The latest findings from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2022 by QualityWatch, a joint programme with the Nuffield Trust and the Health
Foundation shed light on concerning disparities faced by ethnic minority communities in the UK healthcare system.
Despite strides in cancer care, the survey highlights persistent challenges in easy and equitable access to timely diagnosis and quality communication,
particularly for individuals from Mixed, Black, or Asian backgrounds.
Key insights from the survey underscored that individuals from ethnic minority groups often require a higher number of interactions with healthcare professionals
before receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Notably, one in three people from Mixed, Black, or Asian ethnicities needed three or more visits to a GP practice, compared to the average of one in five across
the population.
These delays in diagnosis can have significant implications for treatment outcomes and overall patient experience.
Moreover, the survey revealed concerning trends regarding the quality of communication following a cancer diagnosis among ethnic minority patients.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has revoked its initial enforcement order imposed on Pharmacy2U Limited (Pharmacy2U) concerning the acquisition of
Metabolic Healthcare Ltd (Lloyds Direct).
In the revocation order issued on February 12, the regulator said its decision was "based on the evidence it has received in its assessment of the Merger to date."
The CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Pharmacy2U, P2U Holdings Limited, G Square Capital II L.P., G Square
Healthcare Private Equity LLP (collectively, the Acquirer Group) and Lloyds Direct on 28 November 2023.
It announced that it was considering "whether it is or may be the case that a relevant merger situation has been created and whether the creation of that situation
has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in any market or markets in the United Kingdom (UK)."
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."
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has produced a new resource to support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who are providing pharmacy services to
children and young people with gender incongruence or dysphoria.
It emphasises that pharmacy teams providing such services need to adhere to the standard process of clinical assessment and care provision they have been trained
to take as healthcare professionals.
The starting point is that pharmacy professionals must provide compassionate, inclusive and person-centred care, within the current relevant legal and regulatory
context.
"It's essential that all patients have access to appropriate, high-quality and respectful healthcare, free from discrimination or bias," the GPhC noted
In a unified effort to improve women's healthcare, four leading organisations-the Company Chemists' Association (CCA), the National Pharmacy Association (NPA),
the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH)-are calling for the commissioning of a National Emergency
Hormonal Contraception (EHC) service in England.
They are proposing that this service be provided free of charge through community pharmacies to women of all ages across the country.
They emphasised that such a service would "not only transform access to care for all women, but directly tackle health inequalities and vastly improve health
outcomes."
As the deadline for the frontline healthcare workers to get fully vaccinated approaches, tens of thousands of NHS staff who have not yet taken the Covid-19
vaccine face termination in just a fortnight.
Although it is estimated that the majority of NHS staff have been fully jabbed, health and social care providers in England will soon be needed to ensure that all those working in areas regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before the April 1, 2022.
Those who are exempted from taking the vaccination do not fall under this purview.
According to the NHS England guidance around Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment (VCOD) for healthcare workers, all frontline staff must have had both the doses by April 1, meaning that by February 3 the first must have been administered and the second by March 31.
All unvaccinated frontline workers will be called into formal meetings from February 4 and given a warning of dismissal. Notices will then be issued from that day, with March 31 marking the end of the notice period
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has published a consultation to review the 'Professional standards for the reporting, learning, sharing, taking action
and review of incidents error reporting' in collaboration with Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK and Pharmacy Forum of Northern Ireland.
The consultation is open from 21 April 2023 until 2 June 2023 and are due to be published in early 2024.
All three professional leadership bodies are calling for contributions from anyone using the standards to ensure they are clear, current, relevant and fit for
purpose.
"The review affects all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, trainees and members of the pharmacy team working in all sectors across the UK," RPS said.
"The standards may also be of interest to the public, people who use pharmacy and healthcare services, healthcare and professionals working with pharmacy teams.
Three UK pharmacists are featured in the digital book of celebrations to mark the International Federation of Pharmacists' (FIP) World Pharmacists' Day 2022.
Simon Nelson, Nelsons Pharmacy Group, Wales; Raj Rohilla, Midhurst Pharmacy (West Sussex)/Goys Pharmacy (Battersea)/ Hamlins Pharmacy (Shepherds Bush) and Olutayo
Arikawe, Swinford Pharmacy, West Midlands were among 27 pharmacists from across the globe and the AmerisourceBergen family, who contributed to a digital book of
celebration, which aims to highlight the changing role of pharmacists and how they can create healthier futures.
Pharmacists are no longer just 'chemists' - some pharmacists are now able to diagnose, treat and prescribe for patients who traditionally may have needed to see a
doctor or GP. Others are guardians of their local community - keeping an eye on vulnerable patients who may not have regular contact with other healthcare
professionals.
During the Covid-19 pandemic they stepped up to support stretched healthcare systems, with many taking a leading role in the world-wide response. This has evolved
further with more and more pharmacists offering vaccination services for Covid-19, as well as flu, chicken pox and 'holiday' vaccinations. This changing role of
pharmacists is helping them unite to create healthier futures.
