The collapse of the three trading entities in the Converse Pharma Group (Testerworld Limited, Doncaster Pharmaceuticals Group Limited and Eclipse Generics
Limited) (the Group) in May 2022 undoubtedly caused ripples
throughout the pharmacy industry.
The Group, a major supplier of pharmaceuticals, had a combined turnover over £300m, employed 1,000 staff members and supplied over 4,000 pharmacies throughout the
country.
The Group is licensed and regulated by the MHRA. At the beginning of 2021, a breach of the MHRA licensing regulations caused a temporary (but prolonged) cessation
of trading.
The Group was able to secure the ongoing support of its secured creditors during this time, however, when the licenses were subsequently reinstated, they came with
restrictions.
Unfortunately for the Group, the period of the suspension and the subsequent restrictions over the licences caused a significant reduction in revenue, from which
the Group was unable to recover.
Ultimately, by May this year, the companies in the Group had exhausted their working capital and had no prospect of raising the funding they required to continue
to trade.
HRA pharma has announced the resignation of David Wright who moves on after serving the company for more than five years as chief executive officer.
The company has appointed Martyn Hilton, chief commercial officer for HRA Pharma, as interim CEO effective from September 1, 2022.
David helmed the company during a period of transformation and set the course for its tremendous growth, elevating HRA Pharma into a leading provider of
over-the-counter self-care products.
He commented: "Given the significant progress HRA has made, along with my personal goals after leading HRA for more than five years, I believe now is the time to
step away from the business.
"I am proud of all that we have accomplished, making HRA well-known for its Women's Health, Wound Care and Scar Care leadership, operating via brands including
ellaOne, Hana, Compeed and Mederma. I appreciate all the team members involved in the success of the organization and believe Perrigo and HRA are well-positioned
to elevate this business and these brands to the next level."
he Pharmacy Schools Council (PhSC) has elected Professor Katie Maddock as the organisation's new chair.
Prior to becoming head of school at Keele University, Professor Maddock had been MPharm course director and associate dean for education for the Faculty of
Medicine and Health Sciences, responsible for developing the clinical teaching at Keele.
Before joining Keele University, she taught clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice at Aston University. Her research interests lie in pharmacy education,
particularly the use of technology in teaching, clinical therapeutics, augmented reality simulation and interprofessional education. She was also awarded a
principal fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in November 2020.
Having worked in hospital pharmacy, Professor Maddock is acutely aware of the pressures that Covid-19 has placed on healthcare, as well as the importance of
retaining and building upon the positive changes to patient care and pharmacy practice that were developed in response to the pandemic.
Shares in GSK, Sanofi, Haleon and Pfizer began to recover on Friday (Aug 12) after the companies said that nothing material had changed regarding US litigation
focused on heartburn drug Zantac.
The companies' share prices had fallen sharply last week on investor concern about the litigation over potential cancer-causing impurities that prompted the drug's
withdrawal from markets in 2019 and 2020.
More than 2,000 Zantac-related legal cases have been filed in the United States, analysts say, with the first trial beginning this month.
The prospect of impending Zantac litigation is not new. Among other disclosures, recently listed Haleon had highlighted the risk of such lawsuits in its prospectus.
GSK, Sanofi, Pfizer and Haleon have lost a combined $39 billion from their market value over the past week in the absence of any other particular catalyst, according
to Barclays analysts.
A member of the English Pharmacy Board and RPS Assembly, Sharon Isobel Tait Buckle (also known as Sibby) has been elected unopposed as the treasurer of the
Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).
Sibby takes over the role from Andre Yeung, whose tenure ended in June 2022.
Sibby was first elected to the English board in 2012 and is the first woman to hold the post since RPS became the professional leadership body in 2010. She is
already part of the Finance and Investment Committee, where RPS budgets, pensions, assets, financial priorities and performance, reserves and investment policies
are scrutinised and agreed.
Commenting on her new role, Buckle said: "I want to build on the great contribution made by our previous Treasurer. Over the next two years of my tenure I will
monitor and challenge our financial performance, our focus on Environmental, Social and Governance factors (ESG), investment strategy and performance and our
financial governance.
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."
Ending the TB epidemic will require an accelerated, collaborative global effort from diverse scientific disciplines, Read this blog for latest national-strategic-plan-for-tuberculosis-elimination.
Ceuta Group has appointed Michael Yates as chief operating officer (COO).
In his new role, he will focus on the exploration of future acquisitions to support the Group's growth plans and ensure it continues to provide innovative services
and unlock new opportunities for its clients.
