World Pharmacists Day 2016 focuses on care

“Pharmacists: Caring for you” is the theme of this year’s World Pharmacists Day (25 September), the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has announced.

“This year’s theme was chosen to reflect the important role of pharmacists in providing care to the public, and also to highlight the emotional connection they have with their patients.

“The role of pharmacists has evolved from that of a provider of medicines to that of a provider of care.

“Pharmacists have a vital role in the outcome of pharmacological therapies and ultimately strive to improve patients’ quality of life,” said FIP President Dr Carmen Peña.

World Pharmacists Day, now in its sixth year, is used by FIP’s members around the globe to highlight the impact and added value of the pharmacy profession and its role in improving health to authorities, other professions and the media, as well as to the general public.

 Next global viruses have no vaccines  

More than a dozen viruses pose the threat of severe outbreaks and there are no vaccines to protect against them, a senior virologist has warned, The Times reports.

Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute in Oxford, named Mers, a respiratory syndrome that has emerged in the Middle East; Sars, which swept the world in 2003 before being contained; the Marburg and chikungunya viruses and zika.

He said that they appeared simple to combat and called for the creation of a global fund to defeat them.

Ilford chemist urges smoker to stub out their habit  

An award winning Ilford pharmacy is encouraging people to visit and get a free health MOT and quit smoking consultation today on No Smoking Day, the Ilford Recorder reports.

P&S Chemist, in Ilford Lane, is giving customers free blood pressure, blood sugar, heart risk and carbon monoxide tests as part of their Last Drag campaign.

Owner Shaheen Bhatia said: “We know giving up smoking is a real challenge, which is why we are here to help.

“Smoking is one of the biggest preventable causes of death and statistics predict that about half of regular cigarette smokers will eventually be killed by their addiction if they don’t seek help.”

Hospitals 'may end up over-crowded during strike'

Hospitals could end up over-crowded on Thursday as they struggle to discharge patients because of the junior doctor strike, NHS leaders are warning, the BBC reports.

The NHS seemed to cope well on Wednesday following the walkout from 08:00 GMT over the contract dispute.

But NHS England said the second day of the 48-hour walkout in England was always going to be more difficult.

Officials said hospitals may struggle to discharge patients without junior medics on wards.

Over 5,000 operations were cancelled ahead of the action to try to relieve pressures.

ADHD is vastly overdiagnosed and many children are just immature, say scientists

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is vastly over-diagnosed with many cases simply immature children who are the youngest in their class, a new study suggests, The Telegraph reports.

The term ADHD is often used for a collection of behavioural problems linked to poor attention span including impulsiveness, restlessness and inability to concentrate.

Around three to seven per cent of British children are believed to have ADHD, about 400,000, with many being prescribed drugs to try and improve their concentration at school.

Diabetes apps put private data at risk

More than 80 per cent of smartphone apps designed to help people with diabetes do not have privacy policies, The Times reports.

People with Type 1 diabetes are turning to health apps to monitor their insulin and blood glucose levels and alert them to medication times or medical appointments, with little knowledge that sensitive information is being shared with third parties.

In the UK, there are thought to be 142,811 people who subscribe to diabetes apps and half of all people with the condition are using a mobile to go online, according to Diabetes UK, which wants guidelines for such apps.