News | Respiratory tract diseases

News

NICE terminates appraisal of medicine for the treatment of persistent cough

Manufacturer Merck Sharpe & Dohme has decided not to supply the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence with evidence on use of gefapixant (Lyfnua).…

Published: 20 May 2024

News

Montelukast will carry ‘more prominent warnings’ of neuropsychiatric reactions

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency also advised prescribers to be alert for neuropsychiatric reactions, including sleep disorders, hallucinations, anxiety and depression, and changes in behaviour and mood.…

Published: 1 May 2024

News

‘Shockingly little’ change in asthma care a decade on from national review, says charity

Asthma + Lung UK has called on the government to introduce targets to end preventable asthma deaths, after finding little improvement in asthma care over the past ten years.…

Published: 26 April 2024

Feature

Hacking the vagal system to treat chronic cough

Chronic cough places a huge burden on healthcare systems and is distressing for patients, but there are few targeted treatments available. In the past decade, a new theory that chronic cough is a neural, rather than respiratory, problem has invigorated clinical trials.…

Published: 18 April 2024

Feature

Whooping cough resurgence as vaccination rates slump

Official data on whooping cough show that reports of suspected cases are at a 15-year high in the first three months of 2024, as vaccination rates continue to fall.…

Published: 28 March 2024

News

Clearer Pharmacy First messaging under consideration after reports of patient aggression, says negotiator

There have been reports of confusion among adult patients because the Pharmacy First service specification states treatment for otitis media is only available for those aged under 18 years.…

Published: 8 March 2024

News

MHRA reviewing safety of asthma drug as Yellow Card reports increase

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is reviewing montelukast after there were 143 reports of psychiatric disorders associated with the drug in 2023.…

Published: 5 March 2024

News

Poorly controlled asthma eight times worse for greenhouse gases, study finds

Researchers found poorly controlled asthma contributed the same amount of excess greenhouse gases as that of 124,000 homes in the UK each year.…

Published: 28 February 2024

News

Patient safety alert warns of salbutamol nebuliser liquid shortages with no date for resupply

An alert says that while alternative nebuliser liquids are available, manufacturers cannot support the increase in demand.…

Published: 28 February 2024

Opinion

How a pharmacist-led primary care clinic can improve respiratory care

Nazir Hussain, a specialist respiratory pharmacist at Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust, shares how he is improving respiratory care by offering GP-based clinics to help patients manage their COPD and asthma.…

Published: 8 January 2024