Pharmaceuticals
News on pharmaceuticals
Drug firms accused of pay-for-delay deal
Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline has been accused by the competition watchdog of paying firms to delay the launch of cheaper versions of its antidepressant treatment, in a move which denied the NHS “significant” cost savings.
Some cancer drugs taken off fast track funding list, NHS England admits
NHS England today confirmed that it had taken some cancer treatments off its “fast track” list following changes to the cancer drugs fund announced yesterday.
HMRC investigating trusts over drug tax schemes
HM Revenue and Customs is examining hospital trusts’ tax arrangements amid a growing trend to lawfully avoid paying VAT on outpatient drugs, HSJ has learned.
Innovators 'must provide more evidence' about product effectiveness
Pharmaceutical and technology companies looking to introduce their products into the NHS must do more research to demonstrate effectiveness, a senior NHS Commissioning Board official has said.
Analysed: primary care rebate schemes
This week’s HSJ Briefing looks at primary care rebate schemes which, it is hoped, will lead to savings on drugs bills
ABPI to discuss NICE role in bid to break pricing deadlock
The government is to hold talks with the pharmaceutical industry on the role of the National Institute for Heath and Clinical Excellence, in a bid to reach agreement on new pricing arrangements.
PCTs set up rebate deals despite DH opposition
At least 30 per cent of primary care trusts are defying the Department of Health to set up discount deals with pharmaceutical companies, an HSJ investigation has found.
SHIP cluster to save £10m through medicines management
FINANCE: The Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth primary care trust cluster expects to save £10.2m through medicines management this year.
North East GPs 'prescribe paracetamol at more than twice expected rate'
FINANCE: GPs in seven North East primary care trusts are prescribing paracetamol at twice the expected rate and could save the NHS an estimated £2.5m a year by their bringing reducing to the national average, the healthcare analysis firm CHKS has said.
Northumbria Healthcare launches care home medication project
PERFORMANCE: Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust has launched a team to review use of medication in case homes.
New IFR policy could 'snuff out' innovation
The NHS Commissioning Board’s plans to develop national policies for new treatments after just five individual funding requests could stifle innovation, it has been warned.
Health committee calls for swift action on value based pricing
Swift action is needed to ensure a smooth changeover to a new system of pricing for the drugs used by the NHS, the Commons health committee has said in a report today.
Geographical variation in new drug uptake revealed
The huge disparity in uptake of medicines and technologies across the NHS has been laid bare by the first “innovation scorecard”.
NICE to back use of Lucentis for eye condition
Thousands of people with a devastating eye condition could be offered a potentially sight-saving treatment following a U-turn by the health watchdog.
Move from branded drugs could save NHS millions
Doctors could save the NHS billions of pounds a year by ditching expensive branded drugs in favour of prescribing cheaper, equally effective alternatives, new research has found.
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Attention deficit drugs bill in seven-fold increase
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Warning over buying drugs online
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Schizophrenia report demands better care
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GP nominated as new NICE chair
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Drug chief uncomfortable over fund
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Patients should pay for 'lifestyle' diseases - Tory MP
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QIPP lead: drugs bill will increase
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Report: NHS slipping on Innovation, Health and Wealth targets
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Medicines body review announced
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QIPP medicines management schemes get green light
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Government rejects BMA's rationing warning
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Call to maintain Cancer Drugs Fund
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Commissioners report Lucentis pressure from Newcastle FT
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Nicholson orders trusts to offer approved drugs
Why pharmacies must think big
If pharmacists fail to grasp the opportunities before them, someone else will
Dispense with the old way of doing things
Lack of transparency in the medicines supply chain is of concern to many observers
How an NHS-pharma partnership is improving prevention
By partnering with a pharmaceutical firm an East Midlands trust became the first in the region to achieve a major target for VTE risk assessment. Scott Savage explains.
How improved medication adherence can prevent costly medicine waste
Preventing unnecessary hospital admissions for medication could save the NHS a significant part of the £150m “medicine waste” recognised in a Department of Health report, say Nina Barnett and Andrew McDowell.
How CCGs can make savings in their prescription budget
Providing GPs with the right support on prescribing can realistically deliver savings for CCGs in their prescription budgets that could make a significant dent in an annual NHS spend of £8bn a year, says Claire Forde.
