The Aural Apothecary

The Three Apothecaries
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The Aural Apothecary Podcast. An authentic yet lighthearted take on the world of medicines and healthcare in the UK from Jamie, Gimmo and Steve the Chemist.

  1. The Aural Apothecary Almanac 2025

    12/26/2025

    The Aural Apothecary Almanac 2025

    In this festive, end-of-year episode, the Apothecaries are joined by the fourth and fifth Apothecaries, Clare Howard and Jonathan Underhill. We reflect on momentous moments in medicines alongside some personal reflections, including the impact of AI on medicine, the drive towards reducing hospital stays for older frail patients, and the successes of the HPV vaccination program. Some familiar faces pop up in our end-of-year quiz and as usual we share some great stories, medicines banter, and joyful festive moments. We finish off sharing our genuine gratitude to you,  our listeners for, continuing to tune in and support us. 2025 was another landmark year for The Aural Apothecary. We continued to explore the stories, systems and science behind medicines — from data and AI to safety, culture and unintended consequences. Alongside the podcast, we developed our Aural Apothecary Medicines Map, a conceptual piece of art linking medicines together in a way never seen before (we think!). In May, we took the show live to the Clinical Pharmacy Congress in London, and in December we went to Oxford University and recorded a special episode at the Bennett Institute, interviewing Professor Ben Goldacre on prescribing data, evidence and transparency. We even made it into the Christmas edition of the BMJ with an article about how the BNF has grown in size and weight over decades !! https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2574 And not forgetting, Jamie's triumphant TED Talk. As ever, the year blended curiosity, thoughtful conversation and a belief that how medicines are used matters just as much as what they do. From Prescription to Ocean — A TEDx Talk by Jamie Hayes We’re incredibly proud to share that Aural Apothecary co-host Jamie Hayes has taken to the TEDx stage with a thought-provoking talk:  Prescription to Ocean: The Hidden Impact of Medicines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swCLNaAG5qY Jamie explores a fascinating and urgent question: What happens to our medicines once they leave the prescription pad — and how do they impact the world beyond the patient? It’s a journey that connects healthcare, the environment, and our shared responsibility for the future. You’ll never think about prescribing (or taking) medicines in quite the same way again.Please take a few minutes to watch, reflect, and share — this is a conversation worth having. Please follow us on LinkedIn! Let us know what you think of the show. https://www.linkedin.com/company/auralapothecary/ You can listen to the Aural Apothecary playlist here; https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OsWj4w8sxsvuwR9zMXgn5?si=tiHXrQI7QsGtSQwPyz1KBg  You can view the Aural Apothecary Library here;  https://litalist.com/shelf/view-bookcase?publicId=KN6E3O Our website is https://www.theauralapothecary.com/To get in touch follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X @auralapothecary or email us at auralapothecarypod@gmail.com. Don’t forget to rate us and comment wherever you listen

    51 min

  2. 11/28/2025

    8.4 Professor Alistair Boxall - From Prescription to Pollution: The Unseen Impact of Medicines in Our Waterways

    What really happens to medicines after we swallow them? Where do they end up… and what exactly are we flushing away? Which medicines might we be taking —unknowingly—the next time we pour a glass of tap water? In this episode, we explore the hidden life of pharmaceuticals after they leave our bodies. Professor Alistair Boxall, environmental chemist at the University of York, joins us to unpack the real impact of medicines on our rivers and waterways. We delve into the risks these drugs pose to ecosystems, the surprising range of pharmaceuticals now detected in UK rivers, and the solutions that could help protect both wildlife and human health. It’s a fascinating journey—from the pharmacy to the sewer pipe, and into the natural world. A story of unintended consequences… and why they matter. Relevant resources we discuss: -Pharmaceutical Pollution of the English National Parks https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.5973 -Pharmaceutical wastewater as Emerging Contaminants (EC): Treatment technologies, impact on environment and human health  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2022.100076 -Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways?  The Guardian: Science Weekly  podcast https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2025/apr/08/streams-of-medicines-whats-hiding-in-the-uks-waterways-podcast As with all of our guests, Alistair shares with us his Memory Evoking Medicine, a career anthem and book that has influenced his life. From Prescription to Ocean — A TEDx Talk by Jamie Hayes. We’re incredibly proud to share that Aural Apothecary co-host Jamie Hayes has taken to the TEDx stage with a thought-provoking talk:  Prescription to Ocean: The Hidden Impact of Medicines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swCLNaAG5qY Jamie explores a fascinating and urgent question: What happens to our medicines once they leave the prescription pad — and how do they impact the world beyond the patient? It’s a journey that connects healthcare, the environment, and our shared responsibility for the future. You’ll never think about prescribing (or taking) medicines in quite the same way again.Please take a few minutes to watch, reflect, and share — this is a conversation worth having. Please follow us on LinkedIn! Let us know what you think of the show. https://www.linkedin.com/company/auralapothecary/ You can listen to the Aural Apothecary playlist here; https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OsWj4w8sxsvuwR9zMXgn5?si=tiHXrQI7QsGtSQwPyz1KBg  You can view the Aural Apothecary Library here;  https://litalist.com/shelf/view-bookcase?publicId=KN6E3O Our website is https://www.theauralapothecary.com/ To get in touch follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X @auralapothecary or email us at auralapothecarypod@gmail.com. Don’t forget to rate us and comment wherever you have got this podcast from.

