The Aural Apothecary

Did you know that every drug-related death in the UK is carefully investigated? Dr. Caroline Copeland reveals how mortality data helps improve medicine safety and informs policy. It's eye-opening stuff! #medicinesafety #drugpolicy #publichealth #drugdeaths #pharmacology #healthstats #UKhealth

A year after @coachingchemist.pharmsky.app delivered his seminal TEDx “From Prescription to Ocean” talk, he reflects on what the experience has taught him and the impact it has had. If we want to influence practice beyond our immediate professional networks, we must become better storytellers.

New Episode! How to Take Drugs, with Professor Nick Barber Do your drugs work for you? Probably not! Find out why as we discuss Nicks new book. A provocative conversation about one of modern medicine’s biggest blind spots. @panmacmillan.bsky.social www.theauralapothecary.com/89-how-to-ta...

8.8 Biography Before Biology: Professor Sir Gregor Smith and Critical Connections Is healthcare becoming too much like a repair shop? A fascinating chat with Professor Sir Gregor Smith, Scotland CMO, on human connection, prevention, polypharmacy and what “careful and kind care” really means.

Regular listeners will know we usually drop on the last Friday of the month—but this time, pre-election restrictions have nudged us back a little. New date: 8th May. And yes… it’s worth the wait.

Happy Easter! And what better way to spend the break than listening to a podcast and medicines and misinformation?! Join us when we chat to @lenafrescamente.bsky.social and explore the challenging landscape of disinformation in healthcare.

Thanks so much for having me! It was a pleasure to talk with you (and to pick my "lone island" song, book, and drug!)

In this episode, we explore the challenging landscape of disinformation in healthcare with Associate Professor Dr. @lenafrescamente.bsky.social . Essential listening for anyone who cares about the spread of false medical information online. www.theauralapothecary.com/87-dr-lena-f...

Anecdotes & Antidotes - the Aural Aporhecary is five years old! A reminder that our fifth anniversary episode, where we reflect on five years of medicines chat, is available now. www.theauralapothecary.com/86-anecdotes...

Reading this I’m reminded of that great @lucypgeridoc.bsky.social session on @auralapothecary.pharmsky.app and how Lucy’s book deals with getting older & the 🐘 in the room discussions

5 years of Conversation, Curiosity, Systems and Stories. In this anniversary special we reflect on five years of remarkable guests, powerful stories, and conversations that have reshaped how we think about medicines. www.theauralapothecary.com/86-anecdotes...

Plausibility vs Perspective.. ? We discuss A Real-World Evaluation of LLM Medication Safety Reviews in NHS Primary Care (not yet peer reviewed) by Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, No 10 Downing Street & @auralapothecary.pharmsky.app Alumni Profs Tony Avery Lauren Walker et al

What does Digital Transformation really mean for medicines use? How will it improve care? And what role does the much trumpeted NHS App play? Check out our latest episode to find out! www.theauralapothecary.com/85-theres-an...

It’s the last Friday of the month and so time for our latest episode! In an era where “there’s an app for that” is increasingly the answer, we are joined by Rahul Singal and turn our attention to what digital transformation really means for medicines. www.theauralapothecary.com/85-theres-an...

Some more Podultery from me, talking about my favourite subject #polypharmacy in general practice. The real fun / debate is in part 2 , out next month, where we discuss AI's role. Thanks for inviting me on your Podcast Andrew. #pharmsky @auralapothecary.pharmsky.app @clarepharmacy.bsky.social

This was one of my highlights in the @auralapothecary.pharmsky.app almanac. It’s and incredible example of science over adversity and such a big deal for women’s health. Well done Denmark👏👏👏👏👏

2 @auralapothecary.pharmsky.app @bengoldacre.bsky.social I’ll never forget how Ben described us prescribing advisors at Wrexham science festival discussion as prescribing advisors - the white knights’

It was a "post pub" kinda medicines chat with a genuine big thinker. Thanks @bengoldacre.bsky.social Loved it! #pharmsky #medsky

My weekend listening sorted!

Live from Oxford with Professor Ben Goldacre — Bad Pharma, Good Data, Better Care We take the stage at the @bennettoxford.bsky.social with its Director, @bengoldacre.bsky.social, for a conversation on evidence, transparency, and why better data is the starting point—not the end point—of better care

Mushrooms are in the news and once again here at the Aural Apothecary we were way ahead of the healthcare curve! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... We dug deep into this topic in 2023 when we spoke to cognitive hypnotherapist Trevor Silvester. Check it out: www.theauralapothecary.com/episode-55-t...

The Aural Apothecary Almanac -2025! It’s our end-of-year episode 🎄 We reflect on big moments in medicines — AI, reducing hospital stays, and the success of HPV vaccination. Add a quiz, familiar faces, festive banter, and our thanks to you for listening! www.theauralapothecary.com/the-aural-ap...

Everyone has a favourite edition of the British National Formulary. How has the the go-to reference point for healthcare professionals in the UK and beyond changed (and grown) over time? #BMJChristmas www.bmj.com/content/391/...

Merry Christmas to all of our lovely listeners. And we haven’t forgotten about you! The Aural Apothecary Almanac - our review of 2025 - will be out on the last Friday of the Month - and the year! Tune in on the 26th - and have a very Happy New Year!

