PJ, 14 March 2015, Vol 294, No 7853

OTC and dietary products are the most common cause of drug-induced liver injury

Drug-induced acute liver failure is uncommon, but over-the-counter products and dietary/herbal supplements are its most common causes, find researchers.…

Psychedelics not associated with mental health problems, researchers say

People who have ever used psychedelic drugs are no more likely than non-users to experience mental health problems, say researchers.…

Newborn deaths cut by cleaning umbilical stump with chlorhexidine, study finds

Chlorhexidine applied to the umbilical cord of newborns reduces the risk of infection of the umbilical stump by 50% and neonatal mortality by 12%, review finds.…

Local practice forum events: 16 March – 14 April 2015

Monday 16 March: North West London Local practice forum event, ‘Atrial fibrillation management update and ECG screening’.  Larches Community Hall, 1 Rectory Lane, Edgware HA8 7LF. Event 8pm, b uffet 7.15pm. No need to book. Tuesday 17&n…

Women pharmacists’ network to highlight gender-specific issues in pharmacy

New online forum will act as a platform to share advice and promote female leadership in pharmacy.…

Design features to consider before refitting your pharmacy

Pharmacists with their eye on a good or excellent rating from the pharmacy inspector may benefit from a refit, finds Ailsa Colquhoun.…

Carl Djerassi (1923–2015)

The inventor of the birth control pill Carl Djerassi was a self-declared workaholic and a keen art collector.…

Drug shortage problem needs to be tackled internationally

I wish to comment on Ingrid Torjesen’s interesting news story on tackling ongoing drug shortages ( The Pharmaceutical Journal 2015;294:234). Manufacturers and providers of medicines work in a global marketplace, where decisions affecting supply and price of medi…

Narcotics monitoring board reports 66% increase in global consumption of methylphenidate

The global consumption of methylphenidate, a central nervous system stimulant primarily used for the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, has increased by 66%, a report finds.…

EMA recommends approval for advanced lung cancer agent ceritinib

The European Medicines Agency has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for ceritinib (Zykadia) for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer in adults with advanced disease.…