Public health

EMA proposes modifying pre-existing clinical trials during public health emergencies

Draft guidance has suggested trial adaptations, including changing endpoints, introducing new patient cohorts, adding new trial arms and adapting randomisation.…

Pharmacy MMR pilot vaccinated 300 hard-to-reach people

Exclusive: The NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board said the MMR pilot generated “valuable insights into service delivery, workforce readiness, communication gaps and data challenges”.…

PJ view: Pharmacies can help improve vaccine uptake — why does the system make it so difficult?

Community pharmacies can and should be called upon to administer essential vaccines, especially during outbreaks, but fair funding is essential.…

First ‘Cold mortality report’ suggests increase in winter deaths

Of the total deaths recorded, the UK Health Security Agency said that 1,448 were directly associated with cold weather.…

How to ensure a greener and more sustainable Royal College of Pharmacy

It is well known that our planet is facing a climate emergency and climate change is the most significant health threat that our world has ever faced. With regards to pharmacy, medicines are responsible for 25% of the carbon emissions of the NHS, so our future Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) …

Childhood vaccination campaign offers ‘trusted information’ amid measles outbreaks

The highest number of confirmed measles cases during January were in the London borough of Enfield, with 34 cases.…

Pharmacies to deliver HPV ‘catch-up’ vaccines and early cancer detection under national cancer plan

In its national cancer plan, the government has announced that pharmacies will offer ‘catch-up’ human papillomavirus vaccinations to young patients who missed their dose at school.…

Almost 90% of pharmacies report abuse from ineligible COVID-19 vaccination patients, survey reveals

The National Pharmacy Association survey of 450 pharmacies in England found that “at least half” of the average pharmacy's COVID-19 vaccination appointments were made by ineligible people.…

Flu cases rise as data predict ‘record high’ number of urgent repeat prescription requests

Experts have urged eligible patients to take up their offer of a free flu vaccine as cases rise across Great Britain.…

Health news round-up: the year in health across England, Scotland and Wales

A weekly summary of important developments in health news, with summaries from each of the Welsh, Scottish and English chief medical officers’ annual reports.…