Industry News

Warning over internet painkillers

08.12.08
UK experts have warned of the dangers of purchasing drugs online after a study showed wide availability of strong painkillers over the internet. More ...Warning over internet painkillers

Drivers who take cough syrup risk prosecution

08.12.08
Motorists could be fined or banned after taking over-the-counter cold remedies, experts warned today. More ...Drivers who take cough syrup risk prosecution

MHRA advises vigilance and use of yellow card scheme for new over-the-counter products

18.11.08
MHRA is asking pharmacists to be vigilant about monitoring the side effects of new over-the-counter products and is encouraging them to report any suspected reactions via the yellow card scheme. More ...MHRA advises vigilance and use of yellow card scheme for new over-the-counter products

Men fuelling counterfeit medicines trade

18.11.08
Just 6 per cent of men would use their pharmacist or GP as a first port of call for advice on purchasing medicines. More ...Men fuelling counterfeit medicines trade

Boots pharmacists to give cervical cancer jabs

11.11.08
Young women will be able to get cervical cancer jabs in Boots pharmacies across London after the company launched a private vaccination service in 10 stores More ...Boots pharmacists to give cervical cancer jabs

Medicine Guides now accessible from NHS Choices website

11.11.08
Datapharm has announced that as of the 31st October 2008, Medicine Guides are accessible from the NHS Choices website. More ...Medicine Guides now accessible from NHS Choices website

New smokefree 'Scared' campaign launches

11.11.08
A new Smokefree campaign, designed to motivate smokers to quit, portrays the fears that children have of their parents dying from smoking, started appropriately enough on Halloween. More ...New smokefree 'Scared' campaign launches

Anti-obesity drug switch is 'significant opportunity'

04.11.08
The anticipated switch of an anti-obesity drug to non-prescription status is a "very significant" business and professional opportunity, industry representatives have said. More ...Anti-obesity drug switch is 'significant opportunity'

Pharmacists must remain vigilant over pseudoephedrine/ephedrine sales

04.11.08
The RPSGB has issued a press release to remind pharmacists and pharmacy staff to stay alert when supplying pseudoephedrine and ephedrine containing products, which can be used in the illicit production of methamphetamine (crystal meth). More ...Pharmacists must remain vigilant over pseudoephedrine/ephedrine sales

More than half of users obtain emergency hormonal contraception from pharmacies

04.11.08
More than half of women who report using emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) obtain it direct from a pharmacy, new figures from the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care indicate. More ...More than half of users obtain emergency hormonal contraception from pharmacies

POM to P switch for Orlistat

27.10.08
EMEA has recommended for the first time that the status of a centrally authorised medicine in the European Union be switched from prescription-only to non-prescription. This will enable patients to buy medicine over-the-counter. More ...POM to P switch for Orlistat

Painkillers linked to heart attacks and strokes

23.10.08
The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has warned doctors that high doses of NSAIDs taken for arthritis and back pain "may be associated with a small risk of heart attack or stroke when used for long-term treatment.” More ...Painkillers linked to heart attacks and strokes

Shocking cigarette box images aim to drive quit rates

07.10.08
The Department of Health is aiming to shock smokers into quitting with graphic picture warnings on packets of cigarettes. More ...Shocking cigarette box images aim to drive quit rates

Call for pseudoephedrine vigilance after crystal meth find

29.09.08
Community pharmacists must remain "ever vigilant" to potential criminal activity associated with sales of pseudoephedrine- and ephedrine-containing medicines, representatives have warned. More ...Call for pseudoephedrine vigilance after crystal meth find

NPA: Paracetamol is safe for children

29.09.08
Pharmacists should continue to advise parents to use paracetamol to control pain and fever in children, the NPA has said. More ...NPA: Paracetamol is safe for children

Business face loss of millions in OTC sales

26.09.08
Pharmacies stand to lose millions of pounds under government proposals to allow dispensing doctors to sell OTC medicines. More ...Business face loss of millions in OTC sales

Communicating risk to patients

26.09.08
The National electronic Library for Medicine has published a review which briefly summarises the evidence published on communicating risk to patients. More ...Communicating risk to patients

NPA tackles GP Concerns over POM to P switches

26.09.08
The NPA is working with GP representatives to help doctors better understand how newly- switched OTC medicines are handles by the pharmacy profession. More ...NPA tackles GP Concerns over POM to P switches

