Alliance Healthcare and Alphega Pharmacy are proud support World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

Alliance Healthcare and Alphega Pharmacy are proud to be supporting World Antimicrobial Awareness Week which runs from the 18 to the 25 November. The week aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices for using antimicrobials, in order to avoid further emergence of and the spread of drug-resistant infections.

Marie Evans, Managing Director, Alliance Healthcare said: “I am proud that we are supporting AMR week to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices for using antimicrobials. It is important to share awareness of this and pledge our support along with the NHS.”

‘Keep Antibiotics Working’ is the UK-wide campaign, which supports the government’s continued efforts to reduce inappropriate prescriptions for antibiotics. The campaign warns people that taking antibiotics when they are not needed puts them at risk of a more severe or longer infection and urges people to take their doctor’s advice on antibiotics.

To help pharmacy teams spread awareness of the campaign within their pharmacies, we have created a website to share the NHS digital resources available via the NHS, which include:

1. > Posters
2. > Digital Screens
3. > Leaflets

We are encouraging our customers to get on board and support the campaign. In addition, the Alphega Pharmacy team are offering additional guidance on the Pharmacy Quality Scheme (details below), and Business Mentor level support.

PQS E-learning requirement

As part of the PQS E-learning, pharmacy contractors in England who chose to access the PQS renumeration criteria via the PSNC website can complete their *PQS Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) to assess their practice and complete e-learning assessments which must be completed by the end of March 2023.

Alphega Members

As part of their membership fee, Alphega members are being offered support to complete the *PQS AMS for AMR (antimicrobial stewardship) as well as a comprehensive PQS toolkit for all their PQS requirements.

Support us and the NHS during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

Alliance Healthcare has pledged to become an Antibiotic Guardian and are proud to support this campaign. Find out more here.

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Class 4 Medicines Defect Information: Martindale Pharma Venlafaxine 300mg XL Prolonged release tablets

Martindale Pharma has made the MHRA aware that the GTIN in the 2D barcode and the printed variable data represents the branded version of the product (Venlalic® XL 300 mg prolonged-release tablets).

MHRA drug alert date:  16 November 2022

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-4-medicines-defect-information-macarthys-laboratories-t-slash-a-martindale-pharma-venlafaxine-xl-300-mg-prolonged-release-tablets-el-22-a-slash-47?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=499d8039-6eda-43fe-8884-9605b56b0d82&utm_content=immediately

This is a caution in use only we are not accepting stock returns - if any defective stock is found it should be returned directly to the manufacturer.

Further Information

For further information, medical enquiries and stock information, contact: Licensed@ethypharm.com

Recipients of this Medicines Notification should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts by copy of this notice. NHS regional teams are asked to forward this to community pharmacists and dispensing general practitioners for information.

Class 4 Medicines Defect Information: PRENOXAD 1MG/ML INJECTION

Macarthys Laboratories (trading as Martindale Pharma, an Ethypharm Group Company), has notified the MHRA of a limited number of Prenoxad packs in a batch marketed in France with missing needles.

MHRA drug alert date: 10th November 2022

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/national-patient-safety-alert-class-4-medicines-defect-information-prenoxad-1mg-slash-ml-solution-for-injection-macarthys-laboratories-aurum-pharmaceuticals-ltd-slash-ethypharm-group-due-to-potential-missing-needles-in-sealed-kits

This is a caution in use only we are not accepting stock returns - if any defective stock is found it should be returned directly to the manufacturer.

Further Information

For more information on licensed stock and resupply queries for the licensed presentation, please contact licensed@ethypharm.com; telephone number: 0800 028 7933.

For medical information queries and all other enquiries, please contact medinfo@ethypharm.com; telephone number 01277 266 600.

Recipients of this Medicines Notification should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts by copy of this notice. NHS regional teams are asked to forward this to community pharmacists and dispensing general practitioners for information.

