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

The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
– Volume 2, Issue 9 October 2010

EDITOR'S COMMENTS
	Ensuring continuity of care

NEWS
	CHMP recommends rosiglitazone suspension
	Antipsychotic use associated with VTE
	Ticagrelor useful in patients with acute coronary syndrome and kidney disease
	Regulatory news

CLINICAL UPDATE
	Use of dronedarone in non-permanent atrial ﬁIbrillation Dronedarone was approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence last month for use as a second-line option in patients with non-permanent atrial ﬁ brillation. Mojgan Sani describes the clinical evidence for its use and the implications for practice.

OPINION
	*How not* to make injectable medicines safer for patients** The administration of ready-to-use injectable medicines can help reduce safety risks. However, although this may appear to provide an ideal solution to many problems, a number of barriers need to be broken down in order for it to work at a national level, says Kevan Wind.


REVIEW
	Exploring the use of cyclodextrins as carriers in paediatric formulations Cyclodextrins (CDs) are being investigated as excipients to help overcome drug delivery problems in paediatric medicine. This article describes a number of applications for CDs, and their importance and safety proﬁ le in paediatric formulations. By Anjumn Shabir and Afzal-Ur-Rahman Mohammed.

CLINICAL TIPS
	An algorithm for managing opiate-dependent inpatients A structured approach to the management of hospital inpatients who are opiate-dependent is important and can help prevent problems such as inadequate control of withdrawal symptoms. This article presents guidelines developed by the emergency care pharmacy team at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, to improve the management of these patients. By Steven Storey. A correction has been published (see BJ Clin Pharm 2010;2:330)

BOOK REVIEW
	The Emperor’s new drugs: exploding the antidepressant myth

MEETINGS
	Cautious use of ESAs advised for anaemia in patients with CKD Advances in the management of anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease, including the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, was one of the topics covered at this year’s UK Renal Pharmacy Group conference. Shona Kirk reports. Using robotics to improve the cost-effectiveness of pharmacy services The cost-savings that can be gained by using robotics in the provision of secondary care pharmacy services were showcased at the recent ‘Robotics 2010’ conference, organised by Conventus. Shona Kirk reports.

LETTERS
	Tackling issues at interface of primary and secondary care

LAST WORD
	Adverse drug reactions: how clinical pharmacists can help manage the risks This month the EMA has suspended the marketing authorisation for all rosiglitazone-containing medicines following safety concerns. In this article, Philip Brown explains how clinical pharmacy input into monitoring and reporting the safety of drugs could result in fewer effective drugs being withdrawn from the market.

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.