Learning | Professional judgement

Valproate use in women: minimising the risks

It is necessary that pharmacists and pharmacy teams ensure the safe and appropriate prescribing of valproate in line with the current Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency guidance.…

Supported content

Discussing the MMR vaccine with patients

As outlined in Public Health England’s ‘UK Measles and Rubella elimination strategy’, MMR vaccination needs to improve to achieve and maintain elimination in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization. …

How pharmacists can encourage patient adherence to medicines

This article outlines how community pharmacists can play an important role in medicines adherence, including examples of how to reinforce treatment.…

How to provide patients with the right information to make informed decisions

A tailored approach can help pharmacists support patients to make better treatment choices, resulting in more successful outcomes.…

How pharmacists can comply with GDPR

Pharmacies could be heavily fined if they break new data protection rules. Here is a quick guide on how to stay within the law.…

How to recognise and respond to potential child abuse and neglect

In October 2017, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance to support health and social care professionals in recognising and responding to abuse and neglect in young people aged under 18 years. Pharmacists and pharmacy teams should be aware of their roles an…

How to support people with aphasia with medicines optimisation

Aphasia is a communication disability, most often caused by stroke, which occurs when the language centres of the brain are damaged. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals should be aware of how the communication needs of people with aphasia vary based on the severity of the condition, and how the…

Clinical management of drug misuse and dependence: an update

July 2017 saw publication of the fourth edition of ‘Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management’, also known as the Orange Book, which provides guidance that supports healthcare professionals in the field of dependence on illicit and licit medicines. Pharmacists and …

Communicating with parents and involving children in medicines optimisation

Although children take responsibility for taking their medications at different ages, involving parents, and where possible children, in decision making is key to medicines optimisation.…

How to use the new BNF and BNF for Children app

Around 500,000 print copies of the BNF and BNF for Children are distributed to healthcare professionals each year. A new app which combines BNF and BNF for Children content ensures the availability of drug information through a smart device.…