Policy and politics

Can drug consumption rooms reduce drug-related harm?

Even after the approval of a long-awaited pilot service allowing people to inject drugs under medical supervision, experts are still divided over the impact it will have on both drug users and communities.…

Victoria Atkins appointed as new health and social care secretary

Former health secretary Steve Barclay has been moved to the role of secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.…

The phantom pharmacy sector

This month, The Pharmaceutical Journal’s health policy columnist considers the impact of recent changes to the pharmacy market.…

PJ view: What are your ambitions for the future of pharmacy practice?

The Pharmaceutical Journal wants to hear about your local ‘vision’ for the future of pharmacy and examples of forward-thinking services that could be replicated elsewhere.…

UK chief pharmaceutical officers launch advisory board to lead professional development of pharmacy

The board's remit will include the development of professional pharmacy practice standards; developing a voice for pharmacy professional leadership; and contributing to the development of post-registration education and training.…

RPS publishes standards for pharmacists working for ‘hospital at home’ scheme

The eight standards have been created to set out what constitutes ‘good’ in terms of working practices, as well as audit and benchmark pharmacy services across eight core areas.…

How the RPS has supported the advancement of pharmacist prescribing

Laura Wilson, director for Scotland at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, recounts how the Society lobbied for wider use of pharmacist independent prescribers.…

Roadmap to provide PrEP via community pharmacies will be ready by ‘end of the year’, government says

Health minister Neil O’Brien said the government’s HIV action plan implementation steering group was currently “working to develop a PrEP roadmap”.…

RPS backs call to legalise safe consumption facilities for drug users

Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said that providing consumption facilities for drug users would “provide an opportunity for health professionals to engage in treatment and prevention”.…

Community pharmacy has much to contribute to the goals of the ‘NHS long-term plan’

Hemant Patel sets out the ‘7 Ds’ of the ‘NHS long-term plan’ and how community pharmacy can offer more towards its aims.…