One in three don’t collect anti-virals
More than one in three people have failed to collect their anti-viral medicine after being issued with an authorisation number by the National Pandemic Flu Service, according to latest statistics. Figures published by the Department of Health for the first two weeks of the NPFS show that out of 511,282 people who completed assessment on […]
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NHS IOW cuts costs with ScriptSwitch
NHS Isle of Wight says it has cut its prescribing costs to more than 9% below the national average through the use of the ScriptSwitch prescribing advice tool. ScriptSwitch was installed in all the practices on the island in 2007. The primary care trust estimates annual prescribing spend is now £3m-£5m lower than if no action […]
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Scotland delivers e-prescription service
Scotland has announced that it has become the first country in the UK to deliver an electronic prescription service, with more than 90% of prescriptions now submitted electronically. Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the electronic Acute Medication Service (eAMS) was the first national system of its kind to go live anywhere in the UK […]
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ISoft business wins
ISoft has announced it has done A$7m (€4m) worth of business in Australia and New Zealand. The company’s latest agreements include a state-wide roll out of iPM in Tasmania and a “strategic foothold” in the Council of Australian Governments’ GP super clinics national programme. IPM is already being installed in Tasmania’s public hospitals under a […]
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Interim flu line for 100,000 cases a day
The Department of Health’s interim flu line service is expected to be operational by next week, as the government predicts 100,000 swine flu cases a day by the end of August. The interim arrangements for the flu line, which has had its name changed to the National Pandemic Flu Service, have been put in place […]
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Our website could do so much more
GP Dr Neil Paul sees the potential for his practice website to be a one stop shop for patients’ health needs.
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MHRA launches drug info debate
The UK’s medicines regulatory body has launched a consultation on the European Commission’s plans to change the rules on the information that drug companies can provide to patients. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is seeking views from the public on the UK government’s response to the proposals and says it will also […]
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Interpol issues swine flu spam warning
The international police organisation Interpol has issued a warning about the potential for criminals to exploit the swine flu outbreak through spam emails and websites selling illegal, unlicensed or fake medicines. The organisation based in Lyon, France, which has 187 member countries over five continents, said internet security firms were reporting that 3-4% of spam […]
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No National Flu Line until autumn
A telephone and web-based National Flu Line service to offer advice and authorise access to antiviral medicines in the event of a pandemic will not be ready until the autumn, the Department of Health has admitted.
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Money found for NHS innovation
Health minister Lord Darzi has unveiled a package of measures to encourage and spread innovation in the NHS. Speaking at the launch of Innovation for a Healthier Future at the Science Museum in London, Lord Darzi said innovation was “close to my heart” and had the potential to “excite” both staff and patients. “We have […]
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