Lowri Griffiths, Head of Communications and External Affairs, Wales

I was quite shocked when I started working for the Stroke Association, at just how many strokes could be prevented.  I was even more shocked that about 40% of ischaemic strokes (those caused by a blockage of the blood supply to the brain) are caused by high blood pressure.

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By Mark Flannagan, Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and we’d like to take the opportunity to remind you about the vital role that pharmacists play in our fight to beat bowel cancer. It is the second biggest cancer killer, but over 90% of cases can be treated successfully if caught in the initial stages, so early detection really does save lives. This is why pharmacists are fundamental in identifying patients who haven’t recognised their symptoms might be cancer or are too embarrassed to visit their GP. Read more »

By Phil Reynolds, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Crohn’s and Colitis UK

Picture the scene, after weeks of chronic debilitating symptoms and repeat visits to the doctor you finally get referred on to see a hospital specialist.

The day finally arrives and your consultant breaks the news that you have a chronic long-term condition. You’ll need regular medication for the rest of your life to try and control the symptoms. How much will all this cost? Impossible to know, but as of 1st April 2013, it’ll be £7.85 per prescription until you qualify for an age-related exemption in later life. Read more »

Hasanin Khachi, Lead Respiratory Pharmacist – Barts Health NHS Trust

The countdown is on and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society are pleased to announce their support for the 30th annual No Smoking Day campaign, run by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The theme of this milestone year urges smokers to consider the financial benefits of quitting and ‘swap fags for swag’, on Wednesday 13 March, 2013. Read more »

by Louise Bayne, Chief Executive, Ovacome: the ovarian cancer support network

The middle-aged woman with abdominal symptoms such as bloating, discomfort or gastric disturbance is an everyday visitor to community pharmacies.

She has ovarian cancer, but doesn’t know it yet.  She’s visited primary care many times, but has received a misdiagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome or recurrent UTI, and has decided to self-medicate with treatments bought from pharmacies.  

How can you help her? Read more »

By Rachel Airley, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology

As the horse meat saga refuses to go away just yet, the most pressing concern for pharmacy has been whether a pain relieving and anti-inflammatory medicine used routinely in horses might have found its way into our burgers and lasagne meals. Phenylbutazone, or “Bute”, was introduced in 1949 for the treatment of painful inflammation such as that caused by conditions such as gout and arthritis.  The drug was subsequently banned in humans due to there being a small chance of dangerous side effects. 

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By Anna Murphy, Consultant Pharmacist for Respiratory Conditions

Approximately 5.2 million in the UK suffer from asthma, and many of these treat their asthma with medicine delivered through an inhaler. Inhalers are disposable devices, and most inhaler users use many throughout the year. You can imagine how many inhalers are thrown away in a year.

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I’ve recently had the pleasure of acting as RPS spokesperson for the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme, which acts as an early warning system for the identification of previously unrecognised drug reactions. Read more »

By Steve Williamson, Consultant Pharmacist in Cancer Services

Last week, Professor Watson (one half of the Nobel prize winning team of Watson and Crick who co-discovered of the structure of DNA in 1953) published his new theory regarding the role of antioxidants in resistance of cancers to drug therapy.  His  hypothesis is that antioxidants found in blueberries, supplements and so called ‘superfoods’ taken to prevent cancer may actually be harmful in patients who already have cancer.  

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By Neal Patel, Head of Corporate Communications

As part of our commitment to patient safety, we’re proud to be involved in the Real Danger campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of buying prescription medicine online without a consultation with a heath professional or proper authority. We took part in important research that resulted in some alarming statistics:

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