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Trainee pharmacists across Great Britain are preparing to participate in Pharmacist Support's annual Trainee ACTNow Wellbeing Campaign, scheduled from May 20th to 24th. Organised by the charity, this initiative aims to provide essential support as trainees approach the culmination of their placements and gear up for the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) assessment. Danielle Hunt, Chief Executive of Pharmacist Support, highlighted the campaign's focus on addressing the significant stress and pressure trainees may experience during this critical period. She stated: "We understand the anxiety and pressure they may feel, not only in preparing for the assessment but also in stepping into their roles as registered pharmacists."

In a strategic move to enhance healthcare delivery, the NHS has announced plans to intensify the utilisation of virtual wards under the the Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan. the NHS virtual wards are aimed to reduce avoidable hospital admissions across England. This follows a comprehensive analysis revealing significant benefits from virtual wards over the past year. "Virtual wards offer a transformative approach to healthcare delivery, allowing patients to receive medical care from the comfort of their own homes," remarked NHS national director for urgent and emergency care, Sarah-Jane Marsh. "This initiative not only reduces the burden on hospital resources but also ensures that patients receive timely and personalised care."

In a decisive move highlighting the financial strain faced by community pharmacies, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) submitted a £108 million invoice to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) today (16 May). According to the NPA, this substantial sum represents the amount that pharmacies in England personally covered for the dispensing of NHS medicines last month, as a result of inadequate funding. "the £108m figure is an average monthly figure based on the loss to pharmacy incomes over the past decade," it said. the association believes that mass closures can be prevented only when the government stops expecting pharmacies to subsidise the cost of delivering NHS care. NPA chief executive Paul Rees, said: "the soaring costs of dispensing medicine coupled with declining real terms funding has led to community pharmacies in England having to subsidise the dispensing of drugs to the tune of £108m a month.

Professor Ryan Donnelly, esteemed for his groundbreaking contributions to pharmaceutical science, has been awarded the prestigious Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Harrison Memorial Medal for 2024. This distinguished accolade, presented in honour of the renowned pharmaceutical chemist Col EF Harrison, serves as a testament to Professor Donnelly's exceptional achievements. Currently holding the position of Chair in Pharmaceutical Technology at Queen's University Belfast's School of Pharmacy and Director of Research, Professor Donnelly has garnered acclaim for his pioneering work in developing advanced polymeric drug delivery systems. Specialising in transdermal and intradermal drug delivery methodologies, his research aims at optimising patient outcomes through innovative pharmaceutical technologies.

"Patients deserve choice, but wherever they go they will find vacant nursing posts and overstretched services," responded Professor Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, to the introduction of the new pilot scheme for out-of-hospital patient care. the NHSE and the DHSC have announced a new pilot scheme commencing in autumn "offering patients a choice of where they receive out-of-hospital care". Under the initiative, individuals requiring treatment outside of hospitals will have the opportunity to select from a range of providers across both the NHS and the independent sector. Patients can select their care provider for in-hospital consultant-led services post-GP consultation, offering a choice from at least 5 providers with details on waiting times, distance, and quality.

The UK government has announced plans to update legislation to enable more services and individuals to provide take-home supplies of naloxone - a life-saving opioid overdose antidote - over The next few weeks. Naloxone can immediately reverse The effects of an opioid overdose by reversing breathing difficulties. The medicine can be administered by anyone in an emergency. However, current legislation allows only drug and alcohol treatment services to supply it without a prescription to individuals for future use. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed on Tuesday (14 May) that more professionals, including nurses, paramedics, police officers, probation officers and pharmacy professionals, will be able to supply The medicine without a prescription to save lives. Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins warned that opioid addiction can ruin lives and it accounts for The largest proportion of drug-related deaths across The UK.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during today's (15th May ) Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), reiterated his commitment to supporting community pharmacies amidst growing concerns over pharmacy closures. Addressing questions regarding the Pharmacy First initiative, Sunak assured the House of Commons of his dedication to bolstering resources for these vital healthcare providers. In response to a query raised by Member of Parliament, St Ives MP Derek Thomas, citing statistics from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) about "committing to directing funds towards Community Pharmacy to alleviate financial pressure and prevent closures, Sunak remarked that he "cares deeply about the future of community pharmacies." Sunak acknowledged the indispensable role played by community pharmacists in alleviating pressure on urgent care services, emphasising the importance of initiatives like Pharmacy First in government's commitment to supporting community pharmacies. "there are over 10 and a half Community pharmacies across the country working incredibly hard to serve their patients," Sunak said praising the community pharmacists and highlighted the concerning trend of pharmacy closures, citing a significant increase compared to the previous year.

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.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has promoted Louise Edwards to The position of Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy Registrar. Louise is currently The Director of Regulation and Digital Transformation at The Electoral Commission, responsible for The organisation's regulatory work and digital, data, technology and facilities infrastructure. This includes funding and spending at elections and referendums, registering political parties, enforcement work, and data and information management. Louise will take over Mark Voce, The GPhC's current Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy Registrar, who is retiring early in July 2024. Louise said: "Pharmacy services are at The heart of health care for many people. Having effective regulation and standards in place can transform and give confidence in The quality of care that people receive.

A recent study presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Venice sheds light on the detrimental effects of obesity on workplace absenteeism and economic productivity. the analysis, encompassing data from millions of workers across Europe, reveals a direct correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the likelihood of taking sick leave. According to the study, obese individuals are up to twice as likely to take time off work due to health issues compared to those of a healthy weight. the increased sick notes among obese individuals is attributed to various complications associated with obesity, including joint pain, diabetes, depression, and heart disease. In the United Kingdom, where obesity rates are among the highest in Europe, the impact of obesity on workplace absenteeism is particularly pronounced.

