In a significant leap forward in the fight against HIV, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has given the green light to two
groundbreaking formulations of cabotegravir.
Apretude 30 mg film-coated tablets and Apretude 600 mg prolonged-release suspension for injection are now authorized for preventing sexually transmitted HIV-1
infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35kg at increased risk.
This approval marks a pivotal moment in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) prevention, offering an alternative to existing standard pre-exposure prophylaxis or
PrEP treatments.
HIV, a virus notorious for compromising the immune system, has long been a global health concern.
Cabotegravir, a member of the integrase inhibitor group, works by blocking a key enzyme necessary for the replication of HIV-1, thereby reducing the virus's
ability to spread.
Extending its support for the Prescription Charges Coalition (PCC), the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) is asking pharmacists in England to share their
experiences of patients denying prescriptions due to financial issues.
PDA members who have practiced in the country within the last 12 months are asked to complete the Prescription Charges Coalition survey by Sunday 28 January.
The PCC is an alliance of more than 50 organisations campaigning to abolish unfair prescription charges for people with long-term conditions in England.
All members of the coalition, including PDA and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), understand that if patients do not receive their prescribed medicines due to the
cost, their health may deteriorate, and this can increase costs for the National Health Service (NHS).
The British Medical Association (BMA) on Wednesday announced that 33,869 junior doctors have voted in favour of extending the industrial action and the
use of action short of strike (ASOS).
With a turnout of 62 per cent, their demand stems from the ongoing campaign for complete pay restoration. The new mandate will last till September 19, starting
on 3 April.
The BMA junior doctors committee co-chairs, Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, expressed frustration at the year-long strike action, highlighting the
government's avoidance tactics to tackle soaring waiting lists, access to GPs and staff shortages.
"The government should see the urgency of the situation. Rather than waste time dragging out talks, they can come forward with a credible offer on pay right now. "
"Instead, they could be celebrating a revitalised and reinvigorated junior doctor workforce, one that feels that their value has started to be restored. That
would be an achievement worth celebrating for everyone and begin to finally turn the tide on the deteriorating workforce crisis," they said.
The UK government has decided to ban disposable vapes to tackle the rise in youth vaping and protect children's health, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
announced on Sunday (28 January 2024) during a visit to a school.
Official figures revealed that the number of children using vapes has tripled in the past three years, with nine per cent of 11 - to 15-year-olds now affected
by this rising trend.
Disposable vapes are believed to be mainly driving the worrisome rise in youth vaping, with the number of 11- to 17-year-old vapers using disposables estimated
to have increased by almost ninefold in the last two years.
Sunak said: "As any parent or teacher knows, one of the most worrying trends at the moment is the rise in vaping among children, and so we must act before it
becomes endemic.
"The long-term impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine within them can be highly addictive, so while vaping can be a useful tool to help smokers quit,
marketing vapes to children is not acceptable."
After a year-long divestment spree, LloydsPharmacy has entered into liquidation and appointed Turpin Barker Armstrong Accountants to handle the process.
In its statement of affairs report, the liquidators confirmed that the pharmacy group owes £293m to 514 creditors.
This includes £228m owed to the group's former owner Admenta UK and £50m to Aurelius Crocodile - a holding company that was used to control the pharmacy business.
However, creditors are set to lose out on approximately £255m as only about £8.2m can be recovered for preferential creditors and £800,000 for its unsecured
creditors, the liquidators said.
The healthcare chain was acquired by Aurelius when the investment firm took over its parent company, McKesson UK in 2022 for £477m.
Global healthcare company Mundipharma and Vectura, an inhalation contract development and manufacturing organization, have entered into a collaboration
agreement aimed at reformulating an asthma inhaler as part of their commitment to reducing the product's carbon footprint.
The companies will be working together on incorporating an environmentally friendly propellant into the formulation of flutiform, a pressurised metered-dose
inhaler (pMDI) used for asthma treatment, to achieve a near-zero-emissions product.
