Carolyn Wickware

Executive Editor

Carolyn Wickware is Executive Editor at The Pharmaceutical Journal

Chief executive of pharmacy negotiating body to step down

After three years, Simon Dukes will leave his post as chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee.…

Pharmacies need ‘robust plans’ to vaccinate deprived groups against flu, says government

Flu vaccination providers have been asked to develop plans to ensure "equitable uptake" of the vaccine across the population.…

Face masks should remain mandatory in healthcare settings, say professional bodies

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England is among the organisations calling for face masks and social distancing to stay in place past 19 July 2021 in all healthcare settings.…

Pharmacies have claimed £6.2m for free lateral flow testing scheme since March 2021

Exclusive: Since its launch on 29 March 2021, pharmacy contractors have claimed for 4 million transactions under the Pharmacy Collect scheme, but have not yet been reimbursed.…

Pharmacies could lose £140m in advance funding if payment scheme closes

Exclusive: Community pharmacies in England could lose £144m per month in early payments if the Pharmacy Earlier Payments Scheme is withdrawn.…

NHS trusts forced to use ‘expensive’ pre-filled diamorphine syringes to manage ongoing supply issues

Exclusive: Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has had to source pre-filled diamorphine syringes from other NHS trusts to meet demand.…

Hospital-to-pharmacy discharge service could have saved more than 17,000 bed days in three months

Between March and May 2021, the discharge medicines service could have helped avoid 17,238 hospital bed days.…

Polyvalent COVID-19 vaccines expected in five years, says chief medical officer

However, until polyvalent vaccines are in circulation, Chris Whitty also said new variants may lead to revaccination and/or booster programmes over the next two or three years.…

Community pharmacy COVID-19 test distribution service extended

Exclusive: The Pharmacy Collect service has been extended until the end of July 2021.…

Monoclonal antibody treatment may be administered to vulnerable patients at home

Exclusive: A draft NHS England document, seen by The Pharmaceutical Journal, has set out possible patient pathways for the use of neutralising monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.…