Haematologic agents

Gillian Leng: ‘COVID-19 has been a strain, but also an opportunity’

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s new chief executive, Gillian Leng, took the helm in April 2020. She speaks to us about what lessons the organisation has taken away from the past year.…

Top ten research briefings of 2020

This year, all but one of our most-popular research briefings were, unsuprisingly, on the topic of COVID-19.…

Consistent use of statins linked to reduced risk of cancer death

Women who take cholesterol-lowering medicines, who are subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer, colorectal cancer or melanoma, are less likely to die from their cancer if they adhere to their cholesterol medicines, research published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology has su…

Patients taking placebo and statins experience similar side effects

Patients experience similar side effects taking a placebo as they do taking a statin, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine has suggested.…

Warfarin use linked to increased risk of knee and hip replacement

Use of warfarin is associated with a greater risk of knee and hip replacements compared with use of direct oral anticoagulants, according to research presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting.…

Polypill with aspirin cuts heart attacks and strokes by almost a third, study suggests

A polypill combining three blood pressure medicines and a statin, taken with aspirin, reduces the incidence of cardiovascular events occurring in at-risk groups by more than 30%, research has suggested.…

Charity expresses patient safety concerns over draft atrial fibrillation guidance from NICE

A UK charity has expressed patient safety concerns over draft guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the management of atrial fibrillation.…

Aspirin added to RECOVERY COVID-19 trial, MPs told

Aspirin is the latest drug to be added to the Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy trial, the chair of the trial has told MPs.…

Increased anticoagulation is reducing the rate of stroke and saving nearly £300 per patient treated, study suggests

The NHS is saving nearly £300 per patient on oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, despite rising prescription costs for the medicine, owing to a decline in AF-related strokes.…

Gaps between clinical guidelines and practice for lipid management in Europe, researchers find

Less than 60% of patients receiving lipid-lowering therapy achieve the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels set out in European guidelines.…