Currently, the product uses the approved apaflurane hydrofluoroalkane 227 (HFA-227), a type of fluorinated greenhouse gas, as its propellant.
The European Union's regulation on these types of greenhouse gases targets a two-thirds reduction in their usage and subsequent emissions by 2030.
In a joint statement, companies revealed that work is already in progress to find an alternative to the HFA-227 gas.
Yuri Martina, Chief Development and Medical Officer at Mundipharma, said: "This is the first step in our long-term plan to develop a near-zero-emissions asthma
inhaler.
In a significant move to enhance the working conditions of over 50,000 postgraduate doctors in the National Health Service, NHS England has unveiled a
series of measures aimed at providing greater choice and opportunities to the new entrants in the medical profession.
With flexible rotas, reducing payroll errors, and easing the financial burden of course fees, the NHS has taken steps to address the issues faced by junior
doctors in order to support their well-being.
In recent announcement, 83 per cent of senior doctors and dentists accepted the government's pay offer.
Alongside the junior doctors who still fighting for fair pay and recognition, the senior medical professionals demanded that the authorities help them tackle
issues pertaining underfunding and overworking in the NHS.
Junior doctors in training also often face challenges with frequent moves between trusts, leading to short notice changes in work schedules and duplicated
inductions when transitioning to new hospitals.
As a measure taken by the health serivces, the committee aims to review the minimum legal requirements for statutory and mandatory training, potentially halving
the time burden for such training and allowing doctors to spend more time caring for patients as part of the long-term workforce plan.
Hey there, folks! Ever find yourself caught up in the throes of pain, wondering if there's a better way to handle it? You're not alone. In fact,
according to recent stats, a whopping 93% of people worldwide grapple with pain annually. And get this: 1 in 3 folks deal with it every single day. Crazy, right?
But here's the kicker: despite pain being such a prevalent issue, many folks aren't tackling it head-on. Yep, you heard that right. There's a whole lot of
suffering going on, and not enough proactive pain management happening.
So, what's the solution? Well, that's where our Pain Management Webinar swoops in to save the day! Picture this: an hour jam-packed with enlightening insights,
carefully curated to arm you and your team with the tools needed to understand, manage, and ease pain in your patients' lives.
Diving Deep: What's Inside the Webinar
Alright, buckle up because we're about to dive into the juicy details of what this webinar has in store for you.
1. The Evolving Role of Pharmacists
First up, we're shedding light on the evolving role of pharmacists in the realm of pain management. Yep, you heard that right. It's not just about doling out
pills anymore. Pharmacists are becoming key players in the fight against pain, and we'll show you exactly how.
2. Decoding Pain Assessment
Ever struggle to figure out just how much pain your patients are in? We feel you. That's why we're dedicating some time to decode the art of pain assessment. By
the time you're done with this segment, you'll be a pro at understanding and quantifying your patients' pain levels.
3. #ListenToPain: A Campaign for Better Conversations
And last but certainly not least, we're shining a spotlight on Haleon's #ListenToPain campaign. This bad boy is all about fostering better conversations between
you and your patients. Trust us, folks, communication is key when it comes to pain management, and this campaign's got all the tools you need to nail those
conversations.
Tailored Jus
In response to the concerning surge in youth vaping, the UK government in January announced its decision to ban disposable vapes as a measure to safeguard
the health of children.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that while the long-term impacts of vaping were uncertain, the nicotine present in these products can be highly addictive.
Therefore, he emphasised that "marketing vapes to children is not acceptable."
Now, there's a stronger reason to crack down on vape sales as a new study has revealed that vaping or the use of e-cigarettes may increase the risk of developing
heart failure.
The study, which involved 175,000 adults in the United States, found that those who use e-cigarettes were 19 per cent more likely to develop heart failure over a
four-year period.
