The British Medical Association has called for an "urgent meeting" with British Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt following the UK's announcement to grant prescribing powers to nurses and pharmacists. Hewitt said Nov. 10 that nurses and pharmacists will be afforded prescribing rights for any medical condition, excluding controlled drugs, beginning in Spring 2006 if they complete additional training (1"The Tan Sheet" Nov. 21, 2005, In Brief). "It is difficult to see how healthcare professionals who are not trained to diagnose disease can safely prescribe appropriate treatment," BMA Chairman James Johnson states in a release. Central Consultants & Specialists Committee Chairman Paul Miller called the decision an "irresponsible and dangerous move. Patients will suffer. I would not have me or my family subject to anything other than the highest level of care and prescribing, which is that provided by a fully trained doctor"...

CEO Werner Baumann admits he was skeptical at first as to whether the German group had the necessary know-how to manufacture vaccines but the firm's expertise in the development of biotech products has strengthened his belief Bayer can deliver.

As part of its big data initiative, the European Medicines Agency is supporting projects that will help identify appropriate real-world data sources for regulatory decision making.