service provides contractors and their teams with an opportunity to learn more
about it and to consider whether it is something they will have the capacity to provide in due course.
Are you attempting to eat healthy in order to prepare for your summer beach body? When it comes to achieving optimal body composition, following a healthy
diet can be challenging. It's very easy to eat too many calories while eating foods that society considers to be healthy.
It's important to remember that calorie counting isn't the only way to lose weight, and it won't be a long-term strategy either.
So, here are some practical suggestions for maintaining a healthy weight while also toning your muscles.
1. LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS OF PROTEIN-RICH FOODS
Protein-rich foods are the most effective at curbing hunger and are essential for maintaining a healthy weight and body composition. An added benefit of caloric
restriction is that it triggers the body's catabolic process, which results in the loss of both lean muscle and fat.
Having a lower metabolic rate is one of the main causes of rebound fat gain when you lose a lot of muscle. Taking in a lot of protein throughout the day has been
shown to help counteract some muscle loss and keep your metabolism going strong. As a bonus, high-quality protein can help control blood sugar and insulin levels,
reducing the desire for sweets.
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).
Pharmaceutical recalls are complicated and expensive, just like in any other business. Pharmaceutical recalls, however, pose a further risk because they might
change both short- and long-term health effects. To ensure smooth recalls with few negative effects on public health, it is crucial to understand the pharmaceutical
product recall procedure and the roles of each key player. Throughout the recall procedure, patient safety is crucially ensured by the FDA, pharmaceutical companies,
pharmacy technicians, and other healthcare professionals.
Learning about pharma recalls, procedures, and responsibilities is essential for guaranteeing patient safety for key actors like the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), manufacturers, and other medical specialists.
RECALL CLASSIFICATIONS
Recalls can fall into one of three categories-class I, II, or III-with class I being the most serious and lethal. Products that have the potential to result in
serious, permanent complications or death are subject to Class I recalls.
Class II recalls are recommended for product flaws that have a low likelihood of harmful events or that can result in reversible side effects.
Last but not least, class III recalls typically arise from problems with packaging that do not pose a risk. Since they are frequently issued out of an abundance of
prudence rather than due to any negative impacts, many people may even describe this kind of recall as benign.
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.
Sigma Pharmaceuticals, a leading pharmacy wholesaler and distributor in the UK, has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting the local
community by helping raise over £70,000 for local charitable causes.
As per a statement from Watford-based industry leader, they raised £20,000 for Citizens Advice Watford, their selected charity of the year, during the recent
Sigma annual conference held in Sun City, South Africa.
Additionally, Sigma played a vital part in raising more than £52,000 for 'Team George' at the London Marathon Charity run held on Sunday, 21 April 2024 to
support cancer charities.
Throughout the year, Sigma will continue to partner with Citizens Advice Watford, a local charity that provides frontline service to the community, giving free,
expert and impartial advice and support to 8,000 people a year, many of whom are facing crisis situations.
Applauding the work done by this charity, Dr Bharat Shah CBE, Founder and Managing Director at Sigma, said: "It has been eye-opening to learn about the
life-changing impact the charity has on the lives of so many people.
"We have seen how their expert team works day in and day out to speak up for people who have nowhere else to turn, ensuring they receive the support and
services they're entitled to."
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has introduced a new comprehensive learning programme to support pharmacists in Wales to deliver the Pharmacy
Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS).
Developed in collaboration with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), the programme is designed to "equip pharmacists with the essential knowledge,
skills, and confidence needed to provide excellent patient care."
While the primary emphasis is on pharmacists operating within primary care settings, those from various practice settings are also encouraged to register and
participate in the programme.
Commenting on the collaboration with HEIW, Elen Jones, director for Wales at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said that it will empower pharmacists across the
country to deliver high-quality prescribing services to local communities.
The incredible consequences that drug misuse has imposed on humans in the last few years make it one of the most pressing issues facing such nations.
A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol often turns to these substances as a crutch while they're going through tough times. Taking the drug regularly
becomes habitual since it provides short-term relief without permanently resolving the issue. An important part of becoming sober is learning to substitute
better routines for the addict's old, harmful ones. These self-care routines and healthy habits are much better ways to deal with stress. Here we will explain
how healthy behavior throughout addiction recovery is simply one of many methods to adapt to life after treatment.
Physical Activity
Scientific studies have shown that physical activity increases levels of two hormones. dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to better mood. A more positive
outlook, restful sleep, and enhanced general health are all possible outcomes of these hormones. In the early stages of your rehabilitation, it is wise to start
an exercise regimen that you have never done before. You may find new sober friends and interactions, as well as inspiration to improve your physical health, by
connecting with other people who share your interests in physical activity. In the early stages of recovery, having sober friends may be really helpful since it
allows you to connect with those who understand what you're going through. Friendships formed in early recovery often continue long after the addict has left the
program, according to many people in recovery.