    1h 3m

  3. 10/31/2025

    8.3 Brian MacKenna - In God we Trust : All Others Must Bring Data

    Data - it’s mentioned in the new NHS 10 year Health Plan 178 times! As healthcare continues to evolve, the ability to turn data into insight — and insight into better prescribing — has never been more important. In this episode, we’re joined by Brian McKenna, Director of Research and NHS Service Analytics at the Bennett Institute, University of Oxford, to discuss how we can get better at data. We explore the world of “Open Prescribing” , a web resource,  and its impact on medicine use and safety.We dive into the history of prescribing data (who remembers the National Prescribing Centre?!) and discuss the delicate balance between using data for improvement and using it for performance management. We continue this topic in our Micro Discussion when we look at a paper testing if unsolicited feedback, based on real data and supported by behavioural change science, can improve Antibiotic prescribing? https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmaa128 We also mention this paper “Bringing NHS Data into the 21st Century” https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0141076820930666 by Dr Ben Goldacre et al. And talking of Ben Goldacre, join us at the 2025 Bennett Institute Medicines Symposium where he will be our special guest at our next live show! https://www.bennett.ox.ac.uk/events/2025-bennett-institute-medicines-symposium/ As with all of our guests, Brian shares with us his Memory Evoking Medicine, a career anthem and book that has influenced his life. BONUS CONTENT - Serendipity and Sulfasalazine!Here the story of how Brian, after hearing Wasim Baqir’s Desert Island Drug in Episode 4.6,  went on to develop a tool in https://openprescribing.net/  to identify and prevent sound-a-like errors occurring in the future! https://www.theauralapothecary.com/p/bonus-material/ Please follow us on LinkedIn! Let us know what you think of the show. https://www.linkedin.com/company/auralapothecary/ You can listen to the Aural Apothecary playlist here; https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OsWj4w8sxsvuwR9zMXgn5?si=tiHXrQI7QsGtSQwPyz1KBg  You can view the Aural Apothecary Library here;  https://litalist.com/shelf/view-bookcase?publicId=KN6E3O Our website is https://www.theauralapothecary.com/ To get in touch follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X @auralapothecary or email us at auralapothecarypod@gmail.com. Don’t forget to rate us and comment wherever you have got this podcast from. From Prescription to Ocean — A TEDx Talk by Jamie HayesWe’re incredibly proud to share that Aural Apothecary co-host Jamie Hayes has taken to the TEDx stage with a thought-provoking talk:  Prescription to Ocean: The Hidden Impact of Medicineshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swCLNaAG5qYJamie explores a fascinating and urgent question: What happens to our medicines once they leave the prescription pad — and how do they impact the world beyond the patient? It’s a journey that connects healthcare, the environment, and our shared responsibility for the future. You’ll never think about prescribing (or taking) medicines in quite the same way again.Please take a few minutes to watch, reflect, and share — this is a conversation worth having.