Prior to joining Ceuta Group, Yates was associated with Procter & Gamble (P&G) for more than 25 years. His career started in the UK and progressed through senior
commercial and managing director roles across Europe, Africa and Asia.
During his time at P&G, Yates gained insight and experience in building brands in the UK and globally. He has broad category experience across food & drink as well
as health, wellness and personal care, having worked with brands such as Pringles, Sunny Delight, Oral B, Vicks, Head & Shoulders and Pantene.
With extensive international experience, Michael brings client-side knowledge and insight of successfully expanding brands and adapting business models for markets
across the globe. His appointment bolsters Ceuta Group's leadership structure and will support the Group's growth plans and delivery of superior client service.
Pharmanovia, the lifecycle management company has signed a licence and supply agreement with Aquestive Therapeutics for its patented diazepam buccal film
formulation across the EU, UK, Switzerland, and Norway, as well as countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)- up to 48 markets in total.
Aquestive Therapeutics has been granted tentative approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for its diazepam buccal film for the acute treatment of
intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity (i.e., seizure clusters, acute repetitive seizures) that are distinct from a patient's usual
seizure pattern in patients with epilepsy 12 years of age and older.
Pharmanovia will be responsible for seeking appropriate regulatory approval across EU and MENA.
Pharmanovia CEO, James Burt commented: "Pharmanovia and Aquestive are aligned in our mission to find new and innovative ways to enhance and revitalise iconic
medicines. We have extensive experience with diazepam through the Valium brand and, together with Aquestive's unique PharmFilm technology, we're intending to bring
a novel alternative diazepam delivery option to caregivers and patients at a time of critical need."
The message of Diwali - a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness - seems to take on new layers of meaning every
year.
At the height of the Covid pandemic, it brought to mind the importance of togetherness, as we all struggled through lockdowns and missed the human contact that is
so important to us all.
In 2022, sadly, it feels like there's a lot of darkness in the world. Diwali is so full of hope for the future and we certainly need some of that that right now. In
troubled times, both in the UK and across the globe, Diwali provides an opportunity to reflect and hope for better times ahead.
In their own way, pharmacies bring light to the communities they serve - giving help and reassurance to many vulnerable people. As chair of the NPA it is truly a
privilege to support pharmacy teams to deliver this vital work all year round. Diwali is a family feast - at the NPA we like to think of ourselves as the family
of family-owned pharmacies.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has appointed Sunil Kumar, an independent contractor from Darlington, as the Regional Representative
for the North East and Cumbria region.
"Kumar will represent all independent contractors in the region at the PSNC Committee until 31st March 2023, which is the end of the current term for all Regional
Representatives," said PSNC.
PSNC's North East and Cumbria region covers the areas of Community Pharmacy County Durham; Community Pharmacy Cumbria; Gateshead & South Tyneside LPC; North of Tyne
LPC; Sunderland LPC and Tees LPC.
The Pharmaceutical Society NI (PSNI) has announced that Michaela McAleer will be replacing Trevor Patterson as Chief Executive of PSNI.
After 15 years at the helm, Patterson announced his intention to retire. Jonathan Patton, Vice President of the Society said, "Joining the Society from the
construction sector Trevor brought fresh thinking and vigour to the Society and quickly established his credibility with pharmacists, Council, stakeholders and
fellow regulatory bodies."
"Trevor has presided over tremendous change and development through his tenure with equal measures of professionalism and passion on creating safer protections
for the public and ensuring pharmacists achieved world class standards in their profession. We are saddened to see him depart but on behalf of Council I wish him a
long and healthy retirement and wish him well in the next chapter of life. We are indebted to him for his dedication to the Pharmaceutical Society NI."
"Losing the constant and continuity of our 15 year serving Chief Executive ushers in a time of change and evolution for us as the Pharmacy Regulator. We are in the
midst of a fast moving and changing environment as we implement continuous improvement.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and BeWell are working together to help provide efficiencies and productivity that address the growing pressures within
community pharmacy.
BeWell's Pharmacy Management Platform provides robust solutions that include Patient Relationship Management, Omnichannel Communications and Engagement, Services
and Bookings Management, access to patient records, NHS Login supported Patient Application, and repeat prescription capabilities for Pharmacy Website and Patient
App that include integrations with Surgery Online Services.