One in seven practices face closure

26.09.08
Following a survey of 276 GPs, GP Magazine has concluded that one in seven practices are threatened with closure or relocation to a polyclinic. More ...One in seven practices face closure

20% of GP cases could be handled by pharmacists

15.09.08
This was the message from Steve Churton, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), addressing delegates at this year’s British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester. More ...20% of GP cases could be handled by pharmacists

Trade in rogue online pharmacies trebles

09.09.08
Trade at unregistered internet pharmacies has trebled over the past year, according to a report by an internet security firm. More ...Trade in rogue online pharmacies trebles

Insects provide final sting to a miserable summer

09.09.08
Due to Britain's wet summer, an explosion of biting, stinging pests is on the way. More ...Insects provide final sting to a miserable summer

Pharmacy statin supply plan splits GPs

09.09.08
A proposal to allow pharmacists to supply statins without prescription has met mixed reaction from GPs. More ...Pharmacy statin supply plan splits GPs

Chemists 'under too much strain'

26.08.08
Pharmacists are being put under too much strain, putting patients at risk, say the profession's leaders. More ...Chemists 'under too much strain'

Temporary freeze agreed for cost of branded drugs to NHS

26.08.08
The pharmaceutical industry and the government have agreed a temporary freeze on the costs of branded medicines to the NHS. More ...Temporary freeze agreed for cost of branded drugs to NHS

Fewer than one in 100 Britons eating 'healthy' diet

26.08.08
Fewer than one in 100 Britons have a healthy diet, preferring instead food high in sugar, salt and fat. More ...Fewer than one in 100 Britons eating 'healthy' diet

Internet shoppers at risk from rogue websites

26.08.08
A quarter of internet shoppers have bought or would buy prescription drugs online, according to a survey. More ...Internet shoppers at risk from rogue websites

Pain 'linked with low vitamin D'

18.08.08
The BBC News website has reported that scientists believe that low levels of the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, may contribute to chronic pain among women. More ...Pain 'linked with low vitamin D'

MHRA performance

18.08.08
The next Cross Trade Association meeting with the MHRA is scheduled for Monday 15th September 2008. More ...MHRA performance

Britons test first pill to cure colds

18.08.08
The Sun has reported that British volunteers are testing the world’s first pill that could prevent colds. More ...Britons test first pill to cure colds

Switching high up on MHRA's agenda for the rest of the year

18.08.08
PAGB met with MHRA recently to discuss switching and a number of proposals for changes to the process suggested by PAGB's Reclassification Task Force. More ...Switching high up on MHRA's agenda for the rest of the year

Doubt raised on effectiveness of private chlamydia service

18.08.08
The NPA has launched a private chlamydia screening service for pharmacies following the switch of azithromycin from POM to P last week. More ...Doubt raised on effectiveness of private chlamydia service

MHRA gives go-ahead for first ever oral antibiotic to be made available without prescription to treat chlamydia

11.08.08
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has given approval for a medicine to be made available from a pharmacist without a doctor’s prescription to treat chlamydia. More ...MHRA gives go-ahead for first ever oral antibiotic to be made available without prescription to treat chlamydia

Contractors boycott minor ailments service

11.08.08
Over 95 per cent of pharmacists in Northern Ireland have pulled out of minor ailments services after negotiators rejected “unreasonable” government terms for the extension of the service. More ...Contractors boycott minor ailments service

RPSGB response to chlamydia treatment switch

11.08.08
MHRA’s decision to approve the reclassification of azithromycin for the treatment of chlamydia infection will mean convenient and effective care for patients, said the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB). More ...RPSGB response to chlamydia treatment switch

Pharmacy bodies being urged to lobby harder.

05.08.08
Pharmacy bodies are too concerned with protecting pharmacy-GP relationships and should be lobbying harder over issues such as dispensing doctor regulations, industry insiders have said. More ...Pharmacy bodies being urged to lobby harder.

