Royal Pharmaceutical Society News

RPS comments on GSK and AZ pooling their research into new antibiotics

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Phil Howard, Consultant Pharmacist and RPS spokesperson, commenting on GSK and AZ pooling their research into new antibiotics said:

"I am very concerned by the lack of a pipeline for new antibiotics as I see a growing list of bugs that are becoming more resistant to our existing arse

Pharmacists urged to offer medication expertise to patients

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Pharmacists are being urged to engage with patients more about their medication needs after figures from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) revealed over one in three UK adults (36%) don’t realise they can go to a pharmacist for information on treating high blood pressure or high cholestero

RPS responds to NHS Information Strategy

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the Government's announcement about the role information will have in patient care, Howard Duff, Director of RPS England said:

"We w

RPS talks to BBC Radio 4 about improvements in pharmaceutical care in Scottish care homes

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

RPS Spokesperson Aileen Bryson and Andrew Radley NHS Tayside and East of Scotland LPF spokesperson talk to BBC Radio 4 about the RPS Scotland report on ‘Pharmaceutical Care in Care Ho

Mental Health Awareness Week starts today

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

This year we are supporting Mental Health Awareness Week which is run by the Mental Health Foundation from 21 – 27 May.

Research from the national charity shows that doing good and helping others is good for your mental health.

As one of the five main ways to manage your wel

Pharmacist Helen Williams talks statins with ITV and Sky

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Consultant pharmacist for cardiovascular disease Helen Williams today represented the profession with live interviews on ITV and Sky News about new research on statins published in today’s Lancet.

The meta-analysis p

Change in EU law is the only route to solving medicine shortage crisis

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Responding to the All-Party Pharmacy Group report into medicines shortages the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has backed calls for changes to EU law that will put public protection before profit in medicines supply.

RPS England Board Chair and spokesperson Lindsey Gilpin said: "A

RPS potential sponsorship of overseas pharmacy graduates Tier 5 visas

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, is aware of concerns expressed by our members, the Department of Health (DH), the Council of University Heads of Pharmacy Schools (CUHoPs) and the British Pharmaceutical Students Association (BPSA) about current overseas (non EEA) pharmacy students’ difficu

Royal Pharmaceutical Society leads debate on care homes

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Our recent report on ‘Pharmaceutical Care in Care Homes’ is front page news in Scotland. The Scotland on Sunday gave extensi

Applications invited for the 2012 Royal Pharmaceutical Society Science Award

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Applications are invited for the 2012 Royal Pharmaceutical Society Science Award. The winner will receive a Commemorative Award, £1,000 in prize money and an invitation to present the RPS Award Lecture on their work at the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences UKPharmSci annual meeting on 12th

Royal Pharmaceutical Society response to review of Scottish pharmacy

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland has submitted a comprehensive response to the Scottish Government’s Review of NHS Pharmaceutical Care for Patients in the Community. The R

Pharmacy and Scotland's Assisted Suicide consultation

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland has responded to Margo MacDonald MSP’s consultation on assisted suicide. This

Launch of first ever national lung cancer campaign

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The first NHS national lung cancer public awareness campaign in England launches today and will run for 8 weeks until the 30 June 2012. The campaign will feature on national TV, radio and in national press, similar to the national bowel cancer campaign which ran earlier this year.

GMC report on prescribing errors: Every GP practice needs a pharmacist says Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Today the GMC published research which found prescribing or monitoring errors in one in 20 prescription items issued to patients at selected GP practices in England.

One in 550 prescription items was associated with

Potential sale of RPS building in Lambeth

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

As a membership organisation working on behalf and in the best interest of our members, we continuously review our running costs and explore new ways in which we can improve efficiency and cost effectiveness.

