In recent years, the use of alternative therapies has become widespread. In particular, there has been a resurgence in the public's demand for herbal remedies, despite a lack of high-quality evidence to support the use of many of them. Given the increasing pressures to control healthcare...

Objectives To study the impact and potential predictors of uptake of patient registrations and supplied medicines under the Minor Ailments Scheme (MAS) in Scotland. The MAS was introduced in 2006, intending to improve health care access by re-directing patients from primary care to community...

Objectives To explore and identify the key determinants influencing the uptake of medicines use reviews (MURs), a new community pharmacy service in England.Methods Survey of all primary care organisations (PCOs) in England (n = 303, response rate = 74%) and case study investigations...

Companies merge to achieve economies of scale. In an industry such as the pharmaceutical industry which relies on a high level of investment in research and development, such mergers appear rational. However, it is not at all obvious that a higher level of investment by a smaller number of firms...