PJ, October 2021, Vol 307, No 7954

UK government orders 730,000 doses of COVID-19 antivirals for this winter

Sajid Javid confirmed that 480,000 doses of molnupiravir and 250,000 doses of PF-07321332/ritonavir have been ordered, even though neither manufacturer has published full clinical trial results.…

Getting COVID-19 twice: the long road to recovery

After Pauline Jablonski contracted COVID-19 for a second time, she realised she needed to be kind to herself as she learned how to live with long COVID.…

Interferon does not improve outcomes in hospitalised patients with COVID-19, study results show

While their trial did not shed any light on the efficacy of interferon beta-1a in patients with early-stage or mild COVID-19, the results suggest it was "unlikely" that it showed efficacy in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.…

NHS England to fund integrated care system pharmacists to support integration across health and care

The pharmacy integration fund will pay for the community pharmacy integration lead roles for two years from 2022/2023.…

NHS England considers adding depression to the new medicine service

NHS England is looking at how to make the new medicine service more flexible, to include depression, as well as involving pharmacy technicians in consultations.…

Almost 90% of women dispensed valproate are given warning cards by pharmacists, NHS audit finds

Speaking at The Pharmacy Show in Birmingham on 18 October 2021, NHS England's Jill Loader shared data from the valproate audit, which was conducted by 90% of community pharmacies in England.…

Pharmacies should look into offering private services, says former lead negotiator

Exclusive: Former chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee Simon Dukes said that he had received “intelligence” that ministers may continue to make cuts in community pharmacy funding.…

Pfizer recalls all stock of smoking cessation medicine over nitrosamine contamination

The smoking cessation medicine Champix (varenicline) has been recalled after the presence of a probable human carcinogen was detected.…

Contraceptive pill may reduce type 2 diabetes risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, study suggests

Researchers found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome, who use the combined contraceptive pill, had a 26% lower risk of dysglycaemia.…

A split training placement transformed my view of community pharmacy

Sally Sosnicka says that her preregistration placement in a rural health centre was a "hidden gem" that led her to fall in love with primary care.…