News | Medicines safety

News

Regulator reports 50% increase in early closures of fitness-to-practise cases

General Pharmaceutical Council papers show that 69 cases were closed before the investigating committee stage in January to March 2023, compared with 46 cases in the previous quarter.…

Published: 7 June 2023

News

Community pharmacy staff ‘essential’ in promoting antimicrobial stewardship, says NHS England

NHS England said its findings in a report highlighted the “essential clinical role” community pharmacy teams have in educating the public to ensure appropriate use of antibiotics.…

Published: 2 June 2023

News

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.…

Published: 31 May 2023

Feature

Psychedelic drugs: the new frontier for mental health

This episode of The PJ Pod seeks to uncover the truth behind the hype over the use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of mental health conditions.…

Published: 18 May 2023

News

Oxybutynin to remain prescription-only medicine, following MHRA consultation

The medicines regulator said "overwhelming responses" to its consultation contributed to its decision against reclassification.…

Published: 15 May 2023

News

Hospital staff exposed to levels of nitrous oxide that exceed legal limits in a fifth of trusts

Exclusive: Eight hospital trusts have suspended the use of Entonox, while one trust found staff were exposed to 12 times the workplace exposure limit.…

Published: 11 May 2023

Opinion

Community pharmacy has a role in the safe transition of care for patients on anticoagulants

Analysis of data suggests that hospital patients prescribed anticoagulants benefit from support post-discharge.…

Published: 10 May 2023

News

Medicines regulator issues advice to prevent severe harm from JAK inhibitors

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has advised against prescribing janus kinase inhibitors in patients with certain risk factors.…

Published: 28 April 2023

News

Two prescribers must agree that acne is ‘severe enough’ before under-18s are prescribed isotretinoin, review concludes

The Commission on Human Medicines' recommendations will be taken forward by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to support the acne drug's safe use.…

Published: 26 April 2023

Feature

The Great Nitrosamine Audit: how many more drugs will disappear from our shelves?

Several medicines have already fallen foul of the ongoing review into the presence of possible carcinogens and experts say it could pose “an existential threat” to many others.…

Published: 20 April 2023