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ANA Reaffirms Support Of Health Reform Legislation
The American Nurses Association (ANA) reached out to lawmakers Friday, with a letter in support of H.R. 3200 "America"s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009." After a contingent from ANA took part in a Rose Garden press conference with President Obama July 15th, ANA set out to engage lawmakers, nurses, and other health professionals across the country to voice their commitment to real healthcare reform.

Deworming Drug Could Help Reduce Spread Of HIV In Africa, Study Finds
Providing girls in rural Africa with a deworming drug could help reduce the spread of HIV, according to a study recently published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, the New York Times reports. The drug, called praziquantel, costs about 32 cents per pediatric dose and prevents schistosomiasis, a worm disease that starts as a urinary tract infection. If untreated, schistosomiasis can lead to female genital sores that can facilitate HIV infection. Because the drug can kill the worms but cannot cure genital sores, girls should be protected before they reach sexual maturity, according to the Times. "For this relatively small investment, the reproductive health of young women would be improved," the authors from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, Imperial College London and Oslo University wrote, adding that "there is a reasonable chance that HIV/AIDS transmission can be reduced." There are about 207 million schistosomiasis cases worldwide, 90% of which occur in Africa, where humans are exposed usually through snail-infested water. According to a pilot program conducted in Burkina Faso, all 70 million cases among young children in Africa could be treated for $22 million, and repeating universal treatment every two years for 10 years would cost $112 million (McNeil, New York Times, 5/26).
News of the day
Federal Grant Awarded To Austin, Texas HIV/AIDS Organization Targeting Former Inmates
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded AIDS Services of Austin a five-year, $1.6 million grant to fund a program targeting black residents who were recently incarcerated, the Austin Business Journal reports. The grant will be used to create Project Fresh Start, a substance abuse and HIV prevention program aimed at black adults in Travis County who were released from prison or jail in the last two years. The program is set to launch in September. "An estimated 9,000 people will be served during the lifetime of the project," according to the Business Journal (7/15).
Cardiovascular

Society Calls For Clarification Of Responsible Pharmacist Regulations

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has called for clarification of the responsible pharmacist requirements but will not be asking the Department of Health to amend the commencement date of the regulations. The Society"s Council debated the responsible pharmacist requirements in the light of concerns amongst community and hospital pharmacists about their implementation. President Steve Churton said: "Some of the concerns relate to existing problems that have been brought into sharper focus as a result of the introduction of the regulations. These include concerns about the relationship with employers, and being properly supported to take professional decisions. Council agreed that these must be addressed regardless of when the responsible pharmacist requirements are implemented". There are a number of operational issues related to the responsible pharmacist requirements which need clarification for the profession. These include: - The definition of operation of a pharmacy which seems to run counter to the government"s proposals around the greater use of skill mix in pharmacy - Requirements to remain contactable during an absence from the pharmacy for a rest break - Whether a responsible pharmacist should read all the standard operating procedures prior to commencement as a responsible pharmacist "The Society will undertake urgent work, in conjunction with other bodies, to provide further clarification, guidance and support to members and pharmacy owners to enable them to fulfil their obligations under the new regulations. This clarification will be produced prior to the introduction of the responsible pharmacist requirements," continued Mr Churton. "The Society has also decided not to request a delay of the implementation date of the responsible pharmacist requirements. The regulations were published a year ago following a fairly lengthy period of consultation and discussion in the profession and a number of organisations and employers have produced support material or plan to deliver training in the lead up to that date. "The responsibilities of the responsible pharmacist are not significantly different to the current responsibilities of the pharmacist in personal control. Indeed, the responsible pharmacist changes make explicit some of the implicit requirements of the Medicines Act. "The views of a number of leading hospital pharmacists also informed our thinking and they stated the implementation of the responsible pharmacist requirements should not be delayed as clear guidance would be available for hospital pharmacy shortly." Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain


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