As part of this commitment and after a review of our operational and building ne

Comment on availability of the contraceptive pill in Scotland

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Sandra Melville, Chair of the Scottish Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society wrote the following letter to the editor of the Scotland on Sunday, “This week&rsquo

Over 1 million pounds available to support innovative healthcare teams from The Health Foundation

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Health Foundation is an independent charity working to continuously improve the quality of healthcare in the UK. Its innovation programme, Shine, is open for a new round of funding applications from 1 May 2012, with over £1 million available to support up to 18 innovative healthca

Herbal medicine manufacturers by-passing the THR claims RPS in The Times

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Herbal medicine manufacturers by-passing the THR claims RPS in The Times

The RPS has marked the first anniversary of the Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration Scheme with a letter in the Times expressing concerns that manufacturers are by-passing the Scheme and selling remedies as food

RPS in support of direct access to contraceptive pill for under 16s

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is entirely supportive of the provision of NHS services to young people where there is an unmet need.

Pharmacy already has a proven track record in providing emergency hormonal contraception with many women choosing to use pharmacy for this service.

Cast your vote in the National Pharmacy Board elections

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Voting has now opened for the National Pharmacy Board elections and eligible* Members and Fellows of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society will be able to vote until 1 June 2012.

Get to know your candidates better by participating in this year’s hustings. Hustings are debates held duri

RPS comments on the items discussed at the English Pharmacy Board meeting

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Lindsey Gilpin, Chair of the RPS English Pharmacy Board comments on some of the items discussed at the April 2012 English Pharmacy Board meeting including:

New Models of NHS Care through Pharmacy

"In 2012 we are proposing to redirect the funds which were set

The use of unlicenced treatment for wet AMD

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Reacting to news the Novartis is challenging the use of Avastin as an alternative to Lucentis for wet Age related Macular Degeneration Neal Patel, RPS spokesperson said:

“Putting patients at the heart of decisions around therapy choice is what should drive NHS organisations and clin

Results of RPS bowel cancer audit show that community pharmacy can play a role in the early detection of cancer

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Approximately 500 community pharmacists across the UK participated in our clinical audit on bowel cancer in support of Bowel Cancer Awareness month in April. Data was recorded following conversations and consultations with customers during a two-week period in March which coincided with the end o

Courses restore confidence for those with chronic conditions

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

From today (Monday 16 April), all 708 pharmacies in Wales will be participating in a two week campaign to give patients with long term conditions the confidence and skills to manage their health.

National Board elections pages. Full candidate information and election statements will be published on

RPS issues top 5 recession busting tips for prescription medicines

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Prescription charges will rise to £7.65 per item from 1 April 2012. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has issued some top tips to save you money and give you the best advice on buying your medicines. Talk to your pharmacist about any of your concerns about buying medicines. They are highly t

Healthcare community agree on principles for working together to improve patient health

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Healthcare leaders from across the UK have today published a new set of guidelines to promote positive collaboration between health organisations and the pharmaceutical industry and help

Health and Social Care Bill: RPS plans next steps

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

On the 22nd of March 2012 the English Pharmacy Board met to consider next steps following the results from a survey of views of English RPS members. At the time of the Board meeting the Health Bill had passed all its stages in Parliament.

Lindsey Gilpin, English Board Chair said:

Royal Pharmaceutical Society taking part in first NHS Sustainability Day

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is taking part in the first annual NHS Sustainability Day of Action which is on 28 March 2012.

It is joining more than a 100 other NHS organisations across the country which are engaging with staff, patients and the public on sustainability. Today we are s

CMHP encourages members to renew their Royal Pharmaceutical Society membership

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

The President of the College of Mental Health Pharmacy, Denise Taylor, has today released a statement encouraging their members to renew their Society membership. The statement reads:

‘The College of Mental Health Pharmacy aims to advance education and research in the practice of me

RPS supports the 2012 anti-counterfeiting campaign

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

As a part of the ongoing ‘Get Real. Get a Prescription’ campaign, on the 26th of March Pfizer and partners, including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, will launch a new advertising campaign utilising Alliance Healthcare pharmacy distribution vehicles. The campaign aims to highlight t

Class 1 drug alert about co-codamol

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

The MHRA today issued a patient-level drug alert about co-codamol after a batch of 8/500mg co-codamol tablets were found to contain blisters of the higher strength 30/500mg tablets.

