PJ November 2026, Vol 317, No 8015

Royal College of Pharmacy launches two-year strategy alongside engagement programme

Tase Oputu, president of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said the two-year strategy will help “realise our ambitions to create a welcoming, supportive professional home for pharmacy”.…

Pharmacy negotiator pauses contractor levy payments

Community Pharmacy Wales said that owing to “serious financial pressures facing community pharmacies across Wales”, the contractor levy payment will be suspended for three months.…

Improving access to oral contraception through GP–community pharmacy collaboration: a proof-of-concept pilot

The NHS pharmacy contraception service enables community pharmacists to initiate and continue oral contraception​1–3​. Despite this additional pathway, many patients continue to request routine repeat prescriptions from general practice. This may create avoidable administrative and clinical wo…

Portfolio careers in pharmacy

In this episode of The PJ Pod , we talk about portfolio careers: what they involve, the advantages and disadvantages, and how to build one.…

Pharmacy First is growing, but are patients and the pharmacists we train ready?

As five more conditions join Pharmacy First, trust will be built consultation by consultation, and pharmacy education must catch up, argues Hafsah Anwar.…

Industry clinical trial participation in the NHS falls for fifth year in a row, says trade body

Figures published by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry reveal that in 2025/2026, 17,618 people took part in NHS clinical trials, which is 31% lower than in 2022/2023.…

Drug poisoning deaths fall in England and Wales for first time since 2012, ONS figures show

The Office of National Statistics data show that in 2025 the drug poisoning deaths rate fell to 92.4 deaths per million people from 93.9 in 2024.…

‘Rapid’ ICB headcount reductions putting delivery at risk, College warns

The Royal College of Pharmacy said that as plans to cut the number of integrated care boards are implemented, capacity has been removed “often without an agreed alternative delivery arrangement”.…

Ketamine bladder: everything you need to know

As the use of recreational ketamine — as well as its resultant health issues — is on the rise, what can pharmacy teams do to educate and support patients?…

Insulin pen design can lead to missed doses for people with disabilities, patient safety investigation body finds

The Health Services Safety Investigations Body said that patients with disabilities “experience recurring issues” with insulin pen devices.…