Opioid substitution – the good, the bad and the future

In this episode, we sit down with Vicky Carlisle (University of Bristol) and Jenny Scott (Centre for Academic Primary Care) to discuss the Voice of the Voiceless project, and how pharmacy services can better support people receiving opioid substitution therapy. Think stigma, dignity and small changes that make big differences.

Resources

• University of Bristol, the Voice of the voiceless booklet
• CPPE, Addiction, misuse and dependency: Afocus on over-the-counter and prescribed medicines
• CPPE, Substance use and misuse
• Exchange Training, Needle and Syringe ProgrammePractitioner Training
• Anti-Stigma Network
• Community Pharmacy Patient Safety Group
• Pharmacy Safety, CPPSG Bank Holiday Checklist - OpioidTreatment Programmes (community pharmacy)
• NHS England, Best Practice in Optimising OpioidSubstitution Treatment (BOOST)

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Describe the impact of stigma on people receiving opioid substitution therapy and explain why community pharmacy is a key point of contact in their care journey.
• Apply person-centred communication strategies and practical approaches to improve patient experience and reduce stigma within pharmacy practice.
• Evaluate how pharmacy systems, environments, and personal biases may contribute to inequitable care, and identify opportunities for reflection and service improvement.

Prescribing is transforming community pharmacy: from protocol-driven supply towards autonomous, patient-centred clinical decision making

In this episode, our hosts are joined by Phil Neal (professional development lead, Paydens) and CPPE’s own Emma Anderson to explore the evolving role of pharmacist independent prescribers and the systems needed to support safe, effective practice. Along the way we touch on multidisciplinary collaboration, scope of practice, PGDs, SOPs and more. Emma and Neal brought some illuminating anecdotes and examples to the conversation – tune in to ponder those with us.

Resources

• CPPE, Menopause: Prescribing perspectives
• CPPE, Documenting in clinical records
• Red Whale resources

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Recognise the key governance structures required to support safe independent prescribing, including the role of risk assessment, SOPs, audit and clear documentation.
• Identify common challenges faced by new independent prescribers and apply strategies – such as defining scope of practice and seeking peer support – to build confidence and ensure safe clinical decision making.
• Describe the importance of ongoing learning, peer networks and multidisciplinary collaboration in maintaining competence and improving patient outcomes in prescribing practice.

Pharmacy – nobody said it was easy

In this episode, we discuss wellbeing in the pharmacy profession with Melissa Cochrane, wellbeing development senior manager at Pharmacist Support. We dig deep into questions around burnout, stigma and fears around confidentiality. We also look at the help that is out there, including what Pharmacist Support offers.

Resources

• CPPE, Supporting you
• CPPE, Coaching support
• Pharmacist Support, Mental health and wellbeing in the pharmacy
• Pharmacist Support, A Dose of Wellbeing

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Describe the range of wellbeing challenges currently affecting pharmacy professionals across different sectors
• Recognise and interpret early warning signs of stress and burnout in themselves and colleagues, and determine when support may be needed
• Evaluate the role of individual actions and organisational factors in supporting wellbeing and identify appropriate strategies to promote a healthier workplace culture

What’s in a name?

In this episode, we are joined by joined by Karen Baxter (deputy CEO, RPS) and Geraldine McCafferty (director for Wales, RPS) to explore one of the most significant developments for the profession in recent years – the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s transformation into the Royal College of Pharmacy.

After recounting their professional journeys, our guests reflect on change behind the scenes at the RPS, and what it will mean for members across the UK.

For your consideration…

• RPS, Our Commitments as the Royal College of Pharmacy
• Share your views on the Commitments – and your hopes and aspirations for the new royal college – by emailing [email protected]

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

1. Describe the purpose and key features of the transition from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to a Royal College of Pharmacy, including changes to governance, membership and professional leadership
2. Analyse how Royal College status could influence pharmacy practice, professional identity and collaboration across the wider healthcare system
3. Evaluate how education, credentialing and professional development frameworks may support career progression and improved patient care within the evolving pharmacy workforce

The why and how of a change shaping the future of community pharmacy

In this episode, we explore the Community Pharmacy Pathfinder Prescribing Initiative with guests Reena Barai (a community pharmacist delivering the pathfinder service), Dina Thakker (an ICB lead supporting local implementation) and Vijay Saravanan (a representative from NHS England leading on the national pathfinder programme).

We look why the pathfinder was launched, and the potential of independent prescribing in community pharmacy. You’ll hear honest reflection on the challenges of implementing the pathfinder, practical learning on what worked and what could be better, and a look ahead to wider service rollout.

Resources

• CPPE, Prescribing learning gateway

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Describe the purpose, structure and strategic drivers of the Community Pharmacy Pathfinder Prescribing Initiative, including how it fits within the wider NHS landscape.
• Analyse the benefits and challenges of implementing prescribing services in community pharmacy from practice, system and national perspectives.
• Reflect on and apply shared learning and success factors to their own role or organisation when considering the development or support of community pharmacy prescribing services.

Here’s some food for thought: the biochemistry of food!

