Paliperidone palmitate is a new atypical antipsychotic depot injection expected to be launched in the UK in April 2011. Delia Bishara and David Taylor describe its characteristics and likely place in practice.

Sativex is a cannabis-derived drug that is licensed as an add-on treatment for symptom improvement in patients with spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis. This article describes the evidence for its use. By Pritesh Bodalia, Kashyap Thakrar, Michael Scott, Val Stevenson and Anthony Grosso.

Prescriber’s Corner describes situations encountered by pharmacist prescribers and invites you to consider clinical decisions about the patient. In this case, you are managing a confused, elderly patient who is refusing her medicines. By Magnus Hird.

When prescribing medicines for a confused patient it can be difficult to assess his or her ability to provide informed consent. This article from the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education summarises key legislation relating to consent and asks independent prescribers to reflect on their current practice. By Ceinwen Mannall.

Reducing inflammation to prevent vision loss and other complications is the mainstay of the treatment for giant cell arteritis. This article uses a case study to explain the symptoms, management and comorbidities of the condition. By Mark Thomas.

In 2004, the first generic preparation of clozapine was introduced to the UK market. Stephen Bazire and Laura Regan reflect on the experiences of switching to branded generic clozapine in Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

With the introduction of value-based pricing planned for 2014, Philip Brown asks why it is on the political agenda and how it will impact on pharmaceutical research and development.