Latest news with #pharmacists
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Prescriptions to be issued by WA pharmacists for asthma, ear infections under training program expansion
Pharmacists in Western Australia now have the opportunity to expand what they can prescribe in a bid to ease pressure on the state's health system. The WA government has announced the expansion of a pilot program offering further training for pharmacists, allowing them to diagnose and treat health conditions that would normally require people to visit a GP. The expanded pilot program will allow pharmacists to treat certain skin conditions, ear infections and asthma. Currently pharmacists can treat urinary tract infections, re-supply oral contraceptives and administer certain vaccines. WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat announced the program's expansion on Monday, saying it would provide people with more options to access health care. "By enhancing the skills of community pharmacists, we are reducing pressure on hospitals and GPs while giving patients safe, effective care options closer to home," Ms Hammat said in a statement. "GPs will continue to play a really important role in the healthcare system," she later told reporters on Monday. Ms Hammat said during consultation, the Australian Medical Association and the College of Royal General Practitioners had raised concerns about the program. "Our focus is on making sure the program is safe and effective," she said. The qualification will be issued by universities and is expected to take 12 months to complete, with graduates receiving a certificate in pharmaceutical prescribing.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
New Brunswick funds pharmacists to treat more common ailments
Pharmacists in New Brunswick received public funding to treat three more common ailments, said a news release Friday. Patients can visit participating pharmacies for seasonal allergies, thrush and fungal infections – including athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm – with no service fee, said the province in the release. 'These types of health concerns are within the scope of practice of pharmacists in New Brunswick, and we continue to value the role pharmacists can play in helping New Brunswickers receive the right care at the right time from the right health professional,' said Health Minister John Dornan. Pharmacists in New Brunswick can now assess and treat 15 common ailments with prescriptions, administer vaccines and provide other services. This helps reduce traffic at emergency rooms, walk-in clinics and other care providers, said the province. Patients are advised to contact their pharmacist in advance to find out what services are available since they are not mandatory. The cost of certain consultations is covered but patients are still responsible for the cost of medication. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
People suffering from heartburn to be offered life-saving cancer check in pharmacies
Heartburn sufferers will be offered a 'sponge on a string' test on the high-street for the first time in a bid to catch the earliest potential signs of a deadly cancer. Patients with persistent heartburn or acid reflux will be eligible to take the test—where they swallow a special pill containing a sponge—in a bid to spot a condition which dramatically increases the risk of developing oesophageal cancer. Oesophageal cancer—which forms in the food pipe—is often caught too late with four out of five patients dying within a year. Now, a new NHS England initiative aims to catch patients with a condition Barrett's oesophagus in a bid to prevent cancer cases from occurring. The pilot—which starts next year—will see 1,500 patients in London and the East Midlands offered a 'heartburn health check' at their high street pharmacy. Pharmacists will specifically look for patients who regularly purchase over-the-counter drugs to ease their heartburn but who may not have seen their GP about it. They will then be offered the sponge on a string test. This sees a patient swallow a small capsule, containing a tiny sponge, attached to a thin string. The capsule then dissolves in the stomach and the sponge within expands to the size of 1p coin. After a few minutes the sponge is pulled up via the string. During this process it collects cells from the food pipe which can then be sent to a lab and tested for Barrett's oesophagus. Barrett's oesophagus occurs when stomach acid rising up into the food pipe—which causes heartburn—damages the tissue inside. In some cases, the damaged tissue may have abnormal changes, which may one day become cancer. Studies have found people with Barrett's oesophagus have an 11-times greater risk of developing oesophageal cancer. While the sponge on a string test has been offered in hospitals and other clinical settings for years, this is the first time it will be offered in a high-street setting. The NHS says if the two-year pilot is successful the initiative could be rolled out to more parts of the country. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national cancer director, said: 'For the majority of people with persistent reflux, these quick and easy heartburn health checks will provide peace of mind that you aren't at increased risk of cancer.' 'For those who do find out they have Barrett's oesophagus, regular follow-up checks will be put in place so any further cell changes can be spotted early.' If worrying sings are detected patients can have treatments to have the cells removed. Almost 10,000 patients are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK each year, with four in five diagnosed at a later, harder to treat, stage. The cancer kills almost 8,000 Britons each year, the vast majority with just 12 months of diagnosis. Eddie, aged 77 from Suffolk, says the sponge on a string test may have saved his life after suffering for years with persistent heartburn. 