Latest posts
Medicine Matters – Summer 2020
Medicine Matters – Summer 2020 FINAL
Medicine Matters – Autumn 2020
Medicine Matters – Autumn 2020
CD Bulletin – December 2020
CD Bulletin Issue 17 December 2020 Substance -LEAN CANCARD Pharmacy Investigations Crushing Buprenorphine Tablets CPCS – Inappropriate Supplies Drug Awareness Returned CD Stock Dispensing Error Learning from Coroner Report Fraudulent Prescriptions Change of Contact
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Resources to support vaccination against COVID-19. NHS England COVID-19 vaccination programme NHS England COVID-19 vaccination programme – Primary Care Guidance Public Health England – COVID-19 vaccination resources Public Health England – COVID-19 vaccination guidance for healthcare practitioners Public Health England – COVID-19 GREEN BOOK Chapter 14a National protocol for COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) e-Learning for Health – COVID-19 vaccination training programme SPS COVID-19 Vaccine Resources SPS Pharmacy Institutional Readiness Resources MHRA Regulatory Information [Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine] See also: https://medicines.necsu.nhs.uk/resources/patient-group-directions/covid-19-vaccination-information/
Medicines Matters – Autumn 2020
The Autumn edition of the Medicines Matters newsletter on medicines in a care setting is now available. Topics covered include: Protocols & care plans for when required medicines (often known as “PRN” medicines) Seasonal ‘flu vaccines ‘Flu vaccine myth busters Errors with morphine sulfate 10mg/5ml oral solution linked to inadvertent use of IV syringes & inadequate training Digital Developments for Care Homes Secure electronic mail – for sharing sensitive/personal information (e.g. discharge summaries) Virtual meetings tools – for clinical & social use Proxy on-line ordering of medicines Electronic Medicine Administration Record (MAR) charts NHS Care Homes Capacity Tracker NHS Support […]
Back Pain & Sciatica – NICE warn against benzos, gabapentinoids & opioids
NICE has published an update to NG59 Low Back Pain and Sciatica. The updated guideline advises healthcare professionals NOT to offer benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids or opioids for sciatica. This extends advice in the original 2016 guideline to avoid gabapentinoids and routine use of opioids for low back pain. NICE offer the following explanation as to why the committee made these recommendations: The evidence showed that gabapentinoids did not improve sciatica symptoms, and oral corticosteroids did not improve pain or function, but may have an impact on quality of life. Both increased the risk of adverse events in the long-term. While there […]
COVID-19 Maintaining Immunisation Programmes – PHE Guidance
Public Health England – with support from the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health – have published Clinical guidance for healthcare professionals on maintaining immunisation programmes during COVID-19. The guidance sets out the following key points for General Practice: The routine immunisation programme should be maintained. As well as protecting the individual, this will avoid outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases that could further increase the numbers of patients requiring health services. Non-scheduled vaccinations should still be given e.g. for control of outbreak(s) of vaccine preventable conditions as well as opportunistically (e.g. catching up on […]
Supply Issues & Shortages – DHSC Updates reinstated via SPS
The DHSC has reinstated publication of monthly reports and information on current issues affecting supply of medicines in England via the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service website: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/department-of-health-and-pharmaceutical-market-strategy-group-pmsg-supply-updates/ The monthly Supply Issues Updates for Primary and Secondary Care and linked documents are also circulated through the PrescQIPP network and form the core of the Notts APC COVID-19 Supply Issues summary. Much of the content is indexed in the MIMS Shortage Tracker.