The professional leadership body for pharmacists has urged the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) to make it mandatory to have a chief pharmacist within
organisations to ensure transparency for patients, the public and pharmacy staff.
On 23 January, the GPhC launched a consultation seeking views on the new draft Standards for Chief Pharmacists it has developed to strengthen pharmacy governance.
These standards outlined the professional responsibilities and qualifications required by a chief pharmacist to support their organisation and its staff to deliver
"safe and effective" pharmacy services.
The pharmacy regulator highlighted the importance of having a registered chief pharmacist meeting these standards in hospitals (or relevant settings) to benefit
from the new legislation regarding accidental errors.
In response to the consultation, the RPS expressed that while meeting these standards could enhance pharmacy governance, they may not provide the framework needed
to fully support staff in reporting and learning from errors.
In a bid to address the ongoing deficit in staff in the UK's healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS) has entered into a new workforce agreement
with India.
According to media reports, the healthcare service plans to hire 2,000 doctors from India on a fast-track basis to alleviate this pressing issue.
It is learned that the NHS has set up training centres across many Indian cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Nagpur, Delhi, Gurugram, Indore, Mysore, Chennai,
and Calicut to provide postgraduate training for the first batch of doctors.
Post their training period (which ranges from six to 12 months), these doctors will be deployed at hospitals across Britain. They will also be exempted from the
Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination that is otherwise mandatory for practising in the country.
Join us for a transformative 1-hour session, meticulously designed to empower you and your team with invaluable insights into understanding and addressing pain.
From the evolving role of pharmacists to the impact of timely interventions, we'll explore essential strategies to alleviate suffering in your patients' lives.
Discover the significance of initiatives like Haleon's #ListenToPain campaign in fostering empathy and effective care.
Explore the evolving role of pharmacists
Learn about timely intervention strategies
Understand the significance of initiatives like #ListenToPain
Don't miss out on this opportunity to revolutionize your approach to pain management!
Pharmacy owners discussed the key concerns and priorities for the future at the Community Pharmacy England's (CPE) digital briefing event held last
week (on 7 May 2024).
More than 500 pharmacy owners and their representatives registered for the event, which provided them an opportunity to learn more about the committee's work
in key areas and share their views on important issues.
Major concerns raised by them included underfunding, dispensing at a loss, and challenges in implementing Pharmacy First.
Attendees described the new service as "slow", "challenging" and "underfunded", while also highlighting the importance of improving GPs' understanding of the service.
Jackie Giltrow and Jose Moss have been appointed as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Community Pharmacy Patient Safety group, respectively, bringing with them a
wealth of experience and expertise in pharmacy practice.
Supported by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and hosted by the Company Chemists' Association (CCA), the CPPSG serves as a collaborative platform for large
community pharmacy organisations to openly share and learn from each other's experiences.
A CPPSG Chair now, Jackie Giltrow, Clinical Governance Lead at Paydens Limited is a seasoned pharmacist and expert in risk management and patient safety.
With nine years of experience as a member of the CPPSG, Giltrow's appointment represents a continuation of her longstanding dedication to advancing patient safety
initiatives within community pharmacy settings.
In the fast-evolving world of medicine, staying updated with the latest research trends is crucial for healthcare professionals and researchers alike.
This helps ensure that patient care is based on the best available evidence and keeps professionals at the forefront of innovations and advancements. Here are six
essential tips on how to stay informed about the latest medical research trends.
1. Utilize Trusted Sources
The vast amount of information available online can be overwhelming, making it essential to discern credible sources from unreliable ones. Here are some strategies
to help:
Identify Reputable Journals and Databases: Publications like The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and JAMA are renowned for their rigorous peer-review
processes. Databases like PubMed and Google Scholar are also excellent for accessing a wide range of scientific papers.
Check for Peer-Reviewed Articles: Peer review ensures that research has been evaluated by experts in the field, enhancing its credibility.
Look for Author Credentials: Research conducted by established experts in the field is more likely to be trustworthy.
Evaluate Institutional Affiliations: Research from reputable institutions and organizations often signifies high-quality work.
Trauma can turn our world upside down, leaving scars that are not always visible. Whether it's a car accident, the loss of a loved one, or a natural disaster,
serious trauma can deeply affect our mental health. Coping with such events is crucial not only for our immediate well-being but also for our long-term recovery.
In this post, we'll explore six psychological tips to help you deal with the aftermath of a traumatic event. By integrating these strategies into your life, you can begin to heal and find a path forward. Keep on reading to learn more!
Understanding Trauma
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or series of events. These events can overwhelm an individual's ability to cope, leading to feelings of
helplessness, disorientation, and intense fear. Trauma is not limited to physical injuries; it can deeply affect emotional and mental health.
How Trauma Affects the Brain
When we experience trauma, our brain goes into survival mode. The amygdala, responsible for detecting threats, becomes overactive. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex,
which helps with rational thinking, can become underactive. This imbalance can lead to heightened anxiety, flashbacks, and difficulty concentrating.