Sexually transmitted disease

Putting the rise of STIs in England into context

Laura Waters explains the rise of STIs in the UK, the possible reasons behind it and possible solutions, and considers the challenges posed by the current economic climate.…

Public Health England survey finds commissioning of sexual health and HIV services is ‘fragmented’

Provision of sexual health and HIV services has become ‘fragmented’ in England since responsibility for commissioning was split across local authorities, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and NHS England, a survey by Public Health England has found.…

Community pharmacy-led sexual health services should be commissioned nationally, conference hears

Community pharmacies are ideally placed to be the first port of call for women requiring comprehensive and convenient contraceptive and sexual health services, concluded a discussion at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society 2017 annual conference in Birmingham, UK.…

New antibiotic shown to be effective against gonorrhoea superbug

A new class of antibiotic has been found to be effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae according to researchers from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.…

‘Mosaic’ of public health services offered through community pharmacies in England, study finds

There is significant variation in the commissioning and delivery of public health services in community pharmacies across England, according to a study published in BMJ Open…

Lancet study reveals the first vaccine to show protection against gonorrhoea

Exposure to the meningococcal group B vaccine is associated with a reduced likelihood of contracting gonorrhoea, according to the findings of a large study in The Lancet.…

Syphilis infections reach 67-year high

Cases of syphilis in England have reached the highest level since 1949, figures on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for 2016 show.…

Protect the ‘Three Girls’ in your pharmacy

BBC docudrama on the Rochdale grooming scandal highlights the need for safe spaces for vulnerable girls in the community, and pharmacy can provide one.…

Two doses of HPV vaccine enough to protect against genital warts

US study shows that three doses of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine does not provide any more protection than two against genital warts.…

Financial pressures are harming community-based NHS services, King’s Fund report says

Financial pressures on the NHS are harming community-based services, while some acute services are being shielded from cuts, putting the NHS ‘Five year forward view’ at risk, according to an analysis by The King’s Fund.…