Drug

RPS raises concerns after draft HIV guidance recommends unregulated website for purchasing PrEP

The guidance suggests options to patients who are unable or unwilling to access PrEP on the NHS and calls for community pharmacies to “support greater equity” in accessing the drug.…

First UK-wide joint asthma guideline recommends combination treatment for new diagnoses

The guideline recommends that all asthma patients over the age of 12 should be prescribed low dosages of inhaled corticosteroids and formoterol to address inflammation and symptoms.…

Adrenal insufficiency: pathophysiology, diagnosis and management

Patients with adrenal insufficiency are at risk of life-threatening adrenal crises. It is vital that pharmacists know how to treat this rare condition appropriately.…

Generic weight loss drugs could alleviate shortages, says BGMA

Although the British Generic Manufacturers Association anticipates at least four companies receiving UK marketing authorisations for type 2 diabetes and obesity, it remains unclear how many will be rolled out immediately.…

Everything you need to know about NICE’s decisions on ‘game-changing’ Alzheimer’s drugs

In August and October 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence issued a decision not to recommend two new drugs for Alzheimer’s disease that experts had previously welcomed for their disease-modifying effects. We explain the reasons behind their decisions.…

Integrated care board launches campaign to reduce medicines waste

The campaign focuses on the issue of unused medicines waste, which costs the NHS an estimated £300m per year.…

Manufacturer confirms discontinuation of type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment Victoza

Victoza (liraglutide) 6mg/mL pre-filled injection pens have been out of stock in the UK since August 2023.…

Medication maths: displacement volumes and values

This article is part of a comprehensive series on pharmaceutical calculations in preparation for the General Pharmaceutical Council registration assessment. It provides guidance on how to tackle questions related to displacement volumes, including a worked example of a sample exam question.…

National pharmacy board meetings: September 2024

An overview of the latest open meetings of the national pharmacy boards.…

BGMA recommends longer lead times on NHS medicines contracts to address shortages

The British Generic Manufacturers Association has made several recommendations to reduce overall medicines shortages, of which it says the “vast majority are commonly used generic medicines”.…