PJ August 2026, Vol 321, No 8012

MHRA approves orforglipron weight-loss pill

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said its approval of orforglipron makes the UK the first country in Europe to authorise the medication.…

Pharmacist prescribers can support other professions in antimicrobial stewardship, review suggests

Authors of the scoping review recommended that prescribing capability for pharmacist prescribers and prescribing nurses could be strengthened via professional development, structured mentorship and interprofessional learning.…

A unique role in the community: supporting social care and discharge services as a pharmacy technician

As healthcare shifts into community settings, pharmacy technicians are increasingly supporting patients with medicines in their own homes. Michael Stefaniw explains how his role is evolving to help patients and carers.…

UK patients being recruited for ribupatide trials

Researchers will assess the efficacy of up to 10mg doses of weight-loss drug ribupatide in patients with or without diabetes over around an 18-month period.…

Government ‘examining’ medication pack barcode requirements

Exclusive: The Department of Health and Social Care has told The Pharmaceutical Journal that since “patient safety is paramount”, it will investigate which barcodes are required on medicines packaging.…

How climate change is reshaping the UK’s risk of vector-borne diseases

Recent heatwaves across the UK have brought the issue of climate change to the fore once more. As we work out how to adapt to extreme temperatures, cases of disease transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks are on the rise — but what should we expect and how can pharmacists prepare?…

Common ailments service rated as ‘excellent’ by almost all users, study finds

When asked about their experience with the Welsh common ailments service, the majority of survey respondents said that they were able to have their ailment managed at the pharmacy.…

Pharma companies reported fewer medicine supply issues in 2026

In the first six months of 2026, manufacturers reported fewer medicines supply issues to the government compared with the same periods in 2025 and 2024.…

Government did not conduct impact assessment for community pharmacy prescribing

Exclusive: The Department of Health and Social Care told The Pharmaceutical Journal that changes under the ‘Community pharmacy contractual framework’ for 2026/2027 and other years since 2023 did not reach the threshold for an impact assessment.…

Barcode issues disrupting pharmacy work at more than half of NHS trusts

A survey has also revealed that nearly two-thirds of respondents reported that they received medicines without barcodes in the previous month.…