Increased co-operation between countries in developing regulation of online pharmacies is needed, according to the authors of a recent report, Online Pharmacy Operations and Distribution…
Common antidepressant should no longer be used to treat people with dementia, study says
A drug used to treat agitation in people with dementia is no more effective than a placebo, and might even increase mortality, according to a…
New computer modelling tool could boost drug discovery and improve treatment
Scientists from Queen’s University Belfast have developed a computer-aided data tool that could improve treatment for a range of illnesses. The computer modelling tool will…
Progress on cancer survival at risk due to Covid disruption — Irish Cancer Society
Improved cancer survival figures revealed recently are being put at serious risk by pandemic-related disruption, according to the Irish Cancer Society. Commenting on the National…
Eighteen urgent actions needed in pharmaceutical education
‘to avoid health worker shortfall’
A global call to action issued recently by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) sets out 18 urgent actions needed from academic institutions, professional organisations, policy-makers…
New resource supports pharmacists in tackling public health threat of diabetes
The role that pharmacists can play in preventing the projected rise in diabetes to 700 million people by 2045 is highlighted in a new resource…
‘Ageist approaches’ must not underpin guidance for future crises — study
A new qualitative study from researchers at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin provides, for the first time, a depth of…
EAHP and ESCP collaborate to produce ‘Oath to Society’ for pharmacists
Ensuring the safe use of medication is one of the key activities of clinical and hospital pharmacists. However, many people don’t know that both professions…
Researchers find new link between a disrupted body clock and inflammatory diseases
New research from the RCSI has demonstrated the significant role that an irregular body clock plays in driving inflammation in the body’s immune cells, with…
Research reveals ‘huge step’ in tackling cancer resistance to treatment
New research has revealed the differences in mechanisms behind cancer’s resistance to the major class of anti-cancer drugs known as nucleoside analogues. Nucleosides are molecules…
IPU Secretary General to step down in April 2022
The Secretary General of the Irish Pharmacy Union, Mr Darragh O’Loughlin, has announced he will step down from his role in the organisation to engage…
Kicking the habit
Helping patients to stop smoking will be one of the most common tasks for pharmacists this January and beyond. I previously discussed smoking cessation in…
New resource to support pharmacists in tackling vaccine hesitancy available from FIP
Ways in which pharmacists can allay people’s safety, efficacy and other concerns over vaccines are described in a new resource published by the International Pharmaceutical…
Review of 12 intervention trials concludes vitamin C works for symptomatic Covid-19
A review of 12 vitamin C studies, including five randomised, controlled trials, was published recently in the journal Life, showing that this simple, cheap vitamin…
Pharmacist-led interviews ‘could be alternative to full medication reconciliation process’ in some cases
The online first edition of the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (EJHP) has shared the results of a study that described the feasibility and assessed…
Union criticises exclusion of community pharmacy from Covid booster campaign
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has strongly criticised the decision to exclude community pharmacies from the campaign to provide Covid-19 booster shots. The IPU has…
Potential new breakthrough treatment for Covid-19 identified
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment that suppresses the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. In order to multiply, all viruses, including…
EAHP adopts new commented version of the European Statements of Hospital Pharmacy
Delegates from the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP)’s 35 member countries came together (virtually) on 11 and 12 June for the 51st EAHP General…
Competencies to support pharmacists working in the humanitarian arena developed by FIP
Pharmacists practising or wishing to practise in the humanitarian field, providing pharmaceutical expertise and services during disasters and to people affected by armed conflict, now…
Appropriate use of antigen tests are ‘key to the next phase of reopening’
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has said the appropriate use of antigen tests could be key to the next phase of Ireland’s reopening. The Government…
Irish scientists among global group hunting for genetic explanation to Covid-19 resistance
Irish scientists are among a global group hunting for a genetic explanation as to why some people seem resistant to Covid-19, while others experience life-threatening…
Former IPU President elected to prestigious international position
Dungarvan pharmacist Mr Daragh Connolly has recently been elected President of Community Pharmacy Section of International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Extending the IPU’s congratulations, Secretary General…
More HSE IT systems will move to ‘cloud’ following cyber attack
It has been suggested that more HSE IT systems will move to ‘cloud’ services following thecyber attack on the Executive. HSE’s Interim Chief Information Officer…
Work environments for women in pharmaceutical science and education ‘can be improved using new toolkit’ — FIP
A toolkit to improve practice environments for women in pharmaceutical science and pharmacy education has been released by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). The toolkit…
Scientists develop new strategy that rapidly quantifies transmissibility of Covid-19 variants
A team of researchers has developed a new nanomechanical technique for fast, one-step, immune-affinity tests, which can quantify the immune response induced by different Covid-19…
HSE’s proposed definitions of ‘patient safety incident’ and ‘harm’ could undermine principle of open disclosure — MPS
The Health Service Executive (HSE)’s proposed definition of a ‘patient safety incident’ and ‘harm’ are too broad and could risk undermining the concept of open…
HSE announces it will commence hepatitis C home testing in 2022
The HSE plans to commence home testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the first quarter of 2022. “To date, the HSE has successfully initiated…
Any pandemic bonus ‘must include community pharmacists’
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has called on the Minister for Health to ensure that community pharmacy teams are included in any State ‘pandemic bonus…
High uptake of flu vaccine in 2020 likely to be replicated this year
Results of a recently-conducted Asthma Society of Ireland survey revealed that 77 per cent of respondents availed of the flu vaccine in 2020, with 12…
Deadline approaching to nominate your local facility for a free defibrillator
Pharmacists are being reminded that the closing date for entries for the ‘Care at the Heart of Your Community’ initiative is 15 November. The initiative…