BMA to attempt to control internet drug sales
The British Medical Association (BMA) is to work with the UK government and the World Health Organisation to control internet sales of medicines. Concerns have been raised by the UN and the World Health Organisation that some drugs sold over the Internet are counterfeit and potentially harmful. Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of BMA Council, said […]
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ScriptSwitch software widely used in Wales
Almost 80% of Wales’ health boards have signed deals to use ScriptSwitch prescription advice software. Nineteen out of the 22 local health boards in the country now use ScriptSwitch software, which assists prescribers in making consistent and cost effective decisions based on the most up-to-date clinical information. ScriptSwitch is now engaged in talks with the […]
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Warning on internet STI treatments
People with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are putting themselves at risk by buying treatments over the internet, according to research by the University of East Anglia. In a study of 77 treatments, found through search engine results, fewer than a quarter of internet vendors gave information on potential side effects of their treatments. Most also failed to […]
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Ireland’s Ratemyhospital wins top e-health prize
Ireland’s Ratemyhospital.ie has been awarded the top prize for e-health by the Internet’s World Summit Award at a gala event in Venice. In its citation, the WSA said: "In line with the best of social software sites, Ratemyhospital provides a single and clear platform for feedback on hospital treatments and services…the site aims to provide […]
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PDA software lets nursing assistants review drugs
Providing mobile drug management tools and web-based training on drugs management to nursing assistants can help cut prescribing problems among the elderly, according to a new Swedish pilot presented in Austria yesterday. The pilot was based on providing community nursing assistants with PDAs carrying mobile drug management software, provided by Pharmtech, that links in real […]
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ScriptSwitch adds dressings and appliances
ScriptSwitch has added prescribing advice for GPs and nurses on issuing dressings and appliances to its prescribing decision-support software. The company says that dressing and appliances form a huge area for potential savings with 22m items issued last year, accounting for a net ingredient cost of £480m. The ability to make prescribing switches on dressings […]
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BNF for mobile devices launched
Britain’s best-known medicines guide, the British National Formulary, is now available especially configured to be used on a range of mobile devices including BlackBerrys and Apple’s new iPhone. The BNF aims to provide prescribers, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with essential information on the selection of safe and effective medicines for individual patients. It is […]
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Lloyds Pharmacy IT system integrates Multilex DDF
First DataBank Europe (FDBE) has successfully integrated its Multilex Drug Data File (Multilex DDF) into Lloyds community pharmacy chain’s new dispensing system, Complete Medication and Medication Support System (CoMPaSS). CoMPaSS is designed to streamline the 110m prescriptions dispensed by Lloyds every year. The system was first piloted in Wales last year and has since been […]
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Portugal launches health advice helpline
The Portuguese National Health Service has launched a new national health helpline, which will use the same technology as the NHS Direct helpline covering England and Wales. Saúde 24 (Health 24) is the most recent initiative of the Portuguese health department and aims to provide information and advice to citizens who call in with health queries. […]
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Doctors need guidance on mobile technology use
UK clinicians urgently need clear and coherent guidance on the safe use of mobile technologies according to researchers. Kent GP Dr Hilary Pinnock and colleagues from Edinburgh and Wales Universities say regulatory and professional bodies need to issue practical guidance and medico legal parameters for good clinical practice when using mobile phones and other mobile […]
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