Virus

A pilot scheme making HIV drug pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) “more accessible” via community pharmacies is set to begin in autumn 2025, the Welsh government has told C+D.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has warned about “patient safety” after discovering that draft HIV guidance directs patients to purchase pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) from a website using cryptocurrency.

The national commissioner plans to “stand up” community pharmacy in a future pandemic situation if vaccination rollout needs to be “augmented”, it has revealed.

Thousands more pharmacies in England will offer a COVID-19 vaccination service this season despite slashed fees and a confusing start to the programme, C+D has learned.

“Unique” results have shown a 20% relative reduction in dementia for people who receive a shingles vaccine, according to new research. 

Sanofi has launched its inactive hepatitis A vaccine for use in children in the UK, it has announced.

Pharmacists have reported struggling to get hold of medicines such as Lemsip amid a significant increase in demand for cold and flu treatments.

NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) has confirmed when pharmacies will begin delivering the flu vaccination and COVID-19 booster programmes, with patients set to receive Moderna’s “new next generation bivalent” jab. 

With demand for COVID-19 vaccines expected to rocket in the upcoming season, a group of 20 pharmacy students has been trained to administer jabs to lend a helping hand

Manufacturers expect to meet pharmacies’ additional demand for flu vaccines in England following the government’s decision to walk back on excluding 50-64-year-olds from free jabs in the upcoming season, they have told C+D.