Healthcare provision

Thousands of NHS patients with prostate or breast cancer eligible for new targeted treatment

NHS England says around 800 people in England could be eligible for olaparib treatment each year.…

Leading health bodies publish joint safety alert on HRT prescribing 

The statement says that the increasing number of women being prescribed high doses of oestrogen is not in line with any clinical guideline.…

Fewer than one in ten patients carry anticoagulation safety card

The findings of the latest community pharmacy oral anticoagulant safety audit have prompted NHS England to propose the creation of a digital version of the yellow cards for smartphones.…

NHS tenders contract to train 500 supervisors for independent prescribing pharmacists

The contract follows warnings of a shortage of designated prescribing practitioners to supervise pharmacists who are training to become independent prescribers.…

‘Pandemic of tragedy’: the deaths caused by gaps in online drug supply regulations

In the past ten years, multiple people have died after taking drugs they purchased online, with coroners warning that people will continue to do so without tighter regulations in place.…

Government warned repeatedly to better regulate supply of drugs online after series of deaths

Exclusive: Analysis of coroner’s reports has revealed a decade-long pattern of deaths caused by overdoses from drugs supplied online, accompanied by warnings to the government that more may die without tighter restrictions.…

NHS policy team designing menopause referral service for community pharmacy

The proposed referral service forms part of the Professional Record Standards Body's updated data standards.…

Epilepsy charities call on government to immediately halt two-clinician sign-off for patients taking valproate

A coalition of epilepsy charities has said the decision is "totally out of proportion to the risks to patient safety".…

Survey reveals 9% of people with long-term health conditions cannot afford to collect their prescriptions

It was announced on 10 March 2023 that prescription charges in England would rise to £9.65 per item in April 2023.…

Warm words cannot mask the true picture of pharmacy neglect

The Pharmaceutical Journal's health policy columnist looks at why ministers keep talking about Pharmacy First in England, but there is a lack of progress when it comes to its implementation.…