Policy and politics

What impact president-elect Donald Trump will have on the US healthcare system

William Seligman takes a look at what might happen to the US healthcare system and pharma under a Trump presidency.…

Planned funding cuts for community pharmacy in England are not based on evidence

The UK government’s documents on funding cuts for community pharmacy are inconsistent and lack evidence.…

NHS England CEO should not use derogatory language about pharmacy to justify funding cuts

There is no need for Simon Stevens, the chief executive officer of NHS England, to use language that undermines the role of pharmacies in order to convince MPs that funding cuts to the sector are justified.…

Machines cannot replace pharmacists

Independent community pharmacy contractor Mark Burdon explains what links pharmacy, automation and Charles Dickens.…

Non-patient facing roles in hospital pharmacy are just as vital as patient facing ones

Roles such as procurement are important in hospital pharmacy services and should not be brushed aside.…

The RPS must act now on governance

I must agree with your editorial (The Pharmaceutical Journal 2016;297:4) that a review of the governance of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is needed. When an effective sitting President of the Society is removed not for genuine political reasons but by a quirk of the electoral syste…

Medical marijuana saves health system money

Introduction of medical marijuana legislation linked to decrease in prescriptions for other medicines, saving US$165.2m per year, researchers discover…

Challenges of sharing pharmacy best practice internationally

There are many barriers to overcome to ensure best practice is shared more widely on an international level.…

Release details of how each member voted

The decision of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) English Pharmacy Board (EPB) not to nominate Ash Soni to the Assembly means he cannot stand for the president of the RPS. It is my understanding that members of the EPB are elected by the membership who, in turn, by secret ballot, elect five can…

Burt to step down as health minister

Alistair Burt has announced that he will step down as health minister in September 2016.…