David Lipanovic

Senior Clinical Reporter

Varenicline planned for return but ‘not before’ end of 2024, says manufacturer

Pfizer has said smoking cessation therapy varenicline will be reintroduced to the UK, after being withdrawn in October 2021.…

Regulator approves first injectable treatment for prevention of HIV

Cabotegravir has been approved as pre-exposure prophylaxis in the UK in both tablet and injectable form.…

NICE recommends voxelotor for sickle cell treatment, reversing previous decision

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said it was able to recommend the sickle cell treatment following a reduction in its price.…

MHRA announces development of tool for public to report websites selling fake medicines

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said the new checking tool will allow it to investigate and take enforcement action against unsafe websites.…

Community pharmacy training sites without access to a prescribing supervisor advised to withdraw placements

In a statement, the National Pharmacy Association said the chances of sites securing a designated prescribing practitioner in time for the 2025/2026 foundation year “are slim”.…

Montelukast will carry ‘more prominent warnings’ of neuropsychiatric reactions

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency also advised prescribers to be alert for neuropsychiatric reactions, including sleep disorders, hallucinations, anxiety and depression, and changes in behaviour and mood.…

NHS data reveal net loss of more than 400 community pharmacies England over the past year

The Company Chemists' Association says that 35% of pharmacy closures since 2015/2016 have happened in the top 20% of the most deprived parts of the country.…

‘Shockingly little’ change in asthma care a decade on from national review, says charity

Asthma + Lung UK has called on the government to introduce targets to end preventable asthma deaths, after finding little improvement in asthma care over the past ten years.…

EMA may ask manufacturers to increase production capacity in response to medicines shortages

The European Medicines Agency has published a list of new recommendations to be implemented on a case-by-case basis, depending on vulnerabilities in the supply chain.…

Antipsychotic drugs in dementia treatment associated with range of adverse reactions

Experts say the findings suggest that the risks of prescribing antipsychotics in people with dementia “may be more severe than previously understood”.…