Dr Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, lead author of the study, from MedStar Health in Baltimore, underscored that an increasing number of studies are linking e-cigarettes with
harmful effects, suggesting vaping "might not be as safe as previously thought."
With further research, Dr Bene-Alhasan's team plans to uncover "a lot more about the potential health consequences and improve the information out to the public."
National Health Services (NHS) patients across England are set to experience a significant enhancement in accessing key healthcare services such as
community nursing through the expansion of self-referral options that no longer require a GP appointment.
The recent announcement is part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan and is set to offer hundreds of thousands more individuals each month the opportunity
to refer themselves for essential services such as "incontinence support", "podiatry", or "hearing tests" without GP referrals.
This move aims to alleviate the burden on general practitioners through self-referrals for more than 180,000 patients, allowing them to focus their time and
resources on patients in need of immediate care and recover the long waiting times.
As per the NHS data, approximately 200,000 people per month self-refer themselves which under the new plan will extend to additional critical services tailored
to local population needs to "continue modernising GP, expand pharmacy services, and offer patients more choice in how they access care".
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.
Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the Company Chemists' Association (CCA), the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and the National Pharmacy Association
(NPA) on Tuesday (5 March) released a joint manifesto for community pharmacy in anticipation of the upcoming general election expected later this year.
The manifesto has been designed for widespread use within the community pharmacy sector to facilitate engagement with political parties and parliamentary candidates.
In their #VotePharmacy manifesto, the pharmacy bodies have highlighted a robust six-point plan to unleash the potential of pharmacy.
Election candidates are urged to express their support in six key areas, which include:
Filling the funding gap and committing to long-term sustainable funding to empower pharmacies to deliver more NHS care.
Enhancing the community pharmacy workforce to ensure they can meet the evolving needs of patients.
A new Attention-Deficit-Hyperactive disorder (ADHD) taskforce has been launched by National Health Services England (NHSE) to counter the challenges faced
by many suffering from the neurodevelopmental condition.
The ADHD taskforce aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan's vision to revolutionise mental health services, with a specific emphasis on bolstering community-based
care and reducing reliance on inpatient services.
The NHS has partnered with the government to tackle the escalating demands including increasing funding, improving system efficiency, altering the service
provision model, and clinical prioritisation by bringing together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the NHS, education and justice,
to help provide a joined-up approach in response to concerns around rising demand.
Over the past two decades, there has been a significant expansion in the acknowledgement and successful medical interventions for ADHD, leading to a steady
rise in clinical requests throughout the UK.
Asbestos poisoning is a serious health concern that can have long-lasting effects on your well-being. Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to various health
issues, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. If you suspect that you've been exposed to asbestos or are experiencing symptoms related to asbestos
poisoning, it's crucial to take immediate action.
1. Recognize the Symptoms
The first step in dealing with asbestos poisoning is to recognize the symptoms. Common signs of asbestos exposure include shortness of breath, persistent coughing,
chest pain, and fatigue. Additionally, you may experience respiratory issues such as wheezing or difficulty breathing. Exploring the use of asbestos at Honeywell
in Massachusetts can help you get a better understanding of the potential risks associated with asbestos exposure and the importance of taking proactive measures
to protect yourself and your loved ones from its harmful effects. It's essential to pay attention to any changes in your health and seek medical attention if you
suspect asbestos exposure.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has released findings from its fifth annual workforce wellbeing survey, which was conducted in collaboration with the
profession's charity, Pharmacist Support.
Exposing the mental health challenges faced by pharmacists, the survey revealed a troubling statistic: 86 per cent of pharmacists are at a high risk of burnout.
Inadequate staffing was the main factor contributing to burnout, followed by lack of work-life balance, insufficient protected learning time, absence of colleague
or senior support, and long working hours.
While pharmacies are encouraged to provide more clinical services, more than 60 per cent of pharmacists surveyed reported that they were not being offered
"sufficient protected learning time" to focus on their professional development and learning needs.
