Biomarker test could help reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribingPoint-of-care testing for a biomarker of bacterial infection would help to limit unnecessary antibiotic prescribing by GPs, suggests a systematic review.…
A good student does not necessarily make a good pharmacistWe wish to offer a different perspective on the recent decision by the government not to cap pharmacy student numbers ( The Pharmaceutical Journal 2014;293:412). There is a view among some people that not enforcing a cap is a mistake (2014;293:490). In turn, this means the com…
IPCC report calls for action to limit health impacts of climate changeThe latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms — with 95% certainty — that human influence on the climate is growing.…
Pharmacy COPD-screening could save the NHS £264m Community pharmacies can help identify undiagnosed cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at an early stage, which could result in savings of around £264m per year, a pilot study suggests.…
Things will only get worse for pharmacy studentsI agree with Ryan Hamilton’s letter ( The Pharmaceutical Journal 2014;293:463) which expresses concerns about the potential lack of pre-registration placements for the increased number of pharmacy graduates. As a part-time university lecturer, I have talked to fourth-year…
Pharmacists and clinical pharmacologists to collaborate following call for more consultant postsPharmacists and clinical pharmacologists are to look at how they can work together to improve patient care and increase the potential of medicines management to save NHS funds.…
NHS could save nearly £2bn through waste reduction and improved clinical practice Around £2bn of savings could be made in the NHS through reducing waste and improving clinical practice, says a report by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.…
Gonorrhoea is becoming more resistant to antibiotics Resistance to antibiotics used to treat gonorrhoea is increasing in England and Wales, according to figures published in the 2013 Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP) report.…
Review of fitness-to-practise cases suggests pharmacy regulator acts fairly Pharmacists are likely to be dealt with fairly if they find themselves up before the professional regulator’s fitness-to-practise committee, according to published research.…
Penicillin allergy rates may be wildly overestimated A study finds 94% of participants wrongly believed they were allergic to penicillin.…