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Public highly approves of Healthy Living Pharmacies, concludes evaluation report

An evaluation into Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) in England indicates the important role of the pharmacy team in supporting people with health and well-being advice. Of the 1,034 people who accessed health and well-being advice and/or an NHS service at an HLP, 21% said if they hadn’t accessed this support at an HLP, they wouldn’t have done anything. 60% said they would have gone to their GP.The HLP concept is aimed at achieving consistent delivery of a broad range of high quality services through community pharmacies to improve health and well-being and to reduce health inequalities. All

Pharmacy Voice disappointed with planned increase in prescription charges for England

Pharmacy Voice is disappointed with today's announcement that the cost of an NHS prescription in England will rise 20p to £7.85 from April 1st.Rob Darracott, Chief Executive of Pharmacy Voice said: "We are disappointed with the increase; prescription charges deter many people from getting medicines which their doctor prescribes. Patients on low incomes who do not qualify for exemption suffer the most. Patients often have to make the decision of what medicine they can take based on their finances. "From a pharmacist's point of view, processing prescription levies is part of the job

EMBARGOED UNTIL MONDAY 5th NOVEMBER: Men should take firmer grip on medicines and wellbeing, say pharmacists

Men are being urged to actively manage their wellbeing, following publication of new statistics by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) which point to sharp gender differences in healthcare behaviours.Nearly 9 in 10 men say they don’t like to trouble a doctor or a pharmacist unless they have a serious problem, they delay seeking advice if they have side effects from medicines, and they often get their wives to collect their prescriptions for them, which means they’re less likely to have a face-to-face discussion with pharmacy staff and to benefit from lifestyle advice.  Furthermore,

National Pharmacy Association issues advice on accessing medicines during doctors’ industrial action

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has issued advice on how local pharmacies can help people during the day of industrial action called by the British Medical Association for Thursday.Mike Holden, chief executive at the National Pharmacy Association said: “We are in touch with our members and GP representatives about ensuring continuity of supply of medicines to patients in primary care, but we are not anticipating widespread problems with access to medicines and pharmaceutical care in the community.  Patients who take regular medication should plan ahead.  People who have a common

Pharmacy Voice responds to GMC study into prescribing errors

Pharmacy Voice has responded to the findings of a study into GP prescribing which found that around 1 in 20 prescriptions written by family doctors contained an error.The research, commissioned by the General Medical Council looked at a sample of GP practices in England and found that the most common errors were missing information on dosage, prescribing an incorrect dosage, and failing to ensure that patients got necessary monitoring through blood tests. Ian Facer, Chairman of Pharmacy Voice said: “With millions of prescription items issued by GPs each day, some errors are perhaps

Prescription charge increase is regrettable says Pharmacy Voice

Pharmacy Voice has described the increase in prescription charges in England as regrettable.From April 1st 2012, the cost of an NHS prescription in England will rise 25p to £7.65. Ian Facer, Chairman of Pharmacy Voice and a pharmacist practising in the North West, said: “We think the increase is regrettable; prescription charges deter many people from getting medicines which their doctor prescribes. Patients on low incomes who do not qualify for exemption suffer the most. I often see patients who make a decision of what medicine they can take based on their finances. “We recognise

National Pharmacy Association advice on packs of Co-codamol 8/500 tablets containing rogue Co-codamol 30/500 tablets.

The National Pharmacy Association is advising patients who take co-codamol 8mg/500mg to check their medicines after the wrong strength of a tablet has been found inside a pack.The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued the drug alert today to healthcare professionals after some packs in a batch of co-codamol 8mg/500mg strength tablets manufactured by Wockhardt UK Ltd have been found to contain the higher strength co-codamol 30mg/500mg product. Anyone that has co-codamol in their medicines cabinet should check to see if they have a pack from the affected batch

Pharmacy Voice disappointed with planned increase in prescription charges for England

