Atorvastatin price set to drop
March 30, 2012
The price of atorvastatin is likely to drop, perhaps dramatically, in the coming months as its UK patent protection expires in May. A recent report from Keele University says that the initial generic price, and how quickly it will fall, are not known yet, but all may be clearer by the October 2012 Drug Tariff update. A report in Pulse (here) suggests that GPs will be signed up to schemes for mass switching, to realise the windfall savings that could result.
Psychiatric drugs as effective as other medicines
March 2, 2012
Contrary to what could be called popular belief, it appears that psychiatric drugs are as effective, in general, as those used in other specialties, according to a new review of meta-analyses [1], also discussed in the BMJ here [2]. This is an interesting study, despite its limitations, because it tries to compare different outcomes in different diseases, and therefore provides a qualitative perspective only. Nonetheless, although some general medicines drugs did have very high ‘effect sizes’, for example proton pump inhibitors for the treatment of reflux oesophagitis, many had much smaller ones and, overall, psychiatric drugs were in the same range as the general medicine ones.
[1] Leucht S et al. Putting the efficacy of psychiatric and general medicine medication into perspective: review of meta-analyses. Br J Psychiatry 2012; 200: 97-106.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.111.096594
[2] News. Psychiatric drugs are not inferior to other drugs, review concludes. BMJ 2012; 344:e856.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e856
Non-medical prescribing: learning in practice
March 2, 2012
Lack of time with their designated medical practitioners (DMPs) was identified as a problem by nurses and midwives who had recently completed the non-medical prescribing course in this small study. There also seemed to be advantages in the student choosing their own DMP, although some DMPs still appeared unprepared for the role, relegating some of the prescribing competencies to a less important status, and might benefit from more formal preparation. Perhaps it is unrealistic to expect any one DMP to be able to supervise all the competencies.
The authors conclude that managers are important in making supervision effective: they need to understand the requirements of the course and ensure that DMP support is suitable and that there is enough time for teaching and learning. Educators must also monitor the experience of DMPs and their students, and the students for their part need to make their learning needs clearer to their managers and DMPs.
McCormick E and Downer F. Students’ perceptions of learning in practice for NMPs. Nurse Prescribing 2012; 10(2): 85-90.
http://www.internurse.com/cgi-bin/go.pl/library/contents.html?uid=4333;journal_uid=15
Future of non-medical prescribing
March 2, 2012
The need for more strategic direction and a robust evidence base to underpin non-medical prescribing has been highlighted again in a recent review.
Stewart D, MacLure K and George J. Educating non-medical prescribers. Br J Clin Pharmacol; published early online 2 February 2012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04204.x.
Nurse prescribers urged to sign controlled drugs e-petition
March 2, 2012
Nurse and pharmacist prescribers are being urged by ANP Chair Barbara Stuttle to sign an e-petition started by Professor Matt Griffiths, visiting professor of prescribing and medicines management at the University of the West of England. Professor Griffiths last month called on Andrew Lansley or David Cameron to intervene on this issue (see here), after it emerged that there is now no date set for the necessary amendments to be made to the Misuse of Drugs Act. Barbara Stuttle points out that these changes would lead to efficiency savings, so topical at the moment, as well as allowing qualified professionals to do their jobs properly.
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