    1h 2m

  4. 09/26/2025

    8.2 Dr Laurence Gray - The Dose Maketh the Poison

    In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Laurence Gray, Consultant Clinical Pharmacologist and Director of the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) in Cardiff. We explore the vital topic of toxicity — from the dangers of medicines such as propranolol, to the principles of managing patients exposed to toxic substances, and the crucial role of healthcare professional education in reducing harm. Drawing on insights from the research, pharmacology and his extensive clinical experience, Dr Gray offers a compelling perspective on how toxicity impacts patients and healthcare systems alike.  ⚠️ Listener Notice: This episode includes discussion of how some medicines can be involved in deliberate overdoses. We recognise this may be a sensitive topic, so please listen with care and at your own pace. We continue the theme with our micro-discussion, when we look at the paper Poisoning in adolescents in the UK: a review of enquiries to the National Poisons Information Service: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40121012/ We also heavily reference The problem of propranolol poisoning https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40611599/. How has such a common drug often thought of as relatively safe become such a growing issue? As with all of our guests, Laurence shares with us his Memory Evoking Medicine, a career anthem and book that has influenced his life. Some very personal and thoughtful choices. Please follow us on LinkedIn! Let us know what you think https://www.linkedin.com/company/auralapothecary/ You can listen to the Aural Apothecary playlist here; https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OsWj4w8sxsvuwR9zMXgn5?si=tiHXrQI7QsGtSQwPyz1KBg   You can view the Aural Apothecary Library here;   https://litalist.com/shelf/view-bookcase?publicId=KN6E3O Our website is https://www.theauralapothecary.com/ and you can find us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/104953561. To get in touch follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X @auralapothecary or email us at auralapothecarypod@gmail.com. Don’t forget to rate us and comment wherever you have got this podcast from. From Prescription to Ocean — A TEDx Talk by Jamie Hayes We’re incredibly proud to share that Aural Apothecary co-host Jamie Hayes has taken to the TEDx stage with a thought-provoking talk:  Prescription to Ocean: The Hidden Impact of Medicines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swCLNaAG5qY Jamie explores a fascinating and urgent question: What happens to our medicines once they leave the prescription pad — and how do they impact the world beyond the patient? It’s a journey that connects healthcare, the environment, and our shared responsibility for the future. You’ll never think about prescribing (or taking) medicines in quite the same way again. Please take a few minutes to watch, reflect, and share — this is a conversation worth having.

    1h 1m

  5. 08/29/2025

    8.1 Dr Jessica Morley. Will Artificial Intelligence save the NHS?

    Dr Jessica Morley is a leading expert in digital health ethics, data governance, and artificial intelligence policy. Currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Yale University’s Digital Ethics Center, she previously served as Director of Policy at the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science at the University of Oxford. Jess has also worked at the heart of digital transformation in the NHS, advising government departments on the safe, effective, and ethical implementation of AI technologies. With a background that spans philosophy, health informatics, and public policy, her work focuses on ensuring that AI in healthcare serves the public good—preserving trust, promoting equity, and reinforcing system-level values. She is widely published on ethical frameworks for AI and is a passionate advocate for more accountable and transparent digital health systems. An ideal person to discuss the potential and the pitfalls of AI in the NHS. Can AI really live up to the hype in healthcare? What safeguards are needed — and where do humans still matter most? In this fascinating and enlightening discussion, we explore the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in healthcare with one of the world’s leading thinkers on the topic. We continue the theme with our micro-discussion, when we look at the paper Perspectives of Health Care Professionals on the Use of AI to Support Clinical Decision-Making in the Management of Multiple Long-Term Conditions https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40613609/. This paper aims to explore the perspectives of primary care Healthcare Professionals on managing Long Term Conditions supported by AI.  Links mentioned in the episode:The Briefing Room: How far could artificial intelligence transform medicines? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0021bdl Can a digital NHS BE equitable - The BMJ: https://www.bmj.com/content/389/bmj.r1317 As with all of our guests, Jess shares with us her Memory Evoking Medicine, a career anthem and book that has influenced her career or life. An apt and personal choice when discussing the dehumanising world of AI. You can listen to the Aural Apothecary playlist here; https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OsWj4w8sxsvuwR9zMXgn5?si=tiHXrQI7QsGtSQwPyz1KBg  You can view the Aural Apothecary Library here;  https://litalist.com/shelf/view-bookcase?publicId=KN6E3O Our website is https://www.theauralapothecary.com/ and you can find us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/104953561.  To get in touch follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X @auralapothecary or email us at auralapothecarypod@gmail.com. Don’t forget to rate us and comment wherever you have got this podcast from. From Prescription to Ocean — A TEDx Talk by Jamie HayesWe’re incredibly proud to share that Aural Apothecary co-host Jamie Hayes has taken to the TEDx stage with a thought-provoking talk:  Prescription to Ocean: The Hidden Impact of Medicineshttps://lnkd.in/eRwqhRuv Jamie explores a fascinating and urgent question: What happens to our medicines once they leave the prescription pad — and how do they impact the world beyond the patient? It’s a journey that connects healthcare, the environment, and our shared responsibility for the future. You’ll never think about prescribing (or taking) medicines in quite the same way again.Please take a few minutes to watch, reflect, and share — this is a conversation worth having.

