The chemist and druggist [electronic resource]

42 Pages·1996·8 MB·English

by  UBM

DRUGGIST
NEWSWEEKLY PHARMACY
THE FOR
30 November 1996
60 brands to join
The Two Millionth *97
Selected List in
MCA
urged to restrict
sales ofparacetamol
John D'Arcy appointed
is out there! as new NPA director
C&D's guest editor:
Dr Norman Morrow
Generics:
an exciting
bazuka five years
ahead
Look out for this special pack. Pharmacy couple wins
top retailer award
Less than a year and a half from its launch, the two millionth Bazuka pack is on its way to a
pharmacy somewhere in Britain. Ifyou can find it, a valuable mystery prize awaitsyou. DIOaMED UBR
Bazuka is already the CLEAR BRAND LEADER, dominating a market which has £ISRTR°B°TUEDCB! Budget freezes
grown by more than 67% since Bazuka was launched just eighteen months ago!
So watch out forthe two millionth Bazuka pack - it could be heading your way soon. for small businesses
Onlineathttp://www.dotpharmacy.c6ih/
HILL'S
HILL'S BALSAM
BALSAM
EXTRA STRONG
CHESTY
2in1
COUGH
PASTILLES PASTILLES
Taochleosotsyencoaungdheaasned Tonarsealilecveoncgoeusgtihoannd
helprelieve
MENTHOL
catarrh
FORMULATION
The Hill's Balsam pastille range has just got stronger.
Our best selling Chesty Cough and Nasal Congestion pastilles are now joined by our
new Extra Strong 2-in-l pastilles.
And we're giving them really strong support. Nearly £750,000 worth of colour
magazine advertising between November 1996 and March 1997.
FORFURTHERINFORMATIONCONTACTYOURWINDSORHEALTHCARETERRITORYMANAGER,ORCALL01344741244
another 15p is to be added to the prescription (BMSI&
Socharge. Once againpharmacistswillhavetobear
the complaints ofthe disgruntled minority who
have to pay this 'tax on the sick'. Come next
April, when the £5.65 charge becomes effective, the
DRUGGIST
Conservatives will be seeking re-election and the
prescription charge will have risen nearly 1,000 per
cent in real terms since they came to power in 1979.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has rightlywarned VOLUME246No6063 137th YEAR OFPUBLICATION ISSN 0009-3033
that every hike in the charge means more untreated
illness. Ifpeople prescribed medicines simply cannot GovernmentproposestofurtherextendSelected List 760
affordtopayforthem, thentheprofessionalcarethey Sufferersofskindisordersmostseverelyaffected
have received through the NHS is wasted. A recent
survey ofpharmacists in Devon and Cornwall (C&D John D'Arcyappointed newdirectorofthe NPA 760
November 16,p699) shows95percent ofpharmacists Board reachesunanimousdecisionabout "bestmanforthejob"
now advise patients to buy aprescribed medicine ifit
is available OTC and cheaper than the prescription
MedicinesControlAgencyconsultson analgesicavailability 762
charge. Furthermore, 88percentthinkthe charge has
Concernoverthedangersofparacetamoloverdosehasprompted
led to patients not getting the medicines they need.
The survey showed that 13 per cent had supplied the MCAtoseekviewsonpacksizesandavailability
prescribed POMs onaprivatebasis (alongthe linesof
Welsh pharmacist Allan Sharpe, who was found to Prescriptionchargestogoup 15p 762
be in breach of his Terms of Service for doing so). FromApril 1, charge will be£5.65
Nearly halfthe sample did not think contractors who
do this should be prosecuted. This further rise in the Guesteditor: NormanMorrow 774-77
prescription charge will only increase that number. Is Quality healthcare in the Netherlands,
I
the Government trying to encourage an under the * professional competency and patienl advocacy
counter system ofprivate purchase of POMs on the
back ofa legitimately-written FP10? Pharmacists are Genericsmarketcontinuestogrow 778
fedup withactingastaxcollectorsandfaceanethical
Ranitidineand captoprilnext inline
dilemma if they see a sick person turning down
medication at55.65, when they could offer it cheaper Newkid onthegenericsblock 783
privately, even allowing for a realistic dispensing fee.
Ethical Genericsset for£7mturnover
An incoming Government could do worse than take
RPSGB president Ian Caldwell's advice and
undertake a complete review of the prescription Lackofenthusiasmfordecentralisedmedicinesauthorisation 786
charge system. It is, as he says, "anachronistic, Expecteddeluge in 1998whensystem becomesmandatory
inconsistent in its application and widely perceived
as unfair". Unichem defendsOTC Direct-itsnewshortlinewholesaler 787
OTC Direct ontrialtodeterminevalue ofthe market
CHEMT& EditorPatrickGrice, Chemist&DruggistincorporatingRetail
MRPharmS Chemist&PharmacyUpdate
DRUGGIST AMsursriasyt,anMtREPdhiatromrSMaria PMTioulnblbleririsdhFgerede.eSKmaeatnnutrpTdicNa.y9sSo1bvRyeWreignWay, Chancellorfreezesuniformbusinessratesinbudget 787
TechnicalEditor FawzFarhan,MRPharmS Telephone [phone] Upto 1.5msmallbusinessescouldsave upto£130annually
BeautyEditor.JoanneWebb Telex 95132MILFREG
Fax [phone]
BusinessEditorGuyL'Aimable.BA [email protected]
ContributingEditorAdriennedeMont,MRPharmS Internetsite'
http.//www.dotpharmacycom/
ReporterCharlesGladwinMRPharmS
Subscriptions Home £115perannum
ArtEditorTonyLamb Overseas&Eire£165perannum
ProductionEditorVanessaTownsend,BA £in2cl4u0dipnegrpcoosptya(gpeostageextra).
