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.…
Government advisory body has 150 medicines on watch list for signs of misuse Exclusive: Responding to a freedom of information request, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has revealed its current watch list.…
MHRA to consider evidence on transgenerational effects of sodium valproate The regulator has asked the Commission on Human Medicines to look at data showing the transgenerational effects of sodium valproate in mice.…
MHRA seeking views on the safety of sodium valproate prescribing The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's findings will inform discussions of the Commission on Human Medicines.…
