Medical conditions

Addiction warnings on opioid and z-drug packaging to be strengthened

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said that patient information leaflets for gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines and z-drugs will include clearer definitions of dependence and addiction.…

Health news round-up: new NICE guidance, ‘online hospital’ and the environmental burden of medicines

A weekly summary of important developments in health news that you may have missed.…

Structured medication reviews in frailty

An overview of the considerations that frailty presents in the context of a structured medication review.…

Risks of nasal decongestant spray overuse need to be made clearer, says RPS

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society said manufacturers must make the seven-day limit for nasal decongestant sprays clear, owing to the risk of dependency.…

Weight regain after weight-loss medicine shows need for sustained lifestyle change

Researchers found that people who used weight-loss medication regained weight more rapidly, with an average monthly weight regain of 0.4kg compared with 0.1kg in those who followed behavioural weight management programmes.…

To sip or not to sip: the environmental burden of oral nutritional supplements

Unnecessary disposal of oral nutritional supplements has many detrimental impacts on the environment — we must re-evaluate their use.…

RPS joins call for better collaboration in contraceptive commissioning

The Advisory Group on Contraception has called for integrated care boards and local authorities to be mandated to collaboratively commission women's health and contraception services.…

NICE recommends apps for use in asthma management

In draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said that after a three-year evidence generation period, it will decide if the eight digital platforms will be recommended for routine use across the NHS.…

Initial lower threshold Pharmacy First payment was made to 1,500 pharmacies

Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock said that the new tier of monthly payments for Pharmacy First consultations supports pharmacies with “lower potential for delivery” and has enabled more pharmacies to qualify for the fixed payments.…

Case-based learning: women’s health and anticoagulation

How considerations for anticoagulation in the presence of heavy menstrual bleeding can change over a woman’s life course.…