Pharmacists are the success story of general practice, and they are here to stay With more than 8,500 pharmacists now working in general practice, they have a vital role in patient care — their recruitment into primary care networks must continue.…
Government declares ‘national shortage’ of GLP-1 receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes until 2024 The government attributed the shortages to “an increase in demand for these products for licensed and off-label indications”.…
Government to open five regional aseptic pharmacy ‘pathfinder’ hubs by 2027 The move to centralise aseptic medicine production in England has been welcomed, but there are calls for the government to commit to funding to allow for delivery.…
Discharge medicines service has prevented almost 22,000 hospital readmissions, government says The Department of Health and Social Care says community pharmacy has claimed for 216,700 patient referrals from hospital through the 'Discharge medicines service'.…
Weight loss drug semaglutide added to list of medicines that cannot be exported or ‘hoarded’ The list contains products that meet the needs of UK patients but may contribute to medicines shortages if they were exported.…
Government scraps plans to raise qualifying age for free prescriptions to 66 years in England The Department of Health and Social Care cited "cost of living pressures" as a reason for abolishing the proposals.…
First funding provided to develop electronic prescription service in Wales Two community pharmacy system suppliers in Wales have been awarded funding to alter systems to allow for digital prescriptions to be sent from GPs to pharmacies.…
Health secretary asked to address ‘critical lack of capacity’ in oncology departments A joint letter to Steve Barclay from a group of cancer care organisations highlights a range of areas where it says NHS England and the UK government could further support oncology departments.…
Government claims it has hit target to recruit 26,000 additional general practice staff one year early The data used by the Department for Health and Social Care to hit its 26,000 recruitment target includes some roles that are not covered by the 'Additional roles reimbursement scheme'.…
Finding the path or losing the plot? The rocky road towards community pharmacy prescribing This month, The Pharmaceutical Journal’s health policy columnist evaluates NHS England’s primary care recovery plan and what it means for pharmacy prescribing.…