PJ, 7 February 2015, Vol 294, No 7848

Sydney Crowther dies

On 19 January 2015, Sydney Crowther MRPharmS, aged 95, of Maddington Place, Shrewton, Salisbury SP3 4JE. Mr Crowther registered with the Society in 1942.…

Sestrin 3 gene regulates convulsions in epilepsy

Researchers analysed hippocampal brain tissue samples from 129 people with temporal lobe epilepsy and found that genetic control of convulsions was due to a single gene.…

Tribute to Sydney Crowther

When Sydney Crowther passed away on 19 January 2015 at the fine age of 95, it was the end of an era for pharmacy. He was a remarkable man and a passionate “old-school” pharmacist. He qualified from Bradford Technical College (now University) in 1941, registered in April 1942, and immediately jo…

Anti-VEGF therapies could have role in treating TB

Bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF drug, was able to normalise granuloma vasculature, improve the delivery of small molecules and decrease hypoxia in a rabbit model of tuberculosis.…

Adherence to diabetes treatments falls after a cancer diagnosis

Adherence to glucose lowering therapies in diabetes patients falls following a cancer diagnosis.…

Q&A: Getting life-saving vaccines to children in poor countries

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, brings together public and private sectors to deliver new and underused vaccines for children living in poor countries. Seth Berkley, its chief executive officer, discusses the current challenges to increase immunisation coverage in poor countries.…

Structure of translocator protein hints at role in disease

Two research groups have independently solved the structures of similar translocator proteins, offering clues about its function that could spur the development of targeted drugs.…

UK government provides £13.7m for ‘stratified medicine’ collaborations

The UK government has announced £13.7m of funding for four ‘stratified medicine’ collaborations with the Medical Research Council.…

Cholic acid named ‘Golden Pill’ in Prescrire’s annual awards

‘A drug used to treat children with a rare genetic condition who are unable to produce bile and risk fatal liver failure has received international recognition.…

Tribute to Peter West

Peter worked and tutored a range of pharmacy disciplines in Huddersfield Royal, Seacroft Hospital, St James’ Teaching Hospital and Battle Hospital, Reading, before becoming staff pharmacist at the Royal Hallamshire in Sheffield. After moving to Wirral Health Authority in 1987 as staff pharmacist …