Julia Robinson

Clinical and Science Editor

julia.robinson@rpharms.com

Julia Robinson is our Senior Data Journalist

NHS drug costs in England see biggest rise for five years to almost £18bn

The total cost of medicines and medical devices in England was £17.8bn in 2021/2022, up from £16.4bn in 2017/2018.…

MHRA approves first vaccine in ten years to protect children against pneumococcal diseases

The drugs regulator has approved an extension for Vaxneuvance (PCV15) to cover children as well as adults.…

UK medicine regulator considering safety measures for JAK inhibitors following new guidance

Exclusive: Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said the regulator would consider new European Medicines Agency safety recommendations on Janus kinase inhibitors.…

Researchers claim to have first direct evidence serotonin release is reduced in depression

After patients received d-amphetamine, which stimulates serotonin release, researchers found that those with major depressive disorder or depression linked to Parkinson's disease released significantly less serotonin than non-depressed patients.…

Psilocybin may be effective for treatment-resistant depression

Participants in a phase II study, who received 25mg of psilocybin alongside psychological support, reported lower levels of depression than participants who received lower doses of the psychedelic drug.…

NICE recommends CBT on tablets and mobile phones for young people with anxiety

Five technologies have been put forward as potential first-line treatment options for mild to moderate anxiety in young people.…

How COVID-19 increased antipsychotic prescribing in care homes

As the care home sector struggled to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a shift to using more antipsychotic drugs. While concerning, this has since provided the push needed to consider new solutions to reduce prescribing of these potentially harmful drugs.…

Government progress report on medicines safety recommendations ‘awaiting review’

Exclusive: First patient safety commissioner, Henrietta Hughes, said the 'One year on' report on 'First do no harm' is awaiting review and publication.…

Henrietta Hughes: ‘I want pharmacists to feel safe to raise something if they think it is wrong’

Just a few weeks into her role as the first ever patient safety commissioner for England, Henrietta Hughes explains where pharmacists fit into her vision for patient safety in the NHS.…

Incentive schemes behind inhaler and edoxaban switching targets should be scrapped, say MPs

In a report on the future of general practice, MPs said it was clear the current target and incentive system "is not having the desired effect on outcomes".…