NHS hits target to cut desflurane use earlier than expected Minutes from an NHS England and Improvement board meeting reveal that the NHS has been successful in reducing desflurane use, with some trusts having eliminated its use completely.…
Oral antiviral may halve COVID-19 hospitalisation risk, claims manufacturer Interim results from a trial using data from 775 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 show that no deaths were reported in those given molnupiravir, compared with eight deaths in those who were given a placebo.…
Taking antidepressants long term reduces risk of relapse, UK study finds At 52 weeks of follow-up, 39% of the patients who maintained their antidepressant therapy relapsed, compared to 56% of the patients whose therapy was tapered and discontinued.…
NHS prepares for antiviral deployment to treat COVID-19 Exclusive: Keith Ridge, chief pharmaceutical officer for England, is working with the government to decide the next steps for the deployment of oral antivirals to treat COVID-19 in the community.…
Angela Constance: ‘This is a public health emergency’ As the number of drug-related deaths in Scotland reaches peak levels, Scottish drugs minister Angela Constance discusses pharmacy's role in helping to stem the rise.…
‘Revolutionary’ cancer genomic testing service launched in Wales The Cymru Service for Genomic Oncology Diagnoses uses sequencing to screen specific genes and provide information on a patient's prognosis, as well as the recommended treatment.…
Break in cancer treatment cuts side effects and does not affect life expectancy, study finds A trial has shown that breaks from first-line treatments for patients with metastatic and/or locally advanced kidney cancer did not cause meaningful detriment to their life expectancy or quality of life.…
Major review estimates 10% of items dispensed in primary care are overprescribed A government-commissioned review estimates that 15% of people are taking five or more medicines per day, putting them at increased risk of hospitalisation.…
Monoclonal antibody treatment will be available to patients aged over 50 years hospitalised with COVID-19 Ronapreve, a cocktail of casirivimab and imdevimab, works by binding to COVID-19's spike protein, stopping it from infecting the body’s cells.…
Majority of pharmacies can expect to receive first COVID-19 funding payments from October 2021 Simon Dukes, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, has said that the “overwhelming majority” of community pharmacy contractors will be paid their claim for costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in full.…