PriceList ColinSimpson(Controller) Circulationandsubscription Royal
DarrenLarkin,MariaLocke SLoovnedroenigSnE1H8ou6sBeQ,.BTeerhes0t1or81dS8t5r5ee7t7,77
REGULARS
AdvertisementManagerJuliandeBruxelles Refundsoncancelledsubscriptionswill
DisplayAdvertisementExecutives onlybeprovidedatthepublisher's
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MParrotdiuncCtialodnerJ-eSnmniythW,aNtiscoknFisher gsuubasrcarnitpeteiodnwoiftfheri.nthetetmsof News 760 BusinessNews 787
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GPurboluipshSearleRsonDiSraelcmtoonr,IFaRnPGhearrramrSd foefatthueres.upplierswhoseproductsthey TopicalReflections 764 ClassifiedAdvertisements 790
PublishingDirectorRogerMurphy Uth Miller Freeman
©MillerFreemanpic. 1996 *1 AUnitedNews&MAediaBpublCicauon PrescriptionSpecialities 766 BusinessLink 7m91
Counterpoints 768 AboutPeople
BUSINESSPRESS
CHEMIST&DRUGGIST30NOVEMBER1996 759
D'Arcy appointed
Government
new NPA director to extend
The Department of Health has tive; Nicorette Nasal Spray and Dr Peter Read expressed "con-
released details of proposals of NicotinellGum. siderable dismay that the Gov-
changes to the selected list. The The proposals also allow the ernment had chosen to go down
Advisory Committee on NHS restoration of DF118 Injection this road". He added that the
Drugs has recommended that60 from Napp Laboratories to NHS ABPI believed that doctors
products in seven therapeutic prescription. should be free to choose medi-
categories(seebelow)shouldno Comments on these proposals cines that suit the patient best
longerbeprescribable underthe shouldbesenttothePharmaceu- rather than the cheapest.
NHS. This includes 37 prepara- tical & Optical Services Branch, Although many of the products
tions for skin disorders and 11 Department of Health, Room recommended for blacklisting
treatmentsforallergicdisorders, 147, Richmond House, 79 White- are available for purchase OTC,
as well asproducts foranaemia, hall,LondonSW1A2NS,toarrive Dr Read pointed out that this
New WPAdirector,John D'Arcy drugs actingonthe ear, antidiar- nolaterthanJanuary9. meantpenalisingthe"oldandthe
rhoeals,hypnotics,anddrugsfor Following consultation, the infirm" as well as those on low
The National Pharmaceutical vaginalandvulvalconditions. regulations will be laid before income.
Association has acted swiftly to The Advisory Committee on parliament to conic into effecl Dr Read criticised the "incredi-
fill the void left by its late direc- Borderline Substances has also earlynextyear. blyshortconsultationtime",which
tor,TimAstill. recommended the removal of PresidentoftheAssociationof includestheChristmasbreak.
Meeting on Tuesdaythis week, over 200 unlicensed products, British Pharmaceutical Industry The Pharmaceutical Services
the NPA Board agreed unani- which have not demonstrated a
mously that John D'Arcy, cur- therapeutic value or have more
rentlythedeputydirector,should economic alternatives. The
headtheorganisation. Department says that most of
Following a career in commu- these products are in any case
nity pharmacy, Mr D'Arcyjoined food supplements intended by
the NPA in 1990 as pharmacist their manufacturers foroverthe
administrator. In 1994, he was counterpurchase.
awarded an LL, and a year later Independently of the above
appointeddeputydirector. two committees, the DoH also
NPA chairman Peter Jenkins proposes that a further three
says: "John has all the qualities nicotine replacement therapies
andcommitmentrequiredtocon- be blacklisted, as leaving them
tinue the outstanding work of prescribable would be inconsis-
TimAstill. Thereisnodoubtthat tent with previous decisions on
heisthebestpersonforthejob." other NRTs. The products in <^531flll
question are: Logado L'Alterna-
Productsrecommended PiritonAllergy* BalneumPlus* Cream* SoframycinOintment FortespanSpansules*
forremovalfromNHS Pollon-EzeTablets* CaladrylCream* DiprosoneCream SuleoCShampoo DrugsActingontheEar
prescriptionbythe SeldaneTablets* CaladrylLotion* DiprosoneLotion (headlicetreatment) EarexEarDrops*
AdvisoryCommitteeon TriludanForteTablets CalendolonOintment* DiprosoneOintment TinadermCream* Antidiarrhoeals
NHSDrugs. seven-tabletpack* Carbo-CortCream EskamelCream* UnguentumMerckCream ImodiumCapsules
(*denotesthoseproducts TriludanTabletsten-tablet CaryldermShampoo* lonaxScrub* 60g* PharmacyPacks8and12
whichareavailablefor pack* (headlicetreatment) LanacaneCream* Vita-ECream* capsules*
purchasewithoutaGP's UceraxTablets ChlorasolSachets* MercurochromeSolution Vita-EOintment* Kaopectate*
prescription) Zirtek7* DaktarinCream15g* Oxy10AcneLotion* Anaemia Hypnotics
AllergicDisorders SkinDisorders DaktarinPowder* Oxy5AcneLotion* DencylSpansules* NytolTablets*
Aller-ezePlusTablets* AnaflexCream* DaktarinTwinPack* Phiso-fvledSolution* DitemicSpansules* SominexTablets*
Aller-ezeTablets* AnethaineCream* DerbacCShampoo PriodermCreamShampoo FerfolicSVTablets DrugsforVaginal&Vulval
ClaritynAllergy* AnthisanCream* (headlicetreatment) (headlicetreatment) FerrousSulphate Conditions
HismanalTabletsten- BalneumBathTreatment DermalexSkinLotion* SavlonDryPowderSpray* CompoundTabletsBP* FemeronCream*
tabletpack* 150mlpack* DermidexDermatological SecadermSalve* Folex-350Tablets*
Unlicensed Turkish Zantac leads to striking off
A quantity of unlicensed Zantac ton, Liverpool - a business he away he decided to incinerate nameandaddressonit,asfound
made in Turkey and found in an had purchased in November, theremainderas he "had no use bytheinspector.
