NEWS


UK HAS £200M BLACK MARKET IN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS


results of a recent Home Office survey, which found that 7.6 per cent of adults had taken a prescription-only painkiller not prescribed to them.


MHRA’s main focus in its investigation was prescription-only medicines, such as benzodiazepines and anxiolytics including diazepam and zopiclone, as well as the painkiller tramadol.


It’s thought that such drugs, which normally cost around £1 wholesale, are being sold by criminals for anywhere up to £40.


The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has revealed that an extensive ‘network of criminality’ involving businesses such as wholesale dealers and a small number of registered pharmacies throughout the UK is responsible for millions of prescription-only drugs being siphoned off from chemists and wholesalers and being sold illegally at a huge mark-up.


MHRA’s investigation has revealed that, between 2013 and 2016, an


estimated £115-200m of medicines were diverted from the legitimate supply chain onto the criminal market, putting thousands of vulnerable people at risk.


The investigation comes on the back of an independent review into dependence and addiction to prescription drugs, which was recently announced by the Department of Health and Social Care, and which highlighted the scale of the problem. The review will be looking into the


TELEHEALTH MAY LEAVE GPS WITH LESS TIME SAYS STUDY


New research from Bristol, Warwick and Oxford universities has found that the realities of implementing alternatives to face- to-face GP consultations, such as telephone, email, online and video consultations, may not lead to the much hoped-for reductions in GP workload and increases in available appointments for patients.


Recent NHS policy has encouraged GP surgeries to introduce alternatives to face-to-face consultations as a way of increasing access to healthcare and reducing GP workload. However, according to this


latest research, the evidence on their use and effectiveness is limited.


The researchers studied, in depth, how a variety of technological alternatives to GP consultations were being used in eight general practices of different sizes, in different geographical areas – some urban, some rural – and in different areas of socioeconomic deprivation in the UK.


They found that although there were some potential benefits, there were also significant barriers to implementation, with practices often responding to incentives to introduce new technologies without a clear


‘These medicines,’ said an MHRA statement, ‘are being sold through websites acting illegally, and people should be careful when buying medicines online. Criminals are known to exploit vulnerable people by selling medicines through unregulated websites and stealing their credit card details.’


‘Selling medicines outside of the regulated supply chain is a serious criminal offence,’ said Alastair Jeffrey, MHRA Head of Enforcement, ‘and we are working relentlessly with regulatory and law enforcement


rationale or clearly thinking through the likely costs and benefits for patients and practice staff.


There was also insufficient training of non-clinical staff, such as nurses and receptionists, on how to use the technologies appropriately and communicate the benefits to patients.


‘Technological alternatives to face- to-face GP consultations are being pushed as the solution to reducing GP workloads and increasing patient access to primary care services,’ said Professor Chris Salisbury from the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care.


‘The reality on the ground is that implementation is difficult. Practices are introducing the technologies for different reasons and a ‘one size fits all’ approach will not work.


‘Our study shows that, currently, GP practices are struggling to identify and implement the most beneficial uses of these new technologies and they are frequently being adopted without sufficient understanding or support. Implementation was not well enough thought through in relation to personnel, training or logistical factors. As a result, efficiencies are not being realised.’


46 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST


colleagues to identify and prosecute all those involved in this activity.


‘The medicines being sold are potent and should only be taken under medical supervision. Criminals involved are exploiting people when they are at their most vulnerable; their only objective is to make money. We will continue to concentrate our efforts on identifying the criminals involved and ensure they are prosecuted through the courts.’


‘We are working closely with the MHRA on the ongoing investigations into these very serious criminal offences,’ added Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive of General Pharmaceutical Council. ‘We have already taken action to suspend five pharmacists under interim orders and are actively reviewing at each stage of the investigations whether we need to take further action to protect the public. We would also strongly urge people not to take any prescription medicines unless they have a valid prescription, as they could be putting their health at serious risk.’


SEXUAL HEALTH: COMMUNITY PHARMACY SHOULD HAVE BIGGER ROLE SAYS RPS


Community pharmacists should have a greater role in sexual health, drug abuse and HIV issues according to the RPS in Scotland.


The recommendation comes on the back of the publication of RPS’ responses to the Scottish Parliament’s health and Sport Committee’s Preventative Agenda inquiries into substance misuse, sexual health, blood-borne viruses and HIV.


Among RPS’ recommendations:


The model of community pharmacy clinics using pharmacist prescribers working with local sexual health clinics, providing a range of contraceptive services, should be rolled out nationally to take advantage of the accessibility that community pharmacies provide


A national approach to vaccination programmes – with the required resourcing – is needed to deliver and gain substantial public health advances


Community pharmacy is a feasible place to test and treat for Hepatitis C.


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