MHRA issues drug safety warning on hyoscine bromide patches The regulator told The Pharmaceutical Journal that there had been seven yellow card reports of anticholinergic syndrome as a side effect of hyoscine hydrobromide patches.…
Avoid prescribing NSAIDs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, advises medicines regulator The regulator has advised clinicians that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories after 20 weeks of pregnancy should only be prescribed if clinically required and at the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time.…
Heat-related illnesses: preparing for periods of high temperatures With climate change making periods of high temperatures more likely, pharmacists need to engage in early preparation and provide effective support for heat-vulnerable individuals.…
Two prescribers must agree that acne is ‘severe enough’ before under-18s are prescribed isotretinoin, review concludes The Commission on Human Medicines' recommendations will be taken forward by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to support the acne drug's safe use.…
European regulator finds at least 20 medicines with significant nitrosamine contamination Exclusive: The European Medicines Agency has said products identified as containing nitrosamine above acceptable levels will likely require a variation in their marketing authorisation.…
Leading health bodies publish joint safety alert on HRT prescribing The statement says that the increasing number of women being prescribed high doses of oestrogen is not in line with any clinical guideline.…
Fewer than one in ten patients carry anticoagulation safety card The findings of the latest community pharmacy oral anticoagulant safety audit have prompted NHS England to propose the creation of a digital version of the yellow cards for smartphones.…
Concern over ‘inappropriate’ flu vaccine being given to people aged over 65 years An NHS regional flu lead has warned that patients aged over 65 years who have been given the QIVe vaccine should be recalled and possibly revaccinated.…
Oxybutynin is not suitable as over-the-counter medicine, say pharmacy bodies Pharmacy bodies say there is "mounting evidence" linking oxybutynin to cognitive decline and the progression of dementia.…
Safety review launched into anti-epileptic medicine topiramate over fears of harm to unborn children The review was prompted by study results that showed there was a two- to four-fold increased risk of developmental disorders or learning difficulties in children exposed to topiramate before birth.…