News | Respiratory tract diseases

News

‘Blanket switch’ to greener inhalers not recommended in prescribing guidance

The Scottish government has published a consultation on draft guidance emphasising that patients should only be switched to greener inhalers “if effectiveness, safety or adherence is not compromised”.…

Published: 11 September 2023

News

Government funding to help UK development of greener inhalers

Kindeva Drug Delivery said it is aiming to manufacture inhalers with new propellants that have 90% lower global warming potential than the current greenest option used in the industry.…

Published: 4 August 2023

News

Regulator approves first RSV vaccine for older adults

Data suggest that respiratory syncytial virus accounts for 8,000 deaths each year in adults aged 60 years and over in the UK.…

Published: 11 July 2023

News

Asthma inhaler recycling will not be renewed, manufacturer confirms

A pilot scheme that led to more than 52,000 inhalers being recycled will not be renewed, manufacturer Chiesi has said.…

Published: 3 July 2023

News

Monoclonal antibody found to improve COPD outcomes, trial results suggest

The monoclonal antibody treatment dupilumab was found to reduce the annual rate of moderate or severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease when compared with placebo.…

Published: 26 June 2023

News

Pharmacist prescribing pilots to test new services for depression and minor illnesses

Pharmacies participating in pilots for the pharmacist independent prescribing service in north west England will be able to prescribe for minor infections, as well as offer additional services for other conditions.…

Published: 10 May 2023

News

Medicines regulator approves UK’s first dual combination inhaler for mild asthma

AstraZeneca said the marketing authorisation meant its Symbicort Turbohaler 200/6 could be used by 2.7 million adults in the UK who live with mild asthma.…

Published: 28 March 2023

News

Cough medicine with anaphylaxis risk to be removed from UK market, MHRA announces

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said it was withdrawing pholcodine-containing medicines from the UK market as a "precautionary measure", owing to the risk of anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia.…

Published: 14 March 2023

News

NICE alters guidance on COVID-19 treatments as manufacturer withdraws marketing authorisation application 

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence said the guidance has changed because Eli Lily is no longer seeking a marketing authorisation for baricitinib (Olumiant).…

Published: 21 February 2023

News

MHRA to review evidence of harm linked to pseudoephedrine-containing medicines

Exclusive: A spokesperson for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has told The Pharmaceutical Journal that it is "reviewing available evidence" to decide whether marketing authorisations for pseudoephedrine-containing medicines need to change.…

Published: 21 February 2023