PJ, 5 September 2015, Vol 295, No 7878

Penicillin allergy: identification and management

How to assess patients for true penicillin allergy and make appropriate treatment choices.…

Referral to regulator for inappropriate antibiotics prescribing may have to be considered

Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics may have to be sanctioned in the future. …

Don’t get too excited about ‘female Viagra’

FDA succumbs to pressure to approve first agent to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.…

Accidental exposure to Ebola could be managed with antivirals

Researchers in the UK tested a risk assessment and management plan for healthcare workers exposed to Ebola virus…

Risk of heart attack with antiepileptics of small clinical relevance on population level

Some antiepileptic drugs can increase lipid levels and researchers found that this was associated with a small but not clinically relevant risk of heart attack…

Increased antibiotic exposure linked to type 2 diabetes

Researchers in Denmark used population data to see if increased antibiotic exposure was associated with the risk of developing diabetes.…

DNA vaccine protects against MERS infection

In the efforts to prevent the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, researchers may have developed an effective new synthetic vaccine.…

Tribute to Barbara van der Pant

Barbara’s many friends and colleagues were saddened to hear of her death. Barbara graduated fro m the School of Pharmacy, London in 1968 and trained at John Bell & Croydon, Wigmore Street, London. She pursued a career in hospital pharmacy at the Whittington, St Mary’s, Paddington, Heatherwo…

Barbara van der Pant dies

On 15 August 2015, Barbara van der Pant (nee Lace), aged 70, of Maidenhead, Berkshire. Mrs van der Pant registered with the Society in 1969 and left in 2009.…

Actinic keratosis gel linked with allergic reactions and shingles

Picato gel, used to treat actinic keratosis, has been linked with shingles, severe allergic reactions, eye injuries and skin reactions when used incorrectly, the FDA warns.…