Ticagrelor is a new antiplatelet agent licensed for the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes. Sotiris Antoniou describes the clinical evidence for its use.

Disease modifying drugs (DMDs) help to reduce the impact of multiple sclerosis. Steve Titmarsh provides an overview of current DMDs and those in the pipeline.

The introduction of a new pharmacy regulator brings the opportunity to revitalise the approach to continuing professional development. Hazel Betteney sets out her opinion about why and how this should be achieved.

Dealing with the pharmacy-related issues that H1N1 influenza brings has been one of the roles of antimicrobial pharmacist, Mohamed Sadak, for the past two years. Here, he explains the processes that have been put in place to ensure that the supply of antiviral medicines and vaccines has been as efficient as possible in his local area.

Many clinical trials are conducted in UK hospitals, but pharmacy departments are often unable to meet this demand. Claire Norton describes an assessment of the capacity and capability for clinical trials in pharmacy departments in Birmingham and the Black Country Comprehensive Local Research Network.

Pharmacy departments have been identified as barriers to the smooth running of clinical trials. Claire Norton describes why, and makes a number of recommendations for improvements.

Jackie Jones is a clinical specialist pharmacist in the head and neck directorate at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Rachel Graham describes the rewards and challenges her role brings.

From financial constraints to pharmacy degree reforms, Philip Brown describes the uncertainty surrounding changes faced by the pharmacy profession.