News | Respiratory tract diseases

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More than 21,000 people with severe asthma receiving biologic treatment, says health minister

Baroness Merron said that the figures were based on the number of requests for either new initiation or continuation of asthma biologic treatment received between June 2025 and May 2026.…

Published: 28 August 2026

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Inhaled corticosteroids not linked to increased risks during pregnancy, study suggests

Researchers found that there were no statistically significant differences in neonatal outcomes linked to the use of inhaled corticosteroids while pregnant, such as low birth weight and congenital malformation.…

Published: 26 August 2026

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Local authorities advised to work with pharmacies to improve rural vaccination rates

The Local Government Association said that community pharmacies should engage with local directors of public health to close gaps in vaccination coverage.…

Published: 31 July 2026

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MHRA approves first lower-carbon pressurised metered dose inhalers for asthma

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said that the new versions of the Clenil Modulite 100mcg and 200mcg asthma inhalers have a lower carbon footprint compared with older propellants.…

Published: 27 July 2026

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Health news round-up: vaccination, testosterone and neighbourhood health

The Pharmaceutical Journal’s weekly summary of the important developments in pharmacy and health news you may have missed.…

Published: 17 July 2026

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First health security risk assessment highlights risk of respiratory pandemic and AMR

The UK Health Security Agency said that the risk of respiratory infections with pandemic potential was ranked the highest owing to “high impact and likelihood, and repeated historical precedence”.…

Published: 11 June 2026

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Tezepelumab may reduce need for oral corticosteroids in severe asthma

Study authors said their results “show the potential of tezepelumab to reduce maintenance oral corticosteroid use while maintaining asthma control and without compromising the efficacy outcomes”.…

Published: 1 June 2026

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NICE approves add-on treatment for uncontrolled COPD

Clinical trial evidence suggests that mepolizumab plus triple therapy reduces the number of moderate or severe exacerbations associated with uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.…

Published: 28 May 2026

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Paxlovid speeds COVID-19 recovery but does not reduce hospital admissions

Across two trials, more than 4,000 patients were randomised to receive usual care or Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir; Pfizer) within three or four days of symptom onset.…

Published: 24 April 2026

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Pharmacies deliver almost 16,000 RSV vaccinations as programme found to cut newborn hospitalisations by up to 85%

Babies born at least four weeks after their mother received a respiratory syncytial virus vaccination had nearly 85% protection against the virus.…

Published: 21 April 2026