The UK has witnessed a nearly 50 percent increase in pharmacy closures this year compared to The same period in 2023, which was already considered The worst year in recent memory. A new analysis by The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) revealed that 177 pharmacies closed Their doors between January and April 2024, compared to 116 in The same period last year. This is The equivalent of 10 local pharmacies shutting down every week. Analysis of NHS figures by The NPA showed that 403 pharmacies closed Their doors last year, nearly five times higher than The number that closed in 2022. Since 2017, over 1,400 pharmacies have shut down across The UK. Rising costs and declining real terms funding have led to The fastest rate of closures in decades, said The NPA, highlighting that "real terms funding has decreased by 40 per cent over The last decade."

At last Friday's Clinical Congress Conference, the NHSE Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England at NHS England, David Webb, announced the upcoming launch of the Pharmacy Stakeholder Forum- an initiative led by NHS England aimed to improve pharmacy professional leadership and foster collaboration within the sector. Webb highlighted the forum's significance as a platform for driving transformative change in pharmacy leadership. "the aim is to deliver collaboration to develop a stronger and more united voice for pharmacy professionals," Webb emphasised. Highlighting the need to drive transformative change in pharmacy leadership, he underscored that "the overarching goal is to address key challenges facing the pharmacy profession and chart a course for future development and innovation." Scheduled to commence in June, the Pharmacy Stakeholder Forum will provide a space for diverse organisations and networks with a vested interest in pharmacy professional leadership to converge.

Responding to an MP's question in the House of Commons, prime minister Rishi Sunak reiterated his deep concern for the future of UK community pharmacies, stressing their commitment to enhancing the sector with an additional £645 million in funding through the Pharmacy First initiative. At the recent Prime Minister's Questions last Wednesday, Angela Richardson, the Conservative MP for Guildford, raised the issue of rising pharmacy closures, revealing that Guildford recently lost two neighbouring pharmacies. Highlighting that empowering local pharmacies is a key part of this government's plan to cut waiting lists, she asked Sunak whether he would agree that it is vital for residents to have access to "a good, efficient, and above all, local pharmacy." In response, Sunak said: "I care deeply about the future of our community pharmacies."

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.

Surgery is a common treatment for vision problems, particularly in correcting refractive errors. Refractive eye surgery aims to reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. the quality of vision depends on how effectively the cornea and lens focus light rays onto the retina.

Are you looking to infuse your day with tranquility and vitality? Look no further than the delicate and nuanced world of green tea blends. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or just dipping your toes into the vast ocean of tea, the artistry and serenity found in a well-crafted green tea blend are unmatched. Read on to discover the variety of green tea blends and how they can elevate your tea-drinking experience to new heights of relaxation and rejuvenation. Health Benefits: Nourishing Body and Mind Beyond their exquisite taste, green tea blends offer a myriad of health benefits that can nourish both body and mind. Packed with antioxidants and nutrients, green tea is known to boost metabolism, improve heart health, and enhance cognitive function. Green tea can contribute to helping you relax and unwind, while also providing a gentle energy boost to tackle your day with clarity and focus. Additionally, the ritual of preparing and savoring a cup of green tea can be a mindful practice that promotes relaxation and mental clarity.

In a recent announcement, King Charles has agreed to become a patron of the society at Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) following the footsteps of the late Queen. Buckingham Palace confirmed the news, marking the first anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. This prestigious appointment comes after a meticulous evaluation of over 1000 Patronages, previously held by the late Queen, the former Prince of Wales, and the former Duchess of Cornwall. the decision underscores His Majesty's commitment to supporting organisations dedicated to advancing healthcare and patient well-being. the RPS has a rich history of association with the Royal Family, notably with the late Queen, who served as patron from 1953 until her passing in 2022.

The government has allocated an additional 350 medical school places in England, making a significant step in delivering The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. Supported by more than £2.4 billion in government funding, The plan outlines The strategy for recruiting and retaining hundreds of thousands more staff over The next 15 years to deliver The future workforce The NHS requires. One of The key commitments of The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan is to double The number of medical school places in England to 15,000 by 2031. As part of The ongoing efforts to fulfill this pledge, The Office for Students (OfS) has designated 350 places for medical schools nationwide for The academic year 2025 to 2026, targeting under-doctored areas.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has finally published its response to The 2022 consultation on hub and spoke dispensing. Considering The consultation evidence and furTher discussions, The government has expressed its intention to progress The proposals for enabling hub and spoke models across different legal entities as soon as possible. This will be achieved by using The enabling powers outlined in Part 2 of The Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 (MMDA) to amend The Medicines Act 1968 and The HMRs. FurThermore, The DHSC has decided to proceed with The implementation of The two models of hub and spoke dispensing that it consulted on. The government response to The consultation reads: "Having considered The responses, The government intend to proceed to implement The necessary changes to medicines legislation to remove The current restrictions that prevent The hub and spoke dispensing models from operating across different legal entities found in section 10 of The Medicines Act 1968.

Two Indian pharmaceutical companies, Cipla and Glenmark, are pulling back certain products from the American market due to manufacturing concerns, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). A New Jersey-based subsidiary of Cipla is recalling 59,244 packs of Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution due to "short fill", news agency PTI reported, quoting the latest Enforcement Report issued by the US health regulator. Produced at the company's Indore SEZ plant, this medication is used to manage symptoms associated with lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Cipla USA decided to recall the affected lot following complaints of less fill volume in respule and few drops of liquid observed in the intact pouch, the USFDA said, adding that the drug maker initiated the Class II recall in the US market on March 26 this year.