Largest ever trial of ketamine to treat alcohol abuse to launch across eight NHS sites The phase III clinical trial will explore the use of low-dose ketamine combined with psychological support as a therapy for people with alcohol use disorder.…
One in ten people with chronic pain could experience opioid dependence, suggest study results The pooled prevalence of dependence and opioid use disorder was 9.3% across 148 studies, but the researchers say high heterogeneity means the results should be “interpreted with caution”.…
People with substance use disorders need more compassion from community pharmacy Several factors impact how services are delivered across integrated care boards that offer NHS Inclusion drug treatment services, making it increasingly difficult for people with substance use disorders to access the care they need when and where they need it.…
First UK safe drug consumption room could open by September 2024, says local authority Exclusive: A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said its safe drug consumption room may be able to open ahead of schedule.…
SNP pledges ‘framework’ for drug consumption rooms in manifesto As part of its manifesto for the UK general election, the Scottish National Party also said it would decriminalise drugs for personal use.…
Pharmacists to be central in delivery of campaign to cut prescribing of high-risk pain medicines NHS Fife's 'Pain Talking' campaign is aimed at giving patients better control over chronic pain management and promoting non-medical treatment.…
Pregabalin prescribing increases by almost 25% since restrictions imposed Exclusive: Almost 670,000 patients in England were prescribed pregabalin when it was first reclassified in 2018/2019, compared with more than 820,000 patients in 2023/2024.…
Everything you need to know about xylazine Powerful veterinary tranquiliser xylazine has been implicated in a growing number of drug-related deaths in the United States. Researchers are now warning that it has entered the illicit drug market in the UK, with urgent action needed to protect people who use drugs from its harms.…
Roz Gittins: ‘The longer fitness-to-practise processes take, the longer registrants are left in purgatory’ As the new chief pharmacy officer for the General Pharmaceutical Council, Roz Gittins tells The Pharmaceutical Journal that she is bringing a fresh pair of eyes to the regulator’s fitness-to-practise process.…
Amira Guirguis: ‘We want to use our expertise to prepare for future threats’ As the recently appointed chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s science and research committee, Amira Guirguis sets out her goals for her new role and calls for more proactivity in the fight against substance misuse.…
