The publication of the new NHS White Paper, ‘Excellence and equity: liberating the NHS’, has led many pharmacists to question how it will affect them. Shona Kirk asks some leading pharmacists for their first impressions.

In this article Martin Stephens, national clinical director with responsibility for hospital pharmacy at the Department of Health, explains what pharmacists should understand from the new White Paper, and suggests the key priorities for action.

Prucalopride (Resolor; Movetis) was licensed earlier this year for the symptomatic treatment of chronic constipation in women in whom laxatives have failed. In this article, the North Central London Formulary and Medicines Management Group assesses the evidence for its efficacy and safety. By Kashyap Thakrar, Pritesh Bodalia and Anthony Grosso.

Documentation of drug allergy status was assessed before and after an educational intervention at George Eliot NHS Trust. Mohmadshakil Kathawala describes the results of this audit.

The use of inappropriate medication as a chemical restraint is illegal. In this article, Rhidian Hughes highlights the discrepancies between policy and practice when managing older people, and suggests ways in which pharmacists and other healthcare professionals can take steps to reduce the inappropriate prescription of drugs for older people.

Susan Sanders is the director of London Pharmacy Education and Training, an NHS-funded service that provides training for all grades of pharmacy staff across the NHS. This article describes the work she does to ensure that the pharmacy workforce is fit for the future. By Shona Kirk.

Improving the safety of injectable medicines has been a key priority for the National Patient Safety Agency in recent years. Alice Lo and Rachel Bowman describe changes made at Barts and The London Children’s Hospital in line with national recommendations from the NPSA.

With some important political and financial uncertainties heading straight towards our profession, hospital pharmacy needs strong leadership and representation now more than ever, says Philip Brown.