Digestive system diseases

NICE recommends mirikizumab as a treatment option for Crohn’s disease

Mirikizumab (Omvoh; Eli Lilly), which is already licensed to treat ulcerative colitis but at a lower dose, is now recommended for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease.…

NICE reverses draft guidance to recommend targeted therapy for patients with advanced bowel cancer

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said the treatment should be available on the NHS after the manufacturer provided additional clinical evidence.…

Gastrointestinal complications associated with prematurity

An overview of gastrointestinal complications associated with premature birth and the role of parenteral nutrition in overcoming them.…

Medicines derived from UK blood plasma distributed to NHS hospitals for ‘first time in a generation’

More than 250,000 litres of plasma from UK donors have been sent to human protein product manufacturer Octapharma to produce NHS medicines for the first time since a 1998 ban.…

‘Urgent’ need for community pharmacy to play a role in medicines homecare services, review says

The independent review, commissioned by the chief pharmaceutical officer for Scotland, also said that key performance indicators for medicines homecare are “widely viewed as not fit for purpose”.…

Pharmacists asked to assist in switching patients from Promixin by end of April 2025

A national patient safety alert advises that Colicym 1-million-unit power for nebuliser solution unit dose vials should be considered as an alternative treatment.…

HRT alternative could cause serious liver injury, manufacturer warns

Astellas Pharma has warned that exposure to fezolinetant should be avoided in women at higher risk for liver disease and that early identification of potential liver injury was “essential”.…

Government advises ICBs set up local plans to address PERT supply shortages

The supply shortage impacts three pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy products: Creon (Viatris) 10,000 and 25,000 capsules, Nutrizym 22 (Zentiva) capsules and Pancrex V (Essential Pharma) capsules and powder.…

Over 40% of people with cystic fibrosis have experienced significant health problems resulting from PERT shortage

A survey carried out by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust revealed that 20% of patients are losing weight owing to a shortage in pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies.…

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.…