In this festive 27th episode of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Pharma Scene podcast, we welcome back the RPS Chief Scientist, Professor Parastou Donyai.

She talks to our Museum Officer, Catherine Walker, for a look at how sweets have traditionally been a part of community pharmacy. Join them as they take a mostly light-hearted look back at Christmas confectionery in Victorian times!

You'll meet Alfred Bird: pharmacist and egg-free custard inventor, as well as his allergic wife, Elizabeth. And you'll tremble (maybe) at the terrible tale of the Bradford Sweet Poisonings! Plus, for afters, we have a couple of historical festive recipes that have now - inexplicably! - gone out of fashion.

Download a transcript of this podcast

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In this 26th episode of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Pharma Scene podcast, regular host Ciara Duffy is joined by Rebecca Stanbrook, Executive Director, Development and Regulatory Policy at Novartis.

She talks to Ciara about clinical trials and regulatory affairs, and they discuss some of the entry roads into the industry.

Rebecca sits on the RPS' Industrial Pharmacy Advisory Group, and has had a fascinating career in pharmacy. If you're thinking about a career in clinical trials and regulation, then you'll find this discussion very interesting!

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In this 25th episode of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Pharma Scene podcast, we're joined by Laura Wilson, RPS Director for Scotland, to talk about Pharmacy First with Nicola Middleton and Matt Barclay.

Nicola is a community pharmacist and prescriber from Bishopton, in Renfrewshire, Scotland, and Matt is Director of Operations at Community Pharmacy Scotland.

The Pharmacy First service lets patients use a community pharmacy as the first port of call for treatment. It's available from all pharmacies in Scotland that dispense NHS prescriptions, and doesn’t usually require an appointment.

Laura talks to Nicola and Matt about their experiences with Pharmacy First: how it works, how it started, and the future of the service.

Download a transcript of this podcast

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In episode 24 of our Pharma Scene podcast, Ciara Duffy, English Pharmacy Board member and Amandeep Doll, RPS Head of Engagement and Professional Belonging, talk to Taiwo Owatemi, pharmacist and Member of Parliament for Coventry North West.

The podcast covers Taiwo's journey from a love of chemistry and maths to becoming an MP, transferable skills from the pharmacy profession, and the role of mentors. It discusses the importance of inclusion and diversity, including Taiwo's experience as a Black politician, the role of allies, and valuing everyone's voices.

Workforce challenges in pharmacy, the impact of past contractual framework difficulties, and the need for collaboration are discussed. Taiwo offers advice for those interested in politics and emphasizes the need to embed health policy in pharmacy education for pharmacists entering the policy space.

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A career in industry and research

In episode 23 of our Pharma Scene podcast, RPS Chief Scientist Parastou Donyai talks to Miraz Rahman, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at King’s College London.

They discuss his pharmacy studies, which began in Bangladesh, and his experiences working in the pharmaceutical industry there. Since then, he has made a name for himself in the UK, and is a well-known figure in industry, with several patents and start-ups to his name, as well as a highly respected name in pharmaceutical research.

Miraz recalls how moving to the UK with a young family wasn't always easy, but he made it work.

Did you know you can now download a transcript of this podcast? Go to www.rpharms.com/resources/podcast-central/pharmascene/episode-23

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Becoming a final signatory

In episode 22 of our Pharma Scene podcast, Ciara is lucky enough to be joined by Moriam Ajala, a pharmacist and final signatory.

If you're interested in becoming a final signatory, then Moriam has some excellent advice for you.

Final signatories check the medical accuracy of scientific content, and compliance with Code of Practice and ABPI. It's their job to ensure that all the medical information included with a drug or treatment is accurate, balanced, and does not compromise patient safety. 

Moriam speaks to Ciara about the various roles she's held in different companies, and how she eventually moved on to become a final signatory. 

Is it a role for you? Listen and find out!

Did you know you can now download a transcript of this podcast? Go to  https://www.rpharms.com/resources/podcast-central/pharmascene/episode-22

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Breaking down language barriers in Pharmacy.

In episode 21 of our RPS Pharma Scene podcast, Ghalib Khan tells us about his innovative pharmacy software, Written Medicine, which helps to break down language barriers between pharmacists and patients. 

Ghalib set up Written Medicine because he believes it is crucial to improve the quality of the information provided to patients from ethnic minorities whose second language is English.

He speaks to Parastou Donyai, RPS Chief Scientist, of his own struggles to be understood and how this inspired him to create and promote the software.

If you are concerned that your patients struggle to understand how to correctly use and make the most of their medicines, then listen to Ghalib's story!

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It's Christmas, so, we've invited our friends from the Aural Apothecary podcast to join us - hurrah!

Together with host Catherine Walker from the RPS Pharmacy Museum, and RPS Chief Scientist Professor Parastou Donyai, they take a fun and festive look at some questionable pharmacy ads that probably wouldn't make it past advertising standards today.

From soaps shaped like long-lost TV icon "Mr Turnip" to crazy party packs, relax and re-live the "good old days" of Christmas pharmacy gifts.

See the nine "classic" ads discussed in this episode.

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