Improving access to oral contraception through GP–community pharmacy collaboration: a proof-of-concept pilotThe NHS pharmacy contraception service enables community pharmacists to initiate and continue oral contraception1–3. Despite this additional pathway, many patients continue to request routine repeat prescriptions from general practice. This may create avoidable administrative and clinical wo…
Pharmacy First is growing, but are patients and the pharmacists we train ready? As five more conditions join Pharmacy First, trust will be built consultation by consultation, and pharmacy education must catch up, argues Hafsah Anwar.…
Drug poisoning deaths fall in England and Wales for first time since 2012, ONS figures show The Office of National Statistics data show that in 2025 the drug poisoning deaths rate fell to 92.4 deaths per million people from 93.9 in 2024.…
Ketamine bladder: everything you need to know As the use of recreational ketamine — as well as its resultant health issues — is on the rise, what can pharmacy teams do to educate and support patients?…
Insulin pen design can lead to missed doses for people with disabilities, patient safety investigation body finds The Health Services Safety Investigations Body said that patients with disabilities “experience recurring issues” with insulin pen devices.…
Sick day rules for people living with type 2 diabetes Acute illness can affect blood glucose control and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus complications. This article summarises sick day rules and how pharmacists can provide patients with information, advice and support.…
Communication of risks of psychiatric side effects with fluoroquinolone antibiotics to be reviewed following death A patient who had taken his own life began taking prescribed ofloxacin the day before his death after a previously prescribed first-line antibiotic had been ineffective.…
MHRA extends approval for gene-editing therapy to patients aged five years and over Casgevy will now be used to treat younger patients with sickle-cell disease or transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.…
Scotland to require registration for anyone selling vaping and nicotine products The Scottish government said that registration will not be required for the sale of medically licensed products such as nicotine replacement therapies.…
NHS prescribing of GLP-1 drugs varies tenfold by location, says ABPI An Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry report highlighted that barriers to accessing GLP-1 drugs included a lack of local renumeration arrangements and delays in health boards adding drugs to local formularies.…
