Haematologic agents

Supporting patients on new direct oral anticoagulant medicines

With the advancement of direct oral anticoagulants, more patients are able to benefit from anticoagulation. This article explains the importance of regular monitoring and how pharmacists can provide long-term support for patients receiving these medicines.…

Statins ‘rarely’ cause muscle pain in patients, find researchers

Results of a study looking at whether statins cause muscle problems showed only a 3% increased relative risk of muscle problems in people taking statins compared with placebo.…

Some patients switched to edoxaban without being properly informed, pharmacists say

Exclusive: Primary care pharmacists have revealed that patients are being switched to edoxaban without being informed or when it is not clinically appropriate.…

Statins should not be stopped in older people owing to their benefits, say researchers

People with lower cardiovascular disease risk who stopped taking statins aged 80 years lost 73% of their potential benefit if they took them for the rest of their lives, a modelling study has suggested.…

Pernicious anaemia: recognition, diagnosis and management

How to spot the signs and symptoms of pernicious anaemia, the difficulties in gaining an accurate diagnosis and the importance of individualised, long-term management for patients.…

Direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of portal vein thrombosis: a therapeutic review

Despite being unlicensed for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis, direct oral anticoagulants may offer benefits over oral vitamin K antagonists and low molecular weight heparins. Here, the current evidence-base related to their use for this indication is evaluated to inform and educate healthcar…

Anticoagulants can increase survival in hospitalised patients with moderate COVID-19, trial data show

Findings from three integrated trials have shown patients with moderate COVID-19 who were treated with therapeutic-dose anticoagulation heparin were less likely to need organ support.…

Pharmacist advice on inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant prescribing accepted in four out of five cases

Data from a study of hospitalised patients in Belgium show hospital physicians accepted advice on dose adjustment for direct oral anticoagulants in almost 80% of cases.…

NHS Health Checks catch patients who would benefit from statins but majority are not prescribed them

Of eligible patients who attended an NHS Health Check, 26 in 1,000 were prescribed statins, compared with 8 in 1,000 of those who did not attend, study results show.…

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.…