CP, February 2019, Vol 11, No 2

Responding to disruptions in the pharmaceutical supply chain

Economic, manufacturing and regulatory factors can affect drug shortages and supply chain disruption. By using a mixed-methods approach involving an online survey, semi-structured interviews and three targeted focus groups aimed at acute care hospitals in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ir…

Prevention of venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients

Pharmacists should note the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s updated guidance on use of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in a range of hospitalised patient groups.…

UK asthma mortality is too high, but pharmacy can help

Since many deaths from asthma could be prevented with the correct treatment, pharmacists should have a greater role in ensuring patients receive the right medicines and referring patients who do not have well-controlled asthma.…

Cannabinoids could help manage spasticity in motor neurone disease

An oral spray containing cannabinoids is effective at reducing spasticity symptoms in motor neurone disease, study results have shown.…

Palbociclib slows tumour growth in early breast cancer

Adding the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib to hormone therapy can slow or stop tumour growth in women with early breast cancer, a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has shown.…

Working with schools to help young people and their families stop smoking

Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of ill health and premature death in Wales [1] , and a significant cause of health inequality. Pembroke Dock, a town in south-west Wales, has a population of around 10,000 people. The town has a higher than average rate of …

A simple multifunctional tool for integrated care of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects around 1.2 million people in the UK and has an impact across NHS services[1] . Patients frequently present acutely in the emergency department with an exacerbation of the disease and rely heavily on community services owing to the symptom…

Increased intensity plus adherence maximises statin benefits

High adherence to intensive lipid-lowering therapy provides the greatest risk reduction for cardiovascular events, a study in JAMA Network Open has shown.…

First-line immunotherapy does not improve survival in metastatic lung cancer

Single or combination first-line immunotherapy does not significantly extend survival compared with chemotherapy in metastatic non small-cell lung carcinoma, trial results have shown.…

Exercise may be as effective as medicines in hypertension

Exercise interventions are as effective in reducing systolic blood pressure as many antihypertensive medicines in people with hypertension, according to the results of a network meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.…