open box in a storeroom at a 1993. "Mr Davey said the drugs ofit".Hedidnotdiscoverhispre- The Committee heard numer-
pharmacy in Huyton, Liverpool, musthave been left there by the sumption that he had inherited ous character references sup-
hasled totheowner,pharmacist previous owner who had died, the tablets from the previous plied on Mr Davey's behalf.
John Davey, being struck off but Glaxo confirmed the tablets owner was wrong until the There have been no previous
after a Royal Pharmaceutical found were made after that inspector had contacted Glaxo. complaintsabouthim.
Society Statutory Committee date,"saidMrHill. The 150mg tablets had become The allegation of possessing
hearinglastweek. Mr Davey denied dispensing available in May, 1994, and the unlicensed medicinal products
A routine inspection was car- the Zantac and said he never 300mgtabletsinJune/July, 1993. was admitted, but Mr Davey
ried outon the premiseswhile a intended to do so. He told the Mr- Davey insisted that no one deniedprofessionalmisconduct.
locumpharmacistwasincharge, inspector he had brought the at the Kensington premises had Announcingitsdecision, Com-
inSeptember, 1994,saidJosselyn tabletsoverfrom his Kensington bought the tablets. He believed mittee chairman Gary Flather
Hill for the Society. The inspec- premises because they "looked theymayhave originated from a QC said: "We have decided that
tor found more than 500 150mg funnyandIwantedtomakesure wrong delivery or been samples we shall direct the registrar to
tablets in foil strips and 120 theywerenotdispensed". from a wholesaler, but agreed remove the name of Mr Davey
300mgtabletsinthebox. He had made enquiries as to therewasnoevidencetobackup fromtheRegister."However,the
When interviewed, Mr Davey where the Zantac came from his theories. He denied he had Committee would expect an
indicatedthattheboxwasfound without success. When the purchasedanyunlicensedgoods, applicationforrestorationinthe
athisotherpremisesinKensing- inspector had taken samples deliveredintheboxwithhisown future.
?S8 CHEMIST&DRUGGIST30NOVEMBER1996
NtWS )
Be
better at Business
Management
acklist
Negotiating Committee said its Run your pharmacy the professional way and
tceocnhsniidcearl thseubccoonmsmulittatteieonwdoouclud- gain the new Certificate in Community Pharmacy
ment and submit comments Management from The Queen's University of Belfast
before the appropriate date. It
pointed out that banning of cer-
tainpacksizesofproductswasa Justfollou thefree ten-module postgraduate distance learning
new concept. If these proposals
were enacted, it should follow courseproduced In The Queens University in association with
thatanorderfor'Trilndantablets Chemist & Druggist and Communit) Pharmacy, andsupported
60mg 1 X OP' would he inter-
pretedasapackof60andnotten, In Smithkline Beecham Consumer Healthcare (PharmAssist)
asatpresent.
The National Eczema Associa- Step 1: Step 2:
tion expressed its concern at the
further restriction of choice for Learn the basics, and Register for
eczema sufferers. A spokesper-
sonpointed out that some ofthe practise the principles Certification (now!)
products listed had unique prop- in your pharmacy
erties, eg Balneum Plus was cur- You have discovered how The 1997 course
rently the only bath treatment Read tin- learning modules you worthwhile the course is. so
withanti-pruriticproperties. will receive with Communit) wh\ nol pio\e your new starts here
TinaFunnelloftheAssociation
for Quality Healthcare said suf- Pharmacy o\er the coming understanding to yourself and Don't miss out on tlie opportunity
ferers of skin complaints would months (to gel you started, the anj future employer? \ fee oi to follow thiscourse accordingto
be badly affected by the propos- first two modules also come £10(y'r will pro\ide telephone the University plan, and
aclhso.ic"eSkinofpatbireantnsdendeedpraodwuicdtes uith (ihenhst v\ I)ruggist). This marking ol your questionnaires alongside lellow communih
because they frequently need to top qualit) material can be and e\idence ol completion foi pharmacists. You will have
change treatments as their skin brought to you free oi charge tlie University. You are alread} received the hist twomodules
becomes sensitised or desensi- onl) through the generous on the way to 50 ol the 100 before the endofJanuary 1997
tisedtotheactiveingredients." sponsorship ol Smithkline hours you need to attain your (which is when Queen's
Rural GPs lose High lieecham (lonsumiT Ilealthcaie (iertificate, so its time to... University will issue the first
(PharmAssist). project work to all fully registered
Step 3: students. Takea step towards
Court challenge to Sell-lest \outsell wild the
better business management
question papers piw ided, and Go for Gold!
today bysending in theform on
Clothier loophole lollou through the case studies.
