 The All-Party Pharmacy Group has published its report into stock shortages [May 15] and C+D reporter Melanie Hall went along to yesterday's press briefing to find out what happens next |
 As the sector battles Stormont in the courts over funding cuts, Emma Weinbren asks how long Northern Ireland can last with a £40 million pharmacy funding hole |
 Are you 110 per cent fed up with workplace catchphrases such as “proactive” and “action-focused”? Emma Weinbren looks at workplace clichés and how to tackle them |
 The pharmacy jobs market is in trouble, experts agree, but what's causing the over-supply of pharmacists, and is it such a bad thing? James Bloodworth reports |
 Anne Hutchings offers a guide to getting the most out of a discerning market |
 Ethical Dilemma After a night out with colleagues, inappropriate pictures and remarks have been posted on Facebook. What is your next step? |
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Download this letter template by the Independent Pharmacy Federation (IPF) to ask your MP to take action against the selling of UK medicines abroad. |
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England continues to buck the prescription charge trend with a fee rise of 25 pence next month. James Bloodworth asks whether cutting the charges is on the cards |
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PCT Investigation 2011 Private pharmacy flu vaccinations are booming, so why are commissioners still unwilling to let the sector deliver the service for the NHS, asks James Bloodworth |
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Pharmacies are breaking through the language barrier where English is not their patients' first language |
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As a growing number of high-value branded medicines comes off patent, does the controversial clawback mechanism have a future? |
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Blogs Moving from a major multiple to an up-and-coming chain of independents has been an eye-opener but, Richard Stephenson writes, good retail practice is the same wherever you are |
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Awards Spotlight Gill Pharmacy's holistic approach to healthcare earned it a C+D Award |
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C+D Awards 2012 Bringing different providers together under your roof can really reap rewards, finds Isobel Smith |
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Awards Spotlight A close relationship with his GP surgery helped Sudhir Sehrawat scoop Community Pharmacist of the Year |
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C+D Awards 2012 A good relationship between pharmacists and doctors makes perfect sense, says James Bloodworth, and the mutual benefits should be plain to see |
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PCT Investigation 2011 Emma Wilkinson looks at the high and low spenders in chlamydia services |
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PCT Investigation 2011 Emma Wilkinson looks at the high and low spenders - and what pharmacists have to do for their money - in EHC provision |
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PCT Investigation 2011 Emma Wilkinson looks at the high and low spenders - and what pharmacists have to do for their money - in minor ailments services |
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PCT Investigation 2011 PCTs are shelling out more on pharmacy schemes – but is this news as positive as it sounds, asks Melanie Hall |
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As Pharmacy Voice unveils its action plan for the sector, CEO Rob Darracott tells Gary Paragpuri why it is fighting back against the status quo |
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With pharmacies being paid for just 43 per cent of new medicine service interventions in the first month, Melanie Hall examines what looks to have been a slow start for the service |
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Download this handy wallchart and keep it near your phone so you always have supply details at your fingertips |
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As Day Lewis completes its first return-to-practice course, James Bloodworth and Emma Weinbren find out what support is available for pharmacists looking to get back in the dispensary |
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Stock shortages As the APPG inquiry into medicines shortages kicks off, Zoe Smeaton asks if there really are any solutions to the problems that are plaguing the sector |
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Awards Spotlight Rakesh Patel shares the secrets of his management success |
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C+D Awards 2012 Emma Weinbren finds out how to make the grade as a manager |
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C+D Awards 2012 From training to time management, Isobel Smith shares advice |
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Awards Spotlight Susan Youssef shares her award-winning MUR secrets with Isobel Smith |
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Stock shortages When it comes to the causes of supply problems, both manufacturers and pharmacy are pointing the finger squarely at each other. James Bloodworth asks who, if anyone, is right |
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Get organised for the March 31 deadline with these top tips |
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Awards SpotlightEmma Weinbren finds out how transforming derelict premises into a state-of-the-art pharmacy won Peter Buckley the C+D Award for Pharmacy of the Year 2011 |
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The key developments you need to be aware of – David Reissner explains |
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Generic Eric reveals how 2012’s first tariff will affect your pharmacy |
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"A complete shambles" Numark's Mimi Lau wasn't impressed by the government's Quit Kits smoking cessation scheme The year kicked off with controversy when RCGP chair Clare Gerada... |
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Catch up on all the key areas discussed at the LPC Conference in Manchester, from the contractual framework to prescription pricing, with this C+D video report|
Practice From the predictable – script volumes still on the rise – to the surprising – enhanced services also on the up – the NHS’s latest figures for community pharmacy over the past decade offer a wealth of information and paint a fascinating picture of the ups and downs in the sector across England |