In this episode, we explore how pharmacy professionals can support people with their nutrition and weight management. Joining us are nutrition specialist Lisa Jamieson MSc and CPPE’s own Emma Anderson.

Lisa highlights how nutrition underpins every aspect of health and illness, the importance of recognising malnutrition, and more. Emma recounts her journey developing weight management services in community pharmacy – one of challenging misconceptions and emphasising the need for a non-judgemental, individualised approach.

Resources

CPPE, Weight management - prescribing perspectives workshop

CPPE, Weight management learning gateway

CPPE, Nutrition, medicines and myths: evolution of pharmacy practice learning gateway

CPPE, Nutrition - how medicines affect nutrition distance learning

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Explain the links between nutrition, weight management and overall health – including how medicines and nutrients intake interact.
• Assess how pharmacy teams can sensitively and confidently identify and support people with nutrition and weight management challenges.
• Reflect on and propose ways to integrate nutrition-focused conversations and evidence-based advice into everyday pharmacy practice, to improve patient outcomes.

One in every five people will start to live with sight loss in their lifetime. What can pharmacy do to help?

In this episode, we are joined by Lisa Riste, Nishi Gangani, and Kim Bassi to explore their involvement in FLAG-Me, an innovative project aiming to improve medication safety for people with visual impairments. What challenges do patients with sight loss face when accessing and taking medicines, and what simple but effective steps can you take to help them? Let’s find out.

Resources

• FLAG-me
• Royal National Institute of Blind People
• Henshaws, Sight loss support
• eMC, patient information leaflets
• FutureLearn, Supporting Medicine Use by Older People with Visual and/or Hearing Impairment (free online course)
• #KnowYourDrops, Eye Drop Compliance Campaign to Achieve Medicines Optimisation in Ophthalmology (research presentation/poster)

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Describe the key challenges that patients with visual impairments face when accessing and using medicines safely.
• Analyse how pharmacy teams can integrate FLAG-Me and other practical strategies into their workflows to improve patient safety and accessibility.
• Evaluate the importance of patient-centred communication and collaboration in developing safer, more inclusive pharmacy services.

What can everyday pharmacy practice do for men, and how can that care be delivered equitably across all backgrounds?

In this episode, we speak about men’s health with two leading voices: Peter Baker (director of Global Action on Men’s Health) and Ade Williams (lead prescribing pharmacist at Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol). It’s an honest and inspiring discussion.

We explore the stark inequalities in men’s health outcomes – particularly in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health – and reflect on how community pharmacy is uniquely placed to help address these disparities. Ade shares practical examples of local initiatives (including health checks in pubs and barber shops!) while Peter offers a national and global perspective on the need for systemic change.

Resources

• CPPE, Men’s health learning gateway
• Men’s health forum
• Prostate cancer UK
• The Pharmaceutical Journal, How to conduct effective men’s health promotion in community pharmacy
• Global action on men’s health
• FIP, Advancing men’s health through pharmacy

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Explain the key health inequalities affecting men in the UK and the wider global context.
• Identify how pharmacy teams can adapt practice environments and consultation approaches to better engage men in health conversations.
• Reflect on their own role in men’s health and propose practical actions to improve engagement and service delivery in their local setting.

The menopause. Discuss!

In this episode, we explore the vital topic of menopause and its impact on women’s health, with help from our guests Sally Arnison and Afua Thompson. Together, they share personal insights, professional experiences, and practical tips for pharmacy teams to better support people going through perimenopause and menopause.

Tune in to hear about recognising symptoms, starting conversations, signposting to services and tackling barriers to care. We also consider training opportunities, policy change and how you can normalise discussing this sometimes sensitive topic.

Resources

• CPPE, Menopause learning gateway
• CPPE, Introduction to menopause e-learning
• British Menopause society
• Women’s Health Concern
• Menopause Matters

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Recognise common symptoms and challenges associated with perimenopause and menopause, and explain their impact on peoples’ health and wellbeing.
• Evaluate approaches pharmacy teams can use to identify, support, and signpost individuals experiencing menopause-related health concerns.
• Implement practical strategies and use evidence-based resources to improve menopause care and communication within pharmacy practice.

Is research something far away, for specialists? Or is it an everyday process, driven by curiosity, that underpins professional growth and patient care?

In this episode, we explore the value, purpose, and accessibility of research in pharmacy with guests Michelle Styles (regional manager at CPPE, and doctoral researcher) and James Higgerson (research fellow at CPPE). Together they unpack what research really means in day-to-day pharmacy practice, and how pharmacy professionals can get involved at any stage of their careers.

Michelle and James reflect also on their own journeys into research, the CPPE programmes they’ve evaluated and the practical impact their findings have had on training pathways and service development. They offer top tips for getting started, demystify common misconceptions and highlight useful resources to support pharmacy professionals in developing their confidence as researchers.

Resources

• CPPE, Research learning gateway
• CPPE, Optimise programmes

• NIHR research, e-Learning for pharmacy professionals

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of research in pharmacy and its connection to the pillars of practice.
• Reflect on how research skills can be applied within their own practice setting to evaluate or improve services.
• Identify practical ways to engage with research, including small-scale evaluations, collaborative opportunities, and available training resources.