UK government denies levy scheme for branded medicines is causing shortages The British Generic Manufacturers Association has argued that the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access rebate rate is a “key factor” behind a rise in shortages of branded generic medicines.…
‘Groundbreaking’ electronic prescription service rolled out in six NHS hospital trusts Exclusive: Six hospital trusts across England have begun using the electronic prescription service for secondary care, which was piloted during the COVID-19 pandemic.…
Community pharmacy pilot service to refer patients with cancer symptoms expanded Exclusive: The East of England North Cancer Alliance and South East London Cancer Alliance plan to begin offering the NHS community pharmacy ‘early diagnosis of cancer’ pilot service in 2024.…
HRT prescribing increased by almost half in one year, NHS figures show Data show that 10.9 million hormone replacement therapy items were prescribed in England in 2022/2023, up from 7.4 million items in 2021/2022.…
Geraldine McCaffrey: ‘The advances we’re making in Wales are really exciting’ The recently elected chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Welsh Pharmacy Board talks to The Pharmaceutical Journal about the Society’s role in assisting the evolving workforce in Wales.…
Pilot sites for community pharmacies to refer patients with signs of possible cancer delayed Exclusive: Pharmacy representatives from two of the the four areas that had signed up to provide the pilot service have said they are experiencing delays, while one cancer alliance has pulled out of the scheme.…
Number of overseas pharmacists applying to work in Great Britain increased by 26% in one year Exclusive: There were 757 applications to the Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme in 2022/2023, up from 599 in 2021/2022.…
Some virtual wards created with no budget for pharmacy staffing, says CQC The Care Quality Commission has advised that a lack of resource for pharmacists in virtual wards is leading to policy, practice and governance being “overlooked”.…
‘Fewer patients than expected’ recruited in pilot of antidepressant new medicine service Between December 2022 and September 2023, 193 patients used the pilot service, according to data presented by NHS England's pharmacy integration lead.…
Employers will need to confirm access to DPPs for all trainees by March 2024, says NHS England Speaking at The Pharmacy Show on 15 October 2023, Atif Shamim said employers will be required to confirm their access to a prescribing learning setting before training commences.…
