The Department of Health has advised that adults aged 65 and older take a vitamin D supplement The Department of Health has issued guidance advising…
Research finds common anticholinergic drugs increase risk of mortality in people with dementia
A study led by researchers from Queen’s University Belfast has found anticholinergic drugs significantly increase the risk of mortality in people with dementia. The research…
Pharmacists ‘must be involved in the development of digital health technologies’
The digital era is radically changing how technology is used, and new technologies are set to have major impacts on how people live and work,…
Majority of people living with HIV in Ireland comfortable sharing their status
New campaign aims to erode stigma associated with HIV Research launched recently ahead of World AIDS Day in December revealed that 56 per cent of…
Vitamin D supplementation ‘improves outcomes’ in cancer patients
A leading oncologist has stated recently that adequate levels of vitamin D helps to improve outcomes in patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as helping to…
Half of migraine sufferers not diagnosed for at least three years
A new Irish survey carried out by Empathy Research has provided further insights into the negative impact that migraine causes for a significant proportion of…
‘Astonishing’ study results on uric acid and survival
Extreme values of serum uric acid levels in the blood can markedly reduce a patient’s chance of surviving and reduce their life spans by up…
Keeping cool in the pharmacy
Maintaining vaccines in an optimum environment is crucial to their efficacy and vital to avoiding costly pharmaceutical waste. Mike Butt looks at how temperature impacts…
An overview of Crohn’s disease
Eamonn Brady MPSI looks at inflammatory bowel disease, with a particular focus on Crohn’s disease Crohn’s disease is one of the two main forms of…
Mental health during Covid-19
The societal effects of Covid-19 have taken a significant toll on people’s mental health, writes Eamonn Brady MPSI 2020 has seen an increase in anxiety…
Budget 2021 was a ‘major missed opportunity’ to deliver further pharmacy efficiencies
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed the increase in healthcare spending but said it must be delivered in communities as well as hospitals. Speaking…
The ups & downs of pharmacy-based vaccination
The most recent worldwide survey on the emerging role of vaccination in pharmacies sheds light on increasing public trust in the profession but also highlights…
Fronting Up
With a new lockdown now in place, Fintan Moore considers how ‘battle fatigue’ is setting in for a lot of people So we’re now seven…
The present and future of teledermatology
A recent virtual conference heard from a range of influential speakers on patient care during thepandemic and the future for dermatology practice when Covid-19 has…
Acute awareness of risk
HIQA recently published an overview report on its monitoring of activity in public acute hospitals in Ireland between 2015 and 2019. The Authority’s Head of…
A malignant mix
Recent research by the RCSI’s School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences has shown that mixing alcohol and medication may be harming more than a quarter…
Treating and managing Heart Failure
Eamonn Brady MPSI looks at the clinical considerations in the different types of heart failure, including prevention, causes and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions Congestive cardiac…
Expansion of flu vaccination programme welcomed
Pharmacists have welcomed the recent announcement by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD that the flu vaccination programme will be expanded this year. The Irish…
New evidence of positive impact of pharmacists on patient safety
The positive impact of pharmacists in supporting medication without harm has been described in a new publication from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), which was…
New Covid-19 operational standards for pharmacies released by PSI
Regulator publishes standards in a range of areas including infection control and staff safety The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) has developed operational standards for…
Proactive primary healthcare management of patients with multimorbidities in the aftermath of the Covid-19 lockdown
A greater focus on primary care services is needed post-lockdown to care for people with multimorbidities Promoting primary care services to mitigate undetected deterioration or…
Considerations in contraception
Dr Donna Cosgrove PhD MPSI examines the different options for contraception regimens Introduction The Report of the Working Group on Access to Contraception, published in…
Back to school in the ‘new normal’
Eamonn Brady MPSI and Siobhan Clarke MPSI look at the physiological and psychological issues that are likely to arise when children return to school in…
FIP updates Covid-19 guidance for pharmacists
The latest global guidance to support the pharmacy profession through the Covid-19 pandemic has been released by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). The guidance consists…
Integrating pharmacists into general practice
First evaluation of its kind shows involving pharmacists in general practice optimises patient outcomes Research undertaken by the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences…
Pharmacists congratulate Minister Stephen Donnelly
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has congratulated the newly-appointed Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on his appointment. However, while welcoming him into the role, the…
Wet wipes and sanitary products found as microplastic pollutants in Irish waters
Researchers from Earth and Ocean Sciences and the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway have carried out a study on the contribution of widely-flushed personal care…
New resource for pharmacists to expand their roles in vaccination now available
Pharmacists worldwide can now make use of a resource from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) to help them expand their role in immunisation. The resource,…
Struggling to cope with soaring costs
Pharmacies arestruggling to cope with soaring costs while providing frontline care during Covid-19 crisis Ireland’s 1,900 community pharmacies are struggling to cope with soaring costs…