    52 min

  6. 04/04/2025

    7.8 Dr Margaret McCartney - Conflicts of Interest and the Skinny Jabs

    This episode we are joined by Dr Margaret McCartney a practising General Practitioner and a Senior Clinical Lecturer in General Practice at the University of St Andrews. Margaret is a vocal advocate for Evidence Based Medicine and regular journal / newspaper columnist and contributor to the BBC Radio 4 programme Inside Health. Does accepting money for a view affect a healthcare professional’s ability to make unbiased decisions in the patient’s interest? Should those with a conflict of interest be barred from producing guidelines or providing education? Should it be allowed at all? A controversial issue and an edgy conversation you will not want to miss!  For our micro-discussion we get into the equally controversial subject of Weight-Loss jabs. A useful public health intervention or patient safety crisis in the making? We pick up on a recent episode of the BBC Radio 4 Programme Inside Health (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001jsly) that examines the impact on the NHS of allowing  widespread prescribing of  the new weight-loss drugs.  Links mentioned in the episode: Financial Conflicts of Interest and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2016 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2598092#ild160076r5 Listen to Margaret talk about , and change other Doctors’ minds about Conflicts of Interest on the BMJ podcast: https://thebmjpodcast.podbean.com/e/taking-on-the-van-tullekens-how-margaret-mccartney-changed-their-minds-about-cois/ As with all of our guests, Margaret shares with us her Memory Evoking Medicine, a career anthem and book that has influenced her career or life. Her drug will almost certainly have an effect on you…! The Apothecaries are on the road again! Come and see our next live show at the Clinical Pharmacy Congress on the 10th May in London. Book your tickets and find out more here: https://www.pharmacycongress.co.uk/london    Don’t forget to check out Steve’s impressive TV debut where he describes the role of a Clinical Pharmacist to none other than Professor Green on BBC Morning Live. This is a must watch for anyone who wants to understand this role and the impact of polypharmacy. A new career beckons… You can watch it here: https://www.rpharms.com/about-us/news/details/polypharmacy-featured-on-bbcs-morning-live.  You can listen to the Aural Apothecary playlist here; https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OsWj4w8sxsvuwR9zMXgn5?si=tiHXrQI7QsGtSQwPyz1KBg  You can view the Aural Apothecary Library here;   https://litalist.com/shelf/view-bookcase?publicId=KN6E3O Our website is https://www.theauralapothecary.com/  To get in touch follow us on Bluesky and X @auralapothecary or email us at auralapothecarypod@gmail.com . Don’t forget to rate us and comment wherever you have got this podcast from.

