PJ, February 2023, Vol 310, No 7970

Spotlight: the ‘new thalidomide’

In the first of a new podcast series, we consider whether the UK is doing enough to prevent harm from sodium valproate.…

Pharmacists on high-risk clinical wards reduce prescribing errors, evidence review finds

Researchers used data from 19 studies to identify the most common factors that increase the chance of prescribing errors.…

Health Education England to fund extra 3,000 places on pharmacist prescribing training courses

Applications are open to pharmacists in all sectors and should be made directly to the institution holding the course.…

Hormone replacement therapy pre-payment scheme is too ‘complex’, say pharmacy leaders

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee said the new system is "complex" and will not work well with current prescription and pricing systems, creating more work for pharmacy contractors.…

Keith Middleton (1951–2023)

On 18 January 2023, Keith Middleton, aged 71 years, of Ruislip, Middlesex. Mr Middleton was a former member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Tribute It is with very great sadness that we are writing about the recent death of Dr Keith Middleton. Keith was an intellectual and fount of a…

Antibiotic resistance: is it time to get serious about point-of-care testing?

There is solid evidence from other countries that point-of-care testing before prescribing antibiotics for respiratory tract and other infections helps to combat antimicrobial resistance, but experts say the UK is far behind.…

LloydsPharmacy’s withdrawal from Sainsbury’s may put 400 pharmacist jobs at risk, says union

Exclusive: The Pharmacists' Defence Association, which represents pharmacists at the multiple, has said "the vast majority will probably get made redundant".…

Medicines, Ethics and Practice published digitally for the first time

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's professional guide for pharmacists is now available online and will feature dynamic updates to include up-to-date guidance.…

Roy Simpson (1954–2023)

On 23 January 2023, Roy Simpson, aged 68 years, of Cromer, Norfolk. Mr Simpson was a former member of the Society. Tribute I first met Roy when we were both newly appointed managers with Boots and were sent on a course in Nottingham. I instantly warmed to Roy's open nature and sense of hu…

NICE alters guidance on COVID-19 treatments as manufacturer withdraws marketing authorisation application 

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence said the guidance has changed because Eli Lily is no longer seeking a marketing authorisation for baricitinib (Olumiant).…