The chemist and druggist, 18/25. December 2010 (issue 6778)

Check out what's on TV this week 1,500 miss the GPhC deadline Restoration will cost more than £600 Chris Chapman chris.chapman@ubm.com Almost 1,500 pharmacists will leave the register in January after failing to renew their membership with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), C+D can reveal. TheGPhC said 42,612 pharmacists had re-registered by the November 30 deadline, which was around 97 per cent of pharmacists. This means over 3 per cent -1,450 pharmacists - are set to leave the register. The number, which includes voluntary removals, was lower than the average of 4 per cent in previous years, a GPhC spokesperson said. Pharmacists who did not renew by the deadline will still be allowed to practise until December 31. But anybody who missed the deadline, either through illness or by accident, should contact the GPhC immediately to minimise the impact on their working life, the spokesperson added. Restoration to the register would cost £100 to apply then £540 for reinstatement, and the time taken for an application to be approved could vary. Should a pharmacist continue to practise after having been removed from the register, they may face a fine or even up to two years in prison, advised Charles Russell solicitor David Reissner. "Registration of pharmacists and premises are the lynchpins of the entire system," Mr Reissner added. Around 8,818 pharmacy technicians, or around 97 per cent of those on the register, also renewed their registration by the deadline, the GPhC said. Pharmacist Si working for pharmacists & their families Our services Listening Friends Specialist Advice Services Grants Pharmacist Health Support Programme Signposting Who do we support? • Pharmacists • Retired pharmacists • Undergraduate or postgraduate pharmacy students • Trainees • Widows or widowers • Family members who are financially dependent on a pharmacist General Helpline: Listening Friends Helpline: 0808168 2233 0808 168 5133 visit: www.pharmacistsupport.org Pharmacist Support is <i registered charity, No 221438, and is funded by donations from pharmacists. This registered chanty was previously known as The Benevolent Fund of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Scalp and body gel launches for treatment of psoriasis LEO Pharma has launched a scalp and body gel formulation for its Dovobet psoriasis treatment range. Dovobet Gel is the first once-daily, dual-action gel suitable for mild to moderate psoriasis on both the body and the scalp, says the company. It is also launching a patient support programme at www.touch.co.uk, to address the impact the condition has on a sufferers' wellbeing. "This gel formulation means that patients are more likely to adhere to their treatment, leading to better clinical outcomes," said consultant dermatologist Dr Andrew Bewley. Market focus • Psoriasis affects 2 per cent of the population • 50-80 per cent of people living with psoriasis suffer from scalp psoriasis Source: Papp K et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2007 Price: £36.50/60g Pip code: 356-1594 LEO Pharma; tel: 01844 347333 New vitamin D-calcium chew Seven Seas Haliborange has launched strawberry-flavoured Vitamin D Calcium Softies this month. The product has been specially formulated to help maintain healthy teeth and bones in children, according to the company. 5mcg of vitamin D, they are suitable for children aged three to 12 years. Price: £4.99/30 Pip code: 355-8913 Seven Seas Tel: 01482 716209 Containing 250mg of calcium and www.haliborange.com working for pharmacists & their families Opportunities for Volunteering Pharmacist Support is currently looking to recruit volunteers for its Listening Friends scheme. Listening Friends is a free and confidential helpline staffed by trained volunteer pharmacists who provide a listening ear to fellow pharmacists and pharmacy students struggling with stress, or simply in need of a sympathetic, non-judgemental person to talk to. Volunteers must be able to A^ ~~ ' commit to: ^ • an initial training and selection day in Manchester, February 5th 2011 • 2 residential weekend training courses per year (expenses paid) ■ up to 3-4 hours of your time per month Additional support and supervision is provided by the scheme's experienced coordinators and its friendly and supportive network of colleagues. For full details visit our website at: www.pharmacistsupport.org Ema il: info@pharmacistsupport.org Or call us on: 0808 168 2233 3