Pharmaceutical industry

First non-cannabis treatment for rare form of epilepsy made available on NHS

Fenfluramine is a non-cannabis treatment for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome who do not respond to existing treatments or clobazam owing to its side effects.…

GPhC could consider scrapping registration assessment

Meeting minutes have also revealed discussions about delivering the registration exam calculations paper as an “on-demand paper to be taken at a time selected by the candidate”.…

More than half of pharmacy staff struggle with mental health over medicines shortages, reveals survey

Respondents to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Workforce Wellbeing Survey also cited inadequate staffing, lack of work–life balance and increased financial pressures as factors that negatively impact their mental health.…

More than 90% of pharmacists oppose self-selection of P medicines, says PDA

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association says any potential changes to current regulations “should only be made following full consultation with pharmacists, ensuring decisions align with best practices in medicine safety and patient care”.…

Two-clinician review for men taking valproate not required, says MHRA

The requirement that two specialists must review any patient aged under 55 years taking valproate will now only apply to patients who are starting the drug.…

Two high street brands expand recycling schemes for medicine packaging

Boots and Tesco have announced they are expanding their medicines packaging recycling schemes across the UK, both of which are supported by waste management firm MyGroup.…

Inclisiran prescribed to 7% of expected target population in three years, NHS data reveal

Exclusive: The Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association maintain that caution should be taken when prescribing inclisiran since long-term trial data on the drug will not be available until 2026.…

Where are the voices of pharmacy professionals in the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill?

As Kim Leadbeater MP’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill proceeds through its committee stage, the pharmacy professions are among the key stakeholders whose voices are notably absent.  The committee process should provide a rigorous examination of draft legislation, not only listeni…

Manufacturers invited to apply for medicines reclassification

The Department of Health and Social Care has published a list of conditions where prescription-only restrictions on medicines could be removed, including gastrointestinal, skin and women’s health, as well as heartburn, eczema and heavy periods.…

The novel schizophrenia drug showing renewed potential for better outcomes

A novel acetylcholine receptor drug has become the first new medicine to treat schizophrenia in decades. But even after gaining approval in the United States, experts are still conflicted on its benefits over current antipsychotic medicines.…