Katherine Price

Katherine Price is a freelance healthcare journalist.

NICE recommends tenecteplase for treating acute ischaemic stroke patients

Tenecteplase was found to be as effective as alteplase, which is more expensive, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said its decision could save the NHS “millions”.…

Community falls pharmacists ‘effective and cost-efficient’ in optimising medicines for older patients, study suggests

Data from 92 people referred to a community falls pharmacist show an 8% mean reduction in the number of medicines prescribed per patient and anticholinergic burden score per patient reduced by 33%.…

MHRA approves semaglutide to prevent cardiovascular events in overweight and obese adults

The approval is based on data from a trial that demonstrated how semaglutide lowered the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events compared with placebo.…

Third of pharmacy organisations believe draft GPhC standards will have positive impact on chief pharmacists

Pharmacy bodies are calling for the General Pharmaceutical Council to work with other regulators, the government and stakeholders on how to implement changes in a consistent approach to regulatory standards.…

PDA criticises pharmacy regulator for ‘failing to use data effectively’ to bridge attainment gap

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association said in a consultation response that it was “not confident the General Pharmaceutical Council will use any additional data to deliver meaningful improvement and change to the experience or outcomes for students”.…

Pharmacy bodies call on new health secretary to boost funding for sector

The joint letter to Wes Streeting called for sufficient funding, holistic workforce planning and improved medicines security to help address the challenges faced by the NHS.…

Number of calls to Pharmacist Support helpline rises by three quarters in a year

The charity reported funding 876 counselling sessions and awarding 23% more financial aid grants in 2023.…

Pharmacies being ‘unreasonably penalised’ for not meeting Pharmacy First thresholds, says Community Pharmacy England

The monthly minimum threshold pharmacies must meet to receive the fixed £1,000 monthly payment is set to increase to 30 consultations by October 2024.…

Residents lodge complaint with ICB after proposal to reopen a closed pharmacy is rejected

Despite more than 900 signatures petitioning to keep it open, the former Boots on Southmead Road in Bristol closed in January 2024.…

Think tank calls for all integrated care systems to appoint chief pharmacists

Public Policy Projects says its recommendation would enable pharmacy to influence commissioning and contracting agreements, produce better coordination of medicines teams and elevate the pharmacy profession.…