PJ, March 2016, Vol 296, No 7887

Right medicine, better health, fitter future: a closer look at the RPS Scotland manifesto

RPS Scotland has launched its 2016 manifesto ‘Right medicine – better health – fitter future’ ahead of the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections. Here chair of the RPS Scottish pharmacy board, John McAnaw, talks to Julia Robinson about what the RPS is doing to promote t…

Legal protection for whistleblowers over hospital errors to be introduced in England

Anyone who speaks up following a hospital mistake will be given legal protection, England’s health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced at the Global Patient Safety Summit held in London on 9–10 March 2016.…

A new channel for pain treatment

Following intriguing genetic discoveries in people with extreme sensitivity to pain, as well as some families who feel no pain at all, researchers and drug companies are optimistic that blocking a sodium channel called Nav1.7 may lead to a new generation of more sophisticated painkillers. Meanwhile,…

Why I decided to approach my MP regarding community pharmacy funding cuts

As one of the many pharmacists who have approached their MP asking for support following the announced community pharmacy funding cuts in England of £170m in 2016–2017 (equivalent to a reduction of 6% of the total budget), I watched the debate unfold within our profession with inter…

Use of antidepressants in children soars by 50% in the UK

A study has shown that the number of children and adolescents taking antidepressants has increased by more than 50% in the UK between 2005 and 2012, raising possible concerns that doctors may be prescribing these drugs as a way to alleviate pressure on psychotherapy services.…

Deaths: Andrea Middleton

On 28 February 2016, Andrea Middleton MRPharmS, aged 75, of Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Mrs Middleton registered with the Society in 1963. …

2016 elections to the national pharmacy boards

Members are reminded that the deadline for nominations to the National Pharmacy Boards is noon on 1 April 2016 and the deadline for updating voting preferences is 5pm on 14 April 2016. In the event of contested elections, details of candidates and voting procedures will be sent to members on o…

Pharmacy staff fear plans to slash pharmacy budget will trigger staff cuts and service reductions

Grassroots pharmacy staff, managers and owners fear that government plans to slash 6% from the national pharmacy budget in England will trigger staff cuts, according to the results of a survey.…

Pharmacy regulator confirms that it is still seeking surveillance powers

The pharmacy regulator has confirmed that it is still in discussions with the government over new surveillance powers to help it uncover illegal professional practice.…

New public health campaign targets middle-aged adults

A campaign to persuade middle-aged adults to adopt a healthier lifestyle so they live longer and healthier has been launched by Public Health England (PHE).…