Article

Obesity is an increasing problem in the UK, with over half of the population being overweight or obese. The use of gastric surgery is increasing, with a 5% increase in 2016/17 compared to 2015/16. However, little is known about ideal drug formulations after bariatric surgery. An exploratory literature search of research databases was carried out to address this. The authors found that there was a dearth of high-quality primary studies available, with many studies using low numbers of participants. The major finding was of the need for increased vigilance and monitoring of patients after surgery.

2015 Thomas T, Mottram S, Waldock C, Advising patients on prevention and management of sporting injuries in the pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Journal, August 2015 Around 388,500 cases of sport-related injury were treated in emergency departments (A&E) in England between April 2011 and February 2012. The location and accessibility of community pharmacies means that pharmacists are likely to consult with patients about and observe a wide range of sport and physical activity related injuries For the vast majority of people, the benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks. However, even moderate physical activity is not without risk of injury. Between April 2011 and February 2012, around 388,500 cases of sport-related injury were treated in emergency departments (A&E) in England, an increase of 14% compared with the previous year[1]. Around half of A&E attendances for sports-related injuries involve males aged 10–29 years[1] and an English survey found that football was responsible for more than a quarter (29%) of sport incidents[2], although rugby accounts for the highest injury rate (injuries/participation occasions)[3]. The location and accessibility of community pharmacies means that pharmacists are likely to consult with patients about and observe a wide range of sport and physical activity related injuries. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals should, therefore, have an understanding of the risk factors and prevention of sports-related injuries, be able to identify common injuries, as well as provide specific advice to patients on their effective management, including the role over-the-counter (OTC) pharmacological treatments. Common minor sport-related conditions, including verrucas[4], athlete’s foot[5] and foot pain[6], have been covered in previous articles and do not feature in this article.