PJ, November 2023, Vol 311, No 7979

Scottish government to publish review of automated technology in community pharmacies

The technology being trialled includes robotic process automation, automated medicine storage systems, barcode scanners and prescription collection kiosks.…

Northern Ireland doubles number of pharmacy undergraduates since 2020

The Pharmacy Futures Campaign NI was launched in 2020 to build capacity across the pharmacy workforce.…

Community pharmacy network could cease to exist without funding overhaul, MPs warned

Pharmacy representatives have warned a government inquiry into pharmacy that a lack of core funding will slowly erode community pharmacy businesses.…

Electronic patient records being used in 90% of hospital trusts, says NHS England

In England, 189 hospital trusts are using electronic patient records, meeting the government's target for 90% of trusts to be using electronic health records by December 2023.…

Medicine pricing agreement will double annual growth in cost of branded drugs sold to the NHS

Under the 'Voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth', the annual allowed rate of growth in sales will rise to 4% by 2027.…

Should pharmacy professionals become green-collar workers?

This month’s pick of academic papers from Parastou Donyai, chief scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.…

First electronic prescription dispensed in Wales 

The electronic prescribing service will be rolled out across Wales from January 2024.…

Semaglutide reduces cardiovascular events in adults who are overweight by 20%, study finds

Trial results show fewer deaths from cardiovascular events, as well as non-fatal heart attacks and strokes, in patients who received semaglutide versus those who received placebo.…

Introduction to the prescribing consultation

A consultation provides prescribers with an opportunity to effectively gather relevant information from an individual to make a probable diagnosis and reach a shared decision about the next steps. This article introduces the components of an effective consultation and how you can develop skills and …

Andrew Barnes (1956–2023)

On 2 November 2023, Mr Andrew Barnes, aged 67 years, of Melton, Suffolk. Mr Barnes registered with the Society in 1980 and later became a Fellow. Tribute It was with great sadness that I learned of Andy’s passing, after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer — a struggle which he bor…