Women are leading and ruling the world!

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There are many very talented women who lead countries, are the chief executives of major companies and who take the initiative in life in all sorts of leadership roles. But frankly, there still aren't enough of them in such roles.

This month has seen the release of exam results across these islands where, generally, once again the females have outperformed the males. And the female to male ratio at university clearly tips in favour of the women. I graduated with a Masters in Pharmacy where us men were clearly in the minority. But I'm not complaining at all nor am I surprised.

I came across a really interesting blog on the Daily Telegraph website which put forward to assertion that the world of work was becoming a woman's world. Although I am still furious that female graduates are still reportedly being paid less then their male counterparts, I am deeply heartened to see women are finally beginning to lead the world as well as continuously succeed in their careers as we go deep into the 21st century. It is simply something we all should celebrate and be very happy about. For too long, they have been held back and forced to settle for second place in life and it is really only now where they have finally overtaken us.

But let's also remember that each and every individual is important. I am also not talking us men down; I am simply acknowledging the fact that the world is more accepting and appreciating of women for all the good they bring to the world than ever before.

The Daily Telegraph blog painted some sort of a picture that the end was inevitable for all men in this world. I don't know if that's the impression that Fraser Nelson of The Spectator magazine was wanting to bring across in the blog but he isn't wrong to mention that it is the men who are having to re-adapt and accept the newly changed world that we live in.

I think there is still a perception amongst some men that they feel threatened by the rise of success from women. The fear of feminine power dominating the world. There is nothing to be scared of. In fact, if anything, the values of femininity are making the world a much better place to live and work in and, personally, for me it is this that drives and motivates me to make the most of my talents and abilities to succeed in life. There are many amazing female role models, many of which I admire.

Women don't want men in this world who are only half bothered about where they are going in life, especially now when they are outperforming us in many professions and other aspects of life. And Fraser mentioned about the idea of men being snubbed because they weren't seen as steady and reliable when it came to romantic partnerships and building a family. We men need to accept now that the idea of not being the breadwinner always isn't a bad one as long as we make the most of our talents and abilities for the good of ourselves and others.

And, to conclude, there's everything right with having a desire to find a woman in life who is a natural leader and takes the initiative.

Fellow blokes, your successful wife or girlfriend is the Queen in the relationship. Show her respect.

Opioid replacement programmes benefit society overall

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"Image courtesy of Fireflyphoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net"

The Scottish Drugs Strategy Delivery Commission has set out it's recommendations and vision for methadone policy in the future north of the border. Sir Harry Burns, the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, has acknowledged the effectiveness of opioid replacement therapy and the use of methadone in reducing the spread of diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis.

A community pharmacist myself in Scotland, I am, unapologetically, a strong supporter of the methadone programme and opioid replacement therapy in Scotland. It benefits patients and the public. Patients benefit from it because they receive therapy through a legal source. In nearly all cases, patients receive their therapy from a community pharmacy where pharmacists can supply the medicine in accordance with a legally valid prescription signed by a legally appropriate prescriber. It benefits the public because such programmes have been shown to bring a reduction in crime, as demonstrated in the tablet on page 24 of the report. Those who say that such programmes should never exist need to imagine what the serious consequences of abolishing those programmes would bring to society. On this issue, you've got to be careful for what you wish for.

But despite my support for opioid replacement therapy, I can totally understand some of the criticism that is made of such programmes. There has always been a common assertion from many that patients are left "parked" on methadone. There is no denying that in such cases that patients have been enormously let down and questions will have to be raised as to why this is happening in some parts of the country. The report released today certainly suggests, under 'recommendations 1-2' on page 107, that there should be a focus on increasing the cohesion the different approaches in order to reduce drug misuse. I agree. I have to admit that all of us in healthcare should be doing more to work together in tackling the ongoing issue. Success of those programmes should always be based on how many patients we can get drug free rather than just how many people we can get on it in the first place.

The report mentioned the word "enmity" on page 106. None of use can afford to engulf ourselves in any form of enmity with regard to opioid replacement therapy. Doing this is dangerous and benefits absolutely nobody. And it will certainly hinder any future progress that is needed in order to improve the quality of services that are provided to patients who need all the support necessary in order to help improve their lives.

