Sophie Willis

Investigations editor

‘Significant fall’ in patients asking pharmacists for self-care advice

A report published by the Proprietary Association of Great Britain revealed a drop in UK adults asking a pharmacist as a first option for advice on self-treatable conditions.…

Regulator plans policy overhaul on disqualification powers

The General Pharmaceutical Council said it will close disqualification cases against pharmacy owners that are no longer in the public interest and pose no risk to the public.…

Pharmacist counselling referrals increased by almost one-quarter in 2024

Pharmacist Support’s ‘2024 Impact Report’ revealed that the charity has funded more than 2,500 counselling sessions since the launch of its counselling service in 2021.…

Draft legislation sets out future of pharmacy supervision

The Department of Health and Social Care said that it expects the legislation to come into effect by the end of 2025, with a one-year transition period for the creation of professional standards and guidance.…

GPhC confirms 6% fee rise following consultation

The regulator said that the decision to raise its annual registration fees was influenced by increased operational costs and a need to ensure that it effectively carries out its regulatory responsibilities.…

Clozapine: is it time to relax blood monitoring rules?

Patients taking clozapine, the only recommended drug for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, are required to undergo frequent blood monitoring — a system introduced decades ago following a series of patient deaths. However, new evidence suggests that the stringency of these rules may be causing mor…

NHS App to include pharmacy finder

The Department of Health and Social Care said the updated NHS App will include an AI tool to help patients find their nearest pharmacy, as well as best-rated providers of other clinical services.…

MPs call for more patient input to address UK’s medicines shortages problem

A report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pharmacy has called for the creation of a national patient advisory panel on medicines shortages.…

Environment Agency scraps plans to charge community pharmacies to register for waste disposal

Following a consultation, the Environment Agency has withdrawn proposals which would have seen pharmacies pay to register for waste exemptions that allow them to dispose of drugs.…

Public backs pharmacy access to weight-loss jabs as Starmer confirms NHS rollout plans

Around 44% of UK adults would support NHS weight-loss services being delivered through community pharmacies, rising to 55% among those aged 16–34 years, according to a poll from the National Pharmacy Association.…