Pharmacy Voice is disappointed with today’s announcement that the cost of an NHS prescription in England will rise 25p to £7.65 from April 1st.The changes, which were outlined in a written statement to Parliament by Health Minister Simon Burns will be made in regulations laid before Parliament shortly. Ian Facer, Chairman of Pharmacy Voice and a practising pharmacist said: “We are disappointed with the increase; prescription charges deter many people from getting medicines which their doctor prescribes. Patients on low incomes who do not qualify for exemption suffer the most. I often

National Pharmacy Association offers tips on staying healthy over the festive period

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is offering people advice on how to stay healthy over the festive period with the help of their local pharmacist.Leyla Hannbeck, a pharmacist and Head of Information at the NPA said: “Plan ahead for Christmas by making sure your medicine cabinet is stocked with winter essentials and make sure you order your regular prescribed medicines well in advance. If you need help over the festive period, your local pharmacy is a good first contact point for advice on many common health concerns.” What do I do if I run out of my medicines over the Christmas

Public back calls for tougher rules on drug manufacturers

A survey by Pharmacy Voice has found that 88% of people think that drug manufacturers should be under a legal obligation to guarantee uninterrupted supply of life saving prescription medicines in the same way that water and electricity companies are under a legal obligation to provide a minimum level of service to customers.The results are being released after MPs debated the issue of medicines supply in the House of Commons (Thursday 24 November). Speaking at the debate, Labour MP Huw Irranca-Davies, said pharmacists were spending increasing time calling suppliers to replenish stocks.

NHS figures show more people are seeking advice from pharmacists on their medicines

The National Pharmacy Association has welcomed the release of NHS figures showing that more people are seeking advice from pharmacists on their medicines. But a new National Pharmacy Association survey suggests that the majority of people are still unaware of the free NHS support available at community pharmacies through services like Medicines Use Reviews and the New Medicine Service.Figures released by the National Information Centre show that 2.1 million Medicines Use Reviews (MURs) were conducted by community pharmacies in England in 2010-11, compared to 1.7 million in 2009-10. A

Self care week 14-20th November 2011

Paul Burstow, Minister for Care Services, launched the 2011 Self Care Week at the Annual Self Care Conference on 8thNovember by saying, “Today is all about giving people much more control over their health and care. This requires changes in behaviour and attitude, new ways of working where health professionals are working with patients as the experts in their own health. We know that handing more power to patients when combined with the right information and support can make a huge difference to the quality of life, and is key to our ambition to make a reality of a patient centred NHS.”

Detox myth is putting people at risk of harm, new survey reveals

The risks and benefits of many common medicines are widely misunderstood, shows new research by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).  Published at the start of Ask Your Pharmacist Week (7-13thNovember), the findings show that many people think it is right to give your body an occasional ‘detox’ from long term medication.  Doing this can allow a disease to become uncontrolled and risks devastating complications.The risks and benefits of many common medicines are widely misunderstood, shows new research by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).  Published at the start of Ask Your

Millions miss out on NHS care in pharmacies

A month after the launch of a new NHS medicines advice service in pharmacies across England, a survey indicates that millions of people may be missing out on free NHS support on their doorstep.The National Pharmacy Association survey of 1200 UK adults for Ask Your Pharmacist Week (7-13 November) finds: · Only 8% of people know that the vast majority of pharmacies have consultation rooms from which numerous NHS health and wellbeing services are delivered. (Almost 9 in 10 pharmacies have NHS-accredited consultation areas) · 80% of people do not know that the New Medicine Service is

Twenty Healthy Living Pharmacy Pathfinder Sites announced

20 areas, representing 30 PCTs, have been selected to become Healthy Living Pharmacy pathfinders, following a competitive process that has showcased community pharmacy’s enthusiasm for a greater role in improving the health and wellbeing of their communities. Healthy Living Pharmacy Pathfinder Sites are expected to inform the future direction of travel for community pharmacy. The aim of the pharmacy organisations is for at least 100 community pharmacies to become Healthy Living Pharmacies by end of March 2012.The successful Pathfinder Sites will help to build a good picture of how HLPs can

