Liz Perkins

Genetic ‘biobank’ version of Yellow Card scheme to be piloted by drugs regulator

Genetic data and samples from patients who have experienced adverse side effects to medicines will be stored in the biobank, which will be used to determine whether the reaction was the result of a genetic trait.…

United States, Japan and Australia added to UK fast-track medicines approvals list

Medicines approved in countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Singapore and the United States will be eligible for the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's fast-track approval route in 2024.…

One in five patients stop taking opioids for chronic pain after group support intervention, finds study

Of patients assigned to participate in group and 1-on-1 support sessions as part of their care, 29% had stopped taking opioids at the 12-month follow up, compared with 7% who received usual care.…

Academics warn prime minister of ‘extremely serious’ AMR consequences of Pharmacy First scheme in England

In an open letter to Rishi Sunak, senior academics have warned that the proposed scheme could "reverse the gains it makes" unless there is a strong focus on provision of antibiotics.…

No antidepressant found to be effective and safe for chronic pain, evidence review shows

The review of 176 studies included patients with a range of chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain and musculoskeletal pain.…

Nearly half of unnecessary days of antibiotic use follow 72-hour review, study results show

The researchers said their discovery may help to provide a target for reducing excess antimicrobial therapy in line with the national antimicrobial resistance strategy.…

Use of pharmacy common minor ailments service in Wales increased by almost 50% during winter 2022/2023

More than 100,000 pharmacy appointments were provided under the Welsh common minor ailments scheme in winter 2022/2023, a 46% increase on the previous winter.…