Julia Robinson

Clinical and Science Editor

Julia Robinson is our Senior Data Journalist

Combined paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets reclassified to general sale despite concerns

Concerns from pharmacy representatives include that patients may confuse the dosage of Nuromol with paracetamol and that the number of interactions with pharmacists will be reduced.…

Minister urged to block takeover of inhaler manufacturer by tobacco firm

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has written to the government to express its concerns around the proposed takeover of inhaler manufacturer Vectura by tobacco company Philip Morris International.…

Enforcement action taken against 40 online pharmacies since April 2019, says pharmacy regulator

Action was taken owing to pharmacies working with online prescribing services that were supplying high-risk medicines to patients based on an online questionnaire.…

New chief pharmaceutical officer for Scotland appointed

Alison Strath took the role as interim chief pharmaceutical officer in October 2020, following Rose Marie's departure in July 2020.…

Trial demonstrates efficacy of inhaled budesonide to treat COVID-19 in the community

Findings from the PRINCIPLE trial suggest that inhaled budesonide can improve recovery time and could reduce hospital admissions or death from COVID-19 if administered early.…

MHRA issues fourth recall for sartan-containing products

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency says this latest recall is a precautionary measure owing to contamination fears.…

Diabetes drug to treat chronic kidney disease in adults has licence extension granted

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has granted a licence extension for dapagliflozin, after promising trial results.…

Anticoagulants can increase survival in hospitalised patients with moderate COVID-19, trial data show

Findings from three integrated trials have shown patients with moderate COVID-19 who were treated with therapeutic-dose anticoagulation heparin were less likely to need organ support.…

Increase in high-risk prescribing of antipsychotic in primary care, data suggest

Exclusive: Short-term psychosis treatment zuclopenthixol acetate can be confused with zuclopenthixol decanoate, a maintenance treatment for schizophrenia and paranoid psychoses.…

Keith Ridge to retire as chief pharmaceutical officer for England in February 2022

In his 16 years in the role, Keith Ridge's achievements include transforming pharmacy professional education and training as well as delivering a new system for the governance of controlled drugs.…