Medicines management

Implementing a pharmacy-led post‑discharge medicines counselling service for patients prescribed high‑risk medicines

Transitions of care are associated with medicines‑related harm, particularly for patients prescribed high‑risk medicines. NHS England explicitly identifies hospital discharge as a high‑risk moment​1​, aligning with the World Health Organization’s Global Patient Safety Challenge on Medica…

All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group publishes framework on self-administration of medicines in hospital

The guidance says that enabling patients to be involved in the management of their medicines can improve “adherence, safety and health literacy”.…

Medicines shortages report recognises progress but says ‘decisive steps’ are still needed

One year on from its medicines shortages report, the RPS has highlighted that the burden on community pharmacies, general practice and hospitals to manage medicines shortages is still “unsustainably high”.…

Drug–food interactions: pharmacological principles and management strategies

A summary of the underlying pharmacological principles for common drug–food interactions, outlining practical management strategies that can be used with patients in clinical practice.…

Primary care pharmacists should carry out structured medication reviews ‘at least annually’

The updated Scottish government guidance, which builds on guidelines published in 2018, also says pharmacists should consider home visits for house-bound individuals to reduce the potential for accumulation of medicines.…

Why Ramadan is a clinical opportunity for pharmacy

Samira Osman shares how pharmacists can be proactive in supporting patients during Ramadan to reduce avoidable harms.…

Government to ‘strengthen’ out-of-hours support for palliative care services

In response to a House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee evaluation of palliative care services in England, the government said integrated palliative care services are “central to the shift towards community-based care”.…

RPS calls for mandatory 2D barcodes on medicines packs

Since the UK left the EU in 2020, the Falsified Medicines Directive has not applied, meaning manufacturers have not been required to list certain information on medicines packaging.…

Support for pharmacies providing palliative care urged as hospices get cash injection

Graham Stretch, president of the Primary Care Pharmacy Association, told The Pharmaceutical Journal that funding is needed in community pharmacies to address patchy access of palliative care drugs for patients.…

NICE recommends new treatment for highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis

Natalizumab, a monoclonal antibody, can be used in its originator form as an injection or in a biosimilar form as an infusion.…