Group items tagged

Pharmacist and healthcare lawyer Thorrun Govind has been designated as a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) for her exceptional contributions to the pharmacy profession. The RPS Fellowship is awarded to members who have made an outstanding original contribution to the advancement of pharmaceutical knowledge or attained distinction in the science, practice, profession, or history of pharmacy. Speaking to Pharmacy Business, Thorrun expressed feeling "deeply honoured and humbled" to receive the title. "This feels like the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and passion for the pharmacy profession," she said. As a trusted national commentator on health issues, Thorrun regularly appears on platforms such as the BBC, Sky, ITV, Talk TV, and Times Radio, and contributes to print media. However, she acknowledges that her journey as a young pharmacist has not been without its challenges and obstacles.

Thorrun Govind's journey in pharmacy is deeply influenced by her South Asian heritage, with a Punjabi mother and a Gujarati father shaping her professional path. She reflects on this influence: "I think my heritage has influenced my journey to become a pharmacist because there are a number of well-known and recognized figures in pharmacy who come from a South Asian background." "I think there's a tradition of hard work in my heritage. Additionally, many businesspeople in the community have also been a key influence. This entrepreneurial aspect has influenced my desire to pursue a career in pharmacy. It was always something I saw as part of my identity." Currently, Thorrun practices as both a pharmacist and a healthcare lawyer. She provides legal support to fellow pharmacists, including assistance with fitness to practice proceedings and business transactions. In June 2024, Thorrun joined Brabners' regulatory & professional conduct team, further expanding her role in the sector. Her journey, however, has not been without its challenges.

Thorrun Govind, a former chair of the English Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, has joined Brabners' regulatory & professional conduct team. With nearly a decade of experience as a GPhC-registered pharmacist, Govind will provide guidance on regulatory and professional conduct issues. Govind's expertise extends to healthcare advisory and disputes involving NHS Trusts and social care organisations. She has been recognised as the 'Young Pharmacist of the Year' by Pharmacy Business Magazine and is a frequent commentator on public health and healthcare law for major television networks. Her appointment underscores Brabners' commitment to offering top-tier legal services to the healthcare industry.

With the Labour Party now in power, there is keen interest in the healthcare initiatives they pledged during their election campaign and how these proposals will shape the future of NHS. One of the key pledges in their healthcare reform is the introduction of the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service, which aims to empower pharmacists with independent prescribing rights where clinically suitable. While pharmacists appreciated Labour's acknowledgment of their role in patient care through expanded prescribing rights, they foresee some challenges in implementing the service. "Budgets will be a key issue," said Pharmacist Thorrun Govind, also a Healthcare Lawyer (Brabners LLP). However, she noted that, given the success of pharmacist prescribing services in the devolved nations, there is "a road map in place."

The journey for patients to quit smoking can be challenging, but with the right strategies and support, it is achievable. Smoking cessation is a critical step for patients towards improving overall health and well-being. We caught up with Thorrun Govind, pharmacist, TV health expert and pharmacy lawyer at Brabners for her top tips. Govind notes that smoking is a leading cause of preventable diseases and deaths worldwide. It is associated with numerous health issues, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of these conditions and improve quality of life. Within weeks of quitting, individuals often experience improved lung function, better circulation, and enhanced sense of taste and smell. Govind advises that; After 20 minutes of quitting your pulse rate, will already be starting to return to normal. After 48 hours of quitting your carbon monoxide levels have dropped to that of a non-smoker. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving. After 1 year your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker's. This piece explores the various methods and benefits of smoking cessation.

Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect women from cervical cancer, which claims nearly two lives daily in England, according to NHS England. Therefore, all women and those with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 are encouraged to attend cervical screening when invited. Sadly, 3 in 10 of those eligible for cervical screening do not take up the potentially life-saving offer, as revealed by the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, England 2022-2023 annual report. Pharmacist Thorrun Govind, also a Healthcare Lawyer (Brabners LLP), underscores the significant role pharmacists and pharmacy teams can play in promoting cervical cancer screening. The former Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in England told Pharmacy Business: "Pharmacists and pharmacy teams are a trusted part of the local community. They therefore have a key part in promoting cervical cancer screening."

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved lecanemab (Leqembi) for use in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, following a thorough review of the drug's benefits and risks. Developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai, lecanemab is the first treatment for Alzheimer's disease licensed for use in Great Britain, with evidence indicating its potential to slow the disease's progression. Although the MHRA has granted a product license for the medicine, there are concerns about its cost and the potential delay before it becomes accessible to NHS patients. Pharmacist Thorrun Govind told Talk TV that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is expected to make a final decision on its cost and availability by the end of the year. She highlighted that the drug is currently approved for private use, and that NICE will next evaluate it, weighing patient care against the value for taxpayers, with a final decision expected later this year.