Patient survey reveals GP delays

05.08.08
Many patients say they are still waiting too long to see their GP - but levels of satisfaction with the care offered are high. More ...Patient survey reveals GP delays

One in five take drugs 'wrongly'

05.08.08
Almost one in five people say they have taken prescription medicines wrongly, a survey has suggested. More ...One in five take drugs 'wrongly'

RPSGB responds to PSNC and DDA statement

05.08.08
Responding to last week’s joint statement... More ...RPSGB responds to PSNC and DDA statement

Online Pill no threat to pharmacy, says doctor

28.06.08
A website that bypasses pharmacy to sell the Pill directly to patients should not be seen as a rival by the profession, according to a director behind the project. More ...Online Pill no threat to pharmacy, says doctor

80 per cent of pharmacy operators could promote their businesses better

12.06.08
Pharmacy operators are not doing enough to sell their services to a wider audience despite an overall increase in marketing activity, is the finding from a survey of UK pharmacy by the consultatncy firm Sempora. More ...80 per cent of pharmacy operators could promote their businesses better

Promote importance of info leaflets, says ABPI

24.05.08
Pharmacists could play a more active role in making sure patients understand their medication, manufacturers have said. More ...Promote importance of info leaflets, says ABPI

No room for OTC sales complacency

15.05.08
Pharmacists have been urged "not to become complacent" when supplying products containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine. More ...No room for OTC sales complacency

Workplace push drives men to use pharmacies

10.05.08
A group of Yorkshire pharmacies have taken part in a pilot project to increase men's use of pharmacy services. More ...Workplace push drives men to use pharmacies

Dispensing practices threatened

09.05.08
Dispensing surgeries in England could lose half of their income because a company has made a string of speculative applications to set up new pharmacies. More ...Dispensing practices threatened

Prescription plan needs funds

03.05.08
Information prescriptions, which pharmacists could soon be asked to provide for patients across the country, should be implemented with care and need funding, pharmacy experts have warned. More ...Prescription plan needs funds

New NPA chief executive pledges practical help

03.05.08
The NPA is gearing up to be "very vocal" on the implementation of proposals made in the white paper. More ...New NPA chief executive pledges practical help

Mums saving NHS through home diagnoses

03.05.08
Mums are acting as unofficial health professionals and saving the NHS millions in the process, a survey has found. More ...Mums saving NHS through home diagnoses

'Long journey' ahead for white paper

26.04.08
The pharmacy white paper is unlikely to provide a quick-fix for the profession, representatives have said. More ...'Long journey' ahead for white paper

Hay fever campaign gets the right reaction

14.04.08
TV presenter Melinda Messenger and pharmacist Marc Donovan, from the Welsh Pharmacy Board, worked to support a national hay fever campaign launched by the Royal pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain on Monday April 14. More ...Hay fever campaign gets the right reaction

Every PCT to deliver minor ailments scheme

12.04.08
The government expects community pharmacy to deliver a minor ailments scheme (MAS) in every PCT area, it has said. More ...Every PCT to deliver minor ailments scheme

Good chemistry

10.04.08
From screening to health advice to treating minor ailments, pharmacies are embracing their new role as partners in the drive to improve public health, according to HSJ. More ...Good chemistry

Pharmacists to take on GP work

09.04.08
Doctors urged caution and demanded Government address a conflict of interest over plans raised in last week’s Pharmacy White Paper which will give pharmacists a greater role in treating minor ailments. More ...Pharmacists to take on GP work

Supermarket surgery fully booked for its first month

28.03.08
Appointments at the first supermarket-based GP surgery in England have been fully booked since it opened on 3 March. More ...Supermarket surgery fully booked for its first month

GP extended hours – what’s the latest?

20.03.08
Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg got involved in the row over GP extended hours this week, More ...GP extended hours – what’s the latest?

Aspirin reduces the risk of developing asthma in women

13.03.08
Women who regularly take low dose aspirin have a lower risk of developing asthma, a new analysis of the Women's Health Study suggests. More ...Aspirin reduces the risk of developing asthma in women

GPs grudgingly agree to extended hours

07.03.08
GPs have reluctantly decided to open in the evenings or at weekends after being pressed into an agreement by the Government. More ...GPs grudgingly agree to extended hours

DH to expand pharmacist role in minor ailment care

07.03.08
The DH is looking to expand the number of pharmacies providing treatment for minor ailments according to health minister Ben Bradshaw. More ...DH to expand pharmacist role in minor ailment care

Sainsbury's is first with in-store GP

28.02.08
A Sainsbury's store in North West England has become the first supermarket to offer an in-store GP surgery. More ...Sainsbury's is first with in-store GP

Dispensing doctors slam pharmacy MAS

23.02.08
Pharmacy minor ailments schemes (MAS) could destabilise primary care, the Dispensing Doctors’ Association has said. More ...Dispensing doctors slam pharmacy MAS