RPS spokesperson Neal Patel said: "Undoubtedly patients will be concerned about this issue

RPS responds to the evidence that suggests that a daily aspirin can stop cancers

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

Three studies have been published by The Lancet which suggest that taking a low dose of aspirin every day can prevent and possibly even treat cancer, adding to the mounting evidence of the drug’s anti-cancer effects.

Steve Williamson, Consultant Pharmacist in Cancer Service

English Pharmacy Board reacts to the Health and Social Care Bill becoming law

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

Lindsey Gilpin, RPS Chair of the English Board, comments on the Health and Social Care Bill becoming law:

“Now that the Bill has become law and the different health professions are coming to terms with what it means for them, we need to examine subsequent legislation and regu

Rise in tobacco tax: Good for health, good for the economy

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

The 5% real term rise in tobacco duty has been warmly welcomed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and fellow health campaigners, who had lobbied for this level of increase to help smokers quit and dissuade children from taking up the habit. [1]

We are particularly pleased that the

RPS pressure leads to breakthrough on controlled drug prescribing by pharmacists

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

The Society has been working hard in response to independent pharmacist prescriber concerns that they are currently unable prescribe controlled drugs for patients.

Today, James Brokenshire, Home Office Minister, has stated in the House of Commons that we should expect to see changes being

Headline results of English Pharmacy Board member survey on Health and Social Care Bill

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

In our survey published in the Pharmaceutical Journal and available on line, all English members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society were asked for their views of the Health and Social Care Bill as well as the approach the Society was taking as this legislation progressed through Parliament.

UKMi encourages members to renew their Royal Pharmaceutical Society membership

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

The UKMi Executive have today released a statement encouraging their colleagues to renew their Society membership. The statement reads:

The UKMI Executive believes that the pharmacy profession needs a strong and effective professional leadership body to maintain and develop high professio

Government commits to review sanctions for dispensing errors

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

The pharmacy bodies are pleased to hear the commitment of Lord Howe (Tuesday 13 March) to a review of sanctions and penalties in medicines legislation.

The pharmacy bodies (GHP, IPF, PDA, PSNC, PV & RPS) have been working collaboratively and extensively with government to gain a solut

Scottish Pharmacist warns parents may inadvertently harm their children with paracetamol

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

Further to the research released by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, warning that parents may inadvertently harm their children with paracetamol, Scottish

Feeling burdened by unnecessary medicines regulation? Enter the MHRA Red Tape Challenge

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

For the next five weeks, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is inviting members, the public and businesses to suggest which existing medicines regulations should be kept and which should be simplified or scrapped.

There are more than 250 separate regulations th

UKCPA encourage their members to renew their Society membership

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

The General Committee of the UKCPA have today released a statement encouraging their members to renew their Society membership. Their statement reads:

"UKCPA have enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the RPS in the last year, since their emergence as the pharmacy professional body. We

Steven Tomlin, RPS spokesperson and consultant pharmacist, warns that parents may inadvertently harm their children with paracetamol

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

Of the medicinal products for children that they are aware of, only a quarter (27%) of parents actually know which contain paracetamol, reveals new research by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. With many of these products being used to treat ailments that they have no proven effect on, there is a

Welsh Government announces national Minor Ailments Service

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

Welsh Government has today (7 March) announced that a new scheme designed to provide easy access to advice and treatment for common ailments is to be introduced across Wales.

