We have had some interesting queries over the past few months which have required some time to answer in full. We also had some feedback from previous queries which we respond to below. All our visiting pharmacists are there to respond to your queries and if they can’t answer the question on the spot, we…
Read More
Advance planning for flu vaccination clinics has become an important part of patient care. The flu vaccination delivered in the following year provides vulnerable patients with protection against the strands of flu that are going to be the most prevalent over the next year. This is even more important this year, as hospitals deal with…
Read More
The two opioids available for delivery via a transdermal patch in the UK are fentanyl and buprenorphine. Fentanyl products are licensed for severe and chronic pain that requires long-term opioids or that does not respond to non-opioids. Buprenorphine is available in two sets of products – the stronger patches have a similar license to fentanyl while the lower strengths are indicated for non-malignant pain when an opioid is necessary (they are used for cancer pain in some cases, where patients only require low opioid doses)…
Read More
From 31 March 2020 NHS and partner organisations are required to use modern communication methods instead of faxes, such as secure email, in order to comply with their information governance requirements and in a bid to improve patient safety and cyber security. How do we swap to using secure email?
Read More
Motilin is a naturally occurring hormone secreted by the small intestine. It increases gastro-intestinal motility and peristalsis and accelerates gastric emptying. It functions mainly between meals and in doing so prepares the gut for the next meal. Erythromycin happens to be a motilin agonist – working in the same way as the hormone – so can be used when metoclopramide or other prokinetics are unsuitable. It is effective in about half of cases, and concerns about the development of bacterial resistance…
Read More
The MHRA has decided that stimulant laxatives can be inappropriately used by people wanting to lose weight – especially those who may have an eating disorder. In future, products such as Senna and Bisacodyl will sold in small pack sizes only and to people over 18…
Guy’s and St Thomas’ manufacturing unit has now ceased supply of 2% lidocaine in Lutrol gel and it is now distributed by Oxford Health – the NHS specials and wholesale supplier…
Read More
We are currently living in extraordinary times, but please rest assured we are doing all that we can to adapt to the situation, maintain safety among our employees and ensure our clients still receive the same high quality level of support they have come to expect. Any interruption to our services, including the supply of medication, medical products and clinical advice, could increase patient safety risks. We are committed to providing continuity for our clients, while also ensuring that the health of our employees and their families remains a top priority…
Read More
The annual influenza vaccination programme has become an important strategy for protecting public health by providing vulnerable people with immunisation against the virus strains likely to be the most prevalent over the coming year. The best time to have the vaccination is each autumn, from the beginning of October, as this will provide protection throughout winter – the riskiest time…
Read More
At Ashtons we are always looking to improve the services we provide to our clients. Our latest enhancement is to introduce new environmentally friendly fridge boxes. These are made from white and blue cardboard with a fully recyclable, biodegradable insert…
Read More
At a recent conference, it was pointed out that the bioavailability of oral cyclizine is close to 50% so the practice of using the same maximum daily dose of 150mg by subcutaneous injection or infusion may need to be rethought. This is based on a PhD thesis and small number of healthy volunteers so data is limited…
Read More