GovernmentOrganization

David Mowat appointed pharmacy minister

David Mowat, Conservative MP for Warrington South, has been announced as the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Health and Care.  Mr Mowat’s portfolio includes pharmacy and all other aspects of primary care, as well as adult social care, community services, can…

Celesio’s acquisition of wholesaler Sangers gets competition approval

Celesio has received the all-clear from the Competition and Markets Authority for its acquisition of the Northern Ireland-based pharmaceutical wholesaler United Drug Sangers.  Celesio has already acquired other businesses owned by United Drug Sangers’ parent company UDG Healthcare: …

Challenges of sharing pharmacy best practice internationally

There are many barriers to overcome to ensure best practice is shared more widely on an international level.…

Spend on high-cost medicines contributing to NHS budget overspend, MPs warn

Excessive spending on specialised services fuelled by use of high-cost medicines and medical equipment is threatening the ability of the NHS to fund wider NHS services, MPs on the Public Accounts Committee have warned.…

Cut off age for meningitis B vaccine will not change, committee says

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises UK health departments on immunisation, has recommended that the meningitis B vaccine should not be extended to all UK children under the age of two. The vaccine was introduced in September 2015 for babies aged up to 12 m…

Jeremy Hunt will continue in health secretary role

Jeremy Hunt will remain as health secretary, contrary to speculation in the media on 14 July 2016 that new UK prime minister Theresa May had ousted him from the post as part of a cabinet reshuffle. Hunt, who is the longest serving health secretary in UK politics history at three years and 305 …

Q&A: What do patients want from pharmacists and the NHS?

Katherine Murphy discusses the current crisis gripping the NHS and where pharmacists can fit in to help, and explains why safety, accountability and transparency are key priorities for the NHS.…

Burt to step down as health minister

Alistair Burt has announced that he will step down as health minister in September 2016.…

Minister attempts to reassure science sector about life post-Brexit

The UK needs to improve at building business and innovating on the back of its own scientific discoveries, says Jo Johnson, Conservative Party MP and minister for universities and science.…

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society Assembly

In light of recent changes to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s governance, Julia Robinson spoke with members of the RPS Assembly and their peers to find out who they are and what experience they bring to their role.…