PJ, June 2025, Vol 314, No 7998

UK government says it does not support safe drug consumption rooms

Speaking at a House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry into the Glasgow safe drug consumption facility, the minister for policing and crime prevention said the Westminster government would “not be amending the Misuse of Drugs Act”.…

Chronic heart failure deaths could fall by 3,000 per year following updated guidance, says NICE

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said that drugs are being introduced earlier in patient treatment for chronic heart failure, which has been reflected in its draft guidance.…

Walk-in flu vaccine finder for community pharmacy to be launched for 2025/2026 flu season

NHS England said the “flu walk-in finder” was developed in response to patient feedback that complained of restrictions to the national booking service and a lack of information on clinic times.…

Eye disorder is a ‘very rare’ side effect of weight-loss drugs, concludes EMA review

The review found that non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people taking semaglutide medicines.…

Supporting pharmacists in improving the care delivered for people with cancer

The Pharmaceutical Journal has launched a cancer ‘hub page’ and educational resources on blood cancer as part of continued partnership with BeiGene.…

Supported content

Body cameras used by staff in one in five Boots stores

The rollout of body camera technology across Boots pharmacy locations is aimed to make staff safer in response to increasing incidents of violence and aggression from customers.…

Study finds association between GLP-1 use and macular degeneration in diabetes

Researchers found that patients with longer durations of exposure to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists were associated with a higher risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration.…

Using ‘stay conversations’ to improve retention and staff experience among specialist pharmacists

In the same way as many NHS organisations, University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) has faced sustained workforce challenges, particularly in recruiting and retaining specialist pharmacists at Agenda for Change Band 7. In March 2024, the vacancy rate stood at 56% (37 out of 58 whole-time equivalent […

Ban on new distance-selling pharmacies will result in ‘even playing field’ for contractors, says government

Legislative changes coming into force later in June 2025 will also prohibit distance-selling pharmacies from providing remote services in person on their premises.…

MHRA urges women taking weight-loss drugs to use effective contraception

Guidance published by the medicines regulator has warned that patients trying to conceive should remain on contraception for a “wash-out” period after stopping GLP-1 receptor agonists.…