HDiisgphenCsoiunrgt cdhoacltloernsgehatvoeprleovstenta bIuhseinnepsrsovmeantahegedmieffnetrecnacen good SytoaugepetrwsoonoallCaecrctiefsiscattoioan gives pto78Mi8llweirthFryeoeurmacnhepqicu)et(opSayuaeble
pharmacists using the 'Clothier make to your pharmac) In Queen's I niversit) tutor and (Iheeseman/Claire Newman.
loophole' to open premises near applying the principles and puts you into the project phase Miller Freeman pic. Pharmacy
Jtuhse•itJriucdseugrmSgecenhrtiieeswm.aasnngoinveWnedbnyesLdoaryd smloonpittohreirneg? the results. I!nl wh\ ItwheInmcohdurlunasrecnonuresieu)T.enTthhe wfiivteh WGaryo,upToSnpberciidaglePrKoejnetctsT,NS9ov1erReWign.
a(fCte&rDatNwoov-edmabyehrea2r3i,ngpl7a2s5t).weHeek projweocrttshaareblither (*nuilrlsfeeedsetsauibljsecmtetowiVtAhTtlaitef1ir7s.t57mco.dFuullel
ruled that health authorities were ,n""cv-r~oc. 50 hours oi with tinsissueororeavailableon
"not obliged" to consider the requestfrom lourSmithkline Beethunt
impactonGPs'revenueortheser- stud) time. ConsumerHealthcarerepresentativeor
vice they provide when deciding Costs ol all [he from Sue Cheeseman or(Claire
whetherornottograntleavefora written material, Newmanon 01732364422ext2162
pharmacytoopen. marking b\ the
All they had to do was decide Get your CiCPM
whether pharmacies were neces- I niversity. and
sary and desirable to the efficient <lertllleate are course fees paid -
dispensing of drugs in any given covered b\ a £12,000 in prizes
area, and the doctors' positions
wereirrelevant, hesaid. £200* lee (you One hundred lucky readers can
The judge remarked that the ean save £25 have their Pari One fees paid
complexity ofthe regulationshad by registering simply in lillinj; in a
been increased bythe "prolonged loi both pails questionnaire you will receive in
hfeosrssieontsraodvienrg"mabneytwyeeaerns.thBeutptrhoe- together !.'_'::> :•. tahnedpdoasttaslhioarintlllyin-f;rcoommmpaarnkye,ting
wordingofthe 1977Actwasclear, PMS1. These will then be
and the doctors had no grounds entered into a prize draw. Ten
forchallengingdecisionstoallow Thefront coier ofthe of these readers can also have
pharmacies to open near their first module "Marketing their Part Two fees paid in a
surgeries.
The GPs had their judicial \ourpharmacy" (above separate draw.
review challenges dismissed. aiih its case stud'} mill (Refunds will be issued by PMSI;
They were ordered to pay costs, questionnaire insert {left) you trillhavepaidMillerFreeman)
butweregivenleavetoappeal.
CHEMIST&DRUGGIST30NOVEMBER1996
NCVVO
MCA
seeks views on analgesic sales
Pharmacy organisations are urg- pharmacy sale for patients with should be with Dr John Price, Gerald Malone, health minis-
ing the Medicines Control chronic or recurrent conditions, MCA, room 1106, Market Tow- ter, saidlastweek: "Thewayfor-
Agency to restrict paracetamol ifthepharmacistjudgeditappro- ers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London ward is to ensure that full and
topharmacies, ratherthan limit- priate. A prescription would be SW85NQ, byJanuary 10. accurate information reaches
ing the pack sizes on general required forquantitiesover 100. The NPA has welcomed the consumers. That information
sale. All sales would then be Topreventdisparitiesbetween MCAsdecisiontoconsiderways should be conveyed both on the
supervised by a pharmacist and otherGSLanalgesics,theconsul- of restricting paracetamol sales labelandinapatient leaflet, ina
advice available on how to use tation letter MLX 231 also seeks to reduce suicide attempts. pack whose size meets their
the medicine safely and effec- viewsonthefollowing: Chairman Peter Jenkins said, needswithoutleavinglargenum-
tively, saysthe National Pharma- • aspirin - a pharmacy pack "Paracetamol is effective and bersinthebathroomcabinet."