Company Led Recall-Activa Thigh Length Open Toe Hosiery class 2 XL size

L&R medical have informed us that on the affected batch of Activa Thigh Length Open Toe Hosiery XL the product inside the packaging is Small and not Extra Large

MHRA drug alert link: N/A   

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 3 months of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.

For more information please contact L&R MEDICAL UK LTD

customerservices@uk.lrmed.com

Quality&Regulatory@uk.lrmed.com

Class 3 Recall - Mebeverine hydrochloride 135mg Film-coated Tablets

Medreich Plc UK is recalling the above batch as a precautionary measure due to out of specification results for tablet dissolution during routine product release testing.

MHRA drug alert date: 27th October 2022

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-3-medicines-recall-medreich-plc-mebeverine-hydrochloride-135mg-film-coated-tablets-el-22-a-slash-46?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=0b5b7f21-3a71-444e-be6b-ea061980a229&utm_content=immediately

Further Information

For more information or supply enquiries, please contact Medreich PLC at cs_team@medreich.co.uk or by phone at 0208 831 1580, 0208 831 1511 or 0208 831 1509

For medical information queries, please contact pharmacovigilance@medreich.com

Recipients of this Medicines Recall should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts by copy of this notice. NHS regional teams are asked to forward this to community pharmacists and dispensing general practitioners for information.

Class 4 Medicines Defect Information: Recordati Rare Diseases, Pedea 5 mg/ml solution for injection

Recordati Rare Diseases T/A Recordati Rare Diseases UK Ltd has made the MHRA aware that specific batches of Pedea 5 mg/ml solution for injection have been packaged with the incorrect Product Information Leaflet (PIL).

MHRA drug alert date: 25th October 2022

MHRA drug alert link: 

https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-4-medicines-defect-information-recordati-rare-diseases-pedea-5-mg-slash-ml-solution-for-injection-el-22-a-slash-45?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=8880eab9-9fb3-431a-85f0-7f29ba803bf5&utm_content=immediately

This is a caution in use only we are not accepting stock returns - if any defective stock is found it should be returned directly to the manufacturer.

For further information, including medical enquiries and stock information, please contact:

Recordati Rare Diseases UK Ltd (local representative, WDA(H): 15720) on Tel: +44 (0)1491 414333 or +33 1 47 73 64 58 or email: RRDmedinfo@recordati.com

Recipients of this Medicines Notification should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts by copy of this notice. NHS regional teams are asked to forward this to hospital pharmacists and pediatric doctors and nurses working in hospital setting for information.

CLASS 1 RECALL - TARGOCID 200MG POWDER FOR SOLUTION FOR INJECTION/INFUSION OR ORAL SOLUTION

Sanofi UK is initiating an urgent recall of the above batches of Targocid 200mg powder for solution for injection/infusion or oral solution.

This is due to out of specification results obtained for bacterial endotoxins, which has been confirmed through testing of retain samples. This issue was observed following a medical adverse event, which reported that four patients experienced high grade of fever approximately three hours post-administration of vials from the impacted batches.

Due to the out of specification results observed there is a potential life threatening or serious risk to patient health.

MHRA drug alert date: 21st October 2022

MHRA drug alert link: 

https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/national-patient-safety-alert-class-1-medicines-recall-notification-recall-of-targocid-200mg-powder-for-solution-for-injection-slash-infusion-or-oral-solution-aventis-pharma-limited-t-slash-a-sanofi-due-to-the-presence-of-bacteria?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=e7cf2b1f-d939-4835-991d-d771d9d5fe1b&utm_content=immediately

Alliance do not stock the above products so we will not be accepting Customer returns on this recall.

Further information

For more information on licensed stock and resupply queries for the licensed presentation, please contact GB-CustomerServices@sanofi.com; phone number: 0800 854 430.

For medical information queries and all other enquiries, please contact uk-medicalinformation@sanofi.com; phone number: 0800 035 25 25.

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately, we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

CLASS 2 RECALL - EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE 30MG/ML SOLUTION FOR INJECTION

hameln pharma ltd is initiating a recall of the affected batches of Ephedrine Hydrochloride 30 mg/ml Solution for Injection as a precautionary measure.

