A number of experts described ways in which the administration of injectable medicines could be made safer at a recent symposium sponsored by B Braun Medical Ltd. Christine Clark reports.

Pharmacists are competent, self-confident professionals, so why are they often reluctant to express their opinion, asks Philip Brown.

A number of ways in which clinical pharmacy departments can demonstrate value were showcased at this year’s UK Clinical Pharmacy Association autumn symposium. Shona Kirk reports.

Mike Leonard is a pharmacist independent prescriber in a mental health trust. He uses his independent prescribing qualification in a community intervention clinic that is attended by secondary care patients. Shona Kirk describes his unique role.

The implementation of an antibiotic stewardship programme in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) in Northern Ireland led to a reduction in the use of high-risk antibiotics. This article describes how this reduction was achieved. By Ann McCorry, Nizam Damani, Rajesh Rajendran Patricia McCaffrey, Donna Muckian and Patrick Loughran.

A pharmacist independent prescriber was introduced to the surgical wards at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Cwm Taf Health Board, in 2008. In this article, Kailey Sassi-Jones describes how making full use of pharmacist independent prescribing has improved the care of patients.

Fingolimod (Gilenya; Novartis) has recently received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. This article describes the safety and efficacy of the drug. By Shona Kirk.

Launched last year and recently approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, liraglutide (Victoza; Novo Nordisk) is the second glucagon-like peptide-1 mimetic to be licensed in Europe. Natasha Jacques and Victoria Lee explain its place in the treatment of type II diabetes.