PJ, June 2019, Vol 302, No 7926

Reducing the impact of asthma treatment on climate change

In April 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a patient decision aid for inhaler choice in asthma treatment, including comparisons of the devices’ environmental impact as well as usual clinical considerations[1] . The aid suggests taking inhalers’ carbon f…

Deaths: William Thomas Brookes

On 7 June 2019, William Thomas Brookes FRPharmS, aged 92 years, of Alsager, Staffordshire. Mr Brookes registered with the Society in 1950.…

Serious shortage protocols to be introduced into NHS terms of service

Legal amendments that introduce serious shortage protocols into the terms of service for NHS community pharmacies are due to come into force from 1 July 2019, subject to approval from Matt Hancock, health and social care secretary.…

Cardiac surgeon poses unsupported claims in guide to long life

The Longevity Paradox by Steven Gundry.…

NHS savings from adalimumab biologic switching hit earlier than expected

The NHS will make financial savings from switching to biosimilar versions of adalimumab earlier than originally anticipated, according to NHS England’s regional pharmacist for the south of England.…

Celebrating the class of 1979 Portsmouth pharmacy graduates

This year, 2019, marks 40 years since the 1976 intake at the University of Portsmouth School of Pharmacy finished their course and began their preregistration year. If anyone is free to meet up in Portsmouth on 13 July or 14 July 2019, please correspond with Martyn Hudson at stridingedge@ntlworld.co…

Tax changes could make work as a locum ‘untenable’, pharmacy bodies warn

Changes to off-payroll working rules could deter pharmacists from working as locums, according to a joint statement from six pharmacy bodies.…

Breath of fresh air: why it is time for a national drive to recycle used inhalers

Every single one of us should be making changes to our living habits to ensure we reduce our carbon footprint, and the way we use and dispose of inhalers is no exception.…

A day on the streets treating patients experiencing homelessness

Lauren Gibson details a typical day working as part of a pharmacy-led, homeless health outreach service.…

Antibiotic pollution and lack of regulation will have dire global consequences

Given the hot topic of antimicrobial resistance, one could only be shocked at reading New Scientist’s article ‘How antibiotic resistance is driven by pharmaceutical pollution’ (22 May 2019), which details the prolific dumping of antibiotic waste by factories into waterways in India. The …