ceuticalAssociation. sizeofno more than30x325mg safe if used correctly, but, Smithkline Beecham wel-
Concern over the dangers of tablets or capsules, multiple because it is so freely available comed the consultation and
paracetamol overdose has led packs of no more than 100 on supermarket shelves, people expects the process will "con-
the MCA to seek views on tablets or capsules sold accord- donotrealisethatitcanbeharm- firmtheexcellentsafetyandeffi-
whether larger packs of para- ingtothepharmacist'sjudgment, ful ifthe dosage instructions are cacy profile of all analgesics,
cetamol should be made Pre- and a GSLpack ofnomorethan notfollowedtotheletter.Making especially paracetamol". The
scription only and general sale 12tablets paracetamol available only in companyisnotawareofanynew
packs limited to 12 x 500mg • ibuprofen-apharmacypack pharmacies and on prescription reliable scientific and medical
tabletsorcapsulesforadultsand sizeofnomorethan30tabletsor will strike a balance between datawhichwouldrequireradical
12 x 120mg tablets or capsules capsules, multiple packs of no easy access to this effective changestotheavailabilityofany
for children; these smaller sizes more than 100 tablets or cap- painkiller and the availability of analgesic.
arc likely to be sufficient for sulessold accordingtothephar- professional supervision and Crookes Healthcare's manag-
"convenient availability". No macist's judgment, and a GSL advicewhenitissold." ingdirector, Norman Usher, said
changes are proposed to GSL packsizeasnow. The Royal Pharmaceutical lastweek: "Webelievethatareg-
pack sizes of effervescent The MCA is also proposing an Society has welcomed the isteredpharmacyisan appropri-
tablets,granulesandsachets. additional label warning for Department of Health's recogni- ate location for the sale of any
TheMCAisalsoseekingviews products containing paraceta- tionthatpharmaciesarethebest self-medication."
on whether there should be a mol: "Immediate advice should place to obtain medicines. John The Paracetamol Information
maximum pack size for phar- besoughtintheeventofanover- Ferguson, secretary and regis- Centrecommentedthatthedrugis
macy sale of30 x 500mg tablets dose even if you do not feel trar,agreedthatallowingsalesof the most widely-used in the UK,
or capsules for adults and 30 x unwell"; and, in patient informa- analgesics to continue outside withover30millionpeopleadmin-
120mg tablets or capsules for tion leaflets, the statement: pharmacies conveyedthe wrong istering it safely every year. "We
children, which would be suffi- "Immediate medical advice message about the need to take arestudyingall the MCAspropos-
cient forshort-term treatment of should be sought in the event of care with medicines, and gave alscarefully,"itsaid.
minor,self-limitingillness. Packs an overdose because ofthe risk people access to them without TheProprietaryAssociationof
containing no more than 100 ofseriousliverdamage". the benefit of professional Great Britain was still consider-
tablets would be available for Comments on the proposals advice. ingtheproposals.
Inthe editor'schair Vets and pets for postgrads Script charges to rise
Dr Norman Morrow,the chief Prescription charges will in-
pharmacistatthe Departmentof crease by 15pence (2.7percent)
Health and Social Services in An opportunity still exists for periods at Aston, a written pro- to £5.65 from April 1, 1997,
Northern Ireland, is C&D'sguest interested pharmacists to enrol ject, arecordofpracticalexperi- announced the chancellor, Ken-
editorinthisweek's issue for'the 1997RPSGBpostgraduate ence, two three-hour written neth Clarke, in the budget on
(pp774-77). He hasdrawn upon a veterinarypharmacycourse. examsandanoralexam,running Tuesday.
trulyinternational collection of A two-day pet healthcare ses- overthecourseofayear. Royal Pharmaceutical Society
authorsto address histheme of sionshouldbeavailablefor'phar- Thetotalcostofthecoursefor president Ian Caldwell criticised
competency, qualityand macists unable to attend the full 1997 is SI,075 and includes the the Government's plans, saying
advocacy. Commitmentis, he course. A certificate of atten- residential costs ofthe two one- that it would lead to an increase
believes,the onethingthatlinks dance will be issued, and a pro- weekcourses.Anyoneinterested in the number of people on low
themtogether.Withthe Royal portionatefeecharged. should contact Roger Odd on incomes unable to afford medi-
Pharmaceutical Society The course consists of two 0171 735 9141 by the end of the cines. He reiterated the Society's
pressing aheadwith its'New intensive one-week residential first weekin Dec-ember. call for- a complete review ofthe
Age' initiative, UK pharmacists prescription charge system,
mightfindthe Dutch approach Patent protection needed for biotechnology which he described as "anachro-
illuminating ... nistic, inconsistent in its applica-
Effective biotechnology patents the Legal Protection of Biotech- tion, and widely perceived as
are needed to ensure continued nologicalInventions. unfair".
research by pharmaceutical and According to the director gen- A four-monthly prepayment
biotechnology companies, ac- eraloftheABPI,DrTrevorJones, certificate will increase from
cording to a new booklet from the UKishometo morebiotech- £28.50 to £29.30, and an annual
the Association of the British nology companies than all the certificate will increase from
Pharmaceutical Industry, which other European countries com- £78.40to£80.50.
looks at aspects of this science bined. He warned that "without Projected NHS capital spend-
ranging from social and ethical patents, there will be no new ing in England is set to decrease
issuestoeconomicfactors. treatmentsandnonewcures",as inrealtermsby9.6percentinthe
Speaking at a conference in companies will stop investing in 1997/98plan.Thepercentagereal
London to launch the booklet, the long and expensive process growth forecast for hospital and
president of the ABPI Dr Peter- of researching and developing community health services for
Read said it highlights the need newmedicines. 1997/98 is 3 per cent, to 524,367
for industry - and for patients • 'Biotechnology-anewrevolu- million; andforfamilyhealthser-
awaitingpotentialcures-togain tion in healthcare' is available vices 3.2 per cent, to £7,880m.
the patent protection for poten- free in single copies from the Overall spending on the NHS in
DrNorman SVlorrow tialnewmedicinesofferedbythe ABPI, 12 Whitehall, London England in 1997/98 is up 2.9 per
proposed EuropeanDirectivefor SW1A2DY. cent, inrealterms,to£33,042m.
