Northern Ireland

Government should take a common sense approach and abolish prescription charges

It is time for England to follow the lead of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and abolish prescription charges.…

Why legal action is not the best way to address the community pharmacy funding crisis in England

As pharmacy contractors in England suffer budget cuts and their leaders instigate legal action, Northern Ireland pharmacy contractor Terry Maguire argues why this might not be a good idea and what English contractors might learn from their Celtic cousins.…

Criminalisation of dispensing errors continues to haunt pharmacy

The suspended prison sentence passed on Northern Ireland pharmacist Martin White is deeply troubling for the pharmacy profession ( Pharmaceutical Journal online, 22 December 2016). White was convicted under section 64 of the Medicines Act 1968 for supplying a product that was not o…

Celesio’s acquisition of wholesaler Sangers gets competition approval

Celesio has received the all-clear from the Competition and Markets Authority for its acquisition of the Northern Ireland-based pharmaceutical wholesaler United Drug Sangers.  Celesio has already acquired other businesses owned by United Drug Sangers’ parent company UDG Healthcare: …

Drone flies abortion pills to Northern Ireland to highlight its abortion laws

A drone carrying abortion pills landed in Northern Ireland on 21 June 2016 as part of a stunt organised to highlight the strict abortion laws in the province.…

UK health departments set lower limits for safe drinking

New guidelines issued by the Department of Health have set lower limits for the consumption of alcohol after research found that any level of drinking raises the risk of disease, including mouth, throat and breast cancers.…

Pharmacists recognised in 2016 New Year’s honours list

Several pharmacists and former pharmacists have been recognised in the New Year’s honours list, with four being made Officers of the Order of the British Empire.…

Pharmacists in Northern Ireland to work in GP practices

Community pharmacists in Northern Ireland are to work alongside GPs in a multimillion scheme unveiled on 7 December 2015. …

Hospitals have variable stock levels of antidotes

Hospital stock control of antidotes to treat poisoned patients have improved but there is still “significant” differences between NHS trusts.…

Chief pharmacists: pharmacy’s future is ‘clinical and digital’

The pharmacy workforce must embrace clinical practice in the next few years amid advancements in medical and dispensing technologies, according to the UK’s chief pharmaceutical officers.…