Pharmacy obesity programme

20.02.08
The All Party Pharmacy Group held a reception on Tuesday 19 February 2008 looking into the pharmacist’s role in managing obesity. More ...Pharmacy obesity programme

The latest on the row over extended GP surgery hours

15.02.08
The DH is to allow local flexibility in how extended hours are to be offered under proposed changes to the GP contract. More ...The latest on the row over extended GP surgery hours

Big increase in quitters following introduction of smokefree England

29.01.08
The Department of Health has released statistics that show an unprecedented demand for Stop Smoking Services. More ...Big increase in quitters following introduction of smokefree England

“Enormous potential” for nicotine vaccines, new report claims

28.01.08
The major markets for prescription anti-smoking therapies remain underdeveloped with “enormous potential for growth”, according to a new report. More ...“Enormous potential” for nicotine vaccines, new report claims

Plans for all GPs to quit the NHS

25.01.08
The BMA has drawn up a plan for GPs to quit the NHS en masse in response to the Government’s plans to force through extended hours. More ...Plans for all GPs to quit the NHS

EHC concerns spark anger

08.12.07
Industry leaders have reacted angrily to reports highlighting concerns over pharmacists’ provision of emergency hormonal contraception to young girls. More ...EHC concerns spark anger

Pseudoephedrine guide

01.12.07
The RPSGB has issued a law and ethics bulletin on the sale of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine-containing products. More ...Pseudoephedrine guide

Crystal meth factory may be linked to OTC sales

01.12.07
The jailing of a man for producing crystal meth in his home in Peterborough has sparked fresh warnings about the sale of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine-based drugs from pharmacies. More ...Crystal meth factory may be linked to OTC sales

Pharmacists signing up minor ailments patients

23.11.07
Around 39,000 patients have signed up to receive health advice from pharmacists in the Forth Valley, Scotland. More ...Pharmacists signing up minor ailments patients

Rise in number of pharmacies

23.11.07
A total of 270 new pharmacies opened in England and Wales in 2006/7 and 55 closed according to the DH. More ...Rise in number of pharmacies

Mystery shoppers for PSE sales ruled out

17.11.07
Pharmacists will not be monitored by MHRA mystery shoppers to ensure they are handling sales of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine appropriately. More ...Mystery shoppers for PSE sales ruled out

Questions to Ask: Getting the most out of your medical appointment

08.11.07
The Department of Health has developed a new leaflet, entitled ‘Questions to Ask’, that aims to help everyone get the best out of an appointment with their doctor or health professional. More ...Questions to Ask: Getting the most out of your medical appointment

RPSGB rejects pseudoephedrine proposal

31.10.07
Pharmacists should not personally have to oversee every sale of a medicine containing pseudoephedrine, according to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB). More ...RPSGB rejects pseudoephedrine proposal

Free scripts set to raise GP workload in Scotland

31.10.07
Scotland plans to make prescriptions free within the next four years although there are worries that this will bring a sharp increase in practice workload. More ...Free scripts set to raise GP workload in Scotland

PCTs plug deficit with public health cash

27.10.07
Pharmacists are being denied the chance to improve England’s public health, industry leaders have said. More ...PCTs plug deficit with public health cash

DH opens debate on ‘responsible pharmacist’

27.10.07
Pharmacists could be given the green light to leave premises during opening hours from late 2008 under a government bid to boost the profession’s clinical role. More ...DH opens debate on ‘responsible pharmacist’

Call for better allergy advice

26.10.07
Pharmacists are the first port of call for allergy sufferers, but they need more training to give accurate advice, a report has said. More ...Call for better allergy advice

NICE public health guidance on behavioural change

24.10.07
NICE has published public health guidance for health professionals which aims to bring about changes in people's health behaviour. More ...NICE public health guidance on behavioural change

Pharmacy chain angered as spending on drugs is cut by £470m

06.10.07
The head of Lloyds Pharmacy, Britain's second-biggest chain of chemists, has protested to the government after a huge cut in spending on medicines, More ...Pharmacy chain angered as spending on drugs is cut by £470m

Bring incentives in-line with policy

01.10.07
PAGB president, Roger Scarlet Smith briefed Debbie Wilkes from the OTC Bulletin on industry issues, the report is published in the 28th September 2007 issue. More ...Bring incentives in-line with policy

