CP, May 2017, Vol 9, No 5

Older adults should consult pharmacists on OTC sleep medications, researchers say

Out of 116 older adults, only 16% consulted a healthcare professional about their sleep aid and most would not think to consult a pharmacist, interviews reveal.…

Erectile dysfunction drugs linked to decreased mortality after heart attack

Users of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors were found to have lower risk of death or rehospitalisation after heart attack.…

Collaboration boosts uptake of biosimilars in gastroenterology

Researchers report that a gain-share agreement between a trust and local CCGs enhanced uptake of biosimilar infliximab CT-P13.…

Disposable diabetes patch measures sweat glucose and delivers metformin

Wearable patch successfully delivered metformin under the skin of mice and reduced blood glucose levels, offering a system researchers say could be used in clinical settings as a treatment for diabetes.…

Too early to tell if vitamin D has a role in reducing the common cold

Community pharmacists are repeatedly asked for recommendations to reduce the risk of catching a cold. The advertising of novel products such as nasal sprays, gargles, face masks and a plethora of potential protective botanical products can cause confusion about what really might be useful and approp…

Genotype-guided dosing improves safety of warfarin

Older adults who received a genotype-guided dose of warfarin via a web application were less likely to experience adverse effects compared with clinical dosing, trial results show.…

A quick intervention recommendation by community pharmacists for patients using inhalers

Many pharmacists are probably busy reviewing inhaler use and technique as part of their medicines use reviews and new medicine service processes for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The long-acting beta-2 agonist formoterol is a common ingredient in step-u…

Care for children with diabetes is improving, but there is more work to do

For the seventh year running, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit shows that children living with diabetes are being helped to manage their blood glucose levels (HbA1c) and so reduce the risk of developing serious long-term complications. The findings indicate the introduction of the Best Practic…

Developing guidelines for the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs in academic research laboratories

The bench-to-bedside approach to healthcare involves a continuous iterative process whereby practice-based challenges are examined, researched and addressed in an effort to optimise patient care. This is supported through fostering collaborations and partnerships between healthcare professionals and…