PJ, November 2019, Vol 303, No 7931

Polypharmacy: a framework for theory and practice

There are several tools pharmacists can use when assessing a patient’s medicines; however, patient input and appropriate questions can have a profound impact in ensuring medicines optimisation.…

Getting to grips with the polypharmacy challenge

Over the next two months, The Pharmaceutical Journal will publish the results of its call for papers on medicines optimisation.…

Community pharmacy at the heart of primary care

As the ‘NHS long-term plan’ is implemented in England, community pharmacy will become the heart of the new primary care landscape, delivering clinical services and receiving referrals from other health providers.…

Evaluation of the Portsmouth medicines advice at home service

A Portsmouth-based medicines advice at home service highlights the impact of pharmacist-led interventions.…

Controlled drug complacency is dangerous

Despite the UK having robust measures in place to protect and monitor the supply of controlled drugs, reporting of incidents must improve.…

English Pharmacy Board meeting: 10 October 2019

The latest meeting of the English Pharmacy Board included updates on a campaign for pharmacists’ wellbeing, the implementation of pharmacogenomics and the plans for a nationwide foundation pharmacist programme.…

Scottish Pharmacy Board meeting: 25 September 2019

At the latest Scottish Pharmacy Board meeting, members and guests focused on medical cannabis guidance, RPS Scotland’s plans for 2020 and how to future proof the pharmacy profession. …

‘Urgent action’ needed on pharmacist shortages

NHS workforce planners warn that they are running out of pharmacists as demand for the profession rises.…

Greggs vouchers offered to encourage drug users to get tested for hepatitis C

Substance misuse and needle exchange patients in Newcastle will be given “up to £25 of Greggs vouchers” if they present for a blood spot test for hepatitis C in a community pharmacy.…

It’s not just medicines that improve health — pharmacists need a better understanding of nutrition

Research shows that dietary changes can help to manage conditions such as diabetes and asthma, so undergraduate pharmacy courses must better prepare pharmacists to advise patients on healthy eating behaviours.…