Flu-permarket

30.09.07
Patients will soon be able to get flu jabs in supermarkets across the country. More ...Flu-permarket

Pharmacist: the movie

28.09.07
A UK film company has begun work on a film called The Pharmacist. More ...Pharmacist: the movie

Registering at the pharmacy or sports centre for primary care services

26.09.07
GP access is one of the issues that is constantly in the headlines at the moment. More ...Registering at the pharmacy or sports centre for primary care services

Government plan for GPs in pharmacies divides profession

22.09.07
Government plans to put GPs into pharmacies have divided opinion within the profession. More ...Government plan for GPs in pharmacies divides profession

The RCGP’s vision for primary care

21.09.07
The “Future Direction of General Practice”, written by the RCGP foresees primary care delivering a more comprehensive range of services in the community. More ...The RCGP’s vision for primary care

RPSGB Treasurer responds to minister’s £3m announcement

10.09.07
Health minister Ben Bradshaw announced at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) on Monday that the Government would make £3million available to support the transition to a new pharmacy regulatory body. More ...RPSGB Treasurer responds to minister’s £3m announcement

Doctors under fire for overuse of antibiotics

09.09.07
Doctors are increasing patients' risk of developing resistance to antibiotics, More ...Doctors under fire for overuse of antibiotics

Watchdogs to consider food colouring research

07.09.07
The European Food Safety Authority has been reassessing published research on food colourings this year as part of an overall review of food additives, and has begun issuing fresh advice on specific colours. More ...Watchdogs to consider food colouring research

Aspirin 'cuts risk of breast cancer'

06.09.07
Research has indicated that aspirin can cut the risk of breast cancer by almost 25 per cent. More ...Aspirin 'cuts risk of breast cancer'

Pseudoephedrine remains OTC

04.09.07
The Commission on Human Medicines have agreed with all of the proposals that PAGB and pharmacy bodies put forward in response to the consultation on pseudoephedrine and it remains OTC with the following measures to control supply. More ...Pseudoephedrine remains OTC

NHS bill for drugs rises by £10bn every year

27.08.07
The number of prescriptions handed out by doctors has increased by 27 per cent in the past five years More ...NHS bill for drugs rises by £10bn every year

Smoke-free guidance published

18.08.07
Guidelines on how pharmacists should use the techniques of brief advice and brief intervention to help patients give up smoking have been published jointly by the DH and PharmacyHealthLink. More ...Smoke-free guidance published

Hung over? You must be British

18.08.07
A survey of self-medication carried out in May by AC Nielsen has exposed some interesting anomalies between British and other European consumers. More ...Hung over? You must be British

Concern over free NHS prescriptions

17.08.07
A report has been published that says people in Wales are abusing the free NHS prescriptions system by claiming over-the-counter drugs and other treatments from their GPs. More ...Concern over free NHS prescriptions

'Lifestyle' cancers up

09.08.07
Cancers linked to lifestyle factors such as alcohol, smoking, obesity and exposure to sun have risen sharply, according to a study from Cancer Research UK. More ...'Lifestyle' cancers up

SE London chlamydia pilot improves access for women

04.08.07
Community pharmacy is a suitable setting for chlamydia testing and treatment, according to a published evaluation of a south-east London pilot (Quality & Safety in Health Care 2007; 16:303). More ...SE London chlamydia pilot improves access for women

PSNC backs Azithromycin POM to P switch

04.08.07
Reclassification of Azithromycin as a P medicine will enable pharmacists to play a "vital part" in the fight against sexually transmitted infections, according to PSNC. More ...PSNC backs Azithromycin POM to P switch

Sales of cold remedies up by 60%

03.08.07
The miserable weather this summer has sent millions of UK residents fleeing to pharmacies for cold remedies instead of antihistamines or sunblock according to pharmacy chain, Lloydspharmacy. More ...Sales of cold remedies up by 60%

English pharmacy board to address barriers in ‘The Future of Pharmacy’

30.07.07
The RPSGB's English Pharmacy Board are taking action to address the barriers in pharmacy which were highlighted by the All Party Pharmacy Group in their report, ‘The Future of Pharmacy’. More ...English pharmacy board to address barriers in ‘The Future of Pharmacy’

Public consultation into prescription charges announced

30.07.07
As you may already know, following an inquiry last year by the Health Select Committee into NHS charges, the Government decided to do a review into the prescription charge. More ...Public consultation into prescription charges announced