This single interoperable platform is also integrated with pharmacy PMRs, connecting back office and administrative functions with front-of-house digital patient
experiences. In line with the NPA's vision, BeWell has taken a leading role in formulating a unique ecosystem of pharmacy partners uniting marketing agencies,
PGD-based service providers, and delivery method partners - integrating their capabilities within the BeWell platform.
Pharmacy bodies and MPs discussed on support needed to unlock the "full potential" of community pharmacy at the All Pharmacy Party Group (APPG)'s general
meeting held in Westminster on Tuesday (01 November).
The attendees of the meeting were Janet Morrison OBE, Chief Executive of Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee; Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of The
Company Chemists' Association; Thorrun Govind, Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; Sanjeev Panesar, National Pharmacy Association Board Member, and Pharmacist
Superintendent and Owner of the Pan Pharmacy Group; and Sandeep Dhami, Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies member and superintendent at MW Phillips Chemist
At the session, 18 parliamentarians were briefed on the myriad of ways pharmacies contribute to the health of the nation.
The panel of experts also highlighted that pharmacists are 'running out of fuel' with the growing challenges such as flat funding, workforce shortages and the
cost-of-living crisis impacting pharmacies' ability to deliver vital services.
A University College London team of researchers has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) programme that can identify minute brain anomalies that lead to
epileptic seizures.
The algorithm, used in the Multicentre Epilepsy Lesion Detection project (MELD) and which reports locations of abnormalities in cases of drug-resistant focal
cortical dysplasia (FCD) - a major cause of epilepsy - was developed by a multinational team who used more than 1,000 patient MRI scans from 22 international
epilepsy centres.
Brain regions known as FCDs have evolved improperly and frequently lead to drug-resistant epilepsy. Surgery is usually used to treat it, however, finding the
lesions on an MRI is a constant problem for doctors because MRI scans for FCDs can appear normal.
The scientists employed about 300,000 places throughout the brain to quantify cortical properties from the MRI scans, such as how thick or folded the cortex/brain
surface was.
Northern Ireland's chief pharmaceutical officer paid a visit to a community pharmacy in Belfast on Monday (November 7) - marking the end of this year's Ask
Your Pharmacist week, an annual public awareness campaign launched by the National Pharmacy Association.
Cathy Harrison interacted with patients and staff in the pharmacy before recording a video to promote NI's 'Pharmacy First' service in which she described community
pharmacies as "one of the front doors to the health service" with over 500 outlets located across the country.
"In our community pharmacies you can always rely on friendly staff, medicines expertise, and walk-in access to face-to-face advice," she said.
First launched in Scotland, the NHS Pharmacy First service enables patients to have a consultation with a pharmacist for advice on minor ailments.
Ms Harrison also drew attention to community pharmacy's role in cancer awareness and helping people to quit smoking, as well as managing patients with urinary tract
infections, in addition to playing their part in delivering Covid-19 and flu vaccinations.
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.
The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) has published a positioning paper which sets out the objectives that need to be delivered through the
next Voluntary Pricing and Access Scheme (VPAS) on Thursday (15 June).
The paper details how a financially sustainable VPAS can support widened medicines access to patients.
VPAS is an agreement between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England and The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
The scheme aims to limit increases in spending on branded medicines to no more than 2% per year via a rebate system which is charged on companies' sales revenues.
Two years ago, the rate was 5.1% but for 2023 it has soared to 26.5%. Last year, the association had raised concerns over the rise in the VPAS rate for 2023 to
26.5 per cent.
"The rocketing rate is in large part due to the growth in spend in on-patent medicines since 2019. Looking at the four completed years of the current VPAS scheme,
data shows that the average annual growth rate for on-patent medicine sales value from 2019-22 was 18% compared to just 2% for off-patent products," said the
association.
A pharmacy group operating in London and the surrounding areas has said it's cliched a financial deal worth £4.25 million with a major global bank to bolster
its mergers and acquisitions activity.
Osbon Pharmacy Group said on Monday (19 June) that it would use the multi-million-pound funding package from HSBC UK to also invest in bringing accessible and
comprehensive medical services closer to the doorstep of Londoners and people of South East England.
The family-run business said the new money will open new position which will include opportunities for pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians,
dispensers, accounts clerks and delivery drivers, taking the company's total headcount to 185.
The group, which currently has 26 pharmacies across London and South East England, was established in 2005.
The company offers a range of medicine and prescription services as well as offering customary help and advice. It switched to banking with HSBC UK last year as
part of a £6.9M refinance package, which saw the business acquire nine pharmacies and takes the total funding provided by HSBC UK to date to £11.1m.