Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Police in India issue lookout warrant for UK-based pharmacist in alleged plot to poison wife's family

The Hyderabad Police are actively searching for UK-based pharmacist M. Ajith Kumar, who is suspected of involvement in a plot to poison his estranged wife's family in Hyderabad by contaminating their spices with arsenic. While the accused allegedly succeeded in fatally poisoning his mother-in-law through a slow method, timely arsenic testing saved the lives of others.

In late June, a newlywed woman in her 30s visited a Guntur-based doctor, complaining of intense burning, tingling, and numbness in her hands and feet. The neurologist's keen observation foiled the alleged sinister plot of Ajith Kumar, suspected of using his chemical expertise to harm his wife and her family.


Presently, the police are actively searching for M. Ajith Kumar, who is currently in London, in connection with the murder plot. Furthermore, the Hyderabad police have apprehended six individuals from the city who were complicit in his nefarious scheme.

The investigation gathered key information from arrested suspects, including D. Vinod Kumar, a UK-based IT professional from Andhra Pradesh. Vinod Kumar's involvement in UK software projects provided by Ajith Kumar generated a substantial monthly income, leading him to assist Ajith in his plot against his estranged wife's family.

Ajith Kumar purportedly held a grudge against his wife, Sirisha, and her family due to an ongoing dispute. Ajith and Sirisha tied the knot in 2018 and initially resided in London. However, due to alleged harassment by Ajith, Sirisha has been living apart from him. The couple has a daughter.

Meanwhile, in UK, the recent life imprisonment sentence for nurse Lucy Letby, convicted of causing the deaths of seven newborns and attempting six more murders, has ignited discussions on the ongoing need for enhanced leadership, management, and transparency in the healthcare sector. The Pharmacists’ Defence Association has pointed out that the handling of this case underscores the necessity for continued learning when it comes to clinical harm and raises valid inquiries about the roles and accountability of senior managers.

More For You

Majority of Brits neglect consistent skincare routine,  survey finds

On average, Brits go to bed without washing their face twice a week.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Skincare: One in five Brits go to bed without washing their face daily, survey finds

Nearly two-thirds of Brits (60 per cent) neglect a consistent skincare routine,with almost one in five going to bed without washing their face daily, according to a new survey by consumer health company Kenvue.

The UK-wide survey of 2,000 people revealed that one-third of respondents (34 per cent) spend five minutes or less on their daily skincare routine. On average, Brits go to bed without washing their face twice a week.

Keep ReadingShow less
Independent Prescribing: Government aims to complete pathfinder programme evaluation by autumn 2025

Pharmacist prescribers at 210 ‘pathfinder’ sites were allowed to trial prescribing models within integrated primary care services.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Independent prescribing: Pathfinder programme evaluation to be completed by autumn, says Kinnock

Health minister Stephen Kinnock has revealed that the evaluation of the Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme could be completed by Autumn 2025.

Kinnock was responding to a question from James Naish, Labour MP for Rushcliffe, who asked what steps the minister was taking to ensure continued support for the Pathfinder Programme and independent prescribing to maximise direct prescribing capacity in England.

Keep ReadingShow less
New CPCF funding: “This is the best deal community pharmacy has had in a decade”

This new funding settlement marks a significant step forward in addressing the long term underinvestment in community pharmacy, says RPS England chair Tase Oputu

Pharmacy bodies hail new funding settlement as ‘best deal for community pharmacy in a decade’

Pharmacy bodies have welcomed the new funding settlement for community pharmacies, highlighting its potential to enhance patient access to care and medicines while addressing a decade of underinvestment in the sector.

Following a six-week consultation with Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the government has approved a record £3.073 billion funding package for 2025/26, along with an additional £215 million to support Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Free morning-after pill at pharmacies to end postcode lottery for patients

Pharmacy technicians will be allowed to supply of drospirenone for contraception under PGD,

gettyimages

Pharmacy contract: Free morning-after pill to be available at pharmacies soon

The UK government has announced that, for the first time ever, the ‘morning-after pill’ or emergency contraceptive pill will be available free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS, ending the postcode lottery women face in accessing the medicine and reducing inequalities.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed a record £3.073 billion funding package for community pharmacies in 2025/26, alongside an additional £215 million to sustain Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less
 New CPCF arrangements: Community pharmacy secures record £617m funding boost

This record investment is a vital first step to getting community pharmacies back on their feet and fit for the future, says health minister Stephen Kinnock.

Photo credit: gettyimages

New CPCF arrangements: Community pharmacy secures largest funding boost in NHS

Following a six-week consultation with Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the government has committed an additional £617 million over two years to support the sector- the largest uplift in funding across the whole of the NHS.

The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) today (31) announced the funding arrangements for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) for 2024/25 and 2025/26.

Keep ReadingShow less