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Community pharmacy, also known as retail pharmacy, is the most common type of pharmacy that allows the public access to their medications and advice about their health. Traditionally known as a chemist, it is the healthcare facility that is responsible for the provision of pharmaceutical service to a specific community group or region.

Researchers develop "virtual patient" to help train the pharmacists of the future

Keele University has developed a “virtual patient” to help train the pharmacists of the future.

23 Jan 2009

Study looks at Fatal Familiar Insomnia

Fatal Familiar Insomnia (FFI) is one of the diseases considered as rare - there are less than 100 cases described throughout the world.

7 Jan 2009

Healthcare leaders vow to stop intravenous medication errors

Intravenous (i.v.) medication errors are twice as likely to cause harm to patients as medications delivered by other routes of administration (such as tablets or liquids), according to research commissioned by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

16 Dec 2008

New research points to possible treatment for Lou Gehrig's disease

There are many ways to die, but amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease must be one of the worst.

10 Dec 2008

Cholinesterase inhibitors safe and effective therapy for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

Cholinesterase inhibitors, used to treat cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, are also a safe and effective alternative therapy for the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, according to a study that appears in the December 2008 edition of Clinical Interventions in Aging.

10 Dec 2008

Anti-oestrogen drugs may promote more harmful cancer cell behaviour

The authors found that tamoxifen can promote an invasive phenotype in ER+ breast cancer cells under conditions of poor cell-cell contact, a previously unknown effect of this drug

3 Dec 2008

Good advice to cut prescription drug costs

Just like saving money on groceries or finding the best deal on gas, smart consumers can cut their prescription drug costs with just a little bit of work, say pharmacists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

3 Dec 2008

GeoVax's HIV/AIDS human vaccine trials to begin in North and South America

GeoVax Labs, Inc. has announced that the launch of its Phase 2a Human Vaccine Trials will take place in twelve sites across North and South America.

1 Dec 2008

Clear seasonal variation in bacterial infections

In the same way that winter is commonly known to be the "flu season," a new study suggests that the dog days of summer may well be the "bacterial infection" season.

26 Nov 2008

Generic drug competition benefits Ontarians

Following yesterday's release of the Competition Bureau's report, "Benefiting from Generic Drug Competition in Canada: The Way Forward," the Ontario Pharmacists' Association (OPA) is emphasizing that competition in the generic drugs industry is already benefiting Ontarians through accessible, high quality, cost-effective professional pharmacy care.

26 Nov 2008

Scientists create synthetic Heparin in more varieties

Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have learned to customize a key human enzyme responsible for producing heparin, opening the door to a more effective synthetic anticoagulant as well as treatments for other conditions.

25 Nov 2008

New plan to tackle off-label prescribing

Physicians and policy-makers know that drugs are frequently prescribed to treat certain diseases despite a lack of FDA approval - a practice known as off-label prescribing.

24 Nov 2008

Protein transporter in the gut could speed drug 'take up'

For poorly absorbed medications, drug makers should consider using natural homing devices to drive the drugs through the hazards of gastrointestinal acidity and enzymes to reach the bloodstream quicker, James Polli, PhD, said today at the annual meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) in Atlanta.

18 Nov 2008

LegitScript shuts down 500 no-prescription-required online pharmacies

LegitScript, an online pharmacy certification program, announced today that it has succeeded in getting nearly 500 "rogue" Internet pharmacy websites shut down.

18 Nov 2008

Cost of health insurance rises 33% with state pricing rule

New research shows that the cost of health insurance for a typical family increases about $100 per month when state governments limit price adjustments based on factors like age, health or risky behaviors such as smoking.

17 Nov 2008

Expectations drive patient preferences for treatment of spine problems

For patients with low back pain caused by a herniated disk, expectations of good results without surgery are the main factor affecting the preference for nonsurgical treatment, reports a study in the November 15 issue of Spine.

17 Nov 2008

Men's health - the facts

New research from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) could shed light on the reasons behind the poor state of men's health in Britain.

12 Nov 2008

Adults with severe heart failure have more doctor visits, medications than others on Medicare

Adults with severe heart failure see almost three times as many Medicare providers each year compared to a typical beneficiary, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008.

12 Nov 2008

Barriers to managing asthma

Barriers to managing asthma include access to appropriate care, patient adherence, distrust of the medical profession, delayed asthma diagnosis, culture, lifestyle choices and genetic discrepancies according to experts at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Seattle.

10 Nov 2008

CutisPharma issued patent for suppository compounding

CutisPharma, Inc. has announced that it has received approval from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its patent (US 7,434,690) regarding a container and kit for the preparation, storage and dispensing of compounded suppositories.

7 Nov 2008