Public health

Helping the vulnerable: why we need integrated pharmacy services for the homeless

Additional funding and joined-up collaboration between different sectors of healthcare are needed to help address the health needs of the growing homeless population in the UK.…

Science of sunscreen

Sun exposure is the primary cause of skin cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, more than 8 in 10 cases of melanoma could be prevented through better knowledge of sun damage and how to protect against it.…

HIV services need to evolve to meet new needs

A stronger, less fragmented system of HIV services is needed in order to keep pace with the changing needs of patients.…

Why the term ‘prediabetes’ may cause more harm than good

Labelling patients as ‘prediabetic’ may not improve health outcomes because of inconsistencies with the testing and diagnosing of the condition, among other factors, writes Eleanor Barry.…

Welsh Assembly passes Bill to change issuing requirements for new pharmacy dispensing contracts

A bill that includes a provision to replace arrangements for issuing new pharmacy dispensing contracts with a system based on pharmaceutical needs assessments was passed by the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff on 16 May 2017. The Public Health (Wales) Bill now enters a period of intimation before it …

Whooping cough: public health management and guidance

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious, acute bacterial infection. It can affect people of all ages, but is especially dangerous in vulnerable groups, such as unimmunised infants.…

Public Health England establishes new health improvement arm

Public Health England has created a Health Improvement directorate that will join up a number of teams, including staff working on alcohol, drugs, diet and obesity.…

There’s more to pharmacy than just being a pharmacist

Hello my name is Hala and I am passionate about pharmacy. I’m grateful and honoured to be nominated for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) English Pharmacy Board elections. Pharmacy is experiencing challenging times and it is important to work cohesively with different healthcare sec…

Helping to develop our profession

Having worked in community, hospital and academia, I understand the challenges the pharmacy profession faces, but there is a great opportunity for us to develop new ways of working to further enhance the profession. Widespread engagement and understanding regarding the value of pharmacists is …

Public health cuts in England equate to £1.6bn in opportunity costs to the NHS in England

Austerity measures in public health could have an eightfold detrimental impact on the NHS, say researchers…