CPE ‘battling to get details right’ as OPD reforms come into force

 
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Pharmacy bosses have stressed that pharmacists must use their “professional judgment” before using new original pack dispensing (OPD) rules but that they will not be reimbursed in line with dispensing until IT systems are updated.

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David Vanns: ‘I have deep angst... we are caught in a trap’

 
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As industry giant David Vanns moves into an advisory role at Weldricks after three decades with the company, he shares his thoughts on funding negotiations, DSPs, hub and spoke, and the future for pharmacy’s family businesses in an exclusive Q&A with C+D...

Pharmacy premise closed to public after NYE storm tears off roof

 
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A Norfolk pharmacy has been forced to ask patients to pick up their medicines from another collection point after a tree smashed through its roof on New Year’s Eve.


‘Horrifying’: Pharmacy Access Scheme fails to prevent 58 closures

 
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NPA analysis has revealed that the £20 million Pharmacy Access Scheme funded by the pharmacy contract failed to protect dozens of isolated pharmacies from closing since 2022.

Morrisons launches ‘on-demand’ online pharmacy service

 
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Morrisons has partnered with digital pharmacy Phlo to launch the “Morrisons Clinic”, an “online private prescription service” that delivers customers’ medicine in as little as 24 hours.

Pharmacist thwarts diabetes patient flogging excess Mounjaro

 
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Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW) has urged pharmacies to “review” weight loss and diabetes prescriptions, after a patient was caught selling extra tirzepatide “mistakenly prescribed” by their GP.


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‘New front line’: MHRA removes 150 social media posts selling fake weight loss drugs

 
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Social media has become the new “front line” for the sale of counterfeit weight loss drugs with 150 online posts “actively” selling them targeted by the MHRA last year, C+D has learned.

Government set to ‘introduce’ hub-and-spoke legislation in 2025

 
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The pharmacy minister has revealed government plans to implement hub-and-spoke legislation this year.

‘Impossible to absorb’: Cat M to slash pharmacy cash by £34m

 
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This month’s Category M price list is set to reduce pharmacy reimbursement by millions every month, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has warned.


Beirut: a pharmacy during conflict

 
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How do pharmacies continue with their business amid the pressure of war? C+D talks to a Beirut pharmacist about working during a conflict.

Two pharmacists and OTC chief recognised in King’s New Year honours list

 
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Two pharmacists and an over-the-counter medication association chief are named in King Charles’ new year honours list for their “outstanding contributions to their communities”.

‘Deeply concerning’ decision to end gluten-free scripts to save £250k

 
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The decision by a local NHS ICB to completely end gluten-free product prescriptions to save £250,000 has been met with widespread disapproval from patients who were consulted on proposed changes.


Pharmacy ‘may not survive winter’ as pharmacist MP urges govt to avoid 'past 14 years' of mistakes

 
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CPE data shows 96% of pharmacy owners are “concerned” or “very concerned” that “their business may not survive this winter” as Sadik Al-Hassan MP is “eager to see this government avoid mistakes made during the past 14 years that have brought our sector to a crisis point”.

Pharmacist suspended for sending Xanax ‘to Africa for charitable causes’

 
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The regulator has issued a year’s suspension in an “unusual case” that saw a pharmacist send prescription only medicines (POMs) “hidden in a barrel with clothes and shoes” to Sierra Leone.

CVS slapped with nationwide lawsuit over ‘unlawful’ opioid prescriptions

 
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The US DOJ has filed a lawsuit against CVS alleging its “actions helped to fuel the opioid crisis” as it “prioritized corporate profits over patient safety”.


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‘Accept these terms or go’: Asda pharmacists face redundancy over new contracts

 
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Asda will “endeavour to retain as many pharmacists as possible” while it implements a “new model” – but is no longer offering £1,000 one-time payments to sweeten the deal, C+D has learned.

Streeting and Kinnock say it will be a ‘New Year’ start for pharmacy contract negotiations

 
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Health secretary says funding negotiations will begin “shortly in the new year” as pharmacy minister says the delay is because negotiations “did not get over the line before the general election”.

‘Superior weight loss’ drug: Mounjaro squashing rival Wegovy

 
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Patients using weight loss drugs in the UK have overwhelmingly opted for Mounjaro over Wegovy in the last six months, PharmaDoctor data has revealed.


Lincolnshire Co-op set to join the CCA

 
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The Company Chemists’ Association has announced the 47-strong Lincolnshire Co-op “will be joining as a member” at the start of next year.

Parliamentary group calls for pharmacists’ views on medicines shortages

 
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The pharmacy all party parliamentary group (APPG) has launched a “vital” inquiry into the impact of medicines shortages in England.