'To think that something as simple as swallowing a capsule could uncover a hidden risk is truly remarkable,' he said. 'Knowing I have Barrett's oesophagus meant I was prioritised, my condition was monitored, and as a result my dysplasia (cell changes) was caught early. 'This test gave me peace of mind and access to early treatment and could mean the difference between life and death for so many others.' The NHS has partnered with Boots and diagnostics company Cyted Health for the pilot, alongside Heartburn Cancer UK. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said: 'Last week, as part of our 10-year health plan, we promised a neighbourhood health service–convenient care nearer to where people live. 'Today's announcement is a fantastic example of the life-saving potential of healthcare on your high street.' Before the invention of the sponge on a string test patients suspected of having Barrett's oesophagus had to undergo an endoscopy—where flexible camera is inserted into the mouth and down the food pipe—a far more invasive procedure. In addition to heartburn and indigestion a sore throat—especially when swallowing—is another common sign of the disease. Patients are urged to contact their doctor if they have heartburn for three weeks or more or any other symptoms like problems swallowing or losing weight unexpectedly. While most likely not cancer, an early diagnosis—when the disease is typically easier to treat—can vastly improve outcomes for patients. Data suggest that oesophageal is on the rise in Britain with cases having increased 3 per cent since the 90s overall and 10 per cent in men specifically. Earlier this year figures showed Britain has one of the highest rates of the disease in Europe. The cancer kills 22 patients per day in the UK, one of the highest rates in Europe. Data show the UK has 14.2 new cases of oesophageal cancer per 100,000 people per year. This is quadruple Italy's 3.5 cases per 100,000 people per year, triple Spain's 4.4 and double or almost double France's and Germany rate of 7 and 7.7. Only the Netherlands narrowly beats Britain in Western Europe, sneaking ahead at 14.9 cases.
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Sheer scale of medicine shortages laid bare in report
A new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on pharmacy warns that persistent and widespread medicine shortages are causing serious harm to patients. The report highlights the severe impact of these shortages on individuals with conditions such as ADHD, menopause, and diabetes. Surveys revealed that over 90 per cent of pharmacists, GPs, and prescribers reported shortages of ADHD medicines, with significant impacts also noted for HRT, diabetes drugs, and antibiotics. The APPG calls for urgent action, including better support and information for patients, and for medicine security to be treated as a core component of NHS planning. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges global supply problems and states it has measures in place to mitigate disruption and build supply chain resilience.
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Pharmacists seek more publicly funded vaccines in Ontario
The Ontario Pharmacists Association wants the province to expand pharmacists' ability to give publicly funded vaccines by Oct. 1. Nearly a year after the Ontario government pledged to expand pharmacists' ability to administer publicly funded vaccines – including those for diphtheria, pneumococcal disease, and shingles – to improve healthcare access and reduce doctor visits, the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) argues further action is needed. Flu vaccine A person gets a shot during a flu vaccine program on October 26, 2009. A study has found that people who live in provinces that allow pharmacists to give flu shots are more likely to get vaccinated against the seasonal bug than those living in jurisdictions without such a policy. (File photo/Jeff McIntosh/THE CANADIAN PRESS) (Jeff McIntosh/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Justin Bates, CEO of the OPA, highlighted the province's progress while calling for broader reforms. 'Ontario over the last several years has kind of been playing catch up with the other provinces when it comes to scope of practice and has moved the needle quite significantly, as it relates to prescribing authority and vaccines, really coming out of the pandemic where we saw how efficiently and effectively and safely pharmacists were able to deliver the Covid vaccine. So, this is great news that the government is going to include in the next round of regulatory changes to the adult vaccine package. However, we would love to see more, in terms of all publicly funded vaccines through a pharmacy. And that's where most provinces are today.' — Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association Bates noted that the government has targeted October 1 as the implementation deadline but expressed hope for expanded coverage. Pharmacist Ken Burns, with a decade of experience, shared insights from the frontlines, stating that demand for pharmacy-administered vaccines is high but cost remains a barrier: 'The bigger question is, do I have to pay for it?' He said that more often than not, pharmacies can administer the majority of vaccines. 'For patients, the issue is, a lot of times, if all the patient has is coverage through the Ontario government, it isn't likely not covered,' he added. This means that many have to pay out of pocket to get it outside of a formal clinic or hospital setting. 'Oftentimes these vaccines run a couple hundred dollars or maybe more,' Burns said. Bates emphasized that the OPA's goal is to ensure patients have convenient, affordable options for timely care.