    57 min

  7. 02/28/2025

    7.7 Diving into the Deep End - The Aural Apothecary Analyses: The Inverse Care Law.

    In this special episode we ‘Dive in at the Deep End’ and examine in-depth the Inverse Care Law. What is it, why does it matter to medicines optimisation - and what can we do about it? The Inverse Care Law is a term first defined by the Welsh GP Dr Julian Tudor Hart over 50 years to describe how, perversely, people who most need health care are the least likely to get it. A law that sadly is as true now as it was then. Will we finally get to hear about the day Jamie met Julian Tudor Hart…? To help us in our discussion we are re-joined by AA Alumni Dr Karen Sankey alongside Dr Beth Winn. Regular listeners will remember Karen from series 2,  a GP who specialises in Health Inclusion and trauma based coaching. Karen is passionate about tackling social justice and health inequalities and we find out what has been happening since we spoke to her last. Dr Beth Winn is a GP working at Charlotte Keel Medical Practice, one of the largest and most deprived practices in Bristol. Like Karen, she is passionate about improving equity in healthcare and has worked with marginalised patient groups in India, Malawi, New Zealand and South Africa. Charlotte Keel Medical Practice is part of the GPs at the Deep End initiative which strives to reduce health inequalities through providing peer support, advocacy, training and research opportunities to primary care clinicians working in disadvantaged areas. We delve into the experiences of staff working at the deep end supported by the following article from the British Journal of General Practice https://bjgp.org/content/74/749/e797.  To support our discussion we look at The Health Foundation Paper ‘Tackling the Inverse Care Law’ https://www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/reports/tackling-the-inverse-care-law. The original article penned by the great man himself in The Lancet can be read here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(71)92410-X/fulltext   As with all of our guests, Beth shares with us her Memory Evoking Medicine, a career anthem and book that has influenced her career or life. Is the choice a drug? You can decide, but it is a game-changer for Women’s health.  The Apothecaries are on the road again! Come and see our next live show at the Clinical Pharmacy Congress on the 10th May in London. Book your tickets and find out more here: https://www.pharmacycongress.co.uk/london  Don’t forget to check out Steve’s impressive TV debut where he describes the role of a Clinical Pharmacist to none other than Professor Green on BBC Morning Live. This is a must watch for anyone who wants to understand this role and the impact of polypharmacy. A new career beckons… You can watch it here: https://www.rpharms.com/about-us/news/details/polypharmacy-featured-on-bbcs-morning-live.  You can listen to the Aural Apothecary playlist here; https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OsWj4w8sxsvuwR9zMXgn5?si=tiHXrQI7QsGtSQwPyz1KBg  You can view the Aural Apothecary Library here;   https://litalist.com/shelf/view-bookcase?publicId=KN6E3O Our website is https://www.theauralapothecary.com/  To get in touch follow us on Bluesky and X @auralapothecary or email us at auralapothecarypod@gmail.com . Don’t forget to rate us and comment wherever you have got this podcast from.

    1h 10m

  8. 01/31/2025

    7.6 Professor Lauren Walker - The trials and tribulations of a Clinical Pharmacologist

    What is a Clinical Pharmacologist? Who better to tell us than Professor Lauren Walker, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Honorary Consultant in General Internal Medicine at Liverpool University.  Lauren is a leading researcher in multimorbidity and AI-driven healthcare and plays a key role in early-phase clinical trials. We chat about her role in ‘First in Human’ trials - what are they, what are the risks and why are they so important? And how does this work reach across to her clinical role which focuses on multimorbidity and polypharmacy. We discuss the role that AI may play in predicting polypharmacy and the development of DynAIRx - an Artificial Intelligence being designed to support medicines optimisation on multimorbid patients. It's a Robotic version of Steve the Chemist! Our micro-discussion continues with the theme of clinical trials. How can we ensure they are representative of the populations they are supposed to be treating. Is it ever ethical to test new drugs on elderly and frail patients? ‘The current status of inclusion of older groups in evaluations of new medications: Gaps and implementation needs to fill them' https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38600697/ As with all of our guests, Lauren shares with us her Memory Evoking Medicine, a career anthem and book that has influenced her career or life. Fans of pharmacology will not be disappointed.  Check out Lauren's impressive full bio here, with further details of all of her research: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/lauren-walker This week we also discuss Steve’s impressive TV debut where he describes the role of a Clinical Pharmacist to none other than Professor Green on BBC Morning Live. This is a must watch for anyone who wants to understand this role and the impact of polypharmacy. A new career beckons… You can watch it here: https://www.rpharms.com/about-us/news/details/polypharmacy-featured-on-bbcs-morning-live.  Our website is https://www.theauralapothecary.com/ You can listen to the Aural Apothecary playlist here; https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OsWj4w8sxsvuwR9zMXgn5?si=tiHXrQI7QsGtSQwPyz1KBg  You can view the Aural Apothecary Library here;  https://litalist.com/shelf/view-bookcase?publicId=KN6E3O   To get in touch follow us on Bluesky and X @auralapothecary or email us at auralapothecarypod@gmail.com . Don’t forget to rate us and comment wherever you have got this podcast from.

    1 hr
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About

The Aural Apothecary Podcast. An authentic yet lighthearted take on the world of medicines and healthcare in the UK from Jamie, Gimmo and Steve the Chemist.

Information

  • Creator
    The Three Apothecaries
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright The Three Apothecaries
  • Show Website
    The Aural Apothecary

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