What has happened to the BNF? Does size matter?! The Aural Apothecary, alongside alumni @profmarktaubert.bsky.social in the Christmas @bmj.com discuss how and why it grown in size, weight and width over the years. Enjoy - and Merry Christmas to all of our listeners! www.bmj.com/content/391/...

We're in the Christmas BMJ this year! Reflecting on and weighing up the British National Formulary! #BMJChristmas @auralapothecary.pharmsky.app @velindrecc.bsky.social @vcclibrary.bsky.social @bmj.com

How big an issue is pharmaceutical pollution in our rivers & waterways? Probably bigger than you think! Join us in our latest episode when we chat to Professor Alistair Boxall, environmental chemist at University of York about what happened to medicines when they leave our bodies. Not to be missed!

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝑩𝒐𝒙𝒂𝒍𝒍 - 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 Where do medicines end up after we take them? What exactly are we flushing away? What might we be taking the next time we pour a glass of tap water? www.theauralapothecary.com/84-professor...

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝑩𝒐𝒙𝒂𝒍𝒍 - 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 Where do medicines end up after we take them? What exactly are we flushing away? What might we be taking the next time we pour a glass of tap water? www.theauralapothecary.com/84-professor...

Without data - you’re just another person with an opinion! Prescribing and Data have always gone together - Open Prescribing takes it to another level. Find out more about the power of data with our superb guest @brianmackenna.bsky.social

Drum roll!! This is a very special document and will CHANGE PRACTICE www.bgs.org.uk/PragmaticPre...

💊 It’s #MedSafetyWeek! At The Aural Apothecary, we’re all about using stories to make medicines use safer — from prescribing data and human factors to the power of conversation and connection. Check out this curated list here; www.theauralapothecary.com/search/?q=me...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with @auralapothecary.pharmsky.app recently. My first podcast! Out now, wherever you get your pods from www.theauralapothecary.com/episodes/

🚨New Episode! Brian Mackenna - In God We Trust, All Others Must Bring Data. We are joined by @brianmackenna.bsky.social of @bennettoxford.bsky.social to discuss OpenPrescribing and how we can get better at using data. It’s about more than the numbers! www.theauralapothecary.com/83-brian-mck...

🚨New Episode! Brian Mackenna - In God We Trust, All Others Must Bring Data. We are joined by @brianmackenna.bsky.social of @bennettoxford.bsky.social to discuss OpenPrescribing and how we can get better at using data. It’s about more than the numbers! www.theauralapothecary.com/83-brian-mck...

Calling ALL health data folk: Re UK Health Data Research Service. The UK gov & Wellcome have pledged up to £600 million to create a HDRS. Myself & an ace team have been tasked by Wellcome to assess the existing health data ecosystem & identify what is needed to support the HDRS 👇. Get in touch

Have you listened yet! 🎧 Dr Laurence Gray: “The Dose Maketh the Poison” delves into the fine line between cure and harm — from medicine errors to managing toxicity & educating the public. ▶️ Available wherever you get your podcasts or more info here: www.theauralapothecary.com/81-dr-lauren...

🚨New Episode! With Dr Laurence Gray we explore the vital topic of toxicity — from the dangers of medicines to the principles of managing patients exposed to toxic substances, and the crucial role of healthcare professional education in reducing harm. www.theauralapothecary.com/81-dr-lauren...

Great Listener feedback! “Not only do the speakers make me think about so many things but your chat between you makes me smile… Tommy Whitelaw’s story made me nearly cry and reminded me how true it is one person’s kindness can make a difference.” www.theauralapothecary.com/610-tommy-wh...

Can artificial intelligence ever be ethical, safe or truly equitable? What does it all mean for the future of healthcare? We discuss this and more with expert @jessrmorley.bsky.social. Do not miss! www.theauralapothecary.com/81-dr-jessic...

🎙️ New pod! The Aural Apothecary with Steve, Jamie & Paul talking AI, ethics, & NHS values, inc: – Why AI hype misses the point – AI as infrastructure – Why regs can’t wait My picks for anthem, book & medicine: 🎶 Long Live – Taylor Swift 📚 Venkatapuram, Health Justice 💊 Sertraline + Propranolol

We’re back with Series 8 — and kicking off with a thought provoking episode on AI in healthcare. Can AI ever be ethical, safe & truly equitable? Will it save the NHS? Join us and special guest @jessrmorley.bsky.social as we find out. 🎧 Listen now: www.theauralapothecary.com/81-dr-jessic...

Out tomorrow!

It is almost the last Friday of the Month - which means the release of our latest episode! This month we discuss AI in Healthcare - can it really save the NHS? As a teaser, check out our special guest @jessrmorley.bsky.social in the Briefing Room www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Will try Robots take over…?! Find out on Friday in the first episode of our new series. Will AI save the NHS - or is it simply the latest in a long line of false hopes? Don’t miss it!

📚 One of the highlights of The Aural Apothecary 🎙️ Each guest chooses a book — one that’s inspired their life, shaped their career, or is simply a personal favourite. Here are the choices from Series 7 👇 and see the full list here: litalist.com/shelf/view-b... #Books #Healthcare

🚨 Exciting news! Our very own Aural Apothecary host Jamie Hayes has taken to the @TEDx stage 🎤 🎥 Prescription to Ocean: The Hidden Impact of Medicines A must-watch on how what we prescribe can shape our environment. Watch here 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=swCL...