Polypharmacy and multimorbidity

This Canadian review paper by Potempski and Bilimoria (2021) aimed to highlight the common phenomenon of polypharmacy in the light of the COVID-19 global pandemic. They begin by pointing out that...

A newly qualified physiotherapist non-medical prescriber in the pandemic

Throughout my training, and as a newly qualified NMP, I was fortunate to work closely with a multidisciplinary team of consultants and nurse specialists in the specialty of rheumatology, all of whom...

Exploring pharmaceutical communication

Evidence-based use of newer agents in type 2 diabetes

Recent accumulating evidence on the use of newer therapies in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is helping to define their position in treatment. This information coupled with the increasing priority given...

Obedience to collaboration: compliance, adherence and concordance

A literature review was conducted to gain an overview of the use of the terms ‘compliance,’ ‘adherence’ and ‘concordance’ alongside the meanings that have been attached to them. A search of English...

The role of community pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pharmacies have played a vital role during the pandemic, not only by ensuring a stable supply of key medicines, but also in becoming an information hub regarding the virus. Many pharmacies are now the...

A time for reflection

This has been a month of progress and reflection here in the United Kingdom. As restrictions start to lift after many difficult months of lockdown, I'm sure, like me, you find yourselves having to...

Updates: May 2021

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) announced on the 4 May 2021 that more people the rare genetic disorder spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) will be able to benefit from...

Drug Breakdown: Dapagliflozin

Day 1: In the mid 19th century, phlorizin extracted from the root bark of the apple tree was found to cause glycosuria; there was poor oral absorption and also, because non-selective, the inhibition...

Complexity of fall prevention and whether deprescribing fall-risk-increasing drugs works

Being one of the leading causes of death in the elderly, falls can cause numerous health complications. Prescribing is important to protect the health of the frail and vulnerable, just as much as the...

Treatment advances in mental health

This month we are going to look at some interesting and applicable advances in the area of treatment of bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety. Some new research is examined and implications...

Carbon footprints and pharmacy