GPs look to community pharmacists to aid the elderly

More than nine in 10 GPs would like increased support from community pharmacists to help medicate the over-75s, a survey by Pharmacy Voice has revealed.

New research presented in Dispensing Health in Later Life reveals that eight in 10 GPs are not confident their older patients are taking their medication as prescribed.

The report recommends patients over 75 on more than four medicines should have access to regular medicines use reviews by community pharmacy teams.

Professor Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice, said: “Community pharmacy and general practice are increasingly working more closely together, helping relieve some of the extreme pressures on GPs.

“We would like to develop that collaboration further.”

Well Pharmacy completes Co-op rebrand

Well Pharmacy have completed their rebrand of the Co-operative Pharmacy as part of a £200m investment programme following the Bestway Group takeover last year.

The company have announced they intend to launch new and extended healthcare services over the coming months that will help alleviate pressure on the NHS.

There are several further acquisitions in progress that are expected to be announced in December, adding to the pharmacy’s 782 nationwide branches.

Villagers campaign for local pharmacy

Villagers in Kent are lobbying NHS England for a local pharmacy, the Kent Online has reported.

Residents in Cuxton have had two previous applications for a pharmacy refused on the grounds there are 10 pharmacies within a two-and-a-half-mile radius.

The previous bids were to open a pharmacy business inside the local post office.

Canadian pharmacy hands out bipolar pills with sweets on Halloween

A pharmacy in Quebec inadvertently handed out bipolar medication to trick or treaters after the drugs were dropped on the floor by accident.

Quetiapine and Divalproex sodium were mixed with sweets by accident after a customer who found them on the floor placed them next to the bowl.

Police later confirmed that the children had not consumed the pills.

Stay Well This Winter campaign hits the road

Five teams from the Stay Well This Winter Campaign are promoting their message at shopping centre roadshows throughout the country.

The campaign is aimed at helping people prepare against the onset of winter and to raise awareness among those in key risk groups – such as the frail and elderly and those with long term conditions and respiratory illnesses.

Over the course of the next five weeks each show will move around the regions visiting around 67 sites nationwide.