Welsh Government said:

The national scheme which will involve assessment and supply of treat

RPS advises parents on the great gripe water shortage

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

Responding to media stories that parents have been panic buying Woodward’s Gripe Water after licensing issues led to a shortage, RPS spokesperson Neal Patel was interviewed on BBC Radio Sc

Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland launches report on improving pharmaceutical care in care homes

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

RPS Scotland has launched a new report that calls for radical changes to the way pharmaceutical care is provided in care homes. The report calls for:

Dedicated roles for pharmacists that are integrated with those of other health professionals working in care homes

Nominate pharmacy achievers for the BBC's New Elizabethans project

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

To mark the Diamond Jubilee, the BBC is searching for the 60 people who have made the greatest impact in the UK during The Queen’s reign between 1952 and the present day.

Who are the people who have defined the past six decades and whose contributions to society will be remembered t

Join a national board and make a difference to pharmacy

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 Z

There is just one week left to nominate yourself for candidacy on your national pharmacy board.

To find out more and to download a nomination form please visit the relevant board election page.

RPS talks about sleeping pills being linked to increased mortality

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

Responding to the results of the study published in the British Medical Journal Open that hypnotics are linked to mortality, Nina Barnett, Royal Pharmaceutical Society spokesperson on older persons medicines, and Neal Patel, Royal Pharmaceutical Society Spokesperson comment:

“This i

We want members views on the NHS reforms in England

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

The English Pharmacy Board wants to hear your views about the NHS reforms proposed in England. Our p

A national Call to Action: Help us to reduce the overuse of antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

It is estimated that 750,000 people in UK live with dementia and one in three people over the age of 65 will die with dementia. Too many dementia patients are being inappropriately prescribed powerful antipsychotics and this excessive use of antipsychotics leads to 1,800 excess deaths and 1,500 s

RPS criticises unacceptable rise in English prescription charges

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

The RPS is part of the Prescription Charges Coalition and has agreed the following statement with 24 charity partners:

‘It is simply unacceptable to be raising the cost of prescriptions in the current economic climate. We already know that some people with long-term conditions are r

English Pharmacy Board Health and Social Care Bill webinar now online

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

On 22 February 2012 the English Pharmacy Board (EPB) held a webinar to understand the views of members on issues within the Health and Social Care Bill. This was also an opportunity to explain the Health and Social Care Bill, what the RPS has been doing and RPS activity in the future and to give

In-house pharmacists can help GPs reduce prescribing errors by up to 50 per cent

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

In-house pharmacists can help GPs reduce prescribing errors by up to 50 per cent
Medication errors are common in primary care but the number of mistakes could be reduced significantly if GPs introduced an in-house pharmacist-led intervention scheme.

These are the findings of a com

EPB announces survey of members on Health and Social Care Bill

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

Commenting on plans to survey members on the Health and Social Care Bill Lindsey Gilpin, Chair of the English Pharmacy Board said:
“The webinar about the Bill at 7pm this evening will info

The Panel of Fellows is accepting nominations for Fellowship

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

We are pleased to confirm that the Panel of Fellows will be holding their next meeting on Wednesday 23 May. If you would like to nominate someone for Fellowship please submit your nomination forms to the Panel by Tuesday 1 May 2012, by emailing it to fellows@r

RPS English Pharmacy Board invites members to Health and Social Care Bill debate

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

On 22 of February 2012 the English Pharmacy Board (EPB) is inviting all English members to a webinar event where we will be listening to your views on issues within the Health and Social Care Bill. We will also talk about the content of the Bill, what we think it means to pharmacy, what the RPS h

Pharmacist advises BBC Radio Berkshire about dodgy diet pills

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

Carol Trower, Chief Executive of the Berkshire Local Pharmaceutical Committee, was interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire this week. A local doctor practising at a private slimming clinic had received a warning from CQC for the way he prescribed phentermine and diethylpropion. Carol talked with

One bag of wasted medicines worth a week in the Bahamas

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

Pharmacist and senior journalist at the Pharmaceutical Journal Lin-Nam Wang talked about her BBC online feature on medicines waste on BBC News 24 and BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire this morning. As a practising pharmacis

New campaign launched in Wales to protect children from second hand smoke in cars

