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The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has written to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) to highlight several important points regarding their proposed "day of action" on 20 June 2024. The NPA describes this initiative as a response to the "emergency across the community pharmacy sector." In a letter addressed to NPA Chair Nick Kaye and Chief Executive Paul Rees, the PDA's director of pharmacy, Jay Badenhorst stressed the need for NPA members to consider their obligations to staff and patients before participating in the planned actions. He stated, "We are supportive of a new contractual framework for the community pharmacy sector." "However, any actions taken must ensure the safety of patients and the operational integrity of pharmacies." The PDA's letter also expressed concerns over the safety and operational impact of the proposed symbolic gestures, including turning off lights and blacking out windows.

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It can affect anyone, regardless of their profession or personal situation. Recognizing the warning signs of burnout is crucial for taking proactive steps to address it before it leads to more severe health issues. This article will explore the key indicators of burnout and provide practical strategies for managing and preventing it. Physical Symptoms of Burnout Physical symptoms are often the first signs of burnout. These symptoms can manifest in various ways, including chronic fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and muscle tension. Persistent fatigue, even after a full night's sleep, is a significant red flag. This type of exhaustion can make daily tasks feel overwhelming and unmanageable. Insomnia, or difficulty sleeping, is another common physical symptom. Individuals experiencing burnout may find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, leading to a vicious cycle of fatigue and sleeplessness. Headaches and muscle tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders, are also prevalent. These symptoms are often caused by the body's prolonged stress response, which keeps muscles in a constant state of tension.

Laganside Crown Court, on Friday, sentenced Gerard Cullinan, a 48-year-old pharmacist and Director of Castlereagh Pharmacy Ltd in East Belfast, for unlawfully supplying controlled prescription medicines, including co-codamol and fentanyl, and for failing to maintain controlled drugs registers. Cullinan was sentenced to 11 months imprisonment, suspended for three years, and his pharmacy was fined £8,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the Department of Health's Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG), which uncovered that Cullinan's pharmacy on Castlereagh Road had illegally supplied over 300,000 co-codamol tablets between January 2017 and June 2020. Additionally, the MRG investigation identified significant breaches in record-keeping for Class A controlled drugs such as fentanyl, tapentadol, methylphenidate, morphine, and oxycodone. "It is a serious criminal offence to sell or supply prescription only medicines without a prescription," said Peter Moore, Senior Medicines Enforcement Officer at the MRG, who led the investigation.