PJ, June 2021, Vol 306, No 7950

Government promises £14m in 2021/2022 for frontline services to tackle high drug death rate

In a debate with Scottish ministers, drugs policy minister Angela Constance reiterated the importance of getting people immediate treatment and support that will prevent fatal overdose.…

Polyvalent COVID-19 vaccines expected in five years, says chief medical officer

However, until polyvalent vaccines are in circulation, Chris Whitty also said new variants may lead to revaccination and/or booster programmes over the next two or three years.…

Community pharmacy COVID-19 test distribution service extended

Exclusive: The Pharmacy Collect service has been extended until the end of July 2021.…

Monoclonal antibody treatment may be administered to vulnerable patients at home

Exclusive: A draft NHS England document, seen by The Pharmaceutical Journal, has set out possible patient pathways for the use of neutralising monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.…

Half a million consultations carried out under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service in first three months of 2021

Data from Public Health Scotland show that the total payment for claims through the Pharmacy First service was more than £6m between January 2021 and March 2021.…

More than 650 sign-ups to RPS Inclusion and Wellbeing Pledge in its first week

Since its launch on 9 June 2021, more than 650 organisations and individuals have signed the pledge, including pharmacy multiple Boots.…

How our award-winning service is improving the lives of adults with learning disabilities living in care homes

Proud HSJ award-winners Aiste Navickaite and Amanda Lee explain how their medicines optimisation service scooped a coveted prize for improving patient safety.…

Second dose of Pfizer and Oxford vaccines offer reduced protection against Delta variant of COVID-19, study suggests

Having conducted the first community-based study in Scotland to look at COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, researchers found that a strong vaccine effect against the Delta variant did not manifest until a month after the first dose.…

Chemotherapy is harming the environment: it is time for regulators, manufacturers and pharmacy to take action

Healthcare inevitably contributes to the global carbon footprint, but a more focused effort is needed to minimise the environmental impact of cancer chemotherapy.…

Cost of sertraline has increased by more than 500% since 2019, figures show

Despite the number of items of sertraline dispensed increasing by 12% in 2020/2021, the cost increased by £142m, NHS data show.…