New rules to tackle drug shortages
NHS patients will be able to get the medicines they need more easily following the introduction of new rules, it has been revealed.
OFT to investigate heartburn drug competition
Household goods giant Reckitt Benckiser has been accused of abusing its dominant position in the supply of heartburn medicines to the NHS.
MPs reject NHS funding of homeopathy
The NHS should stop funding homeopathy because there is no scientific proof that it works, MPs have said.
Royal Surrey sold millions of pounds of NHS drugs in 'unacceptable' export trading
HSJ has uncovered the NHS hospital that sold millions of pounds’ worth of hospital drugs intended for NHS use onto the export market, despite government warnings the behaviour was “unacceptable”.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society warns on drug stock levels
Urgent action is needed to stem shortages of some medicines in the UK as drug wholesalers look to export stocks to profit from the weak pound, a body representing pharmacists has warned.
QIPP leads reveal hit list
Slashing follow-up appointments after surgery and spending on drugs will be two of the controversial areas targeted first by the national quality and productivity leads.
DH funds £20m pilot scheme for thalidomide survivors
The Department of Health is to fund a £20m pilot scheme to help meet the long term health needs of thalidomide survivors, health minister Mike O’Brien announced today.
NHS prescriptions under review
A 12 week consultation has begun that could pave the way for a revision of the way generic and branded medicines are dispensed within the NHS.
New doctors to be tested on prescriptions
An assessment is being developed to test doctors on their knowledge of medicines to help prevent prescribing errors.
Alistair Darling pledges research and development boost for pharmaceutical industries
Chancellor Alistair Darling has said he wants to encourage research and development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, announcing a new lower 10 pence corporation tax on income which stems from patents in the UK.
Lincolnshire to reward cheaper GP prescribing
GPs in Lincolnshire are being offered incentives worth up to £2 per head of practice population to cut antibiotic prescribing and increase use of generic drugs.
Pharmacists acting as 'safety net'
Pharmacists are regularly correcting doctors’ mistakes with medicines, according to research.
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NICE highlights guidance to save NHS money
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Dementia drugs warning
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Drug firm to compensate NHS
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PCTs defend closer working with NICE
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Medication errors 'affect 70pc of care home residents'
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Scottish prescription costs soar to £1.07bn
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Pressure to follow NICE guidelines 'will increase'
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Hospital changes prescription practices after chemotherapy overdose
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NICE approves stomach tumour treatment
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Swine flu vaccination programme extended to pharmacists
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NHS drug errors 'may top 860,000'
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NHS trusts slammed by DH over 'unacceptable' plans to export drugs
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Post-Shipman drug regulations working, says CQC
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Swine flu cases on the decrease
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Swine flu antiviral guidance issued
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Variations in access to drugs 'unacceptable', says Rarer Cancers Forum
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GSK claims 'rapid progress' on swine flu vaccine
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Public consultation on complementary therapies opens
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How are NHS top-ups going to affect your services?
The announcement that patients may top up their NHS care with unapproved treatments means managers face overseeing segregation of patients and tough commissioning decisions. Helen Crump reports
