Prescription-only medicines

‘Very few people’ likely to get prescription for medical cannabis as it becomes legal in the UK

Prescriptions for medical cannabis are likely to be available for “very few people in England”, according to NHS guidance for patients, published on 1 November 2018.…

First prescription treatment for morning sickness launched in UK

The UK’s first prescription treatment for vomiting and nausea during pregnancy has been launched by pharmaceutical company Alliance Pharma.…

NHS campaign aims to encourage patients to check free prescription eligibility

A nationwide campaign to help crack down on patients claiming free prescriptions when they are not eligible is to be launched on 10 September 2018.…

The public must be warned about the dangers of the online medicines free-for-all

The government needs to take action to stop prescription drugs, including opioids and slimming tablets, being obtained from online pharmacies that can avoid regulation.…

Viability of community pharmacies threatened by prescribing cuts, owners say

Pharmacy owners have warned that the “financial viability” of community pharmacies is at risk as an NHS crackdown on prescriptions for cheap over-the-counter (OTC) drugs begins to bite.…

Should pharmacists be allowed to reuse medicines?

Medicines reuse schemes successfully operate in the United States and Greece, reducing medicines waste and environmental pollution, as well as saving money and providing drugs to thousands of people who could not otherwise afford them. Is there a demand for such a scheme in the UK, and would it be f…

More than 20 pharmacists facing fitness to practise investigations over POM black market

Some 23 pharmacists are facing fitness to practise investigations over the illegal diversion of prescription-only medicines from the NHS medicines supply chain on to the online black market.…

Amazonising pharmacy — reality or just a rumour?

If the headlines are to be believed, the online commerce company Amazon is setting its sights on the US pharmacy market, and entry to the UK market could follow.…

Number of prescriptions dispensed in the community rises, but cost falls

More prescriptions were dispensed in the community in England in 2017, but the cost of prescriptions fell slightly.…

Five pharmacists suspended as MHRA ups investigations into NHS drugs appearing on black market

Organised criminal gangs are diverting drugs from the NHS supply chain and selling them on the black market in an illegal racket estimated to be worth up to £200m…