United Kingdom

Why England’s Pharmacy First sore throat service needs point-of-care testing

Over the past few years, there has been a sore throat test-and-treat service implemented in Wales and, more recently, in Northern Ireland, based on their pilots. In England, we still have a sore throat service that does not include a point-of-care test (POCT) component. Results from pilots in Nor…

‘Teach and Treat’ independent prescribing pilot to launch in all regions of England

The government confirmed the programme’s expansion in its response to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee's pharmacy inquiry.…

A 2.8% pay uplift recommendation reflects a tough economy for everyone

In this month’s health policy column, Andy Cowper warns that high gilts and low growth may mean pay parsimony for pharmacists, but questions whether more NHS strikes would have public backing.…

Health inequalities included in updated cancer referral guidelines

The Scottish government's ‘Cancer Strategy for Scotland 2023–2033’ highlights that there is “convincing evidence” that socioeconomic and health disparities are linked with increased diagnoses of more advanced cancers.…

Government ‘working towards’ enabling hub-and-spoke dispensing in 2025

The proposed legislation will enable hub-and-spoke dispensing between different legal entities, changing the current rules that only permit this model of dispensing between pharmacy locations that belong to the same legal entity.…

Welsh community pharmacies to receive 6% funding increase, government confirms

The government says that £9.9m funding increase is aimed to address “immediate pressures” and contribute towards realising its long-term reform plans.…

Supporting palliative and end-of-life care in Welsh community pharmacies: a pilot study

The demand for palliative and end-of-life care in Wales is projected to almost double by 2040, increasing from 25% to 47%​1​. This underscores the increasing importance of community pharmacies in supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses. Palliative and end-of-life care is vital because i…

Your views on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s royal college proposals

In this episode of The PJ Pod, we hear from the executive team at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society about its proposals to become a royal college, and from members with their opinions on the plans.…

Seven in ten pharmacy owners are concerned financial pressures will affect patient safety this winter

More than one-third of respondents to Community Pharmacy England’s winter pressures poll said they were concerned their pharmacy businesses may not survive the winter months.…

Government plans for 2.8% pay uplift for hospital pharmacy staff

Unite the Union described the pay increase an “insult”, saying the NHS will not remedy its recruitment and retention crisis without tackling the issue of restorative pay.…