782 CHEMIST&DRUGGIST30NOVEMBER1996
mam
ABPI'sPILS
there funding available TheABPI hasjustpublished its
Is
'Compendium ofPatient
Information Leaflets1996-97'.The
Compendium' issentfree of
chargeto all GPsand community
pharmacies,and isavailablefor
purchase byothers. Participation
over the Horizon's edge?
inthepublication isvoluntary
and it isnotrestrictedtoABPI
members. Furtherdetailsfrom
Datapharma Publications(tel:
Contractors attending the North serviceand proofofpatient ben- Mr Caldwell said thai the Soci- 0171 9303477).
&SouthEssexLocalPharmaceu- efit, said Diane Clarke, deputy etywassofarkeepinguptosched-
tical Committees' contractors chief executive of North Essex ule with its agenda for action on Furtherdelays
conference in Ingatestone, I[ealth Authority. theNewHorizondocument.
Essex, last weekend were told "We can look forward to size- The new director of the Prosecution againsta doctor, his
that "the profession is suffering able support in progressing National Pharmaceutical Associ- practice managerand a
from insufficient funding. Fund- locally-commissioned services, ation, John DArcy. suggested pharmacist, charged in
ingissuesmustbeatoppriority", havingbrought together-over100 Ural the New Horizon document connectionwithan alleged
said South Essex LPC chairman contractors to share a platform had focused the profession on conspiracytodefraudthe NHS,
BharatPatel. with our new health authority," theneedforchange,andmustbe wasbeenfurtheradjourned at
In his opening address to over said North Essex LPC chairman welcomed. "As bodies leading Snaresbrook Crown Courton
100pharmacists,hefocusedonthe AnupMorzaria. the profession, we must resolve November12.The caseagainst
importance of new sources of President ofthe Royal Pharma- our'differencestopreventdivide DrGerald Moore,whose
funding. "New money is needed, ceutical Society Ian Caldwell said and rule by the Government," he practice is in Plaistow, London;
outside the global sum, for local that the RPSGB had no mandate advisedcontractors. Jean Cummings, ofEastHam,
initiatives,"saidMrPatel. to,norhadittheintentionto,nego- "Weareontheperipheryofthe London; and pharmacistArshad
Director of pharmaceutical tiateonbehalfofcontractors,clar- healthcare team and we must ZahoorMalik, whose pharmacy
services in North Essex Mary ifying his position after the open- addressthis. The keyplayersare isalso in EastHam, London, isto
Tompkins said that S500 million ing address. In his opinion, finan- theGPsand wemust understand returnto Snaresbrook Crown
funding is available for health- cial pressures will force pharma- them, Iheir aspirations and their Courton December6. Onthat
care in Essex. However, in real- cists into continuing professional ambitions. date pleasand directionswill be
ity, the majority of this sum is development, rather than it being "The NPA will assist members takenand it is likelythatanother
already committed. Pharmacists made mandatory. Common teach- withrepresentation,andwillcre- datewill besetforafurther
need to identify and target the ingofhealthsciencetostudentsat ate the right atmosphere for the hearing.
areas of major change to best undergraduatelevel,andjointcon- integration of pharmacists into
obtainfunding, sheadvised. tinuing education with other theprimaryhealthcareteam, Iml Pharmacist on bail
Remuneration for new ser- healthprofessionalswouldinvolve responsibility as to the extent of
vices would be audit-dependent, pharmacistsintheprimaryhealth- involvement ultimately lies with A pharmacistaccused ofover-
and require proof of delivery of careteam. individualpharmacists." supplying drugsto addicts has
been remanded on bail until
December5. Shirley Davies, of
UKCPA Barnes, London,who isco-owner
Primary care focus for ofMaguire'sChemists in Maida
Vale, London, hasbeen charged
withsupplying Controlled Drugs
in contraventionofthe Misuseof
The United Kingdom Clinical more efficient drug distribution for' 1997 - and to provide an DrugsAct1972.
PharmacyAssociationheldares- system. Ratherthancontractthis opportunity for pharmacists
idential symposium in Brighton out to a third party, the VA had from community and hospital to NHS
fromNovember 15to 17. created its own pharmacy bene- interact. screening tests
• Mailorderrestructurerevi- fits management system in- An ad hoc committee, led by The National Screening Commit-
talises US veterans' health- house. This enabled better cost community pharmacist Clare tee is soon to decide which
care provider "All pharmacists utilisation and better outcomes Mackie from Glasgow, together screening tests should be avail-
must be clinical; distribution is management. with Aston University's Susan ableon the NHS.
