Drug

Green light for first treatment to target ovarian cancer with BRCA mutation

The European Medicines Agency has recommended that Lynparza (olaparib) be approved to combat a type of ovarian cancer for which there are limited treatment options.…

First drug for rare sun disease recommended for approval in Europe

The European Medicines Agency recommends that Scenesse (afamelanotide) should be approved for the prevention of severe sunburn in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria.…

Boosting drugs manufacture in developing countries will improve health outcomes, UN investment forum told

Increasing pharmaceutical production in developing countries — especially in sub-Saharan Africa — could improve access to affordable medicines, experts say. …

Clinical Pharmacist’s monthly news round-up: the top 10 in October 2014

What has been happening in the world of pharmacy? Here’s our pick of must-read news from the past month……

Effective treatments lagging behind for multidrug-resistant TB, says WHO

There are still major gaps in delivering effective treatments to patients suffering from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, a report finds.…

New Zealand allows access to sildenafil through pharmacy

Men suffering erectile dysfunction in New Zealand are now able to buy sildenafil from specially trained pharmacists without a GP’s prescription.…

Support for Bill to allow terminal cancer patients access to drugs in development

A private members Bill that seeks to allow doctors to prescribe investigational drugs to terminally ill cancer patients has won government backing.…

Medication errors cost the NHS up to £2.5bn a year

The NHS wastes at least £1bn – and possibly as much as £2.5bn – on preventable errors, many of which are related to improper use of medication, according to a report commissioned by the Department of Health.…

To prescribe or not to prescribe, that is the question…

A patient with asthma comes into your community pharmacy to collect his regular inhalers. Johnathan Laird describes an intervention you could make.…

Price cut of 25% proposed for medicines on statutory scheme in England

The maximum price pharmaceutical companies can charge the NHS for branded medicines could be reduced by 25% under proposals by the Department of Health.…