News | Medicines safety

Feature

State of pharmacy: what’s in store for the profession under Labour?

Labour’s plans for pharmacy have only been roughly sketched out, but the party’s track record — alongside demands from the sector — can provide some insight into how the planned NHS reform may affect pharmacy.…

Published: 18 July 2024

News

RPS asks for views on facilitated self-selection of P medicines

The Society says it wants to hear evidence of the benefits and harms of a facilitated self-selection model for Pharmacy medicines.…

Published: 15 July 2024

Letter

Standardising and expanding pharmacy services in the emergency department improves safety for high-risk patients and increases standards of care

Emergency departments are under unprecedented levels of pressure and strain across the UK and now more than ever are caring for an increasing number of undifferentiated patients that are both more acutely and chronically unwell and for a longer period of time​1–3​. Underpinning reasons behi…

Published: 15 July 2024

News

Coroner calls for government to take action on supply of medicines online

Isabelle Thistlewaite's report investigated the death of Nigel Dixon following an overdose from two controlled drugs — morphine and zopiclone — the latter of which was purchased online.…

Published: 15 July 2024

News

Semaglutide linked to sight-threatening eye condition, study results suggest

Researchers used data from nearly 17,000 patients to examine whether semaglutide prescriptions were associated with increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, or who were overweight.…

Published: 4 July 2024

News

Delayed rulings on drug company marketing code breaches ‘untenable’ for patient health

Analysis of drug company misconduct and complaint resolutions between 2004 and 2021 show an “alarming” increase in the time it takes for a case to conclude, according to researchers.…

Published: 27 June 2024

Feature

‘Beyond weight loss’: what is the future of semaglutide?

As warnings mount around the dangerous accessibility of semaglutide products Wegovy and Ozempic as quick weight loss hacks, researchers are questioning whether the drug has wider implications for other conditions.…

Published: 27 June 2024

News

MHRA introduces new safety measures for use of topiramate in pregnancy

Under the new measures, women of childbearing potential must use highly effective contraception, have a negative pregnancy test and be made aware of the risks of the medicine before beginning treatment with the anti-seizure medicine.…

Published: 21 June 2024

News

Scottish government passes law change to close gaps in regulation of independent pharmacist-run clinics

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Scotland who wish to provide an independent clinic must now register with Health Improvement Scotland.…

Published: 20 June 2024

News

Pharmacists to be central in delivery of campaign to cut prescribing of high-risk pain medicines

NHS Fife's 'Pain Talking' campaign is aimed at giving patients better control over chronic pain management and promoting non-medical treatment.…

Published: 10 June 2024