Women in the UK will be able to purchase Gina 10 mg vaginal tablets without prescription from September from their local pharmacies, announced the Medicines
and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) product, Gina 10 microgram vaginal tablets (containing estradiol) are used for the treatment of vaginal symptoms such as
dryness, soreness, itching, burning and uncomfortable sex caused by oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women aged 50 years and above who have not had a period
for at least one year.
The decision to reclassify these vaginal tablets follows a safety review by the MHRA, independent advice from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), and a public
consultation.
The UK regulator sought views from patients, pharmacists, prescribers and a wide range of stakeholders including the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, the British Pharmacopoeia Commission and the British Menopause Society.
Boots has partnered with Uber Eats to deliver beauty essentials and healthcare products to customers' doors in 30 minutes.
Medicines for minor ailments such as coughs, colds, hay fever, mild pain, rashes as well as COVID-19 test kits can be ordered through Uber Eats.
Boots is partnering with the doorstep delivery company with a pilot in 14 of its stores around the UK, with 13 of those stores giving customers within range
access to third-party doorstep delivery of Boots products for the very first time.
Uber Eats customers within range of participating Boots stores can choose from more than 900 products available for delivery straight to their homes or workplace,
including toiletries, medicines for minor ailments, food and drink options, and best-selling beauty and gifting options perfect for a last-minute gift or treat.
Paula Bobbett, Chief Digital Officer at Boots said: "We are hugely excited to be launching our partnership with Uber Eats. As the first health and beauty retailer
on its platform, we can offer an extensive range of product options to customers for delivery straight to their door. Whether it's medicines for mild illnesses or
last-minute gifts, beauty items or top-ups of a favourite skincare brand, we can meet all our customers' needs both quickly and conveniently."
National pharmacy bodies have welcomed two VAT changes related to community pharmacy services announced in the Spring budget on Wednesday (15 March) but were
disappointed that the budget brought no further relief for the sector in a crippling funding crisis.
It was announced that from 1 May 2023, VAT exemption on healthcare would be extended to include medical services carried out by staff directly supervised by
registered pharmacists.
The government will also extend zero rate on prescriptions to medicines supplied through Patient Group Directions. This measure will be introduced in autumn 2023.
HM Treasury said these measures were being introduced to ensure that the VAT system keeps up with changes to how the NHS operates and how healthcare is delivered
across the country.
More widely, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt promised to halve inflation and said that the NHS would soon publish its long-term workforce plan.
The Health and Social Care Secretary has announced over £175 million funding to boost genomics research in the UK.
Through this funding, the government aims to create the most advanced genomic healthcare system in the world.
"Patients with cancer and children born with treatable rare genetic diseases are set to benefit from earlier diagnosis and faster access to treatment, following a
£175 million boost to cutting-edge genomics research announced by the Health and Social Care Secretary today (Tuesday)," said DHSC.
The funding will enable research which could deliver world-leading genomic healthcare to patients, which involves the study of people's DNA.
"£105 million to be funded to kickstart a world-leading research study, led by Genomics England in partnership with the NHS, to explore the effectiveness of using
whole genome sequencing to find and treat rare genetic diseases in newborn babies," said DHSC.
"An initial £26 million to support an innovative cancer programme, led by Genomics England in partnership with the NHS, to evaluate cutting-edge genomic sequencing
technology to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis for cancer patients and use artificial intelligence to analyse a person's DNA, alongside other information
such as routine scans.
MCAN Health, a medical travel company based in Istanbul-Turkey, has announced its sponsorship of National Pharmacy Association (NPA), a not-for-profit
organisation representing independent community pharmacies across the UK.
Gulsultan Dogan, the Founder and CEO of MCAN Health, said that their company is dedicated to improving global healthcare accessibility, which aligned perfectly
with the NPA's mission to boost community health services in the United Kingdom.
On receiving the invitation letter from the NPA, Dogan said: "We did not hesitate to show our support and positively answer the invitation letter.
"As a professional in the healthcare sector for years, I firmly believe medical care is a human right that should be accessible to everyone without enduring
lengthy waiting lists."
Healthcare professionals in the UK are being advised to avoid prescribing the migraine and antiseizure medication topiramate, commonly known by the brand
name Topamax, to women and girls unless they fulfil the requirements of a Pregnancy Prevention Programme.
This guidance follows new safety measures introduced by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) following a major safety review, which
highlighted a potential increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children exposed to topiramate during pregnancy.
The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) evaluated studies that examined the risks associated with using topiramate during pregnancy. These studies indicated that
children born to mothers who took topiramate during pregnancy had an approximately 2 to 3 times higher risk of intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders,
and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Based on CHM's recommendations, the MHRA now advises that topiramate should not be prescribed for treating epilepsy during pregnancy unless there is no suitable
alternative.
