First health security risk assessment highlights risk of respiratory pandemic and AMR The UK Health Security Agency said that the risk of respiratory infections with pandemic potential was ranked the highest owing to “high impact and likelihood, and repeated historical precedence”.…
Drugs used for airway clearance in critically ill patients found to cause harm Researchers found that carbocisteine increased the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, while hypertonic saline was associated with an increased risk of nebulisation-related harms in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilators.…
Tezepelumab may reduce need for oral corticosteroids in severe asthma Study authors said their results “show the potential of tezepelumab to reduce maintenance oral corticosteroid use while maintaining asthma control and without compromising the efficacy outcomes”.…
NICE approves add-on treatment for uncontrolled COPD Clinical trial evidence suggests that mepolizumab plus triple therapy reduces the number of moderate or severe exacerbations associated with uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.…
Health news round-up: public health, cardiovascular risk and take-up of new medicines on the NHS Our weekly summary of important developments in pharmacy and health news you may have missed.…
Nasal decongestant spray use limited to five days The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said that the new rules follow reports of rebound congestion related to prolonged use.…
Paxlovid speeds COVID-19 recovery but does not reduce hospital admissions Across two trials, more than 4,000 patients were randomised to receive usual care or Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir; Pfizer) within three or four days of symptom onset.…
Coroner calls for greater recognition of clinical significance of ‘excessive’ salbutamol inhaler use A patient died in December 2023 after using an salbutamol inhaler more than frequently than recommended.…
Health news round-up: NICE approvals, surveillance data and GLP-1 warnings A weekly summary of important developments in pharmacy and health news that you may have missed.…
NICE recommends treatment that could help 30,000 people with COPD Guidance says dupilumab can be offered as an add-on maintenance treatment for adults with uncontrolled COPD.…
