CP, September 2018, Vol 10, No 9

Myth-busting sessions in the community to improve knowledge of antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of today’s great public health challenges and it is driven by the use of antibiotics. As antimicrobial pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, we are tasked with reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in our patient population at Cwm Taf University Health Board…

Diagnosis and management of anaemia in adults with chronic kidney disease

An overview of the treatments for anaemia in chronic kidney disease and the tests needed to prescribe and assess their effectiveness.…

Medical cannabis: evidence, challenges and barriers to progress

The UK government recognises that cannabis-based medicines could benefit children with epilepsy, but more robust effectiveness and safety data is required before the products can become widely available.…

Simulation-based training: applications in clinical pharmacy

With the evolving role of pharmacists and the growing complexity of healthcare, there is a need for interventions and innovations to enhance both individual task and team performance. Simulation-based training is an educational platform with potential in this area. This article outlines its applicat…

Omega-3 supplements do not protect against cardiovascular disease, meta-analysis shows

A meta-analysis of 79 trials showed that increasing long-chain omega-3 had little or no effect on death from all causes, cardiovascular deaths, cardiovascular events, coronary heart disease deaths, stroke or arrhythmia.…

Social media and its regulation in pharmacy: what students think

An MPharm student research project was carried out at the school of pharmacy at Keele University to explore students’ familiarity with current social media guidance and to raise awareness of the guidance set out by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)[1] and the General Pharma…

Insulin degludec significantly improves blood sugar control compared with insulin glargine, data show

Using electronic health record data, researchers found that HbA1c levels declined by 1.5% among insulin degludec-treated patients compared with 1.2% in those treated with insulin glargine U300 over six months.…

Glucose-lowering therapy does not slow progression in young people with type 2 diabetes

Treatment with glucose-lowering therapy does not maintain or improve pancreatic beta-cell function in young people recently diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus, a study has shown.…

Direct oral anticoagulants carry lower risk of major bleeding versus warfarin, data show

Research from primary care suggests apixaban may be the safest of the direct oral anticoagulants overall.…

Gabapentinoids ineffective for lower back pain, review finds

A review published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has backed up guidance stating that anticonvulsants are ineffective for treating lower back pain.…