All patients who use opioid replacement therapy are human beings after all and should never be snubbed by society. Rehabilitating those people who are suffering with substance misuse brings economic benefit, reduces crime and makes our country a much safer place to live.

Scottish pharmacy - moving on up

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The Wilson Review's recommendations, published yesterday, into the provision of pharmaceutical services in Scotland are encouraging. I personally give the thumbs up to the report released yesterday and believe that the report yesterday paves the way for pharmacy to move onto the next stage in it's evolution of providing excellent, quality healthcare for patients in Scotland.

There are four areas I want to specifically focus on in this blog post with regard to pharmacy in Scotland and this specific review from Dr Hamish Wilson and Professor Nick Barber.

1. Public relations

This is an area which is growing in importance and needs to be given high priority. In recent times, we, as a profession, have faced some very unfavourable headlines/press stories, whether it's the Which? survey findings or the highly controversial and infamous 'Methadone Millionaires' story.  In point 19 of the report, the image of the community pharmacy being seen as 'commerical' is mentioned and concerns were raised about staff changes and lack of continuity in terms of patient-pharmacist interaction when it comes to specifically communicating with the same pharmacist on a regular basis.

There is no doubt that community pharmacies have to be financially healthy in order to continue provision of the services they have to offer. They are not directly part of the NHS, but do provide NHS services which they are reimbursed for. Operating at a loss is no viable option. Community pharmacy contractors need to become profitable in order to survive. And I would go even further - the NHS can look to community pharmacy at a time like now when financial resources are becoming more finite than ever before. Community pharmacy provides excellent public health services to the public whilst at the same time maintaining a successful business model. Community pharmacy has nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to being branded as 'commercial', as long as it maintains it's professional and ethical commitments to healthcare and pharmacy service provision and remains within legal and ethical boundaries.

However, we pharmacists overall need to do a lot more when it comes to promoting a positive image of what we do and of ourselves. Operating within a new system which allows us to provide a consistent and high standard of quality, as suggested in point 19, is a very worthwhile suggestion and should be looked at further. The idea of a pre-booked appointment with a pharmacist within a system that fully supports this mechanism is understandable and I can see the logic behind this.

I would also suggest more of us should become media trained or develop an increased awareness of how to engage with the local and national media. Journalists will not just dismiss us hastily just because we happen to be pharmacists. They will listen if we have something worthwhile to offer them in terms of an enlightening story or development about what we can offer the public in terms of providing healthcare services.

Personally, as a presenter of a weekly radio show on Victoria Radio Network, I ran a regular feature up until July called 'Healthy Matters' where I enlightened listeners of the station in hospital, across Kirkcaldy and online about popular topics surrounding health such as healthy eating/living/exercise, smoking cessation and how to deal with the hot weather. Creativity goes a long way in any area of life and pharmacy is not exempt.

There are many ways for us to promote positive health and we pharmacists are blessed with the knowledge and ability to enlighten the public in a positive and helpful manner. And it will improve their perception of us as a profession.

2. Education/development

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have a professional obligation to commit to continuing professional development. NHS Education for Scotland, in my personal opinion, provide many excellent learning opportunities for pharmacists and after my pre-registration placement was completed south of the border, I benefited enormously from the seminars they had on offer towards the end of 2012 and in the early stages of 2013. I have no doubt that I will not be the only pharmacist who forms such an opinion or a similar assertion. Their support is vital and I am confident that it shall continue for a long time to come.

But the biggest challenge and worry for me is the lack of inter-professional networking. There is frankly next to none of it and sadly very little window for opportunity to enhance such opportunities to engage with other kinds of healthcare professionals. I recall at university taking part in inter-professional networking events which I found welcoming because it gave me the opportunity to talk to other healthcare professionals and share thoughts and ideas. But it isn't just the lack of inter-professional networking that worries me. I feel I'm not getting to know my other fellow pharmacy professionals in areas that I work in. And that's a shame because loneliness isn't exactly a comfortable feeling to experience. I like talking to new people and engaging with other people and that motivates and re-invigorates me. One of the benefits of the seminars provided by NES was that you got to communicate with other pharmacists and pharmacy professionals/employees.

