CP, October 2017, Vol 9, No 10

Pharmacogenomics: an overview

With the NHS working towards the integration of personalised medicine, in particular, aiming for whole-genome sequencing to be standard for specific conditions by 2020, it is important for pharmacists and healthcare professionals to be aware of the principles of pharmacogenomics and its evolvin…

Putting the rise of STIs in England into context

Laura Waters explains the rise of STIs in the UK, the possible reasons behind it and possible solutions, and considers the challenges posed by the current economic climate.…

Ibuprofen raises blood pressure more than celecoxib

Study investigated the link between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and raised blood pressure and heart problems in patients who either had, or were at increased risk, of coronary artery disease. …

Atypical antipsychotic causes weight gain by targeting serotonin receptor 2C

Study suggests that serotonin 2C receptor agonists may be useful in preventing metabolic side effects associated with taking atypical antipsychotics.…

New test determines antibiotic susceptibility in less than 30 minutes

A diagnostic test for urinary tract infections, that affect 100 million women annually, could be valuable in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.…

Role of community pharmacists in hypertension management

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the biggest killers in the UK, with associated co-morbidities costing the NHS more than £10bn every year. Community pharmacists are well placed to reduce this costly health burden through the delivery of locally commissioned services that focus on risk fa…

Statins reduce cardiovascular risk in patients who experience adverse reactions

A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that continuing statin treatment beyond the first two years can be beneficial.…

Research identifies potential target for treating inflammatory skin diseases

Targeting Ripk1 could be an effective treatment for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, a study finds.…

Bisphosphonates and denosumab reduce bone density loss in ADT-treated men

Drug interventions can reduce fracture risk in men who receive ADT, but further research is needed.…

Diabetes drugs could be used to lower intracranial pressure

Repurposing existing GLP-1R agonists used to treat diabetes could be an alternative treatment option for reducing raised intracranial pressure, researchers find.…