Commentary: Tolvaptan for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) - an update.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) affects up to 70 000 people in the UK and the most common inherited cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). It is generally a late-onset multisystem disorder characterised by bilateral kidney cysts, liver cysts and an increased risk of intracranial aneurysms. Approximately 50% of people with ADPKD reach ESKD by age 60.

MELATONIN - WORKING IN COLLABERATION WITH THE CCG TO REDUCE COSTS.

Aim: To reduce the overall expenditure on melatonin for the local health economy by working collaboratively with the CCG's. To ensure that all paediatric patients prescribed melatonin have been clinically assessed by a specialist and the most appropriate formulation is dispensed.

Method: Evaluation of GP melatonin prescribing cost across CCG using ePACT data and extrapolation of equivalent cost of prescribing and dispensing within secondary care.

An evaluation of the epidemiology of medication discrepancies and clinical significance of medicines reconciliation in children admitted to hospital.

Aims: To determine the incidence of unintended medication discrepancies in paediatric patients at the time of hospital admission; evaluate the process of medicines reconciliation; assess the benefit of medicines reconciliation in preventing clinical harm.

Method: A 5 month prospective multisite study. Pharmacists at four English hospitals conducted admission medicines reconciliation in children using a standardised data collection form.