Government

PrEP highly effective in cutting HIV transmission but better access needed, study finds

Results of the 'PrEP Impact' trial show that PrEP reduced the chances of someone getting HIV by around 87%.…

Spotlight: Homecare services in crisis

In this episode of The PJ Pod, we examine the shortcomings in the provision and governance of homecare services.…

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.…

Homecare service failures having ‘serious impact’ on patients’ health, finds House of Lords report

The House of Lords Public Services Committee said patients receiving homecare services are “experiencing delays, receiving the wrong medicine, or not being taught how to administer their medicine”.…

Andrea Leadsom appointed as new pharmacy minister

Previously the government’s early years adviser, Andrea Leadsom becomes the fifth pharmacy minister since 2022.…

Antibiotic prescribing increases by more than 8% in one year

Data published by the government show that there was an increase in antibiotic prescribing, the number of antibiotic-resistant infections and antimicrobial resistance-associated deaths in England between 2021 and 2022.…

Victoria Atkins appointed as new health and social care secretary

Former health secretary Steve Barclay has been moved to the role of secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.…

Two thirds of homecare patient safety incidents linked to major provider

Exclusive: According to data from hospital trusts’ monthly reporting, homecare provider Sciensus was linked to 66% of patient safety incidents.…

Failing to deliver: the homecare services putting patients at risk

An investigation by The Pharmaceutical Journal has revealed hundreds of patient safety incidents caused by problematic homecare medicines services, leading to calls for improved regulation and overhauled delivery models.…

Record number of fitness-to-practise cases creates ‘increased risk’ of missing patient safety threats, regulator warns

There were a record 1,373 fitness-to-practise concerns raised with the General Pharmaceutical Council between July and September 2023, with the regulator warning this may lead to it failing to act quickly on information relating to patient safety threats.…