Health risks for over 65s - ask your pharmacist about drug side effects

A study published today links many commonly used medicines to an increased risk of cognitive impairment and death in older people – but pharmacists are advising that there is no need to rush to the doctor for advice.Leyla Hannbeck, Head of Information at the National Pharmacy Association said: “The newspaper headlines about this research may worry some people, but there is no need to panic.  If you are on one or more of the prescription medicines listed in the research it is important to keep taking it until you seek your doctor’s advice at your next routine appointment. In the meantime

Pharmacy Voice says politics must not crowd out fundamentals of NHS reform

Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement today that there will be substantive changes to the NHS reforms proposed by his Health Secretary, Pharmacy Voice has warned that short term political considerations must not crowd out fundamental issues of quality, access and value for money.Pharmacy Voice chief executive, Rob Darracott, said: “There is a risk that in the hurry to remove the more politically toxic proposals, the Government will overlook elements that are fundamental to quality healthcare and the sustainability of any new NHS structures. “In particular, there must be

National Pharmacy Association’s magazine inpharmacy shortlisted for an award

The National Pharmacy Association’s magazine inpharmacy has been shortlisted for the Institute of Internal Communication’s award in public sector reporting.Natalie Smith, Head of Communication Services at the NPA and editor of inpharmacy said: “We’re delighted with the recognition. Our member magazine has progressed from a two-paged linotyped newsletter in 1921 to its current format of inPharmacy, which provides insight, expertise, knowledge and guidance to serve the interests of community pharmacy across the UK.” The winners of the awards will be announced and presented with trophies

Pharmacy Voice calls on government to explore legislation to tackle medicine delays

Pharmacy Voice is calling on the government to explore whether new legislation is needed to deal with delays in the supply of prescription medicines – delays that pharmacists across the UK have warned is putting patients at risk.The call has come the same day that Conservative MP for Stourbridge Margot James is due to hold a parliamentary debate on the issue (Wednesday 4th May 11am). Several European countries have already put in place supply obligations on manufacturers and wholesalers to ensure that community pharmacists can get medicines to their patients, when and where the medicine

Pharmacy Voice warns on limits of localism as MPs recommend local commissioning of primary care

Responding to the parliamentary Health Select Committee report Commissioning: Further Issues, Pharmacy Voice is warning that efficiency and consistency must not be “sacrificed on the altar of localism”.The report recommends significant changes to the Government’s NHS reforms, including that local ‘NHS Commissioning Authorities’ should assume responsibility for commissioning the full range of primary care, including pharmacy, dentistry, optometry and general practice. The MPs also call for commissioning arrangements to be broadly based, to include in decision-making a wider range of clinical

Pharmacy Voice welcomes Lansley’s pause for reflection on NHS reforms

Pharmacy Voice has welcomed the Government’s commitment to pause and reflect on the progress of NHS reforms in England, as details began to emerge today of a two month listening exercise.  The representative body of pharmacy owners today wrote to the Prime Minister to reemphasise the need for engagement with pharmacy at this critical moment.Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice said: “The pause allows us to re-state our support for plans to make care more patient centred and improve access and choice, to voice our concerns about the reforms and point out the opportunities to

National Pharmacy Association responds to prescription charge abolition in Scotland

The National Pharmacy Association has welcomed the news that Scotland has joined Northern Ireland and Wales in abolishing prescription fees. This leaves England as the only part of the UK to charge for them.Nanette Kerr, Director of Pharmacy at the National Pharmacy Association said: “We welcome the news that from today, people in Scotland will no longer have to pay for their prescriptions. Prescription charges deter many people from getting medicines which their doctor prescribes. Patients on low fixed incomes who do not qualify for exemption suffer the most. It is therefore

Emergency contraception free in Wales – National Pharmacy Association comments

The National Pharmacy Association today welcomes the decision to provide emergency contraception and sexual health advice free of charge at pharmacies in Wales, and called for it to be provided throughout the UK.Some reports incorrectly state that the service costs £25 in the rest of the UK. In fact the service is already offered free of charge in Scotland and in many PCTs in England too. Long established pharmacy schemes in London have seen a decline in use of EHC over time as women have switched to using planned contraception instead. Pharmacy has a particularly good track record in

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