Government

UK needs robust vaccine development sector to prepare for next pandemic, says House of Lords committee

A letter from the chair of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has called on the government to create a “peacetimes vaccines taskforce”.…

Legislation enabling pharmacy professionals to supply take-home naloxone comes into force

The decision to expand the list of healthcare professionals authorised to supply take-home naloxone aims to address the problem of opioid-related deaths making up the largest proportion of drug-related deaths in the UK.…

Patient communication will be essential for successful collective action

In this month’s health policy column, Andy Cowper outlines how pharmacies participating in the National Pharmacy Association’s advisory collective action can make their point to the government while keeping patients on side.…

Chief pharmaceutical officers say it is ‘entirely reasonable’ for pharmacists to take position on assisted dying bill

A joint statement warned that the outcome of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill must not undermine provision of good end-of-life care and work by palliative care clinicians.…

Will reshoring medicines manufacturing solve shortages in the UK?

In the United States and some European countries, drug manufacturing is being brought home to mitigate shortages of critical medicines, but would similar action in the UK shore up supply resilience?…

Chair of UK COVID-19 Inquiry commends pharmacists’ ‘superb work’ during the pandemic

Baroness Heather Hallett’s remarks follow evidence from Nick Kaye, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, who called for the inquiry to help reframe community pharmacy “as a genuine part of the NHS family and a key part of delivery in healthcare”.…

Government advises chief pharmacists to coordinate aid between trusts amid radioisotope shortage

According to a national patient safety alert issued on 25 October 2024, the radioisotope shortage stems from a combination of technical issues and essential maintenance work.…

PJ view: Community pharmacy is set up to fail when it comes to industrial action

As community pharmacists consider whether to engage in advisory industrial action, it is inevitable that patient safety will be affected one way or another, which the government needs to address.…

Manufacturer confirms discontinuation of type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment Victoza

Victoza (liraglutide) 6mg/mL pre-filled injection pens have been out of stock in the UK since August 2023.…

Government to ‘accelerate’ roll-out of independent prescribing in pharmacies, says prime minister

Speaking at prime minister’s questions, Sir Keir Starmer reiterated the importance of delivering care in “local communities to spot problems earlier”.…