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For those patients reluctant to visit their dentist, significant product innovations and specialist care allow pharmacists to maximise their share of the £799m oralcare market, finds Kathy Oxtoby |
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Toothpaste is the largest and most frequently purchased subcategory within the total oralcare market – and is the only one showing year-on-year growth, according to data from Kantar Wordpanel (see Market Insight: oralcare). |
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More than 90 per cent of the British population buy some form of oralcare in the year, spending on average £18 each. Seventy per cent of sales come from the core subcategories of toothpastes and toothbrushes, while floss and dentures remain more specialist sectors with lower numbers of buyers. |
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Bonjela teething gel’s local anaesthetic action relieves pain and soothes sore gums, while its antiseptic action can help prevent minor mouth infections. The gel comes in a sugar-free and banana-flavour formulation. Contraindications: Not suitable for infants under two months. |
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The acting regional manager, a former pharmacy manager for the Co-operative Pharmacy in Barnsley, says it is important for pharmacy to focus on oralcare as many patients are worried about seeing dentists and don’t have routine check-ups. |
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Five ways to make oralcare a more popular category in your pharmacy. |
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The health secretary might think his officials have dealt with stock shortages, but that view is not necessarily shared by grassroots pharmacists. Zoe Smeaton explains why the time has come for action, and how you can help |
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Backing up pharmacy data might not be the most exciting thing on your to-do list, but as Richard King reports, it’s only going to get more important. Help make the job as painless as possible with this essential guide |
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Following the news last week of pharmacies forced out of business, Jennifer Richardson presents some tips to avert cashflow disaster |
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What the government’s proposals could mean for you – Emma Weinbren reports |
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Four industry tsars entered the Dragons’ Den to pitch their proposals for overhauling the pharmacy contract to the C+D Conference last month. From separate supply and service contracts to ripping up the existing agreement and starting from scratch, the audience, our panel of ‘dragons’ and C+D readers heard, questioned and delivered their verdict. Hannah Flynn reports |
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The secretary of North East London LPC says "We need to have good communication with our teams and the rest of the NHS" in his pitch to the Dragons' Den at the C+D Senate Live |
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The chairman of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association says " GPs can't take on any more patients. We can help" in his pitch to the Dragons' Den at the C+D Senate Live |
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The chairman of the IPF says "The time is absolutely right to make changes" in his pitch to the Dragons' Den at the C+D Senate Live |
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The chief executive of Pharmacy Voice says "There is no science in the system" in his pitch to the Dragons' Den at the C+D Senate Live |
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Business Forget the traditional corner shop, 21st century consumers want a high-end retail experience and that includes from pharmacies. With the GPhC set to launch tougher premises standards, Hannah Flynn examines what that could mean for you |
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Eyecare company Alcon has extended its range of Systane dry eye products with the launch of three treatments this year. |
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How you can make the most of a market that is declining in value |
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Pharmacy manager Elen Jones describes how she has revamped her branch’s eye and earcare product display to boost sales. |
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Kathy Oxtoby reviews some of the products in the eye and ear care market. |
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The eye treatment market’s value may be declining but don’t let that put you off, says Kathy Oxtoby – eye and earcare are key categories for pharmacy |
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The total value of the eyecare treatment market is in decline. Kathy Oxtoby looks at the market changes and details which brands are bucking the trend. |
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Pharmacy is performing strongly in the £276m winter remedies market, finds Kathy Oxtoby, as combination products and higher prices drive growth |
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Pharmacy manager Simon Butterworth has increased the customer base of his Numark pharmacy by delivering flu vaccinations to local businesses, and Danielle Cadden says her winter remedies category is made more prominent on the shelves from mid-October. |
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Complete background information on these popular winter remedies |
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The market value has grown by 4 per cent over the past 12 months to just over £276 million, and the pharmacy market grew by almost 5 per cent in contrast to 3 per cent growth in the major grocers. |
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Anti-bacterial hand-wipe brand Sani+Hands has seen 20 per cent growth year on year over the past four years since its 2007 launch, according to marketing director Ian Anderson. |
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Advice on making the most of the winter season |
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See how pharmacy fares in the total market |
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Not sure how pharmacy can contribute to the Big Society idea? Northern Ireland organisation BCPP tells Emma Weinbren how it has partnered pharmacists with local community projects to put this concept into practice |
