The National Prescribing Service (NPS) warns people are playing Russian roulette with their health when they take medicines inappropriately. Media reports this week about people mixing sleeping tablet, zolpidem (Stilnox), with energy drink Red Bull™ have failed to highlight the risks people are taking when they intentionally misuse pharmaceuticals. NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes says people should ensure they know the risks and benefits of any medicine before taking it.
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The NPA is pleased by today’s decision from the MHRA to keep pseudoephedrine a P medicine and have no doubt that community pharmacies will continue to ensure pseudoephedrine is sold in line with MHRA guidance. John Turk, NPA Chief Executive said: “We are absolutely delighted that our members were able to take up the mantle laid down by the MHRA 18 months ago.
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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society welcomed the decision by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency that medicines containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine should retain their status as pharmacy (P) medicines. President Steve Churton said: “We are delighted at the MHRA’s decision to keep cold and flu remedies containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as pharmacy (P) medicines.
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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has called for clarification of the responsible pharmacist requirements but will not be asking the Department of Health to amend the commencement date of the regulations. The Society’s Council debated the responsible pharmacist requirements in the light of concerns amongst community and hospital pharmacists about their implementation.
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The Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has announced a fee increase of 2.2% for 2010, following the outcome of the 2010 fees consultation and a review of the Society’s financial position. It is the second year in a row that fees have not been raised significantly. Last year’s fees only rose by the annual inflationary rise and were between 3.9% - 4.5%.
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Over 50 pharmacists have been trained to provide seasonal flu vaccinations under a private Patient Group Direction that the NPA is facilitating. Training days were conducted in London and Birmingham with further training days scheduled at the start of September 2009 in Newport, Durham, St Albans and Haydock.
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The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD, announced the commencement of the outstanding Sections of the Pharmacy Act 2007 to provide for the introduction of a Complaints, Inquires and Discipline regime for pharmacists and pharmacy businesses. Also included are Sections 63 and 64 of the Act, which relate to the prohibition of certain economic relationships between pharmacists or pharmacies and medical practitioners, or medical practices.
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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has published its fourth Pharmacy Workforce Census, reflecting the working patterns of pharmacists registered in August 2008. The reports findings reveal changes in workforce patterns since the last census in 2005, together with new and emerging trends in the workforce. Census forms were sent out to all pharmacists with a registered address in Great Britain. The survey achieved a high response rate of 69.6%.
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A shocking 1 in 10 people say they have had unprotected sex because they were too embarrassed to buy condoms from a pharmacy. This disconcerting statistic is the finding of latest research by new online pharmacy http://www.mastersdirect.com, revealing people’s opinions about their most embarrassing health problems.
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A major feature of the annual Pharmacy Australia Congress is the Poster Session which will attract a great deal of interest and provide unprecedented exposure for their authors. This year’s PAC will focus on the theme of Securing Your Practice Advantage and PAC organisers are inviting submissions for the Poster Displays at this year’s Congress to be held at the Sydney Hilton 15 - 18 October 2009.
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