Objective. To compare dietary supplement use between student pharmacists and the general population, and assess knowledge, attitudes toward use, and dietary supplement effectiveness; and to explore how student pharmacists view their education on dietary supplements. Methods. Paper questionnaires administered to student pharmacists collected data about their use, knowledge, and attitudes of dietary supplements. Use was compared to the 2007 National Health Interview survey findings. Results. Of 179 students who responded, 52% had used at least one dietary supplement in their lifetime versus 25% in the general population. Students perceived supplement label information as unhelpful, research into supplements inadequate, and supplements non-essential to health. Students thought supplement knowledge was important but their education was inadequate. Conclusion. Dietary supplement use was higher in this sample of student pharmacists than the general population. Student pharmacists had limited knowledge and need more education on dietary supplements.

BackgroundIn 2012, funding was approved for twenty-four Advanced Practice Physiotherapy (APP) posts in Ireland through the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate of the HSE. These posts were to provide orthopaedic and rheumatology triage clinics across 16 hospitals throughout the country.ObjectivesThe aims of these clinics were to reduce the waiting time for outpatient consultation for orthopaedic and rheumatology patients; to establish a diagnosis and triage patients along the most appropriate care pathway according to their diagnosis.MethodsInitially 18 APPs were recruited in 2012 and currently there are 22.5 in post nationally. Guidelines regarding inclusion for attendance at these clinics were disseminated to APPs recruited to posts. Clinical governance for APP clinics is provided by either a consultant orthopaedic surgeon or a consultant rheumatologist who provide support with clinical diagnosis; with the ordering of investigations and with management of patients as appropriate.ResultsFrom January 2012 to May 2015 48,279 patients have been removed from orthopaedic and rheumatology waiting lists nationally. In orthopaedic clinics APPs reviewed 33,092 new patients and discharged 25,917 (78%); in rheumatology clinics APP's reviewed 7,550 new patients and of this 5,417 (72%) were discharged following their review.ConclusionsAdvanced Practice Physiotherapist's can assist in the management of orthopaedic and rheumatology waiting lists. These services provide patients with early access for a specialist opinion and management and therefore prevent chronicity of symptoms. It can be hypothesized that prevention of chronicity would result in a reduction in the use of health care resources by this subgroup of patients.Disclosure of InterestNone declared

, two infliximab biosimilars were launched in the United Kingdom, both subsequently recommended for use by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence1. In November 2015, NHS-England released data on usage of infliximab by Acute Trust and by brand (both biosimilars and the reference product). In this study, we analyse and compare infliximab prescription rates between 157 Acute Trusts across 4 regional areas within England. MethOds: Acute Trusts were categorised according to usage of infliximab brands and geographical location. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics on Excel 2010. Results: Out of 157 Acute Trusts, 70(45%) prescribed the reference and at least one of the biosimilar brands. 65(41%) prescribed the reference only, while prescription percentages were not reported for 22(14%) Trusts. Of the 70 biosimilar-prescribing Trusts 40(57%) did not have biosimilar prescription rates exceeding 20%, while for 14(20%) rates were between 20-40%, for 7(10%) rates were between 40-60%, and finally for 9(13%) the biosimilar infliximab prescription rate exceeded 60%. The London and South-of-England regions had the highest percentages of biosimilar-prescribing Trusts, with 59%(16/27) and 58%(22/38) respectively. North-of-England had the lowest with only 22%(11/49) of Trusts in this region prescribing biosimilar infliximab. cOnclusiOns: Although biosimilar infliximab has been available for less than a year, it has been prescribed in 45% of Acute Trusts across England. By providing the latest prescribing trends of biosimilar infliximab, this study provides insight into the widely varying prescribing practices of biosimilars in Acute Trusts. Differences between regions may also reflect differences in offered prices per brands or differences in incidence rate of targeted diseases. Further studies targeting clinical guidelines and formularies may provide in-depth understanding of utilising biosimilars in medical practice. RefeRences: 1. NICE (2015) Infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis after the failure of conventional therapy. NICE Technology appraisal guidance 329.