The recommendation in bold on point 51 of the report is one of the most important - local networks, organised by local NHS boards, is an excellent idea. It will bring professionals and employees together, create new links and is especially important, because we have to remember that not every pharmacist or person involved in pharmacy is necessarily a member of the recently formed Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The fact that not everyone needs to sign up to the professional body means, inevitably, networking opportunities can only go so far. A recognition of the necessity for closer integration of pharmacy professionals can only be welcomed and seen as positive step forward, if the recommendation in point 51 is implemented.

3. Challenges for the profession

Point 60 highlights the need for pharmacists to be inter-connected with other healthcare professionals when it comes to accessing relevant information about a patient's medicines and care. The biggest drawback for pharmacists in community is a lack of access to doctor's notes and records for patients which limits our ability to make fully rounded and sound decisions in the dispensary. I haven't personally had much experience in hospital pharmacy but I can only imagine that they are more integrated into the healthcare team in hospital and that they are able to readily access patient notes, enabling them to make more substantiated decisions about a patient's pharmaceutical care.

There is no doubt that the Chronic Medication Service is an enabling platform for pharmacists to develop care plans and work more closely with GP's and provide long term care for patients who are taking specific medicines in the long term. But in reality, the service hasn't really taken off nationally and many issues remain and need to be resolved if CMS is to take off and become an overall success. It can still be an overall success but many issues need to be discussed and resolved in order to enable the service to flourish.

One of the other big issues that we face is tackling non-adherence to medicines. It is in the interest of the whole NHS that medicines prescribed and dispensed are used to it's full clinical effects in order to enhance clinical outcomes for patients and deliver value for money for our health service. Point 9 in the report states up to just over 15% of hospital admissions are a result of non-adherence to medicines and monitoring issues. Again we need to constantly remind ourselves in pharmacy that our role is not to be underestimated. We are the medicine experts after all.

4. The future

Despite the ongoing challenges and issues we face in pharmacy and healthcare in Scotland, I am very reassured by this honest, insightful and enlightening report. The duty for all of us in pharmacy is to constantly engage with stakeholders and our political representatives to push pharmacy up the political agenda and constantly reassure our colleagues across healthcare and society that we have a role in the nation that is worthwhile.

But we can be very proud of the health of the pharmacy profession in Scotland. Quite frankly, we are blessed north of the border with one of the finest contracts for community pharmacy that has ever been devised and implemented anywhere in the world. And I say that with no apology whatsoever. Smoking cessation, the minor ailment service and the provision of urgent supply - just a selection of some of the unique services we offer in Scotland that have benefited patients in the Scottish National Health Service.

I take my hat off to all past and current Scottish Governments for recognising our value in healthcare and continue to urge them to engage and listen to what we have to say for the future of pharmacy healthcare provision in Scotland. Many countries, worldwide, are taking a look to Scotland with interest and, dare I say it, envy and will no doubt be inspired by how far pharmacy has advanced in Scotland.

NEW website to launch this summer

It may only have been eight months since I launched my own website online but it's onwards and upwards as I'm pleased to announce that I will be launching a refreshed and improved website later this summer.

Since November 2012, this website has attracted well over 18,000 hits worldwide and I thank all of you for taking the time to visit my website again and again. I know I haven't provided any updates for a while but it's imperative for me to regularly review whether I'm providing the best possible experience for everyone.

Although I'm delighted with the response I have received so far since late last year, I want to make the experience better for everyone. My ambition for my newly refurbished website is to provide more video, more interactive material and more direct input from me. The written content is all well and good but people like audio and video as well and I want to provide more of that.

And also on top of that a much more gorgeous looking website with lots of colour and interesting content.

Please keep visiting and I'll keep you informed when it comes to relaunch for me.

But for now, thank you for your time and visit and please keep coming back.

Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Faculty - what is it and how can it benefit you?

