As PCTs try to save money in the short term, Zoe Smeaton finds that one tactic – encouraging the prescribing of certain branded medicines – is costly to both pharmacy and the NHS
Following Helen Gordon’s appointment last month as the first chief executive of the future professional body, Zoe Smeaton asks how female-friendly pharmacy is, and talks to women who have worked their way to the top
You may think you know how to sell OTC medicines and, as far as the basics go, you’d probably be right. “The fundamentals of over the counter selling have not changed,” says Reckitt Benckiser sales development controller Trevor Gore
Nurture your new parents’ custom when they need your help and advice and you will set a pattern for life in this extremely lucrative marketplace, says Kathy Oxtoby
As the March 31 deadline approaches for contractors in England, Zoe Smeaton offers a four-step guide to what you need to do about information governance (IG) and why you don’t need to hit the panic button.
PCTs must produce landmark assessments that will shape local pharmacy services from next month.
Emma Wilkinsonreports from the PSNC conference, which heard how to get involved
Pharmacy is a proven way of tackling sexual health issues, so why don’t more pharmacists get involved? An expert panel offer their top tips on how you can launch a successful service. Chris Chapman reports
Q I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by all the changes that are taking place in community pharmacy. What support can I expect from my employer? Lloyds-pharmacy director of HR operations Niki Coppard (pictured) responds
Come April, new essential and advanced services will be added to England’s pharmacy contract, relating to the supply of stoma and incontinence products. The changes to terms of service and NHS regulations will affect all pharmacists. Legal expert David Reissner explains what you need to do
New studies have highlighted a clinical connection between asthma and rhinitis. Gavin Atkin looks at the future of asthma treatments, and the advice pharmacists should give patients.
We all have to answer to someone at work, but what happens if they are treating you unfairly? Zoe Smeaton looks at what you should do
As admin piles up, patients’ demands intensify, and breaks from the pressure become few and far between, it’s easy to see why working in a pharmacy can be stressful. A good manager should offer you support in such situations, so what happens if your boss seems to be making life even harder for no apparent reason?
Q I have discovered that two of my colleagues with the same responsibilities as me get paid more than I do – what can I do about it? The Co-operative Pharmacy HR operations business partner Tracy Murray responds
C+D’s Senate is agreed national services are key to rescuing pharmacy finances, but just how do we get them? Zoe Smeaton reports
With a cost of service inquiry ongoing, major multiples cutting jobs and lacklustre commissioning of pharmacy services, the pharmacy contract in England is buckling, C+D’s Senators rule. They say things must improve, and agree the only way to save the sector is to bring in more national services.
With oral analgesic sales on the increase in pharmacy this winter,
Sarah Thackray reports on opportunities in this growing category
Swine flu and the recent cold spell have helped to boost demand for oral analgesics in pharmacy this winter, as the public have sought the advice of pharmacists and their staff for fever and aches and pains.
As NHS London unveils plans for over 100 polyclinics to be opened in London by 2013, Zoe Smeaton asks what impact they will have on the existing community pharmacy sector.
Janice Perkins talks to Jennifer Richardson about what her role involves as superintendent of The Co-operative Pharmacy
As the pharmacy superintendent for the Co-operative Pharmacy, I’m responsible for ensuring patient safety, professional standards and that our pharmacies and pharmacists are compliant with all relevant regulation – it’s a risk management and patient safety role.
AAH’s Ajit Malhi reveals to Zoe Smeaton the secrets of the private flu vaccination service that clinched the C+D Business Development of the Year 2009 title
Antivirals are out and steroids may be in for the treatment of this mysterious condition – but will upcoming results shed any light on the cause, asks Gavin Atkin
Panicking patients, advice on parties and suggesting preventative measures: it’s all in a day’s work for pharmacists distributing Tamiflu, finds Zoe Smeaton
Enhanced services, a lack of funding and the trouble with PCTs were just some of the topics under discussion on day one of C+D's Conference in Birmingham this week.
Pharmacy already has the lion’s share of the £406m winter remedies market, but what further opportunities will the predicted second wave of swine flu bring, asks Sarah Thackray
The impact of climate change Around a quarter of the UK population already suffer from hayfever but are things going to get worse as pollen seasons respond to climate change? Click here >>
The outlook for sales of hayfever products Business for hayfever remedies has been booming in recent years but with the recession putting a squeeze on spending, how will pharmacy fare in 2009? Click here >>
Travel clinic
Taking medicine abroad If your patients are looking to take their medicines on holiday, help them avoid a nasty surprise at customs by offering some good advice. Click here >>
Recommending insect repellent The unwanted attention of mosquitos and other insects is the price travellers often pay for a dream holiday. What repellent should you recommend? Click here >>
Top tips for hayfever sales Sarah Barker, Benadryl senior product manager at McNeil Products, provides some top merchandising tips to boost sales of hayfever remedies. Click here >>
Struggling with the credit crunch?
Think you could make more money but don't know where to start?
Know you could cut some costs but worried about damaging the business?
Financial highs and lows, a first ever pharmacy white paper and the new professional body takes shape. Oh, and don’t forget the goat massacre. Max Gosney looks back at the stories that made the front pages in 2008
Tom Hawkins looks at how the credit crunch is impacting on the pharmacy sector and experts from law firm Shadbolt LLP give their advice on the government's revaluation of business rates.
It’s the end of the long summer holidays and time for parents to send their children off to school or nursery. But the ‘back to school’ season is also an ideal time for you to support children and their families to make sure their first term is a healthy one.
It’s easy for customers to be seduced by supermarkets’ rock-bottom prices when it comes to baby necessities. Ann Shuttleworth explains how to compete by giving your pharmacy a point of difference
Some pharmacists have lost thousands of pounds since the launch of an automated scanning system by the Prescription Pricing Division. Most errors are the result of flaws in the way forms are being completed, say the PPD and PSNC. C+D offers a simple guide to staying switch-free
Northern Ireland’s pharmacists are pioneers of innovative practice. But will their potential be compromised by contract delays and political upheaval? Max Gosney finds out.
Support staff can run successful weight loss and smoking cessation services, Jennifer Richardson finds, boosting their job satisfaction and freeing up pharmacists' time.
The RPSGB is being stripped of its regulatory role and pharmacists will have to answer to a new disciplinarian from 2010. England’s chief pharmacist Keith Ridge describes its likely impact
Chairman of the National Association for Primary Care James Kingsland gave the keynote speech at a recent National Prescribing Centre conference for non-medical prescribers. Fiona Salvage was there.
A large government document holds the potential for major changes to your working life. In the first of two features, Adrian Price demystifies the responsible pharmacist consultation
Star health adviser or glorified shopkeeper? To the great British public, the pharmacist is still something of an enigma. C+D asks why the profession has such a public image problem.
County Durham pharmacist John Henderson was close to not joining the register. Read his personal take on Society fees, life, neighbours and taking the dog to the pub.
Public health charity PharmacyHealthLink celebrated its 21st birthday with a lively debate on pharmacy's public health role within a commercial environment. Hear the arguments, see the pictures and cast your vote.