PJ, 27 September 2014, Vol 293, No 7829

Northwest Biotherapeutics’s brain tumour therapy considered for early access in the UK

An experimental cell therapy for brain tumours is the first medicine to be selected for fast-track designation under a new early access scheme in the UK, the Department of Health (DH) announced on 16 September 2014.…

Microbiomes and human health

Some gut bacteria may affect our choice of food by modifying eating behaviour and influencing dietary choices.…

Driving after taking drugs and medicines

Find out how new drug driving rules coming into force from March 2015 will affect your patients.…

Seminar aims to help improve pass rates for Black-African pre-registration pharmacists

The General Pharmaceutical Council will hold a seminar with the charity Equality Challenge Unit to help investigate why pre-registration pharmacists from a Black-African background have the lowest pass rate for registration assessment.…

European regulator to assess diclofenac risks to vultures

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) may consider a ban on veterinary medicines containing diclofenac because the anti-inflammatory product could pose a risk to vultures.…

BBC sting continues to see fall-out with striking-off of pharmacist

A London pharmacist’s claim that he was making emergency supplies when he sold prescription-only medicines (POMs) to an undercover reporter was not plausible, a fitness-to-practise (FTP) committee ruled as it struck him off.…

Micafungin well tolerated by leukaemia patients

Micafungin is as effective at preventing fungal infections in leukaemia patients but better tolerated than older formulations of posaconazole, interim results from a study suggested.…

Improving soldiers’ health from the front line

Army pharmacists must always be prepared for the unexpected. Senior pharmacist Robert Liddington, who holds the rank of lieutenant colonel, explains why and how he embarked on a career with the Ministry of Defence.…

Big tobacco’s nicotine inhaler approved by UK regulator

A cigarette-shaped nicotine inhaler has become the first of its kind to be licensed by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.…

US antibiotic stewardship reduces drug resistance and cost

A comprehensive antibiotic stewardship programme at a New York city hospital saved money, reduced drug-resistant infections and led to an increase in the reporting of adverse events.…