Safety warnings

Regulators issue warning over prescription-only weight-loss drug advertisements

An enforcement notice has warned that prohibitions include non paid-for content on social media, sponsored searches on search engines and influencer marketing.…

Pharmacists asked to assist in switching patients from Promixin by end of April 2025

A national patient safety alert advises that Colicym 1-million-unit power for nebuliser solution unit dose vials should be considered as an alternative treatment.…

More than 500 people hospitalised following use of weight-loss drugs, says health minister

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency confirmed that more than 20,000 Yellow Card reports of suspected reactions in association with GLP-1 RAs indicated for weight management have been recorded, as of 31 January 2025.…

HRT alternative could cause serious liver injury, manufacturer warns

Astellas Pharma has warned that exposure to fezolinetant should be avoided in women at higher risk for liver disease and that early identification of potential liver injury was “essential”.…

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.…

Over 40% of people with cystic fibrosis have experienced significant health problems resulting from PERT shortage

A survey carried out by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust revealed that 20% of patients are losing weight owing to a shortage in pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies.…

Medicines regulator receives 46 reports of hospitalisations linked to weight-loss drugs

As of 16 August 2024, the MHRA had received 5,073 reports of common gastrointestinal reactions related to GLP-1 RA use, of which 46 reported hospitalisation of the individual.…

Problems with diabetes monitoring devices are potentially being underreported, says MHRA

The regulator has urged people to speak to a healthcare professional if they have concerns that their health may have been impacted by an issue with their device.…

Pharmacy teams advised to produce ready-to-administer oxytocin infusions for maternity services

Required oxytocin infusions will now need to be prepared at the time of the event, prompting concerns this will add pressure to already stretched maternity services.…

Pharmacists made 150,000 patient interventions during anticoagulant safety audits, report finds

The results of the two national audits revealed a significant increase in patients with a yellow anticoagulant alert card, from 66.5% in 2021/2023 to 73.3% in 2023/2024.…