PJ, 27 September 2014, Vol 293, No 7829

Ludicrous to suggest removal of science from pharmacy degrees

I was disappointed to read the unhelpful and divisive report in The Pharmaceutical Journal (online, 9 September 2014) suggesting that I favour the removal of science from the undergraduate pharmacy programme. Nothing could be further from the truth. In response to a question at the RPS conference on…

Researchers highlight Ral inhibitors as possible anti-cancer agents

US researchers have identified a potentially novel therapeutic against cancer.…

Pick the perfect painkiller

13 September 2014: The Daily Mail featured an article called ‘Pick the perfect painkiller’. It looked at paracetamol, ibuprofen, pain-relieving gels and other products. Speaking about paracetamol and the benefits of it for muscular pain such as sprains, strains and ligament pain, Ro…

Measles vaccine suspected of adulteration linked to the deaths of 15 children in Syria

At least 15 children have died in Syria during a measles vaccination programme after a muscle relaxant, atracurium, was believed to have been added to the vaccine instead of diluents. …

Still feeling the Vioxx pain

Ten years after Vioxx was abruptly withdrawn from the market, its story is still affecting society’s perception of the drug regulatory system and the safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.…

Pharmaceutical industry pays £150m back to NHS

The pharmaceutical industry has paid £150m to the NHS in the first six months under the new terms of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS), which was agreed with the Department of Health in November 2013.…

Pharmacy regulator seeks ‘reality check’ on professional fees

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has appointed an independent economist to review the way fees for pharmacists, technicians and pharmacy premises are decided.…

Pharmacy exam date may change for Ramadan, says General Pharmaceutical Council

The professional registration exam may be rescheduled next year to allow Muslim students to observe Ramadan.…

High Court favours Boots in representation fight, but union to appeal in Europe

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association Union has lost the latest round in its battle to win the right to represent almost 7,000 Boots pharmacists in a battle over pay and hours.…

First UK volunteer receives experimental Ebola vaccine

An experimental Ebola vaccine has been tested in the first healthy UK volunteer, as part of a phase I clinical trial being conducted at the University of Oxford. …