News | Respiratory tract diseases

News

Oral antiviral may halve COVID-19 hospitalisation risk, claims manufacturer

Interim results from a trial using data from 775 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 show that no deaths were reported in those given molnupiravir, compared with eight deaths in those who were given a placebo.…

Published: 1 October 2021

News

It is ‘shocking’ that free flu vaccinations are not being offered to all pharmacists in England and Wales, says RPS

Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said the Society is "calling on the NHS to offer free flu vaccinations to pharmacists and pharmacy teams in both England and Wales, as is the case in Scotland”.…

Published: 21 September 2021

News

Primary care networks incentivised to switch patients to more environmentally friendly inhalers

Incentivised targets for primary care networks will encourage the prescribing of inhalers with lower carbon emissions to help reduce the NHS's overall carbon output.…

Published: 3 September 2021

News

Infants could be given unlicensed treatment to protect them from respiratory infections this winter

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has described the unlicensed monoclonal antibody nirsevimab as a "promising" treatment for respiratory syncytial virus in infants.…

Published: 26 August 2021

News

NHS England has no plans for a national inhaler recycling scheme despite net zero ambitions

Exclusive: NHS England and NHS Improvement does not currently have plans for an inhaler recycling scheme but encourages the use of local and manufacturer-led inhaler disposal schemes across the NHS.…

Published: 19 August 2021

News

Minister urged to block takeover of inhaler manufacturer by tobacco firm

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has written to the government to express its concerns around the proposed takeover of inhaler manufacturer Vectura by tobacco company Philip Morris International.…

Published: 16 August 2021

News

Community pharmacies will be paid to check patients’ asthma inhaler technique from September 2021

A new target for respiratory care in the Pharmacy Quality Scheme for 2021/2022 will require pharmacy staff to check inhaler techniques, as well as ensure patients have personalised asthma action plans and promote spacer device use in children.…

Published: 12 August 2021

Feature

Long COVID: the pharmacy staff picking up the pieces months after being infected

We speak to formerly fit and well pharmacists and technicians whose lives have been devastated by long COVID.…

Published: 12 August 2021

News

Hospitals prepare to support the most vulnerable patients as respiratory virus ‘surge’ is predicted this autumn

A report from the Academy of Medical Sciences warns that outbreaks of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, as well as a potential third wave of COVID-19, will put the NHS under increased pressure.…

Published: 15 July 2021

News

Only 62% of invited pharmacies sign up for Chiesi postal inhaler recycling scheme

Exclusive: The pilot scheme, run by pharmaceutical manufacturer Chiesi, allows patients to recycle their inhalers via Royal Mail.…

Published: 5 July 2021