NPA TEAMS UP WITH KIDNEY CHARITY TO WARN AGAINST NSAID OVER-RELIANCE
The National Pharmacy Association has teamed up with health charity Kidney Care UK to warn against an over-reliance on NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
A joint statement from the NPA and Kidney Care UK urged people not to rely on OTC medicines to manage pain or inflammation, “particularly for those who might be at increased risk of kidney disease”.
A quarter of patients who responded to a Kidney Care UK health questionnaire said they regularly use OTC medicines for pain relief.
NSAIDs “can increase blood pressure as well as causing damage to the blood vessels inside the kidneys,” they said, adding that “around one million” people in the UK are unaware they have kidney disease.
The health charity’s latest report indicates that many patients are not informed of their kidney disease in a timely manner and in a way that
allows them to understand what that means or any changes to lifestyle or medications, with 11% reporting that they learned of their chronic kidney disease through seeing it recorded on their NHS app profile.
NPA Chair Olivier Picard said: “Medicines have the power to harm as well as to heal.
“Although NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, are effective and safe medicines, patients should be aware of their impact, particularly if a patient is at increased risk of developing kidney disease and consider alternative medication where appropriate.
“If a patient has concerns about their usage of NSAIDs, they should speak to their pharmacist who can advise them.
Mr Picard continued, “Pharmacists are experts in medicines and are best placed to offer advice to people who may be concerned about any potential long-term effect of some medicines and can help patients effectively manage pain.”
News
MEMBER INSIGHTS SHAPE THE LAUNCH OF NEW NUMARK TRAINING PLATFORM
Numark has announced the launch of its new Training Platform, developed using insights gathered from its network of more than 6,000 members across the UK.
Designed to support pharmacies of all sizes, the platform has been built to meet the needs of modern community pharmacy teams. Whether supporting a single independent pharmacy serving a local neighbourhood or a growing regional group requiring oversight across multiple sites, the system has been created to adapt to a variety of operational models. The new platform centralises key aspects of professional development, training and governance within one accessible hub. Pharmacy teams can explore and complete courses, track staff progress, upload and maintain qualifications and training records, and create, manage and digitally sign off standard operating procedures (SOPs).
A built-in calendar also aligns training activity with national and seasonal health campaigns, helping pharmacy teams plan services and support patient care throughout the year.
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By simplifying administrative processes, helping pharmacies remain audit ready and ensuring development opportunities are easily accessible, the platform has been designed to deliver practical day-to-day value to pharmacy teams.
Numark Chairman Harry McQuillan said the new platform reflects the organisation’s commitment to listening to its members and delivering solutions that support their businesses. “As Numark continues to grow, so too does the diversity of our membership. Members told us they wanted a smarter, more seamless way to manage training, governance and compliance without additional cost or complexity.
“This platform has been shaped directly by their feedback, built to support teams where it matters most, and is designed to meet the needs of pharmacies across all four UK nations, recognising the variation in regulatory requirements, service priorities and health campaigns. As our network grows, we have a responsibility to use that scale to deliver practical, meaningful solutions that remove cost and complexity for our members.”
Fiona Loud, Policy Director at Kidney Care UK, added, “Kidney disease can happen to anyone at any time, and can have a devastating impact on your life, relationships, finances as well as your physical and mental health.
“You can lose up to 90% of your kidney function without realising so it’s important to be aware of the signs to look out for, to know if you might be at increased risk, and what to do if you are concerned.
“It only takes a few minutes to complete our online Kidney Health Checker to see if you might be at increased risk. If you have any concerns, you can raise these with your GP or have a chat with your local pharmacist.”
The organisations are teaming up in March to raise awareness of chronic kidney disease, with patients encouraged to speak to their local pharmacists and access information leaflets and posters advising them to complete an online health check.
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MSPS REJECT ASSISTED DYING
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill has been rejected by MSPs following a final vote at Holyrood, ending the latest attempt to legalise assisted dying in Scotland.
The legislation, introduced by Liam McArthur MSP, was defeated by 69 votes to 57, with one abstention, after extensive debate and amendment during its passage through Parliament. The bill aimed to allow terminally ill adults with mental capacity to request medical assistance to end their lives under strict conditions. While supporters argued it would offer dignity and choice at the end of life, opponents raised concerns around safeguards and the potential impact on vulnerable individuals. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland was among organisations to oppose the bill, highlighting concerns around the removal of protections for pharmacists and a lack of clarity over their role. Its rejection means no change to the current law, with any future proposals requiring new legislation, although the debate around assisted dying is expected to continue.
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