Boots will cut an extra 2,500 jobs, company announces
Boots UK will increase its number of job cuts from 4,000 to 6,500, the company has announced. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 8, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Nearly 200 naloxone kits provided through ‘click-and-deliver’ service during pandemic
A “click-and-deliver” naloxone service in Scotland has provided 187 take-home naloxone kits to people’s homes since the service began in May 2020. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 8, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Community pharmacy will transform post-hospital care in 2021
The discharge medicines service, a  new service launching in all community pharmacies in England, is set to improve transfer of care on discharge from hospital. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 8, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Regulators approve Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in the UK
A third COVID-19 vaccine,  developed by Moderna, has been authorised for temporary supply in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 8, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Deaths: Catherine Page
In September 2020,  Catherine Page MRPharmS, of Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. Mrs Page, known to Boots Birmingham and North East customers and colleagues as ‘Smiler’, registered with the Society in 1995.  (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 8, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Oral poliomyelitis vaccine, 1960s
An example of an oral attenuated live-virus vaccine pack, developed by Albert Sabin. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 8, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Provisionally registered pharmacists stepped up for us during the pandemic — why are we not stepping up for them now?
(Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 7, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Clinicians encouraged to consider tocilizumab or sarilumab in treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients
The rheumatoid arthritis drugs, tocilizumab and sarilumab, should be considered in the treatment of COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care, according to updated NHS guidance. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 7, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Contractors can ‘proactively approach’ trusts to secure staff COVID-19 vaccinations, say pharmacy negotiators
Pharmacy contractors can “proactively approach” clinical commissioning groups and NHS Trusts to secure staff vaccinations, according to the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 7, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

How working at NHS Track and Trace landed me a role heading my university ’s COVID-19 case management team
Pharmacist and lecturer Gurinder Singh ’s pharmacy skills proved invaluable during his work as a clinical contact caseworker at NHS Test and Trace — then he was headhunted to lead the University of Reading’s COVID-19 case management team. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 7, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

RPS backs changes to interval between COVID-19 vaccination doses
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has said it strongly supports changes to the planned interval between currently licensed COVID-19 vaccine doses in the UK. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 7, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

RPS launches 180-year anniversary celebrations with a new online history resource
In 2021, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society celebrates its 180th  anniversary. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 7, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Deaths: John Harold Richards
On 31 December 2020,  John Harold Richards, aged 85 years, of Great Glen, Leicester. Dr Richards was a former member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.  (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 7, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

I often confuse my plain white tablets — shouldn't they have markings?
I am simply an ordinary patient of my local GP practice. I have several medical conditions controlled by a considerable number of tablet medications of various shapes, colours and sizes. I normally sort these into daily doses for seven  days. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 7, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Government to consult on national falsified medicines detection system
The government has said it plans to consult the public on a national scheme to detect falsified medicines in the supply chain within a year after laws enabling the potential new scheme are enacted. (Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal)
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal - January 7, 2021 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research