The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - issues affecting you and your patients

The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
– Volume 1, Issue 3 March 2009

EDITOR'S COMMENTS
	Gaining recognition

NEWS
	Using previously prepared infusions in ICUs increases the risk of drug administration errors
	No long-term fibrillation risk with oral bisphosphonates

NEWS FEATURE
	New ‘super trusts’ to enhance pharmacy input into research This month the Department of Health announced that five ‘super trusts’ have achieved Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) status. Sonia Davies examines the implications for pharmacy.

CLINICAL UPDATES
	Prasugrel – evidence for the new drug and its likely use Prasugrel (Efient), a new oral antiplatelet from Eli Lilly, is expected to be launched next month. Sotiris Antoniou examines the evidence for its use and discusses its likely place in clinical practice.
	New antidepressant with a novel mechanism of action Agomelatine was approved this month for the treatment of depression. Stephen Bleakley describes its mode of action and its likely place in therapy once launched.


CASE STUDY
	A case of digoxin toxicity in uncontrolled atrial fibrillation Digoxin toxicity is uncommon but can be fatal. It may be mistaken for other conditions, compounded by the fact that toxicity can occur within the therapeutic range. This article uses a case study to highlight the key points that pharmacists should know about digoxin toxicity. By Mojgan Sani.

PROFILE
	Protecting the interests of mental health detainees Petrina Douglas-Hall is the only practising pharmacist working for the Mental Health Act Commission. This article describes her role and outlines some of the changes envisaged when the MHAC becomes part of the Care Quality Commission next month. By Rachel Graham.

PRESCRIBER'S CORNER
	Addressing CV risk factors in a patient with knee pain Prescriber's Corner describes situations encountered by pharmacist prescribers and invites you to consider clinical decisions about the patient. In this case, you are addressing hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in a patient with a long-standing history of knee pain.

OPINION
	How we should promote pharmacy through the media Significant changes are required in the way that pharmacy is promoted through the media. Nina Barnett explains why pharmacists who speak publicly about medicines-related issues should be respected experts in the relevant area of practice.

SHARING PRACTICE
	Salary is a key factor in hospital pharmacist retention

COMMENTARY
	Band 6 hospital pharmacists need a £5000 salary increase With many newly registered hospital pharmacists 'voting with their feet' and joining the ranks of community pharmacists and locums, Dave Thornton examines the latest research and proposes a national solution to a national problem.

OPINION
	Pharmaceutical industry: friend or foe? The pharmaceutical industry needs a strong partnership with the clinical pharmacy profession - even more so with the current shift in R&D emphasis. Philip Brown explains why this requires mutual understanding and respect.

The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacy is an editorially independent publication. Copyright of the The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacy. No reproduction in any format is allowed unless permission is granted by the publisher.