News | Respiratory tract diseases

News

Government advises ICBs set up local plans to address PERT supply shortages

The supply shortage impacts three pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy products: Creon (Viatris) 10,000 and 25,000 capsules, Nutrizym 22 (Zentiva) capsules and Pancrex V (Essential Pharma) capsules and powder.…

Published: 20 December 2024

News

Community pharmacies have administered more than 8,000 RSV vaccines in east of England

Exclusive: NHS England has said that 8,187 respiratory syncytial virus vaccinations have been delivered between October and November 2024 across 37 community pharmacies in Essex and Suffolk.…

Published: 3 December 2024

News

First UK-wide joint asthma guideline recommends combination treatment for new diagnoses

The guideline recommends that all asthma patients over the age of 12 should be prescribed low dosages of inhaled corticosteroids and formoterol to address inflammation and symptoms.…

Published: 27 November 2024

News

NHS England seeks views on centralising flu vaccine procurement

NHS England says it wants to hear evidence of the benefits and challenges of a centralised procurement model in order to improve the effectiveness of the delivery of the flu vaccination programme.…

Published: 26 November 2024

Feature

Taking its toll: the global pancreatic enzyme shortage

The shortage of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy - sourced from pigs - is impacting the physical and mental health of thousands of patients who rely on it, with charities calling on the government to urgently intervene.…

Published: 21 November 2024

News

NICE proposes adding cytisine to stop-smoking guideline

The NICE consultation on cytisinicline follows NHS England's announcement that varenicline would be available again for NHS patients as a generic.…

Published: 19 November 2024

News

Over 40% of people with cystic fibrosis have experienced significant health problems resulting from PERT shortage

A survey carried out by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust revealed that 20% of patients are losing weight owing to a shortage in pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies.…

Published: 13 November 2024

News

MHRA approves dupilumab for treatment of uncontrolled COPD

The regulator has granted marketing authorisation for a subcutaneous injection as an add-on maintenance treatment for adults with uncontrolled COPD.…

Published: 16 September 2024

News

Pharmacy initiative results in 300% increase in inhalers being returned for sustainable disposal

Five pharmacies in and around Edinburgh spent ten weeks adding stickers to dispensing bags to encourage patients to return inhalers to the pharmacy.…

Published: 16 August 2024

News

More than 10,000 whooping cough cases reported in first six months of 2024

Case numbers of whooping cough in 2024 so far have already exceeded the total number of cases reported in 2012, the last major outbreak of the disease.…

Published: 13 August 2024