Industry calls for national smoking cessation service

21.07.07
Industry chiefs are calling for smoking cessation to be made an advanced service to improve the current “unpredictable and unstable” situation with enhanced services. More ...Industry calls for national smoking cessation service

The new Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians will come in to effect from 1 August 2007

21.07.07
The revised Code forms the Society’s core guidance on the conduct, practice and performance expected of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians ... More ...The new Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians will come in to effect from 1 August 2007

Consultation concludes that pharmacy medicines must not be available for self-selection

16.07.07
Following consultation with the profession and the public on the self-selection of Pharmacy (P) medicines, More ...Consultation concludes that pharmacy medicines must not be available for self-selection

Over-the-counter treatments to help smokers quit

13.07.07
MHRA issued a news alert on the smoking ban, promoting the use of NRT to help smokers give up: More ...Over-the-counter treatments to help smokers quit

Health secretary sets sights on expanding services

07.07.07
Alan Johnson, the new health secretary, has told MPs there is room for an enhanced role for pharmacies in the opening of access to primary care. More ...Health secretary sets sights on expanding services

New Health Secretary is Alan Johnson

02.07.07
Since taking over from Tony Blair as prime minister, Gordon Brown has announced his new Cabinet. More ...New Health Secretary is Alan Johnson

Over-the-counter treatments to help smokers quit

30.06.07
MHRA issued a news alert on the smoking ban, promoting the use of NRT to help smokers give up: More ...Over-the-counter treatments to help smokers quit

CCA takes an initiaitve

28.06.07
The Association of Independent Multiples (AIMp) and The Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) - who between them represent nearly 60% of all UK pharmacies... More ...CCA takes an initiaitve

Report highlights self medication and poor relationship between pharmacists and GPs

28.06.07
The All Party Pharmacy Group has published its report into how pharmaceutical care could be improved. More ...Report highlights self medication and poor relationship between pharmacists and GPs

Roger Scarlett-Smith, GSK Chief Executive is the new PAGB President

22.06.07
The Annual General Meeting saw Roger Scarlett-Smith, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline take the position of President of PAGB. More ...Roger Scarlett-Smith, GSK Chief Executive is the new PAGB President

90 per cent statins adherence cuts risk of non-fatal coronary artery disease

16.06.07
Patients who take 90 per cent of their statin treatment achieve significant reductions in risk of non-fatal coronary artery disease after a year of treatment, a study of suboptimal statin treatment has revealed. More ...90 per cent statins adherence cuts risk of non-fatal coronary artery disease

Over the counter slimming pill on sale

13.06.07
Alli, a slimming pill which helps people lose 50 per cent more weight than through dieting alone goes on sale over the counter in stores in the United States tomorrow. More ...Over the counter slimming pill on sale

Employers urged to lighten up on smokers

01.06.07
With only amonth to go before the 1 July smoking ban comes into effect DPP: Health at Work are urging employers to help prepare workers for being smokefree as new research reveals there could be a surge in chain smoking when the ban comes into force. More ...Employers urged to lighten up on smokers

Ban will push smokers to quit

01.06.07
One in five smokers believes a ban on lighting up in public places will help them quit the habit, according to a poll by the NHS Smokefree campaign. More ...Ban will push smokers to quit

Industry acts on drug abuse

26.05.07
Pharmacy stakeholders have urged contractors to keep an eye on sales of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine medicines as the industry launches a series of measures to clamp down on crystal meth abuse. More ...Industry acts on drug abuse

Glaxo targets US minorities with launch of weight-loss drug in supersized market

23.05.07
A new over-the-counter diet pill from GlaxoSmithKline is to be specifically targeted at the high proportion of overweight people in the US's black and Hispanic communities. More ...Glaxo targets US minorities with launch of weight-loss drug in supersized market

Brown backs pharmacy

19.05.07
Gordon Brown is backing a wider role for pharmacy, saying he wants to see community pharmacists taking on more of the work of GPs. More ...Brown backs pharmacy

Fear over free scrips

15.05.07
Introducing free prescriptions in Scotland would cause patient consultations to rise by a quarter, a new survey suggests. More ...Fear over free scrips

PSE coverage - Pressure prompts MHRA to reveal new evidence

12.05.07
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has extended its consultation on the proposed P to POM switch of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine medicines in light of pressure from campaigners. More ...PSE coverage - Pressure prompts MHRA to reveal new evidence

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