News | Medicines safety

News

More than 500 people hospitalised following use of weight-loss drugs, says health minister

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency confirmed that more than 20,000 Yellow Card reports of suspected reactions in association with GLP-1 RAs indicated for weight management have been recorded, as of 31 January 2025.…

Published: 12 March 2025

News

Greener inhalers could make up to 10% of NHS net zero emissions cuts, report concludes

A report published by the Office of Health Economics said that a switch to the use of carbon minimal pressurised metered dose inhalers could cut NHS carbon emissions by more than 600,000 tonnes per year.…

Published: 11 March 2025

News

HRT alternative could cause serious liver injury, manufacturer warns

Astellas Pharma has warned that exposure to fezolinetant should be avoided in women at higher risk for liver disease and that early identification of potential liver injury was “essential”.…

Published: 4 March 2025

News

Standard-dose DOACs not necessarily better than reduced dose, study results suggest

Researchers found that “non-inferiority” of a reduced dose of direct oral anticoagulants could not be determined when compared with a standard dose, with “reliably low rates” of recurrent venous thromboembolism.…

Published: 4 March 2025

News

MPs call for urgent review into medicines shortages

A letter from 45 cross-party MPs has urged the government to look into medicines shortages to ensure patients have their “life-saving medications”.…

Published: 27 February 2025

News

SIGN rejects opioids and medicinal cannabis for chronic pain in draft guidance

Draft guidance on management of chronic pain included medicinal cannabis for the first time, not recommending it on the basis of limited clinical evidence and consistent evidence of adverse effects.…

Published: 25 February 2025

News

More than 90% of pharmacists oppose self-selection of P medicines, says PDA

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association says any potential changes to current regulations “should only be made following full consultation with pharmacists, ensuring decisions align with best practices in medicine safety and patient care”.…

Published: 17 February 2025

News

Two-clinician review for men taking valproate not required, says MHRA

The requirement that two specialists must review any patient aged under 55 years taking valproate will now only apply to patients who are starting the drug.…

Published: 14 February 2025

News

Community pharmacies should be contracted to deliver medication reviews, report concludes

Public Policy Projects has said that community pharmacies are well placed to conduct medication reviews to lessen pressures on the NHS and offer patients more convenient access to care through close relationships with local communities.…

Published: 14 February 2025

Feature

The dangers of propranolol for anxiety

Despite warnings issued five years ago about the risks of prescribing propranolol to treat anxiety, experts say there is still not enough being done to protect patients.…

Published: 12 February 2025