Pharmacy Information – Page 2 – Ashtons Hospice Pharmacy Services

September 1^st 2020

News just in – August 2020

Medication Updates, Pharmacy InformationBy Margaret Gibbs September 1, 2020

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…

March 30^th 2020

Our commitment to you during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ashtons News, Pharmacy InformationBy Martin England March 30, 2020

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…

March 30^th 2020

Pre-order next winter’s (2020/2021) flu vaccine now

Ashtons News, Medication Updates, Pharmacy InformationBy Sally-Anne Bowen March 30, 2020

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…

March 30^th 2020

Ashtons new fridge boxes – completely recyclable, biodegradable and high quality!

Ashtons News, New ashtons services, Pharmacy InformationBy Darren Ellis March 30, 2020

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…

March 30^th 2020

Recent queries from hospices – Spring 2020

Developing your team, Pharmacy InformationBy Margaret Gibbs March 30, 2020

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…

October 18^th 2019

Opioids – rational approaches to their use in acute and chronic pain

Awareness campaigns, Healthcare News, Medication News, Pharmacy InformationBy Margaret Gibbs October 18, 2019

Articles in medical and pharmacy journals this month are asking us to adopt safer and more rational approaches to prescribing opioids. One comes from experts in chronic pain, notably Cathy Stannard, consultant in complex pain and Clinical Lead for the Pain Transformation Programme at NHS Gloucestershire CCG (1), and her…

October 8^th 2019

Ashtons contingency planning and guidelines for customers for a No-deal Brexit

Healthcare News, Medication News, Pharmacy InformationBy Martin England October 8, 2019

June 11^th 2019

Topical treatment options for painful mouth

Pharmacy InformationBy Margaret Gibbs June 11, 2019

Pain in the mouth is a distressing problem and affects so many essential activities. It can have many causes and good mouthcare is of enormous benefit to all patients, particularly towards the end of life. NICE guidelines (NG48) and quality standards (QS151) are in place for oral health for adults…

June 11^th 2019

Prescribing opioids – by trade name or generic?

Developing your team, Pharmacy InformationBy Margaret Gibbs June 11, 2019

The registration and naming process for drugs: When new drugs come onto the market, they must be licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) and registered with a trade name. Details of most UK medicines and their registration is listed with their Summary of Product Characteristics on the…

June 11^th 2019

Fluconazole – not just any anti-fungal

Medication Updates, Pharmacy InformationBy Margaret Gibbs June 11, 2019

Fluconazole is a triazole antifungal agent which came into use in the late 1980s. It has a different chemical structure to its predecessor, ketoconazole, and is safer systemically. It is licensed for the treatment of topical fungal infections in the mouth, skin and genitals and for invasive, systemic fungal infections…