not the emphasis of the profes- A consolidated mail out phar- Lunec and practice pharmacists DrMuirGray, a member' of the
sion" was the conclusion of a macy operation has been devel- Marian BradleyfromWalsalland Committee and director of
recent, strategic review by the opedtoprocessirpto20,000pre- SheenaMacgregorfromDundee, research and development,
United States Department ofVet- scriptions in an eight-hour shift. isinplace untilApril, when elec- Anglia and Oxford NHS Execu-
eranAffairs(VA). "Asaresult,allpharmacyworkis tionswilltakeplace. tive, said last week that in Janu-
In his keynote address, John done at the medical facility by • UKCPA tops 2,000 The ary, the NSC hoped to launch an
Ogden, chief consultant, phar- pharmacistsworkingintheteam UKCPAisnow2,000-strong,with inventory, classifying about 100
macy benefits management for there," MrOgdensaid. community pharmacists making screeningprogrammesintothree
the VA, said that education had He added that the VA is also up 350 of the total, according to categories. Those which had
beenneededtosupportthetran- exploring ways of bringing the thechairman, LindaStephens. beenshowntodomoregoodthan
sition from dispensing medica- community pharmacist resource Mrs Stephens observed that harm and at reasonable cost
tiontodispensinginformationto into the picture. "We propose to the NHS continued to challenge would be offered on the NHS. A
the 2.7 million American veter- contract for services, not for the profession with its rapid second category of tests would
ans provided with healthcare products,"hesaid. change agenda. She singled out be offered only in an approved
from the Department's $16.2 bil- • UKCPA gets primary care the move to multidisciplinary research setting. The third cate-
lionbudget. focus Pharmacists working in researchandtheshifttoprimary gory would not be available on
Mr Ogden said the VA had primarycarenowhavetheirown careaskeyprinciples,andadded the NHS and, ifthese tests were
needed to respond to the first Practice Interest Group (PIC) that the most that could be provided by private operators,
Clinton administration's federal withinthe UKCPAstructure. expected, whateverthe result of the public would be advised on
changeagendabydemonstrating The Group initiallyaimstoact the forthcoming general elec- whetherthey were useful or not.
cost-efficiency. The result was a as a focus for education and tion, is a change ofmanagement There was a case fortightercon-
"virtual" health organisation training for pharmacists practis- style, ratherthandirection. trolon advertisingandpossiblya
redesignedaroundpatients. ing in primary care - its first Conference report contributed systemoflicensingsimilar-tothat
The VA also had to create a standalone study day is planned byRobotDarracottMRPhaimS. formedicines, hesaid.
CHEMIST&DRUGGIST30NOVEMBER1996 763
Prescription fraud
Making the
comes under scrutiny
Weal, The Department of Health has
launchedanefficiencyscrutinyto
medicine go
examine the extent of prescrip-
tion fraud and to recommend
measuresfortacklingit.
down Practising pharmacists and
GPswill be amongmembersofa
team which will carry out a 90-
Some children seem able to dayscrutiny,thensubmitareport
acceptthe bitter aftertaste of Reflections withrecommendationsforaction
many medicines, while others tothehealthsecretary.
resolutely refuse every The team will assess the scale
blandishment of sophisticated of fraudulent and incorrect
but ultimately unsuccessful claims made by patients who
flavouring thatcomes out ofa should pay prescription charges,
small bottle and is given to and how much fraud and irregu-
them bythe spoonful! - larities is committed by contrac-
This is a particular problem OTCs time torswhoissueanddispenseNHS
with some antibiotics, butthis prescriptions. In both cases, the
week sees the launch ofthe team will recommend practical
first erythromycin and cost-effective measures to
ethylsuccinate mixture, for an prevent, investigate and deter
Erymin from Elan Pharma, fraudulent practices.
thatclaimsto have overcome The DoH was unable to dis-
this problem bythe use of closehowmanypharmacistswill
overhaul?
micro-matrix particles which beincludedintheteam,norwhen
do not release the active drug the list of members will be
until it reachesthe stomach The Medicines Control Agency released, althoughthescrutinyis
and therefore bypassesthe has really putthe cat among alreadyunderway. The DoH also
tastebuds. the pigeons over its sudden plans to strengthen the prescrip-
Truly palatable paediatric proposal to restrictthe GSL tion form against fraudulent
medicines must be a great sale of paracetamol to only 12 abuse. Ideas being considered
advance in the easier tablets (see p762). The include introducing serial num-
administration of medicinesto proposal is based on the bers and ultra-violet strips to
children and, to itscredit, Elan potential risk raised bythe detertheft, aspokesmansays.
Pharma has marketed Erymin GSL sale of large quantities of Tire scrutiny will concentrate
competitivelycompared with the compound. The MCA on prescription fraud in the fam-
the less sophisticated branded also proposestightercontrol ilyhealthservicesinEnglandand
competition. Price should, on labelling and sales in Wales, while taking account of
therefore, not be a consider- pharmacies. This is measurestodealwithfraudinthe
ation, and lookforward to guaranteed to cause a furore hospitalservice.