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

A new campaign, Fresh Start Wales, was launched this week (6 February) to encourage smokers not to smoke in their vehicles when children are present. The public health campaign by the Welsh Government aims to

RPS responds to the launch of the GPhC consultation on premises

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

Responding to the launch of Modernising Pharmacy Regulation: a consultation on the draft standards for registered pharmacies, RPS President Martin Astbury said:

“The GPhC, through the development of their new standards for premises, has an opportunity to engage and explain to the pr

Prostate cancer drug available for patients in the North East of England

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has provisionally rejected the NHS use of abiraterone, a drug that can extend the life expectancy of men with advanced prostate cancer by 4 months on average. They claim the costs involved are too expensive at £3,500 a month. Steven

RPS talks to BBC about AstraZeneca plans to cut 7,300 jobs

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

RPS Chief Science Advisor Professor Jayne Lawrence talked to the BBC about current Astra Zeneca plans to cut 7,300 jobs.

Professor Lawrence said that the UK pharmaceutical industry will lose capability in discovery and development of medicines which will be very difficult to recover from.

Pharmacists reassure public on ulcer drugs hip fracture risk

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 Z

Responding to research in the British Medicial Journal that Proton Pump Inhibitors increase the risk of hip fracture in post menopausal women Dan Greer, Royal Pharmaceutical Society spokesperson on gastroenterology medicines said

“This is a useful study, that has taken account of th

First ever NHS national bowel cancer campaign

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

The first NHS national bowel cancer public awareness campaign in England launches today. Campaign advertisements will run for nine weeks and feature on TV, radio and other national media until the end of March.

Pharmacists and pharmacy staff are likely to see an increase in the numb

RPS talks about counterfeit medicines

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

RPS Head of Public Affairs Charles Willis took part in the programme ‘Radio 5 Live Investigates’ last night about identifying packs of counterfeit medicines once they are in the supply chain. The programme examined how 72, 000 packs of counterfeit drugs entered the UK supply chain in

News from the English Pharmacy Board

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

Lindsey Gilpin, Chair of the English Board comments on some of the items discussed at the January English Board meeting.

NHS Reforms
The board were addressed by Professor Steve Field who chairs the NHS Future Forum. Professor Field made two things very clear

RPS comments on the contribution of pharmacists to the Health and Social Care Bill

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

Chair of the English Pharmacy Board Lindsey Gilpin said:

“There is uncertainty in the NHS at the moment as the Health and Social Care Bill continues to work its way through Parliament. The recent Health Select Committee report focused on the ability of the NHS to make efficien

RPS audit on bowel cancer

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

We are recruiting community pharmacies to take part in a GB-wide clinical audit of bowel cancer.

You can use the audit as one of your yearly audits, or as a pre-registration mandatory audit in order to meet GPhC performance standards.

Patients visiting your pharmacy to

RPS response to MHRA Medicines Act consultation

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

The MHRA have worked hard over the past 3 years to produce the draft Human Medicines Regulations 2012. We fully support their aim of consolidating and reviewing the UK medicines legislation. However, the very short timescale of 12 weeks for responding to the consultation has meant the proce

New guidance on NMS and post discharge MURs

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

New guidance was published today showing how the New Medicine Service (NMS) and post discharge Medicines Use Reviews (MURs) can be used to provide a seamless care pathway for patients who transfer from hospital to the community setting.

It has been developed and published by the NHS Emplo

Pharmacy bodies respond to MHRA announcement on dispensing errors

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

The PDA, Pharmacy Voice, IPF and we remain committed to removing the sanction of a criminal prosecution for a human error in dispensing that is not due to recklessness, criminal negligence or wilful neglect. We are therefore working with the Department of Health and the MHRA to bring forward a ra

Society responds to claims that healthy people should not take aspirin to prevent heart attacks

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 Z

Research published today in the Archives of Internal Medicine has shown that most people without heart disease won’t benefit from using aspirin as the risk of bleeding outweighs the benefit of preventing heart attacks and strokes.

