News | Infectious diseases

Everything you need to know about the COVID-19 therapy trials

There are thousands of clinical trials investigating treatments and preventative measures for COVID-19.…

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.…

Chloramphenicol eye drops containing boron can be given to children aged under two years, says MHRA

Product information for chloramphenicol eye drops containing borax or boric acid buffers will be updated to remove restrictions and warnings, but product packaging already on sale will not be recalled.…

‘Vital’ that masks continue to be worn in pharmacies after restrictions are lifted, warns RPS

Thorrun Govind, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's English Pharmacy Board, says face masks worn in pharmacies protect both pharmacists and the public.…

NHS to add 1,000 pharmacy-led sites to COVID-19 vaccination programme ahead of booster campaign

This follows interim advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to revaccinate vulnerable patients against COVID-19 from September 2021.…

Diphtheria throat swab, 1930s

Throat swabs were used to control the spread of diphtheria in the UK in the 1930s.…

Unsung heroes: the hospital pharmacists working behind the scenes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Intensive care teams have rightly been in the spotlight during the pandemic, but there are thousands of other NHS workers who have played a crucial role in keeping hospital services going.…

PJ view: Treatments for COVID-19 — where are we now?

Clinical trials have led to successes in treating COVID-19 patients, but we still have a way to go in finding drugs for prophylaxis and treatments for long-COVID.…

World’s first COVID-19 vaccine booster study begins administering jabs in Bradford

The COV-Boost study will examine the impact of a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine on patients' immune responses.…

Community pharmacy: vaccinating the people that other sites cannot reach

Community pharmacists across the UK are administering COVID-19 vaccinations in cinemas, car parks, village halls and sports venues, reaching people who would struggle to get to major vaccination centres.…