© Royal Pharmaceutical Society (used with their permission)

In the coming months, a brand new development will commence and be up and running - Faculty from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

And what is it? It is a new programme which recognises the development and progression of pharmacists. It aims to be a simple yet effective professional programme which helps pharmacists identify what they require in terms of knowledge, expertise and experience at different levels of practice.

Faculty will be aimed at those who have completed their first years of practice as a pharmacist and as the Faculty develops, facilities will also be made available to newly qualified pharmacists as well. The Faculty will enable a pharmacist to demonstrate to patients, the public and employers, their capability of delivering services at a recognised level. A pharmacist will also be able to network with other fellow Faculty members to share their knowledge and experience as well.

Next Monday, 22nd April, at the Novotel, Edinburgh Park in the west of the Scottish capital, a major launch event is due to take place in order to enlighten pharmacists across the East of Scotland Local Practice Forum area about Faculty and it is set to be a very well attended event. It will begin at 6:30pm for 7pm with a buffet included and a set of speakers from across the profession and beyond. It is an open event so anybody can come.

If you are a pharmacist or involved in pharmacy, why don't you come and join too? It's sure to be an event not to be missed.

Scottish football's future is damaged

Whilst the game south of the border continues to attract more and more fans all over the world, football north of the border is continuing to throw itself into more and more chaos, particularly in the eyes of the public.

Stewart Milne, Aberdeen FC chairman, is absolutely correct to strongly advise the media to strongly investigate into why St Mirren voted in the way they did. And the media should also strongly probe Ross County into why they decided to stop those badly needed reforms from going through.

Everyone knows that the national game across Scotland needs to be reformed now. The game has become monotonous for far too long. It is in the Scottish national interest to ensure that our national game is in a healthy state and not in a position where fans snub their local clubs in favour of bigger teams.

The only objection I had was the number of teams in the top league. Frankly, there should have been far more. I'm talking about 20 teams - much like the English Premier League. It would be better to see each team play each other only twice, instead of four times. But compromise matters and if I had a vote then I wouldn't reject the overall proposals because of that one area.

If the Scottish game does not get reformed in the next twelve months then it is with deep sadness, but it would become inevitable that Scottish football will be permanently damaged and will hurt the reputation of the Scottish nation.

Thank goodness for such an action packed weekend in the Scottish Cup. At least there is some hope.

Are prescription charges in England fair?

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Should English MP's be only allowed to vote on English
matters?

Patients on the NHS in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not have to pay for their medicines. However, NHS patients in England will still have to pay for their medicines, unless they are officially exempt. And with prescription charges per item rising to £7.85 this month, many people south of the border are still questioning why the levy still exists and whether it should go.

Earlier today, I tried to obtain statistics online to find out how many patients in England are exempt from the levy for prescriptions. But sadly the publications hosted by the Health and Social Care Information Centre with those details were unavailable.

However, to illustrate the overall situation regarding prescriptions in England, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee have a graph titled "12 Month Rolling Items Dispensed" which shows that at around November 2011, the number of prescription items dispensed broke through the 900 million item mark. And that figure is slowly escalating to a billion. And in my experience working in England last year, the majority of patients do not pay for their prescriptions.

If this is generally the case across England, then I suppose one can be forgiven for questioning the justification for a prescription charge. With the prescription item fee rise this month, it is very clear that the coalition at Westminster has no intention to review the levy. But, politically, you cannot blame some people for raising another issue of whether English MP's should only be allowed to vote on issues affecting England.

And I don't blame them for that. I think it is a major pity and, frankly, astonishing that politicians at Westminster have never considered raising the idea of installing a mechanism to ensure that England has the ability to fully decide on what policies they want implemented, without MP's from other parts of the United Kingdom voting also on those issues despite the fact it will have absolutely no relevance to their constituents.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Neal Patel voiced his opposition to the 20p increase in prescription charges on behalf of the society. I can understand his comments and he is certainly not wrong to give the impression that the exemption system needs to be reviewed.

But in an age of austerity and cuts in public spending, rising costs for medicines and lower employment prospects for pharmacists, are free prescriptions across the whole of the UK really affordable?