In this festive, end-of-year episode, the Apothecaries are joined by the fourth and fifth Apothecaries, Clare Howard and Jonathan Underhill. We reflect on momentous moments in medicines alongside some personal reflections, including the impact of AI on medicine, the drive towards reducing hospital stays for older frail patients, and the successes of the HPV vaccination program. Some familiar faces pop up in our end-of-year quiz and as usual we share some great stories, medicines banter, and joyful festive moments. We finish off sharing our genuine gratitude to you,  our listeners for, continuing to tune in and support us.

2025 was another landmark year for The Aural Apothecary. We continued to explore the stories, systems and science behind medicines — from data and AI to safety, culture and unintended consequences. Alongside the podcast, we developed our Aural Apothecary Medicines Map, a conceptual piece of art linking medicines together in a way never seen before (we think!). In May, we took the show live to the Clinical Pharmacy Congress in London, and in December we went to Oxford University and recorded a special episode at the Bennett Institute, interviewing Professor Ben Goldacre on prescribing data, evidence and transparency. We even made it into the Christmas edition of the BMJ with an article about how the BNF has grown in size and weight over decades !! https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2574 And not forgetting, Jamie's triumphant TED Talk. As ever, the year blended curiosity, thoughtful conversation and a belief that how medicines are used matters just as much as what they do.

From Prescription to Ocean — A TEDx Talk by Jamie Hayes
We’re incredibly proud to share that Aural Apothecary co-host Jamie Hayes has taken to the TEDx stage with a thought-provoking talk:  Prescription to Ocean: The Hidden Impact of Medicines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swCLNaAG5qY Jamie explores a fascinating and urgent question: What happens to our medicines once they leave the prescription pad — and how do they impact the world beyond the patient? It’s a journey that connects healthcare, the environment, and our shared responsibility for the future. You’ll never think about prescribing (or taking) medicines in quite the same way again.Please take a few minutes to watch, reflect, and share — this is a conversation worth having.

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