Scientists have identified a drug that can prevent the virus that causes Covid-19 from binding to human cells, potentially preventing damage to the lung, clot…
FIP’s latest global report on community pharmacy published
The scope of community pharmacy practice and the sector’s regulation, distribution of medicines and remuneration are among the aspects explored in a new report published…
Ireland ‘should follow UK example’ and provide free contraceptives without prescription to women
The Irish Pharmacy Union has reiterated its call for women to be allowed access to contraception directly from pharmacies, without prescription and free of charge.…
Blood clotting may be the root cause of Long Covid syndrome — RCSI research
New evidence shows that patients with Long Covid syndrome continue to have higher measures of blood clotting, which may help explain their persistent symptoms, such…
Pharmacists ‘should start thinking in terms of combination therapies’
More and more targeted therapy cancer drugs inhibit the effects of DNA errors in the cancer cell. Unfortunately, cancer cells often are, or become, resistant…
Experts warn Ireland is 21 years behind target to eliminate curable hepatitis C
Up to 20,000 people in Ireland may have the silent disease hepatitis C and experts have warned that the State’s target to eliminate the curable…
FIP publishes handbook to help pharmacists maximise their disease prevention role through vaccination
‘Make every contact count’ was the key message from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) as it launched a new vaccination handbook for pharmacists. The handbook…
Care at the heart of your community — nominate your local facility for a free defibrillator
A new initiative to place life-saving defibrillators in community settings in association with Fleming Medical Greencross Publishing is delighted to announce the launch of the…
Increase in third-level places for pharmacy welcomed
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed a proposed increase in the number of third-level places for pharmacy students. Reports have indicated that the Minister…
Implications for medicines as titanium dioxide declared unsafe in food products, raising concerns for drug manufacturers
Concerns about the safety of titanium dioxide as a food additive could potentially create significant challenges for the pharmaceutical industry. A May 2021 evaluation from…
Cardiac rehab in Ireland’s hospitals ‘in absolute crisis’
Life-saving rehabilitation for cardiac patients is in “absolute crisis” and no hospital in Ireland has a full team in place to help them recover, the…
IPU welcomes extension of pharmacy vaccinations to 18-to-34 year-olds
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD that pharmacies can now offer vaccinations for the 18-to-34…
Immunologists discover ‘new trick’ used by MRSA superbug that may aid vaccine development
New research has uncovered a novel ‘trick’ employed by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus to thwart the immune response, raising hopes that a vaccine that prevents…
Two repurposed medications ‘reduce severity of sleep apnoea by at least 30 per cent’
New research published in The Journal of Physiology shows that researchers have successfully repurposed two existing medications to reduce the severity of sleep apnoea in people…
New approach to molecular drug design yields highly promising bladder cancer drug candidate
A new approach to molecular drug design has yielded a highly promising bladder cancer drug, which induced rapid shedding of tumour cells and resulted in…
Protein supplements ‘work for women but not men’ during fasted carbohydrate-restricted training
Consuming a protein supplement, specifically protein hydrolysate, during carbohydrate-restricted training was helpful for improving training intensity in women, but not in men, researchers have stated…
NUI Galway study identifies new ways to treat antibiotic-resistant MRSA superbug
Research led by scientists in NUI Galway has identified a new way to make MRSA vulnerable to antibiotic treatment. The MRSA superbug is resistant to…
Pathfinder toolkit aims to support the establishment of regional pharmacy education networks around the world — FIP
A pathfinder toolkit to aid the global expansion of centres of excellence for pharmaceutical education institutions is now available from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).…
UL study offers important insights into use of point-of-care Covid-19 antibody tests
Patients and staff at GP clinics in the Mid-West during June and July 2020 were over six times more likely to have antibodies to Covid-19…
Muireann Ní Shuilleabháin appointed as PSI Council President
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly recently appointed six members to the PSI Council — Mr John Given, Ms Katherine Morrow, Mr Rory O’Donnell and Ms…
HPRA interrupts supply of fake Covid-19 tests targeted at Irish consumers and businesses
Potentially counterfeit Covid-19 tests have been offered for sale to Irish individuals and businesses, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has confirmed. A spokesperson for…
Advice on codeine supply helping to reduce overdoses — new research
The PSI has welcomed new research from University College Cork and the National Suicide Research Foundation, which indicates that the pharmacy regulator’s guidance for pharmacists…
Pharmacists urged to take bigger role in preventing disease and deaths from poor nutrition and obesity with new FIP toolkit
There is an urgent need for the entire healthcare workforce to be involved in efforts to improve diet and physical activity across populations, the International…
‘Significant price differential’ between generic medicines and non-generic medicines — Medicines for Ireland report
Very significant differentials between the price paid by the State for generic medicines versus non-generic medicines have been published in a new report from Medicines…
Low levels of omega-3 associated with higher risk of psychosis — RCSI research
New research has found that adolescents with higher levels of an omega-3 fatty acid in their blood were less likely to develop a psychotic disorder…
Pharmacists and pharmacy staff ‘experiencing unexplained delays’ receiving second vaccine dose
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has expressed concern that many pharmacists and pharmacy staff are experiencing unexplained delays receiving a second dose of the Covid-19…
EAHP adopts position paper on pharmacy preparations and compounding
In October 2020, the member organisations of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) adopted a new position paper on pharmacy preparations and compounding. The…
42% of men have delayed seeking advice on health concerns — research
Ahead of Men’s Health Week on 14 June, research was released which showed that 42 per cent of men surveyed had put off seeking advice…
Trust to be the focus of World Pharmacists Day 2021
‘Pharmacy: Always trusted for your health’ will be the theme of World Pharmacists Day on 25 September, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) announced recently. Trust…
Personalised medications may be possible with 3D printing
Customised medicines could one day be manufactured to patients’ individual needs, with University of East Anglia (UEA) researchers investigating technology to 3D ‘print’ pills. The team, including Dr Andy Gleadall and…