PJ, 24 January 2015, Vol 294, No 7846

FDA advice on metformin is curbing its use

Researchers want the US Food and Drug Administration to revisit its advice on the use of metformin in people with higher serum creatinine levels.…

Thursday 5 March: Berkshire

Local practice forum event, ‘Latest information on unlicensed medicines’. John Lister Postgraduate Centre, Wexham Park Hospital entrance 4, Slough SL2 4HL. Event 7.30pm, buffet 7pm. Book via the RPS website or contact jane@nicholj.plus.com.…

Effectiveness of statins similar for men and women

Incremental reductions in major vascular events with statin therapy is similar in men and women, according to research published in The Lancet.…

Physiology underpins notion that colds are caught more readily in cool weather

The antiviral immune response is diminished at lower temperatures, according to a mouse study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.…

Paclitaxel plus trastuzumab tested in node-negative HER2-positive breast cancer

Researchers report promising results for paclitaxel plus trastuzumab in some patients with node-negative HER2-positive breast cancer.…

Wednesday 4 February: South Yorkshire

Local practice forum event, ‘Oral anticoagulants’. Holiday Inn Rotherham-Sheffield, West Bawtry Road, Rotherham S60 2XL. Event 7.30pm, buffet 6.45pm. Book via sec2015@srblpf.org.uk.…

Thursday 29 January: South Yorkshire

Local practice forum event, ‘Lower GI — constipation’. Aagrah restaurant, Great North Road, Woodlands, Doncaster DN6 7RA. Arrive at 6.45pm for 7.30pm start. Book via sec2015@dashlpf.org.uk.…

Safinamide recommended for approval as Parkinson’s disease therapy

A new medicine that allows Parkinson’s disease patients to spend more of the day symptom-free has been recommended for approval in Europe.…

Diuretic therapy explained

The different mechanisms of action that classes of diuretic have means they can be used to treat a variety of conditions.…

Cancer deaths in people under 80 can be eliminated by 2050, says UCL report

Continued access to innovative treatments and improved prevention strategies will allow cancer deaths in people under 80 years of age to be eliminated by 2050.…