PJ, November 2017, Vol 299, No 7907

New pharmacotherapy service to be set up as part of Scottish GP contract

A new pharmacotherapy service could be developed in Scotland as part of a proposed new GP contract.…

Alcohol-related deaths on the rise in Wales

The number of alcohol-related deaths in Wales rose to 504 in 2016 — an increase of 8.9% in 12 months, according to the latest annual report tracking progress on the government’s 10-year substance misuse strategy.…

FDA approves first digital pill

The first pill which can be digitally tracked as it makes its way through the body has been approved for use by the US safety drugs watchdog, the Food and Drug Administration.…

Pharmacy profession welcomes dispensing error decriminalisation legislation

Pharmacy leaders have welcomed new legislation that will protect community pharmacists from prosecution over dispensing errors.…

PDAU moves a step closer to representing Boots pharmacists

The Central Arbitration Committee has accepted a legal application from Boots pharmacists to dissolve the agreement between Boots and the non-independent trade union, Boots Pharmacists’ Association.…

Off-label drug use: the need for clear national guidance

In October, twelve NHS clinical commissioning groups across northeast England and Cumbria agreed a policy to offer patients in the region with wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration the choice of ‘off-label’ use of bevacizumab (Avastin) as preferred treatment, with potential …

Decriminalisation legislation cannot come soon enough

On 14 November, an Order was laid before Parliament purporting to introduce a statutory defence to the offence committed when patients are supplied with the wrong prescription medicine.…

Hepatitis C and the potential for care delivery in community pharmacy

Community pharmacists are uniquely placed to deliver hepatitis C virus testing and treatment, and could help efforts in reaching the World Health Organization target for elimination of the disease by 2030.…

Patients to undergo blood test before being given antibiotics

Patients will be required to undergo a blood test to decide if they require antibiotics to treat their symptoms as part of a pilot scheme in the north of England.…

Celesio boss resigned ‘to be with family’

The outgoing managing director of Celesio UK, the parent company of LloydsPharmacy, has said he resigned because he “needs to go back to [his] family.”…