MHRA drug alert date: 20 October 2022

MHRA drug alert link:  https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-hameln-pharma-ltd-ephedrine-hydrochloride-30-mg-slash-ml-solution-for-injection-el-22-a-slash-44?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=4eaf7378-a167-4795-8f45-fc22c803cc75&utm_content=immediately

Alliance do not stock the above products so we will not be accepting Customer returns on this recall.

For more information or supply queries, please contact or email hameln pharma ltd customer services on +44 (0)1452 621 661 or customer.services@hameln-pharma.co.uk

For medical information queries, please contact or email hameln pharma ltd Medicines Information on +44 (0)1452 621 661 or drug.safety@hameln-pharma.co.uk

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately, we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

Alliance Healthcare Raises £20,000 To Create Healthier Futures

Alliance Healthcare teams come together to raise vital funds to fight cancer and support the health and wellbeing of children.

Alliance Healthcare hosted its annual North and South Championship events in October where colleagues competed in various football and netball tournaments to raise more than £20,000 for Action Medical Research, Vitamin Angels UK, EORTC and the Theodora Children’s Charity.

Lucy Holloway, Corporate Events Fundraiser at Action Medical Research said: “We are really grateful for events like the annual Alliance Healthcare Championships. Our charity could not fund the medical research needed to benefit young children and babies without the support of dedicated teams at Alliance Healthcare. Thank you!”

These events not only raise a large amount of funds that will help the fight against cancer and improve children’s lives in the UK and across the world, but they also bring together colleagues, families, friends, and communities, with one united purpose, to create healthier futures.

Ennogen, a loyal sponsor of the event once again entered a team and Alex Durall, Head of UK Sales and Customer Relations Manager, Ennogen said: “We are always really keen to sponsor this event as it’s always a great family fun day out, whilst coming together for four worthy causes.”

Now in its 9th year, Alliance Healthcare has raised over £150,000 from its flagship fundraising event since its origin in 2013. This year’s netball winners were Team Ennogen, beating the Support Centre Team in the final 13-8. In the football, it was Leigh Service Centre that triumphed in the north event, and therefore qualified for the south event where they finally took home the Champions title.

Pablo Rivas, Chief Operating Office, Alliance Healthcare presented the winning teams with trophies and champagne, plus a £100 voucher for the teams to celebrate in style and said: “The Championship events are a great example of bringing our colleagues together to give back to their communities. We are committed to our purpose, our fight against cancer and the wellbeing of children.”

Alliance Healthcare and its chosen charities send their most sincere thanks to all of this year’s sponsors: Crescent Pharma, Ennogen, Relonchem, Iafeya, Tillomed, Viatris, HDA, Essity, MacLeod’s Pharma and Brown & Burk.

Celebrating Pharmacy Innovation at the House of Commons

Alliance Healthcare celebrated the very best in pharmacy at the House of Lords as sponsors of the Innovation Awards at the Independent Pharmacy Awards.

Raj Nutan, Healthcare Strategy and Services Director, Alliance Healthcare and Sam Unsworth, Head of Communications, Alliance Healthcare had the honour to represent Alliance Healthcare at the prestigious setting, where Sam presented the award and said: “Innovation is essential to deliver the best service to patients. That’s why Alliance Healthcare is delighted to sponsor the Innovation Award at the Independent Pharmacy Awards.”

Deborah Evans, Remedi Health, Hampshire was our winner, who wowed the judges with her ability to not only lead but think outside the box.

Deborah has worked in pharmacy for over 35 years and runs a GpHC-registered private pharmacy which only opened last year. She has pulled together a brilliant team of 12 who have rolled out a range of private services for their patients – and in deciding not to provide NHS services, she has made a real success of her business in very tough times.

Her business model reverses the traditional community pharmacy approach. Instead of her predominately prescription and medicines business that offers services, hers is predominately a clinical service business of which medicines and prescriptions are part of the solution for the clients. The judges described Deborah as “an inspiration.”

Find out more about the awards here.