The survey also exposed a distressing trend of workplace abuse, with over 40 per cent of pharmacists reporting verbal abuse from the public, and 25 per cent
from colleagues or managers.
The government's formal consultation on pharmacy supervision, which closes today (29 February), leaves important questions unanswered, the National
Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) proposals are to:
enable pharmacists to authorise pharmacy technicians to carry out, or supervise others carrying out, the preparation, assembly, dispensing, sale and supply of
medicines
enable pharmacists to authorise any member of the pharmacy team to hand out checked and bagged prescriptions in the absence of a pharmacist
allow pharmacy technicians to take primary responsibility for the preparation, assembly and dispensing of medicinal products in hospital aseptic facilities
In its formal response to the consultation, the NPA acknowledged that modernisation of the regulations is long overdue, including enabling non-pharmacist members
of the pharmacy team to hand out checked and bagged prescriptions.
Recognising the changing practices in healthcare, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has revised and updated its position on the separation of
prescribing and dispensing or administration of a medicine by the same healthcare professional.
It's previous guidance, published in March 2020, restricted prescribing and dispensing by the same healthcare professional only in exceptional circumstances.
The new guidance, jointly developed with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), has made prescribing and dispensing of medicines more flexible.
It clarifies that "where there is a risk assessment in place and in the best interests of the patient, the same healthcare professional can be responsible for
the prescribing and dispensing / supply / administration of medicines."
The change in the position statement follows an extensive year-long engagement exercise with medical associations, members, fellows, expert advisory groups,
patient groups and the RPS Country Boards.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reclassified codeine linctus, a medicine used for the treatment of dry cough, from
a pharmacy-only medicine (P) to a prescription-only medicine (POM) owing to the risk of dependence, addiction, and overdose.
This implies that the dry cough syrup, which is also known as codeine oral solution, can only be dispensed upon the submission of a prescription at a pharmacy,
rather than being accessible over the counter upon request.
Patients are cautioned that as an opioid medicine, codeine can be addictive, and the risk of addiction may increase, particularly with prolonged use over an
extended period.
According to the medicines regulator, codeine is converted into morphine by the liver enzyme CYP2D6. In individuals identified as ultra-rapid metabolizers, this
conversion from codeine to morphine occurs at a faster rate than in others.
"If you want to stop taking it and have been taking codeine linctus for a long time, then it is important to reduce the amount you take slowly with the help of
your prescriber," the agency said in its drug safety update issued on Tuesday, 20 February.
The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) on Monday alerted the Health and Social Care Committee that medicines shortages have increased and
are "around double what they were a year ago."
BGMA chief executive Mark Samuels told the committee that they have been highlighting the medicine shortage risk to ministers since July 2021 and the association
is "very concerned" about the current situation.
"We've been monitoring it for several years now, and as you saw in the written evidence, shortages have increased. They're around double what they were a year ago.
We have them at 101 shortages in February this year," said Samuels.
Dr Rick Greville, director of distribution and supply at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), highlighted that the problem of drug
shortages in the UK is a "long-standing issue" and the scarcity of certain medications "continues to be challenging".
"Record long NHS waits are forcing huge numbers of people out of work, including doctors and nurses," said Wes Streeting MP, Labour's Shadow Health and
Social Care Secretary as Labour announced a new partnership with Nuffield Health today to tackle joint pain issues among NHS staff and reducing waiting lists.
Musculoskeletal problems, including back, knee, hip, and neck pain, are the second leading cause of NHS staff absences, surpassed only by mental health issues.
In December 2023 alone, NHS workers missed a record 198,000 days due to these issues, marking a 13 per cent increase from the 174,000 days recorded in December 2019.
Nurses and health visitors accounted for 52,000 of these days, up from 47,000 pre-pandemic, while doctors took 3,500 days off, a 9 per cent increase from 2019.
The partnership with Nuffield Health will provide up to 4,000 extra places for NHS staff in Nuffield Health's Joint Pain Programme at no cost.
