PJ, August 2016, Vol 297, No 7892

Membership fees 2017

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society Assembly has agreed a 1.6% inflation linked increase in membership fees for 2017 based on the June 2016 Retail Price Index. The new membership subscriptions that will take effect on the 1 January 2017 are detailed in schedule 1 below. Any member who wishes to c…

Pharmacy Strep A testing could reduce GP appointments for sore throats

A scheme involving point-of-care testing for group A streptococci in community pharmacy was able to limit antibiotic prescriptions to under 10% of patients, and could potentially reduce GP consultations for sore throat.…

Everyone should consider taking vitamin D during winter, PHE says

The population of the UK should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months, Public Health England has advised.…

Deaths: Joyce Plummer

On 11 May 2016, Joyce Plummer, aged 88, of Leek, Staffordshire. Miss Plummer registered with the Society in 1949 and left in 2015. …

Pharmacy cut announcement delayed by government reshuffle

Final details about the £170m community pharmacy cuts, which were expected to be announced in July 2016, have been delayed, possibly until after October 2016, The Pharmaceutical Journal has learnt.…

How I encourage patients to take part in research in GP practices

As a clinical research pharmacist in a GP practice, Andrew Sturrock’s first project will be looking at the development of diabetes.…

European regulator reviews first in human trial guidelines following death

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has launched a public consultation on proposals to change its guidance on first in human (FIH) clinical trials.  The consultation is part of an EMA review into FIH best practice following an incident in Rennes, France, in January 2016 in which one man d…

David Mowat appointed pharmacy minister

David Mowat, Conservative MP for Warrington South, has been announced as the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Health and Care.  Mr Mowat’s portfolio includes pharmacy and all other aspects of primary care, as well as adult social care, community services, can…

Aston’s pharmacy school awarded Regius Professorship

Aston University’s school of pharmacy has been awarded a Regius Professorship by the Queen. The university is one of twelve British institutions to receive an award to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.…

Celesio’s acquisition of wholesaler Sangers gets competition approval

Celesio has received the all-clear from the Competition and Markets Authority for its acquisition of the Northern Ireland-based pharmaceutical wholesaler United Drug Sangers.  Celesio has already acquired other businesses owned by United Drug Sangers’ parent company UDG Healthcare: …