Anti-infective agents

Four point-of-care tests for UTIs ‘show promise’, says NICE in early guidance

NICE said it needs more data on the accuracy of the tests in detecting and identifying bacteria before it can recommend them for use in the NHS.…

Recent antibiotic reduces cancer survival after immune checkpoint inhibitors by 12%, study results show

Results from a Canadian cohort study suggest that antibiotic therapy may reduce the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.…

How COVID-19 affected pharmacy supply of antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections

Learnings from a community pharmacy patient group direction service for the management of suspected urinary tract infections, which identified prescribing patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.…

Newborn babies to be genetically tested to prevent gentamicin-associated deafness

Around 1,200 babies born in England and Wales each year are at risk of hearing loss from gentamicin.…

Chlamydia: screening, diagnosis and management

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Learn the signs and symptoms of chlamydia, who is eligible for screening and how to treat it.…

Development and implementation of a national antimicrobial intravenous-to-oral switch criteria for early switching

The 'English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance 2020–2021' report recorded an increased number of antibiotic-resistant infections compared with 2016​[1]​. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is exacerbated by antibiotic overuse, thus antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) …

Repeated use of antibiotics increases inflammatory bowel disease risk, study suggests

Patients aged 40 to 60 years who had been prescribed antibiotics showed the highest risk for inflammatory bowel disease.…

Two antivirals added to list of drugs that cannot be exported or hoarded

The government added the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir, used to treat flu, to the list on 20 December 2022.…

Serious shortage protocols issued for three penicillin oral solutions

Under the protocols, pharmacists are able to supply alternative strengths or tablets with immediate effect.…

Competition regulator investigates ‘real concerns’ over antibiotic overpricing

The Competition and Markets Authority is looking into the pricing of antibiotics as cases of Strep A infection rise.…