I
Erymin's success and the in the OTC medicines
eotxhteernspiaoendioaftrtihcismteedcihcnionleso.gyto gleanuenrcihcinsgupapwlhyoslyesstaelme,r-wbhaiscehd inTduhsetrMy!CA does seem to be Hope for herbals
However, in the information will not only removethe following its own agenda The European Commission is
sofar released, I could find no guessworkfrom my buying when, on the one hand, it can writing to member states asking
mention of any flavouring but also have no effect on the unilaterally deregulate them to nominate experts in
being used in the continuous calculations used to determine ibuprofen in small packs, herbal medicines, so that their
phase ofthe suspension. If the Drug Tariff price (C&D while atthe sametime it is names can be included in a list
this phase wereflavoured, November 23, p748). prepared tofacethe wrath of held at the European Medicines
then assume there would be However, sofar can see the industry bythe restriction EvaluationAgency, says the EC's
no aftIertaste, butthen there few advantagesforI me. When of paracetamol. MarieDonnelly.
would also be no barrierto the credits are awarded, will cannot do anything other The Commission is also plan-
I I
introduction ofa multiplicity have no way ofchecking than supportthese proposals, ning to use the monographs
offlavours. Nowthatwould Norton's calculations, butam concerned that developed by ESCOP on 50
takethe application of patient discount effectively becomes uncontrolled and unco- widely-used medicinal plants.
choice one steptoo far! a retrospective stock bonus ordinated regulation and National agencies will not be
Not convinced ccarhneaddritgthseedfnowrwhhsetanotckIp?rciacsehwiinllmIybe tdbheeerceofgumutiluanrtgeiodtinhsetisrdierbtaupetiridomlniynoafnOtTfCor gmarsuakcpehhds,titamoes.ritTevhwieoeuwilsdstuheteasokefehumopowntoot-oo
Finally, ifthisscheme is medicines. incorporate herbals into mutual
successful,then the Depart- Medicines are "notordinary recognitionproceduresishighon
ment of Health will be items ofcommerce", but it is thepoliticalagenda,shesays.
of the delighted because, farfrom practising pharmacistswho
ignoringthe credits in haveto makesenseofthe No newpharmacies in
determining theTariff price, it resulting mess. Before it istoo
will seize upon the accurate late, the diverse problems of
advantage „. data nowavailablefromthis Retail Price Maintenance, Oxfordshire for Tesco
single source supplierand licences, safety, protocols, Tesco has been refused permis-
One ofthe few placesthat I apply it with extreme precision distribution, labelling, siontoopenpharmaciesinstores
can maintain the profitability to eithertheTariffortothe advertising, etcshould all be based in Banbury and Cowley,
of my dispensing is bythe discount scale. No, I am sorry, put into a formal melting pot of Oxfordshire.
famasirt,xutItuehraebvueoyfiadncighrieoceftvgebedunyetihriniscgsb.aynSdao apNrdoervftaeonrnt,tahgIeeccaiannssyheoieunrlhistatclnehdesmyestaenmd cerfoaftneiscoutnliatvlaetpdioeollniicavyenfrdoyraotflheeOgTissaClfaeteadnd rgerfOouxusfneoddrsdsNhtHhiarSte cHnoeenatwlrtahcpthsAaurtomhnaocriitethsye
wholesale supply, but now presently enjoy bywheeling medicinestotheconsumer wereneithernecessarynordesir-
am told by Norton that it isI aI nd dealing with my suppliers. should be established. able. The company intends to
appeal.
CHEMIST&DRUGGIST30NOVEMBER1996
Avoid the
PeaJks...
troughs,
•••and
recommend CONTAC
for
CONTINUOUS ACTION
Idealillustrationofcontinuousaction
SideEffectlevel
UPto
RIJNmy
S^E^2,NNGq°sSrE
rC0
ESTI0N
4.00 6.00 8.00
Timeinhoursonthefirstday
provides just the right amount of medicine
hour after hour, day or night
q
Cental 400. Product Information:
Presentation:Capsulewithcolourlessbodyandyellowtapcontainingamixture
ofred,whileandyellowpelletswithcontrolledreleaseactions. Eachcapsule
containsPhenylpropanolamine Hydrochloride Ph Eur 50mg, Chlorpheniramine
Maleale Ph Eur4 mgandhasatherapeuticactionofupto 12hours.Uses:Forthe
reliefofsymptomsofnasalcongestionandhypersecretionassociatedwiththe
commoncold, hayfeverandsinusitis. Dosage and Administration:Adults One
some relei capsuleswallowedwholeinthe morningandanotheratbedtime, Childrenunder
12years:Notrecommended Contraindications: Known hypersensitivityto
ingredients, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, cardiacdysfunction
Patientstakingtricyclicantidepressantsor beta-blockingdrugs. Patientstaking,
just the ri orwithintwoweeksofhavingtakenMAOIs Precautions: Cautionrequiredin
patientstakinganxiolytics, hypnotics, antimuscarinicsoralcohol.Avoidinpregnancy
giving" sus andlactationunlessadvisedbyadoctor Donotdriveoroperatemachineryordrink
alcohol. Donotusewithotherdecongestantmedicines Side effects: Rarereports
flu symptt ofheadache, psychomotor impairment,antimuscnriniceffectssuchasurinary
retention, drymouth, blurredvisionand G.I. distuibunce. Occasionalrashesond
CONTAC
photosensitivityreactionsmayoccur.
Legal Category: P Product License Number:PL0073/0020
Product licence holder: SmithKline BeechamConsumer Healthcare, Brentford,
TW8 9BD, U.K. Presentation and RSF: 6capsules£259, 12capsules£425,
24capsules£589 Dote ofltt;t revision:October 1996. Conlacisatrademork
Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine
all day or all night cold relief S^B1 SmithKlineBeecham
SB House, Brentford, Middlesex.TW8 9BD