PJ, 22/29 November 2014, Vol 293, No 7837/8

Review points to effectiveness of influenza vaccination

Researchers have used “test-negative design” case-control studies to assess the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine.…

Ebola research projects receive £1.34m

A hand-held device to test bodily fluids for the Ebola virus is among five new research projects announced by the UK government and the Wellcome Trust.…

Micro-costing model used to assess costs of pharmacy service

Researchers have used micro-costing to discover the cost of a medication review service in a care home given by a multidisciplinary team.…

Thursday 27 November: Scotland

Local practice forum event, ‘Are you using standards and guidance to ensure patient-centred professionalism in the delivery of care?’ The Gailes Restaurant, Marine Drive, Gailes, Ayrshire KA11 5AE. Event 6.30pm. Book via the RPS website.…

Volunteering as a pharmacist in Tanzania

Pharmacist Claire Liew spent 18 months volunteering at St Walburg’s hospital in Tanzania with Voluntary Service Overseas. Here, she describes what she learnt — and hints that her adventures abroad might not be over yet.…

European Medicines Agency head steps down after “procedural error”

Guido Rasi, the executive director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has been forced to step down after a “procedural error” in the process that appointed him to the position.…

Increased access to naloxone could cut global deaths from opioid overdose, says WHO

The World Health Organization has issued new guidelines to expand access to naloxone in an effort to reduce the number of deaths caused by overdoses of opioids.…

GlaxoSmithKline and Bayer outperform Roche and Johnson & Johnson in corporate transparency study

Many of the world’s 124 largest publicly listed companies disclose little or no financial details about their operations outside their parent country.…

Lloydspharmacy funds pilot project to improve care of patients after discharge from hospital

Lloydspharmacy stores in Liverpool are set to pilot a new model of community pharmacy-based discharge care, as a result of a new research collaboration.…

Many reasons why e-cigarettes should not be sold in pharmacies

In response to recent articles in The Pharmaceutical Journal and to add to ongoing discussions within the pharmacy profession surrounding the hot topic of electronic cigarettes, there are some points worth considering. The licensing of a medicine guarantees the quality, safety and efficacy of …