Omnitrope (somatropin; Sandoz) is a ‘biosimilar’ product that costs less than the six other UK-licensed growth hormone preparations. In this article, the North Central London Formulary and Medicines Management Group assess the safety and efficacy of Omnitrope and propose a prescribing strategy that could generate considerable savings for the NHS. By Kashyap Thakrar, Pritesh Bodalia and Anthony Grosso.
A correction has been published (see BJ Clin Pharm 2011;3:14).

Difficulties in obtaining medicines can lead to missed doses that can reduce the clinical effectiveness of a drug. In this article, David Terry, Anthony Sinclair, John Marriott and Keith Wilson describe an evaluation of the rescue medication service offered at Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Trust.

Knowing the correct osmolarity of intravenous infusions is important to avoid potentially dangerous osmotic imbalances. Beryl Langfield, Susan Keeling and Mark Santillo describe methods used to calculate osmolarity and provide some useful examples.

Constructive feedback prompted a revision of the pharmacy-run session on injectable medicines for foundation year one doctors at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Chris Chung and Barry Jubraj describe the approach to training before and after the changes.

Gillian Arr-Jones is the chief pharmacist at the Care Quality Commission. This article describes her role in the CQC and how pharmacy can influence the safe handling of medicines. By Shona Kirk.

The pros and cons of the new Cancer Drugs Fund were among the issues debated at this year’s British Oncology Pharmacy Association conference. Shona Kirk and Rachel Graham report.

Current controversies in the treatment of bipolar disorder were among the topics discussed at this year’s Annual Psychiatric Pharmacy Conference, organised by the College of Mental Health Pharmacy. Shona Kirk reports.

At the end of September the Royal Pharmaceutical Society became the professional leadership body for pharmacy, but how it will help to develop the status of the profession remains to be seen, says Philip Brown.