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News

Safety review launched into anti-epileptic medicine topiramate over fears of harm to unborn children

The review was prompted by study results that showed there was a two- to four-fold increased risk of developmental disorders or learning difficulties in children exposed to topiramate before birth.…

Published: 27 July 2022

News

Vaginal oestrogen therapy in breast cancer ‘may not be linked with recurrence’

The researchers say their results suggest that women with a history of breast cancer with severe genitourinary symptoms can take vaginal oestrogen without an increased risk of cancer recurrence.…

Published: 21 July 2022

News

First HRT product in the UK to be made available without a prescription

Gina 10 microgram vaginal tablets will be available as a P medicine to women aged 50 years and above who have not had a period for at least one year.…

Published: 20 July 2022

Feature

Hormone replacement therapy shortages: will the government’s new approach work?

There are severe shortages of several hormone replacement therapy products at the moment. Here, we examine whether the government is doing enough to rectify the problems.…

Published: 23 May 2022

News

Register of pregnant patients taking acne drug isotretinoin under consideration by NHS Digital

NHS Digital clinical lead Paul Brown told delegates at the Clinical Pharmacy Congress that other high-risk medicines are also being considered.…

Published: 18 May 2022

News

HRT supply may have been impacted by ‘commercial decisions’, says government

Along with rising demand, factors related to manufacturing, capacity constraints and commercial decisions may have impacted the supply of hormone replacement therapy, the Department of Health and Social Care has said.…

Published: 6 May 2022

Feature

Everything you need to know about sodium valproate and other antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy

Despite the associated dangers being widely publicised, data show that women are still being prescribed sodium valproate during pregnancy. Are the measures that have been put in place enough or does more need to be done?…

Published: 6 May 2022

News

Pharmacists can limit some HRT supplies to three months, says government

Serious shortage protocols have been issued for some hormone replacement therapy products, which will allow pharmacists to place three-month limits on prescriptions to mitigate supply issues.…

Published: 3 May 2022

News

Pharmacists express concerns over proposed reclassification of overactive bladder drug

Pharmacists have described the proposed switch of oxybutynin hydrochloride oral tablets from a prescription-only medicine to a pharmacy medicine as "inappropriate", owing to its risks.…

Published: 26 April 2022

News

HRT shortages made worse by long-term prescribing, says PSNC

Exclusive: Mike Dent, director of pharmacy funding at the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, said that demand for HRT prescriptions is outstripping supply more than previously, following the announcement of changes to prescription charges.…

Published: 25 April 2022