Sotiris Antoniou, Royal Pharmaceutical Society spoke

Royal Pharmaceutical Society moves decriminalisation one step closer

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

We announced earlier this month that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society had supported Lord Clement-Jones in drafting an amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill to change the relevant clauses in the Medicines Act relating to dispensing errors.

The aim of the amendment was to change the

Christmas and New Year opening times

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

During the festive period, the London office will be open during the following times:

Friday 23 December: 9am – 4pm
Monday 26 – Wednesday 28 December: office closed
Thursday 29 December: 9am – 5pm
Friday 30 December: 9am &ndas

Pharmacists respond to calls for changes to penicillin dosing for children

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

Speaking on behalf of the Society expert pharmacists, Stephen Tomlin and Simon Keady, have responded to calls from researchers to review how dosing regimes for children are calculated.

Stephen said:
"Dose banding offers an easy way to dose medicines, but this study rightly poi

Improving practice and reducing the risks of using parenteral nutrition for children

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

We welcome this report which will help practitioners from all professions improve practice and reduce the risks in the provision of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) for children and neonates.

As Anthony Sinclair, Chairman Paediatric Chief Pharmacists Group says in his forward “Parent

Introducing Medicines for children website

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

WellChild, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), and the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG) have launched the Medicines for Children website today.

This site contains information &nb

RPS response to Responsible Pharmacist impact research

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

The English, Welsh and Scottish boards of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society have responded to the report of the impact of the Responsible Pharmacist regulations, which was commissioned in conjunction with the Professional Forum of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. We regard the

Fentanyl patches - caution to avoid heat sources

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

There have been reports in some local media about the dangers of using fentanyl patches in the bath, and in one case this has led to a fatality. Patient information leaflets for various brands of fentanyl patches contain a warning about avoidance of heat sources.

For further information a

Daily Mail profiles pharmacy careers

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

Today’s Daily Mail features pharmacy in its careers section on page 76. The piece covers the process of qualification and career options available to those with a pharmacy degree, as well as choices for dispensary assistants and technicians. Community pharmacist Ravi Patel features as

Emergency contraception from pharmacy

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

News of a private supplier providing emergency contraception free in advance of need by post hit the headlines today.

Neal Patel, pharmacist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society commented:

“The RPS has produced guidance which supports pharmacists in using their professional j

RPS talks about access to patient records

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

Plans to give drug and other healthcare companies the right to anonymised NHS patient data hit the headlines today. RPS spokesperson Neal Patel was interviewed on Radio 4’s Today programme this morning explaining how access to patient records can help in the development of new treatments.

RPS responds to Prime Minister's announcement on Life Sciences

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

Professor Jayne Lawrence, Chief Science Advisor at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society responded:

Research is an integral part of health services in the UK. It helps to find the causes of ill-health and to develop new medicines and healthcare processes to treat illness. Research also helps t

Find out more about RPS activity on decriminalisation

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 Z

To answer the many questions members have about the RPS parliamentary activity on decriminalisation we’ve put together some questions and answers explaining the background to the process, how the amendment will help and what it will mean for pharmacists and patients.

Royal Pharmaceutical Society News

RPS comments on GSK and AZ pooling their research into new antibiotics

Pharmacists urged to offer medication expertise to patients

RPS responds to NHS Information Strategy

RPS talks to BBC Radio 4 about improvements in pharmaceutical care in Scottish care homes

Mental Health Awareness Week starts today

Pharmacist Helen Williams talks statins with ITV and Sky

Change in EU law is the only route to solving medicine shortage crisis

RPS potential sponsorship of overseas pharmacy graduates Tier 5 visas

Royal Pharmaceutical Society leads debate on care homes

Applications invited for the 2012 Royal Pharmaceutical Society Science Award

Royal Pharmaceutical Society response to review of Scottish pharmacy

Pharmacy and Scotland's Assisted Suicide consultation

Launch of first ever national lung cancer campaign

GMC report on prescribing errors: Every GP practice needs a pharmacist says Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Potential sale of RPS building in Lambeth

