Coronavirus

Pharmacists warned not to offer antibody tests

Pharmacists are being urged not to offer Covid-19 antibody tests out of fears that individuals who test positive may assume they are immune.

Gear up pharmacists for vaccinations, says think tank

News of progress with Covid vaccine is no time for complacency, according to the International Longevity Centre.

Superdrug offering £89 nurse-run antibody test service

High street multiple Superdrug has begun offering a nurse-operated Covid-19 blood antibody testing service at a cost of £89 to patients.

Covid vaccine could be given alongside flu jab

The Government is exploring the possibility of giving patients a Covid-19 vaccine at the same time as they receive their flu jab.

UK signs deal for 90 million potential Covid-19 vaccine doses

The UK Government has signed off on a deal giving it early access to 90 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine if and when one becomes available.

One in three more likely to think pharmacy first during pandemic

Almost one in three say they are now more likely to choose a local pharmacy as their first port of call than before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

More than 1 in 10 pharmacists told not to wear PPE, says PDA

More than one in 10 pharmacists have been asked to re-use PPE, with similar numbers saying they were actively discouraged from wearing it. 

GPhC prepared to pursue employers over Covid risk assessments

The GPhC is prepared to investigate employers who fail to carry out covid-19 risk assessments, chief executive Duncan Rudkin has said.

Over a million quit smoking during Covid-19

Over a million people in the UK have quit smoking since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Face coverings to be compulsory in pharmacies in England

Members of the public are to be told that from July 24 they will need to wear face coverings in shops and supermarkets in England or face a fine.

RPS: Pharmacy must be at heart of second wave Covid plans

RPS president Sandra Gidley warns pharmacy "must be at the heart" of planning for a second wave of Covid-19. 

NI pre-reg students to sit assessment on August 11

Pre-registration MPharm candidates in Northern Ireland are to sit their registration assessment on August 11, the PSNI has confirmed. 

Boots online sales 'at Black Friday levels' as footfall plummets

Boots executives have described how the company’s online business has skyrocketed while in-store retail sales have dropped by almost half.

CCA pushes for more flexibility to deliver flu jabs

CCA wants the scope to deliver the vaccine in new locations such as town halls and places of worship.

Pharmacies told to update NHSBSA on Covid-19 risk assessments

Pharmacies have been told to provide an update on progress made in ensuring staff have coronavirus risk assessments.

Benefits of steroids in inhalers outweighs risk say researchers

The advantages of using inhalers and nebulisers containing steroids outweigh the risks, claim researchers.