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

The year that was... C+D takes a look back over the last 12 months to see how 2010 was for pharmacy January No sooner has the year kicked off than the country grinds to a halt with an arctic blizzard. Fortunately the government has an idea about how pharmacists in England can keep themselves warm, supporting plans to substitute generics for branded prescriptions. The plans get a mixed vote from pharmacists, who recognise the potential savings but not necessarily the impact it will have for patients (and the hassle for pharmacists). Obesity drugs also make the headlines, as the European Medicines Agency decides to suspend sibutramine after the SCOUT trial shows an increased risk of cardiovascular risk. Good month for Stop Remote Supervision. The campaign's candidates claim a landslide victory in the professional leadership body elections, claiming nine of 11 seats on the English board and two on the Welsh one. and OBad month for: Homeopathy the pharmacies that sell it. Campaigners target Boots in protest against the multiple selling homeopathic products, with protesters in 12 cities congregating on January 30 to down homeopathic products in a "mass overdose". The campaign attracts national attention, and generates strong debate over whether pharmacists should be providing treatments that lack evidence. Clockwise from top left: Pharmacist John Tucker ran six miles in the snow to open the Weldricks Coldthorpe Barnsley Road branch; Steve Churton on being the last RPSGB president; and campaigners take a mass homeopathy 'overdose' Quote of the month, February: March The Elizabeth Lee saga continues, as the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) reveals the pharmacist, who was criminally prosecuted for a dispensing error despite not being responsible for the patient's death, will appeal her conviction. It's still bad news for pharmacists working under the threat of criminal action, as the sector is left waiting for promised guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service to protect pharmacists from jail for a single dispensing error. And it's bad news at the PSNC conference, too, as pharmacy minister Mike O'Brien reveals services promised in the 2008 pharmacy white paper will be funded by shifting cash away from other parts of the pharmacy contract. Good month for: Helen Cordon. The former CEO of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists wins the role of chief executive of the future professional leadership body for pharmacy. OBad month for: The CPhC. Pharmacy's future regulator faces such heavy criticism of its proposed standards that it has to go back to the drawing board and prepare for a consultation on revised proposals. ruary February brings worrying news for contractors across the English capital: NHS London announces more than 100 polyclinics are set to open by 2013. Pharmacists express concern that established pharmacies could find themselves sidelined by the plans, although guidance is put in place to try to protect existing premises. In other news, the RPSGB pledges to launch a campaign for original pack dispensing, while the existence of its regulation successor the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) edges that bit closer, after the House of Lords approves the draft Pharmacy Order. The C+D Senate also gets into gear, delivering its verdict on the government's » generic substitution plans. Good month for: Pharmacists' CPD. The RPSGB publishes data on its CPD call and review programme, with around 80 per cent of pharmacists having received an 'excellent' rating. OBad month for: Lloydspharmacy. The i multiple is forced to announce M possible job cuts at its head office, Jak driven by reduced funding for community pharmacy in England. Rowlands Pharmacy commercial director John D'Arcy on *~>otI,tU»kcS generic substitution Pharmacists hit back after David Cameron tells an audience at a live election debate that methadone treatment doesn't deal with drug misuse, and rehab should be used instead. Meanwhile, a volcanic ash cloud leaves many delegates of the Avicenna conference stranded, but does not disrupt the medicines supply chain as is feared. The press rages on as pharmacists ask themselves if they should be allowed to opt out of supplying contraception if they have a conscientious objection Good month for: Contract applications north of the border. The Scottish Government announces plans to simplify pharmacy applications. OBad month for: The NPA and Lloydspharmacy. Both have their top bods quit this month. John Turk resigns from the NPA while Lloydspharmacy MD Richard Smith announces he is leaving the chain. Quote of the month, April: Ian Simpson expresses his shock after former colleague and CPP chair Charles Butler (left) is convicted of fraud and illegal drugs possession