Analgesics

Opioid prescribing will not reach levels seen in the United States, RCGP says

By limiting repeat prescriptions for patients, the NHS — and in particular general practice — is protecting the UK from an opioid crisis similar to the one in the United States, the Royal College of General Practitioners has said.…

Pharmacists should do more to help patients with OTC analgesics, experts say

Experts in pain management attended a round-table event to discuss how pharmacists and the pharmacy team can better support patients to self-manage acute pain with over-the-counter treatments.…

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MHRA expert working group launches review of opioid use

An expert working group of the UK’s Commission on Human Medicines, a committee within the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, has launched a review looking into the risks and benefits of opioid medicines.…

Naltrexone not associated with serious adverse events, review finds

The opioid antagonist naltrexone does not appear to increase the risk of serious adverse events over placebo, researchers from the University of Manchester have found.…

Electronic prescribing could have halted Gosport tragedy, RPS report says

The inappropriate use of opioid drugs, which was at the heart of the Gosport War Memorial Hospital scandal, could have been identified sooner if electronic prescribing had been in place.…

Opioid prescribing highest in more deprived regions of England, study shows

Opioid prescribing in general practice is highest in the North West of England and the East Midlands, mirroring general geographical health inequalities, a study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy has found.…

Fascinating but disheartening account of the corporate greed at the heart of the opioid crisis

American Overdose: The Opioid Tragedy in Three Acts, by Chris McGreal.…

Opioid use linked to risk of hip fracture in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Use of moderate and strong opioids is associated with an increased risk of hip fractures in people with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published in PAIN.…

How pharmacists can help prevent an ‘opioid crisis’ developing in the UK

Pharmacy must demonstrate that it has the knowledge and skills to support people to use opiods safely and effectively.…

Ministers need to act more quickly over medicines shortages

If you want an example of the perverse twists and turns of the UK’s medicines supply market, just look at buprenorphine.…