http://www.pharmacytoday.co.nzThe latest news from pharmacytoday.co.nz.http://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/news/2012/february-2012/23/quakes'-business-impact-about-to-become-clearer.aspxOne year on from the February 22 earthquake that devastated Christchurch, the impact to pharmacies is about to become clearer.http://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/23/new-disease-under-maf-vigilance.aspxSince Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was confirmed in England on January 23, Federated Farmers has been in contact with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for assurance of its biosecurity preparednesshttp://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/22/febfasters-enter-final-week-of-alcohol-free-challenge.aspxThe end is in sight for hundreds of people taking part in the New Zealand Drug Foundation’s annual FebFast challenge – just one more week to gohttp://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/22/nzma-remembers-christchurch-one-year-on.aspxAs New Zealand remembers the tragic events in Christchurch one year ago today, the New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) wishes to acknowledge and pay respect to the doctors who died in the earthquakehttp://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/news/2012/february-2012/22/early-results-of-bowel-screening-pilot-please-dhb.aspxWaitemata DHB says a pilot it is running for a national bowel cancer screening programme is going well in the first five months – but a spokesperson said it is too soon to speculate on the relative level of success.http://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/22/harbourview-sculpture-trailhospice-west-auckland-fundraiser.aspxHospice West Auckland is a non profit organisation providing specialist palliative care at no cost to terminally ill patients and their familieshttp://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/22/gsk-refuses-to-pay-pharmacists-for-recall-work.aspxGlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is refusing to pay invoices from community pharmacists for the work done in managing a patient level medicine recall in 2010 – even after GSK lost their case in the district courthttp://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/22/manuka-health-buys-japanese-'know-how'.aspxWaikato-based company Manuka Health has signed an agreement with Japanese company CycloChem Bio Limited to import new cyclodextrin technology into New Zealand http://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/22/foundation-praises-extension-of-suicide-helpline.aspxAn extension of hours at Lifeline Aotearoa’s national suicide prevention helpline is being praised by the Mental Health Foundation as a valuable extension to support serviceshttp://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/21/homeopathy-has-a-valuable-role-in-nz’s-health-industry.aspxThe New Zealand Council of Homeopaths endorses the findings of a Swiss report by Bornhoft et al, the most comprehensive analysis of homeopathy done by a government http://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/21/kiwis-warned-against-buying-specs-online.aspxKiwis tempted by cheap prescription glasses online are being warned almost half of such specs have been found to be unsafe or incorrecthttp://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/21/pilot-combines-speech-language-therapy-and-music.aspxChristchurch allied health services provider Therapy Professionals has been awarded a contract to run a pilot programme designed to improve and maintain vocal function for people living with impaired neurological functionhttp://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/21/fewer-mistakes-happen-in-hospitals-which-are-safely-staffed.aspxThe best way of improving quality and safety in New Zealand hospitals is to learn from the serious and sentinel events that occur each year, according to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO)http://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/21/alarming-increase-in-serious-infectious-diseases-in-nz.aspxAdmissions to New Zealand hospitals from infectious diseases have jumped dramatically over the last two decades according to just published research from the University of Otago, Wellingtonhttp://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/media-releases/2012/february-2012/21/making-our-hospitals-safer.aspxThe reporting today of Sentinel and Serious Events by the Health Quality and Safety Commission sharpens the focus on the quality of patient care at the West Coast DHB says Chief Medical Officer Dr Carol Atmore