Service provision

FIP issues guidance on maintaining access to drugs during natural disasters

The first global guidelines that support continued access to medicines and pharmacy expertise during natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods and heat waves, have been released by the International Pharmaceutical Federation.…

All-Party Pharmacy Group calls for action on drug shortages

The All-Party Pharmacy Group has repeated its call for more to be done to tackle medicines shortages, after over half of community pharmacists responding to a survey said they dealt with drug shortages on a daily basis.…

The PSNC needs to be more transparent with other pharmacy players

By not consulting with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Pharmacy Voice on its counterproposals to the government’s funding cuts, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has dissipated the pharmacy sector’s united front against the plans.…

Community pharmacists should be able to substitute cheaper drugs, says PSNC in proposals to counter government cuts

Giving community pharmacists more power to dispense cheaper generic alternatives to branded medicines could save the NHS millions of pounds and prevent the need for planned government cuts of £170m from the community pharmacy budget in England, according to national negotiators.…

New ‘sunshine rules’ for NHS staff and service providers

NHS staff will have to disclose all gifts and hospitality received from companies that deliver, or could deliver, services to the NHS under measures announced by NHS England to boost public confidence and protect taxpayers’ funds.…

The Zika virus: how Brazilian pharmacists are fighting back

Josélia Frade explains what Brazilian pharmacists are doing to help control the Zika virus outbreak.…

Pharmacists in Scotland to have bigger role in reformed urgent care services

Community pharmacists in Scotland are being given an increased role in a reformed NHS out-of-hours service, following a Scottish government-commissioned independent review into urgent care.…

NICE extends treatment options for chronic hepatitis C

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended that three additional and expensive treatments should be made available on the NHS to treat routine hepatitis C infection in certain patients.…

Government to consult on legal changes to permit widespread centralised dispensing

The UK government will consult on amending medicines legislation to allow all community pharmacies to operate using centralised dispensing, Alistair Burt, community and social care minister, has announced.…

Why I enjoy inspecting pharmacies for the GPhC

Inspecting pharmacies for the General Pharmaceutical Council gives Helen Jackson the opportunity to engage the pharmacy team and see services improve.…