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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Monday, 07 June 2010 14:25 |
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At the frontline of healthcare, community pharmacy is not only highly committed to caring for those who have diagnosed conditions and their symptoms but to also professionally intervene whenever the first indications of ill health are presented. However, sensitively and appropriately recognising the symptoms of depression can be very challenging. One in four UK adults will suffer from depression at some point yet for most, mental health is an off-limits subject. |
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Monday, 07 June 2010 14:20 |
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The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland has published a consultation on new guidance to pharmacists on the provision of homeopathic products within a pharmacy. The draft guidance advises pharmacists that when providing a homeopathic product, the patient should be advised that there is no strong scientific or clinical evidence base for the efficacy of homeopathic products other than having a placebo effect.
Homeopathy is not a risk free form of alternative health treatment,î said Society registrar Brendan Kerr. ìThere are real dangers that a patient using homeopathic products may be failing to seek appropriate diagnosis of a more serious underlying condition. Therefore, in our role of protecting patient safety in pharmacy it is appropriate and necessary that formal professional guidance be issued to pharmacists on this matter.î
The new guidance comes following a report by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee into homeopathy which reviewed the evidence base and found it was not an efficacious form of treatment. The report indicated that:
* The NHS should cease funding homeopathy
* The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) should not allow homeopathic product labels to make medical claims without evidence of efficacy
* As they are not medicines, homeopathic products should no longer be licensed by the MHRA
* Labelling of homeopathic products should make it explicit that there is no scientific evidence that homeopathic products work beyond the placebo effect.
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Monday, 07 June 2010 14:19 |
The final day of the UCA Pre-reg Training Programme 2009/10 was held last month, and this time it focused on one key subject area - business management.
Anne McAlister, Pharmacy Services Manager with NPA, delivered the seminar covering a variety of business topics with most relevance to pharmacies and the pre-reg exam syllabus. VAT, recruitment and employment guidelines plus consumer protection such as data protection & freedom of information acts and how they relate to pharmacy. Anne also covered the latest legal change affecting pharmacy, the Vetting and Barring legislation coming into effect in July.
When covering decision making and business planning, the presentations became more interactive, with the students enjoying an exercise in negotiation using toy construction blocks! Anne looked at how to market a pharmacy and its services and the importance of looking ahead at new developments politically, socially and professionally so as to adapt the business accordingly.
ìI was delighted to have the opportunity to present guidance on business management, delivered through a variety of training materials and practical worked examples which helped to provide students with an introduction to business management skills,î Anne told NIPinF. ìSome of the information was designed to be of immediate use to students as they prepare for their exam. However, the course also hopes to provide some guidance to students as they move into the professional arena as fully fledged pharmacists, and equip them with skills to have confidence in managing their career and participating in a wide spectrum of activities.î
As part of her presentation, Anne examined how to appropriately make a business plan to expand a pharmacy business or to establish a new service, as well as how to market these effectively.
Such advice offered students the fundamentals in how to collate a business or commissioning plan, and to develop this into a pharmacy service. ìStudents were also given the opportunity to apply theory through a series of case studies and were introduced to the wide range of NPA resources that support the development and implementation of pharmacy services,î Anne added. ìBasic business law including Data Protection, consumer law, Freedom of Information and VAT are all essential items listed on the Pre-registration syllabus and students were supplied with brief revision notes and links to further information.î
The programme also looked at details on major employment issues, including recruiting and staff management. ìIt is also important to reiterate the significant recent and pending legislation including Responsible Pharmacist and the implications this has on their practice as they become registered pharmacists, and Vetting and Barring Regulations,î Anne added. ìNPA are delighted to be involved in the pre-reg training programme by providing an Introduction to Business Management. I am very pleased that the day helped to assist students and their tutors in meeting their regulatory responsibilities and developing their business.î
The day ended with a presentation on Health Safety from Anne and guest speaker, Gillian McEvoy, environmental health officer with Belfast City Council. This covered all aspects of Health and Safety which must be observed in a retail pharmacy setting. Students were also given the chance to review their obligations in line with the recent Standards for Retail Pharmacy Premises issued from the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.
ìI would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students who attended the UCA programme for their hard work and their tutors for their support,î said UCA secretary Adrienne Clugston. ìBest wishes to all pre-reg students for your exam and we look forward to seeing you all at the UCA Pre-reg Seminar on June 12.î
The UCA Pre-reg Training Programme for 2010-11 will be launched in June and all tutors will receive programme information and booking forms soon.
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Monday, 07 June 2010 13:49 |
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In his own words, within just days of taking up office as the Pharmaceutical Contractors' Committee chief executive, Gerard Greene has hit the ground running. |
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Monday, 07 June 2010 13:39 |
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In many ways already a veteran of community pharmacy, having spent nearly the past seven years with O'Kanes Chemists as a student on Saturdays and during the summer holidays, Aine O'Kane's professional excellence and success belies her 26 years. |
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Monday, 26 April 2010 11:13 |
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The Ulster Chemists' Association Presidentís Ball raised a cracking £5,560 at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast on January 23 earlier this year, all in the name of charity. Representatives from benefitting organisations Africare and the Ulster Cancer Foundation were joined by outgoing president James McKay at the official cheque presentation last month. |
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Monday, 26 April 2010 10:51 |
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Set in the heart of Belfast’s most well-renowned consumer havens, the team at Boots in Donegall Place recently celebrated the opening of a new first floor dispensary, designed with all the sophistication and appeal befitting of a modern city centre pharmacy. |
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The Cost of Middle Ground |
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Sunday, 25 April 2010 10:45 |
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The ‘tax on health’ has now been lifted in Northern Ireland . Laure James looks at what free prescriptions mean for pharmacy. |
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Summer Ball - An Unmissable Night! |
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Sunday, 25 April 2010 08:52 |
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Book your tickets for the Summer Ball and enter or nominate the Future of Pharmacy Awards now! |
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Pharmacy in Focus 2009 Winners Revealed! |
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Thursday, 28 January 2010 13:37 |
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Presenting some of the most impressive, devoted and remarkable examples of community pharmacy in action, the entries and nominations for the 2009 Pharmacy in Focus Awards gave our independent panel of expert judges an extremely tough time in selecting the crème de la crème. However, on 23 January 2010, the winners were announced at the spectacular ceremony. |
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Thursday, 15 October 2009 14:43 |
Northern Ireland’s largest independent wholesaler has been highly commended for its expert logistics and fleet operation. Sangers NI Ltd scooped the Van Fleet Operator of the Year Award at the prestigious annual Export & Freight Transport & Logistics Awards – for the second time in recent years.
Edwin Bleakley proudly accepted the award on behalf of Sangers at a dazzling ceremony, marking the second time the company has won the title in recent years. “Sangers are delighted to have won this prestigious award for the fourth time, which is a tribute to the commitment we have made to providing a consistently high quality service to our customers across Northern Ireland,” he told NIPinF. “The independent judging panel made particular note of our friendly and helpful drivers, to whom I pay tribute, as this award is a recognition of their professional approach to customer service.”
Lauded by the judges for their care and attention to ensuring high levels of patient care can be achieved, Sangers were praised for, “the quality and reliability of the service enables the pharmacist to minimise stock investment and maximise the profit of the business while lowering the cost of medicine supply to the Health Service”. |
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Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
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Thursday, 17 September 2009 15:15 |
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Disregard what you may have read about possible delays to of the introduction of the responsible pharmacist regulations: nothing will stop them from coming into force on 1 October 2009. |
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