Britain is looking at the possibility of changing rules on mandatory vaccination for healthcare staff, chief secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke said on Monday (January 31).
"We do recognise those realities and that does open a space where we can look at this again," Clarke said.
Sky News reported Clarke as saying that the policy of mandatory jabs was something that ministers had "always kept under review".
The only way to overcome the challenges facing the medicines supply chain in the UK is through close cooperation - the government, pharmacies, and the
industry all working together in tandem - said Andrew Stephenson, Minister for Health and Social Care.
The MP for Pendle, Lancashire made the statement while addressing the Healthcare Distribution Association's (HDA) Annual Conference at the Institute of Directors
in Pall Mall, London on Thursday (25 January), where over 130 leaders from the pharma industry gathered.
As the keynote speaker, Stephenson acknowledged the crucial role wholesalers, manufacturers, and retail pharmacy chains, play in the wellbeing of the nation.
He said: "In the first few months that I've been in this job, it's become immediately obvious to me just how important this sector is and just how important the
work that all of you do is for our country."
Walgreens Boots Alliance, the American owner of Boots UK, could risk losing billions after a private equity firm interested in buying its UK high street
pharmacy chain valued the retailer at a steep discount, The Telegraph reported on Monday (April 11).
"Buyout funds CVC and Bain indicated that they were willing to pay just £4bn for the business," the newspaper said, adding that "the consortium bowed out of the
running" in March.
The US retail giant Walgreens, which acquired Boots in 2014 for £9bn, has put a £7bn price tag on the UK pharmacy retail chain after selling its wholesale arm,
Alliance Healthcare, last year.
Citing city sources, the newspaper said the low valuation of the pharmacy multiple was "significant" because CVC's UK operations were led by Dominic Murphy, a
Walgreens board member involved with Boots for 15 years.
"He (Murphy) knows where the bodies are buried," the newspaper quoted one City source as stating. A spokesperson for Boots confirmed that CVC and Bain never
lodged a formal offer for the company.
The Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC) has undertaken an inquiry into prevention and has published its first report of the series which focuses on
vaccination.
It has announced ten workstreams that will form the basis of inquiry, of which vaccination is one.
HSCC said: "The UK has long been one of the world leaders on vaccination - one of the most successful and cost-effective preventative tools available. However,
if challenges around uptake and bureaucratic processes in clinical trial set-up are not addressed, there is a very real risk that the UK's position as a global
leader could be lost. This cannot be allowed to happen and in this report we set out some of the steps that we think will make a difference."
It recommended a more flexible delivery model making use of a wider range of healthcare professionals.
"The NHSE vaccination and immunisation strategy must have a strong focus on tackling practical challenges that limit vaccination access, make best use of a wider
array of professionals, empower local leaders to pursue ways of addressing uptake in their own areas, and to set out guidance and examples of best practice around
how voices other than NHSE can communicate important messaging around vaccination programmes," it suggested.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish drug manufacturer, has launched Wegovy, a weight-loss drug, in the UK market. This semaglutide injection will be available
through specialist NHS weight management services for those who meet the National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE) criteria or privately through
registered healthcare professionals.
Novo Nordisk allocated a portion of the available supply of Wegovy for NHS services, while confirming the existing shortage of semaglutide and projecting
continued constraints in the foreseeable future. The drug can be obtained through the NHS and is additionally accessible for private purchase at pharmacies in the UK.
The pricing for a one-month supply varies, ranging from £73.25 to £175.80, depending on the dosage.
"We are committed to expanding treatment options for individuals with obesity and share the Government's goal of improving access to obesity care in areas of high
unmet medical need," the company said in a statement. "We are closely monitoring Wegovy demand and collaborating with regulators and providers to ensure access
to and continuity of treatment for people living with obesity."
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the marketing authorisation of Adtralza, a dermatological solution developed
by Danish specialist LEO Pharma. This injectable solution contains 300 mg of tralokinumab in a 2 mL pre-filled pen and will be available for tralokinumab patients
in the UK from early 2024.
Tralokinumab is indicated for treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult and adolescent patients aged 12 and older who require systemic therapy, Leo
Pharma said in a statement. It is a fully human monoclonal antibody developed to specifically bind to and inhibit the IL-13 cytokine. Previously, it was available
in a 150 mg in 1 mL pre-filled syringe.
According to Leo Pharma, the 300 mg tralokinumab in a 2 mL pre-filled pen offers a streamlined administration for both patients and prescribers. It begins with an
initial 600 mg dose in two injections, followed by a single 300 mg maintenance dose administered every other week.
"We're pleased that this simplified administration method for tralokinumab will soon benefit eligible atopic dermatitis patients in the UK. It aligns with our
commitment to elevate the standard of care and support for individuals with skin conditions," said Leanne Walsh, Vice President and General Manager of UK and
Ireland at LEO Pharma.
