News | Respiratory tract diseases

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.…

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.…

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.…

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.…

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.…

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.…

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.…

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.…

NHS to add 1,000 pharmacy-led sites to COVID-19 vaccination programme ahead of booster campaign

This follows interim advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to revaccinate vulnerable patients against COVID-19 from September 2021.…

E-cigarettes as effective as nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation, says draft guidance

Draft guidelines on smoking cessation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Public Health England say evidence indicates that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes can help people stop smoking.…