Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

DHSC extends prescription charge waiver for Covid-19 antivirals

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has extended prescription charge waiver for Covid-19 antivirals till March 31, 2023.

Covid-19 patients who are eligible to receive antiviral treatments for the infection via Covid Medicines Delivery Units (CMDUs) will be supplied these medicines for free.


DHSC said: "Where this cohort of patients are not already eligible for free prescriptions, the antiviral medicines will continue to be supplied free of charge."

It also announced that this waiver will also apply to therapeutic treatments that are being made available through the NIHR funded HEAL-COVID clinical trial platform treating patients who have been hospitalised for Covid-19, for long-term effects and STIMULATE ICP treating community patients for long Covid.

However, the government ended the free Covid-19 tests for the general public from today (April 1), while healthcare workers, social care staff and the most vulnerable are still eligible to get Covid-19 tests without any charge.

Earlier, prime minister Boris Johnson announced that 'free tests would end on April 1, saying the country could not afford their cost.'

Chancellor Rishi Sunak too had insisted that it was no longer feasible for his department to spend £2 billion a month on free testing.

More For You

The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Guide - a useful resource for pharmacists to support patient health and wellbeing

Chronic inflammation is linked to more than 50 per cent of all deaths worldwide and one in five cancers.

The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Guide - a useful resource for pharmacists to support patient health and wellbeing

When Hemant Patel was struck down by Covid, he was determined to discover what was it that led to the disease having a devastating impact on the lives of people who seemed be healthy – the culmination of his journey is the book, The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Guide.

“I was gasping for breath and counting the number of days I might be alive when I was infected with Covid,” reveals Patel.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cargo plane unloading pharmaceuticals at US airport amid tariff concerns and stockpiling

Imports jumped in particular from Ireland, the top drug exporter to the US

Pic credit: iStock

Pharma imports to US surged in March as drugmakers look to avoid tariffs

Pharmaceutical imports to the US surged in March as drugmakers stocked up ahead of potential US tariffs on their products, which have historically been exempt from such fees.

Total imports of pharmaceutical products exceeded $50 billion in the month - the equivalent of 20 per cent of all pharmaceutical imports in 2024, according to data from a U.S. Commerce Department report on Tuesday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scottish community pharmacist working in high street pharmacy with supportive environment

The PDA wants investment to reach those who deliver services to patients every day

Pic credit: iStock

Funding boost in Scotland “needs to work for not just pharmacy owners but pharmacists too”, says PDA

An increase in funding for community pharmacies in Scotland needs to lead to a greater focus on supporting pharmacists rather than “simply sustain business models”, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

Earlier this week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

Keep ReadingShow less
GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less