BGMA recommends longer lead times on NHS medicines contracts to address shortages The British Generic Manufacturers Association has made several recommendations to reduce overall medicines shortages, of which it says the “vast majority are commonly used generic medicines”.…
Pharmacy teams advised to produce ready-to-administer oxytocin infusions for maternity services Required oxytocin infusions will now need to be prepared at the time of the event, prompting concerns this will add pressure to already stretched maternity services.…
State of pharmacy: what’s in store for the profession under Labour? Labour’s plans for pharmacy have only been roughly sketched out, but the party’s track record — alongside demands from the sector — can provide some insight into how the planned NHS reform may affect pharmacy.…
PJ view: An evidence-based approach to policy reform is needed from Streeting With another NHS reform on the cards from new health secretary Wes Streeting, now is the time for an evidence-based approach to strategic planning to counter ideological policies of the past.…
Half of all trusts could be using electronic prescription service by 2026, says NHS England NHS England’s clinical lead for digital medicines said it would be working with at least eight system suppliers to provide the service.…
PJ view: Pharmacy technicians are vital in efforts to rescue pharmacists from their workload Pharmacy technicians are best placed to take on more responsibility to alleviate workforce pressures across all pharmacy sectors.…
Chancellor promises electronic patient records for all NHS trusts by March 2026 In the spring 2024 Budget, the government said it will spend £3.4bn on boosting productivity in the NHS, including £2bn on updating IT systems.…
PJ view: Training for specialist mental health pharmacists must be used — and quickly With training and resources on offer, trusts should be jumping at the chance to make the most of pharmacists’ specialist knowledge on mental health care teams.…
Government rejects House of Lords call to give chief pharmacists more powers over homecare medicines services The Department of Health and Social Care also rejected a recommendation that hospital chief pharmacists should arrange “back up” homecare services.…
How has 2023 stacked up for the pharmacy sector? From pharmacy closures to Pharmacy First, 2023 has laid the foundations for a game-changing 2024. Here, we take a look back at the biggest headlines of the year.…
