Regulators

NICE rejects second Alzheimer’s disease treatment for NHS use

Clinical trial evidence reveals that there are “significant health risks” linked to donanemab, with a third of patients experiencing amyloid-related imaging abnormalities as a result of brain swelling and bleeding.…

Online pharmacy activity linked to 40 open fitness-to-practise cases, says GPhC

Presenting at The Pharmacy Show on 13 October 2023, Roz Gittins revealed that 68% of online pharmacies were found to meet all regulatory standards at inspection, 17 percentage points lower than for registered pharmacies overall.…

Medication maths: displacement volumes and values

This article is part of a comprehensive series on pharmaceutical calculations in preparation for the General Pharmaceutical Council registration assessment. It provides guidance on how to tackle questions related to displacement volumes, including a worked example of a sample exam question.…

Medication maths: using a resource or artefact when calculating doses and dose regimen

Helping foundation trainees to prepare for the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration assessment, this article provides guidance on how to use relevant resources to accurately calculate dosage and includes a detailed worked example of a sample exam question.…

Problems with diabetes monitoring devices are potentially being underreported, says MHRA

The regulator has urged people to speak to a healthcare professional if they have concerns that their health may have been impacted by an issue with their device.…

Medication maths: estimations of kidney function

This article is part of a comprehensive series on pharmaceutical calculations in preparation for the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration assessment, providing guidance on how to tackle questions related to kidney function, including a worked example of a sample exam question.…

Preparing for the GPhC pharmaceutical calculations assessment 

Eight tips for success showing how foundation trainees can effectively prepare for the General Pharmaceutical Council registration assessment outlining what to do first and how to avoid some of the common errors made by previous cohorts.…

Manufacturer withdraws treatment for sickle cell disease following concern over deaths

Pfizer's withdrawal is based on data that suggest “an imbalance in vast-occlusive crises and fatal events which require further assessment”.…

Almost 14,000 temporary pharmacy closures reported across England in 2023, research finds

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board recorded the highest number of temporary closures (1,438) and hours lost (4,054).…

Regulator misses fitness-to-practise timeliness standard for sixth year in a row

The Professional Standards Authority said the General Pharmaceutical Council “is still taking too long to progress fitness-to-practise investigations”.…