DrugLegalStatus

UK’s first regular street drug-checking service opens in Bristol

The service will run once per month, with the aim of reducing harm from drug taking and increasing understanding of local drug markets.…

Almost all pharmacists say patients have declined medicines prescribed to them because of cost, survey reveals

Of respondents to a survey, 3% of pharmacists said they had “never” experienced patients declining part of their prescription owing to the cost.…

Patients can now use NHS App to collect prescriptions from any community pharmacy

The updated NHS App will also allow patients to view their prescriptions and see when they have been issued, NHS England said.…

NHS issues 500,000 HRT prepayment certificates since April 2023

The Department of Health and Social Care says HRT prescription prepayment certificates have saved patients more than £11m since their launch.…

Scheme to reuse medicines in hospital cuts carbon emissions and saves money

A programme that re-dispenses unused medicines on hospital wards has the potential to save thousands of pounds and reduce nearly 80 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions if rolled out across Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust.…

Smoking cessation medicine cytisine to be available in January 2024, distributor confirms

Exclusive: Cytisine was approved for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in March 2019, but no supplies have been previously available.…

Scottish government to seek licences for street drug-checking facilities

Exclusive: Elena Whitham, Scottish drugs and alcohol policy minister, said the government is working towards launching a pilot drug-checking scheme to support those affected by substance misuse.…

‘Groundbreaking’ electronic prescription service rolled out in six NHS hospital trusts

Exclusive: Six hospital trusts across England have begun using the electronic prescription service for secondary care, which was piloted during the COVID-19 pandemic.…

Demystifying medical cannabis: five years on from legalisation

Although medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, a lack of evidence for unlicensed products has meant NHS prescribing is still extremely limited while the private market continues to grow.…

UK’s first safe drug consumption room approved to open in Glasgow

The facility will allow people to use drugs in a sterile environment under medical supervision, and access other related services.…