Comment on availability of the contraceptive pill in Scotland

Over 1 million pounds available to support innovative healthcare teams from The Health Foundation

Herbal medicine manufacturers by-passing the THR claims RPS in The Times

RPS in support of direct access to contraceptive pill for under 16s

Cast your vote in the National Pharmacy Board elections

RPS comments on the items discussed at the English Pharmacy Board meeting

The use of unlicenced treatment for wet AMD

Results of RPS bowel cancer audit show that community pharmacy can play a role in the early detection of cancer

Courses restore confidence for those with chronic conditions

RPS issues top 5 recession busting tips for prescription medicines

Healthcare community agree on principles for working together to improve patient health

Health and Social Care Bill: RPS plans next steps

Royal Pharmaceutical Society taking part in first NHS Sustainability Day

CMHP encourages members to renew their Royal Pharmaceutical Society membership

RPS supports the 2012 anti-counterfeiting campaign

Class 1 drug alert about co-codamol

RPS responds to the evidence that suggests that a daily aspirin can stop cancers

English Pharmacy Board reacts to the Health and Social Care Bill becoming law

Rise in tobacco tax: Good for health, good for the economy

RPS pressure leads to breakthrough on controlled drug prescribing by pharmacists

Headline results of English Pharmacy Board member survey on Health and Social Care Bill

UKMi encourages members to renew their Royal Pharmaceutical Society membership

Government commits to review sanctions for dispensing errors

Scottish Pharmacist warns parents may inadvertently harm their children with paracetamol

Feeling burdened by unnecessary medicines regulation? Enter the MHRA Red Tape Challenge

UKCPA encourage their members to renew their Society membership

Steven Tomlin, RPS spokesperson and consultant pharmacist, warns that parents may inadvertently harm their children with paracetamol

Welsh Government announces national Minor Ailments Service

RPS advises parents on the great gripe water shortage

Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland launches report on improving pharmaceutical care in care homes

Nominate pharmacy achievers for the BBC's New Elizabethans project

Join a national board and make a difference to pharmacy

RPS talks about sleeping pills being linked to increased mortality

We want members views on the NHS reforms in England

A national Call to Action: Help us to reduce the overuse of antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia

RPS criticises unacceptable rise in English prescription charges

English Pharmacy Board Health and Social Care Bill webinar now online

In-house pharmacists can help GPs reduce prescribing errors by up to 50 per cent

EPB announces survey of members on Health and Social Care Bill

The Panel of Fellows is accepting nominations for Fellowship

RPS English Pharmacy Board invites members to Health and Social Care Bill debate

Pharmacist advises BBC Radio Berkshire about dodgy diet pills

One bag of wasted medicines worth a week in the Bahamas

New campaign launched in Wales to protect children from second hand smoke in cars

RPS responds to the launch of the GPhC consultation on premises

Prostate cancer drug available for patients in the North East of England

RPS talks to BBC about AstraZeneca plans to cut 7,300 jobs

Pharmacists reassure public on ulcer drugs hip fracture risk

First ever NHS national bowel cancer campaign

RPS talks about counterfeit medicines

News from the English Pharmacy Board

RPS comments on the contribution of pharmacists to the Health and Social Care Bill

RPS audit on bowel cancer

RPS response to MHRA Medicines Act consultation

New guidance on NMS and post discharge MURs

Pharmacy bodies respond to MHRA announcement on dispensing errors

Society responds to claims that healthy people should not take aspirin to prevent heart attacks

Royal Pharmaceutical Society moves decriminalisation one step closer

Christmas and New Year opening times

Pharmacists respond to calls for changes to penicillin dosing for children

Improving practice and reducing the risks of using parenteral nutrition for children

Introducing Medicines for children website

RPS response to Responsible Pharmacist impact research

Fentanyl patches - caution to avoid heat sources