News | Musculoskeletal conditions

News

Rheumatoid arthritis patients with no response to first anti-TNF more likely to respond to non-TNF biologic

Out of 300 patients with no response to treatment with an anti-TNF therapy, those given a non-TNF biologic were more likely to have a better response compared with those given another anti-TNF.…

Published: 7 October 2016

News

Anti-inflammatory drugs linked with higher risk of heart failure

High doses of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can double the risk of being admitted to hospital for heart failure. …

Published: 4 October 2016

News

Legalise cannabis for medical use, MPs say

An influential committee of MPs has called on the government to make cannabis legal for medical use.  The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Drug Policy Reform wants the drug reclassified from its Schedule 1 — which puts it in the same class as ecstasy and LSD — to Sched…

Published: 15 September 2016

News

TNF-α inhibitor biosimilars as effective as branded counterparts, review finds

Biosimilar tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors have similar efficacy and safety profiles to their branded equivalents, the authors of a systematic review conclude. …

Published: 2 August 2016

Opinion

A link between tequila and osteoporosis

Researchers in Mexico have raised the possibility of a new treatment for osteoporosis based on an extract from the plant that is the source of Mexico’s well known spirit drink, tequila.…

Published: 4 May 2016

Infographic

Blocking the immune system in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking the body. It afflicts about 1% of people in the UK and is now treated with a variety of biologic drugs that dampen the immune system in different ways…

Published: 28 April 2016

News

I Love My Pharmacist Award 2016 launched to find ‘unsung pharmacy heroes’

For the first time, this years’ I Love My Pharmacist Award, launched on 18 April, enables members of the public to nominate their favourite pharmacist. …

Published: 18 April 2016

News

New small molecule drug shows promise in refractory rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis patients who do not respond to treatment with biologic therapies may find relief in baricitinib, a new small molecule drug, according to the results of a phase III study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.…

Published: 5 April 2016

News

Paracetamol ineffective in treating osteoarthritis, meta-analysis finds

Paracetamol is not clinically effective for alleviating pain and improving physical function in patients with osteoarthritis, the largest analysis of randomised trials of analgesics for osteoarthritis published to date has found. …

Published: 18 March 2016

News

Vitamin D supplements in pregnancy make no difference to bone strength of babies

Vitamin D supplements taken by pregnant women have no significant effect on the bone strength of their babies, according to the results of a study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.…

Published: 4 March 2016