Haematologic agents

High-dose statins could be supplied by pharmacies without a prescription

High-dose statins could be available without a prescription from community pharmacies following a government review, NHS England has announced.…

‘Worrying’ number of patients prescribed risky anticoagulant drug combinations

Tens of thousands of patients are potentially being put at risk of a major bleed by being prescribed an antiplatelet without gastroprotection or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug alongside an anticoagulant, NHS figures have shown.…

Forgotten patients: thousands left on risky anticoagulant combinations

Combinations of drugs involving anticoagulants are one of the most frequent causes of medicine-related hospital admissions, but pharmacists can help reduce the risk.…

How our pharmacist-led anticoagulation service saves more than 500 bed days per year

Surgeries are sometimes cancelled because of problems with anticoagulation, but pharmacist-led bridging clinics can reduce the number of cancellations.…

NHS England to fund ‘life-changing’ haemophilia drug

NHS England is to fund a treatment for severe haemophilia that will “dramatically” cut risk of life-treatening bleeds for thousands of patients.…

Stopping statins in older patients increases risk of cardiovascular-related hospital admission

Statin discontinuation in patients aged 75 years and over is associated with a 33% increased risk of hospital admission for a cardiovascular event, a study published in European Heart Journal has found.…

DOACs account for ‘notable number’ of medication errors

A “notable number” of medication errors involving direct oral anticoagulants occurred in the first quarter of 2019, according to the National Pharmacy Association’s Medication Safety Officer update for April–June 2019.…

Statin treatment associated with reduced risk of glaucoma

Receiving statin treatment for five years or more is associated with a 21% reduced risk of primary glaucoma, research has shown.…

Effect of statin on MS progression not related to cholesterol reduction

A previously demonstrated effect of simvastatin in delaying progression of an advanced form of multiple sclerosis is not related to its effect on cholesterol levels, a study published in PNAS has shown.…

Half of patients taking statins fail to reach optimal cholesterol levels within two years

Over half of patients started on statin therapy do not achieve optimal therapeutic reduction of their cholesterol within two years, a study published in Heart has found.…