Respiratory tract diseases

Monoclonal antibody 75% effective in infants against respiratory viral infection

Nirsevimab could become the first immunisation against respiratory syncytial virus for all infants.…

Some patients switched to ‘greener’ inhalers without consultation, say experts

Exclusive: Experts warn that non-consented inhaler switches pose risks to patients' health and advise physicians to carry out individual inhaler checks to avoid this.…

Pharmacist antibiotic use doubles after sore throat testing requirement is removed

Data from the Welsh community pharmacy Sore Throat Test and Treat (STTT) service show that antibiotic prescribing increased from 27% to 63% during the COVID-19 pandemic.…

NICE removes budesonide from recommended COVID-19 treatments

In updated guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said there was “no statistically significant difference” between patients treated with inhaled budesonide for COVID-19 and those who received usual care.…

NHS develops dashboard to identify possible over-prescribing of prednisolone

The dashboard calculates the total cumulative dose of prednisolone prescribed to patients in England in the past 12 months, allowing those at risk to be considered for alternative treatment methods.…

Community pharmacies will be paid to check patients’ asthma inhaler technique from September 2021

A new target for respiratory care in the Pharmacy Quality Scheme for 2021/2022 will require pharmacy staff to check inhaler techniques, as well as ensure patients have personalised asthma action plans and promote spacer device use in children.…

COVID-19 pneumonia and COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: diagnosis and management

Following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the UK, pharmacists should be able to identify serious respiratory complications of COVID-19 infection and facilitate appropriate management.…

More than 90% of lung disease patients say community pharmacy services are vital, survey finds

Results of a survey by the Taskforce for Lung Health found that patients valued community pharmacies because they are close to home, there is no need to make an appointment and they have convenient opening times.…

Uncontrolled asthma: assessment and management

How to assess patients presenting with uncontrolled asthma symptoms, including considerations for ‘stepping up’ pharmacological treatment.…

Both using and stopping asthma medicines in pregnancy linked with poor outcomes

Researchers have found that premature births were more likely in women prescribed asthma medicines compared with women who were not.…