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Partnering with charities could help you get your services plans off the ground – Emma Wilkinson explains how, in the second instalment of a two-part series |
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Fran Robinson reveals how your peers are doing it – and how you can, too |
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EXCLUSIVE Higher profits, lower costs and strong business support – Emma Weinbren finds out what the Day Lewis partnership scheme claims to offer first-time pharmacy buyers |
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EXCLUSIVE As the UK's largest independent chain launches a partnership scheme to help first-time buyers, Day Lewis managing director Kirit Patel explains to Emma Weinbren why ‘over-complicated’ payment structures, NHS cuts and workplace pressures should not deter entry to the sector |
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As the pharmacy bodies court councillors with speed dating, C+D Senators answer your questions about working with local authorities under the NHS reforms |
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Use C+D's interactive flowchart to see how much you could be entitled to for prescription payment errors |
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Generic Eric reveals how October’s tariff will affect your pharmacy |
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Brands are fighting back against the growth of own label with product innovation that’s boosting the £362m adult oral analgesics market, finds Kathy Oxtoby |
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What you said: Pharmacists expressed concerns over the timescale of the service in C+D's pre-Senate survey. While a quarter of pharmacists said they were almost ready to implement the NMS, 60 per... |
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What you said: Pharmacists were divided on the issue of training, the pre-Senate survey revealed, reporting varying degrees of confidence. A quarter felt they could already offer the advice,... |
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What you said: The Senate survey revealed widespread concerns over implementing the service. Pharmacists cited a lack of time, lack of patient awareness and pressure to hit targets as key... |
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What you said : Unsurprisingly, pharmacists said they would ideally like to be paid more than the agreed £25 for the service (subject to pharmacy-based targets, see below). Almost a third would... |
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As the October launch of new advanced service the NMS draws closer, there is continuing speculation and controversy over how it works and its funding. Emma Weinbren hears C+D Senators tackle questions on pay, workload and timescales |
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Market leader Tena has undertaken a major upgrade of its incontinence product list in 2011, spearheaded by the launch of Lights by Tena. This new range of liner products is deliberately geared... |
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Category Focus A growing focus on products for men and younger women is driving the growth of the £67m incontinence market, finds Pat Hagan |
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"Pharmacists need to be aware that customers will be embarrassed. Private consultation rooms are ideal for making the customer feel more at ease." Stephen McEldowney, pharmacist,... |
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Market Insight The incontinence market is purchased by only 7 per cent of the adult population and, while showing year-on-year growth of 3 per cent in value, shopper numbers are in decline.... |
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Reflect Do my customers get the most out of incontinence products? Plan Review my and my staff's knowledge and sales protocols. Act ... |
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Pharmacist Rakesh Bagga says targeting a slightly younger female age group is helping to keep sales of incontinence products buoyant. "The market for incontinence products is growing, but... |
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C+D's Fight for Fairness campaign is pushing for improved accuracy and more transparency in prescription payments – C+D News Editor Zoe Smeaton explains how NHS PS does its sums |
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"Make sure pharmacy staff are fully trained about headlice and threadworms, because they are patients' first point of call." r Sailesh Gohil, pharmacy manager, Greengate Medical Centre... |
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Headlice 1. Hedrin 2. Full Marks 3. Lyclear 4. Derbac M 5. Nitty Gritty 6. ... |
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This June, Thornton & Ross's Hedrin, the best-selling headlice brand according to SymphonyIRI Group data (see Best-selling headlice brands ), launched Treat & Go, a treatment range that... |
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With demand for fast and convenient treatments driving NPD in headlice and worming, Kathy Oxtoby discusses how pharmacists can help customers get the most from both treatment and prevention products and boost their share of the £28m market |
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Market Insight It looks as though headlice, a category that has shown strong growth in recent years, has been hit hard by the recession. As has often been noted in these Market Insight... |
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Reflect Do my customers get the most out of headlice and worming products? Plan Review my and my staff's knowledge and sales protocols. Act ... |
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Vosene Kids Detangling Conditioner Manufacturer: Lornamead UK Classification: Non-medicinal For: Conditioning children's hair and helping to prevent headlice Active... |
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Willow Tree Pharmacy, Henbury Simon Harris The pharmacy manager has boosted headlice sales by taking part in Bristol PCT's minor ailment scheme. "We are fortunate to be next door to a... |
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Many pharmacies’ security was tested during the riots – make sure you’re doing all you can to keep yourself and your staff safe with Hannah Flynn’s quick guide |
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