Memos and Alerts
MHRA Drug Safety Update May 2017
MHRA Drug Safety Update May 2017 A new Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Drug Safety Update (vol 10, […]
NICE Bites – Managing medicines for adults receiving social care in the community
NICE Bites – Managing medicines for adults receiving social care in the community NICE Bites April 2017; No 96 includes […]
NICE issues updated clinical guideline for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (NG28)
The updated guideline now includes text on sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in the section on initial drug treatment. Additionally, new information on SGLT-2 inhibitors was added to the box on action to take if metformin is contraindicated or not tolerated.
NICE Bites – Spondyloarthritis
NICE Bites – Spondyloarthritis NICE Bites March 2017; No 95 includes one topic, Spondyloarthritis in over 16’s: diagnosis and management. […]
Medicines Q&A: Can tricyclic antidepressants cause tinnitus?
Medicines Q&A: Can tricyclic antidepressants cause tinnitus? This Medicines Q&A from UK Medicines Information evaluates the limited published evidence available […]
Nystatin dose update: 1ml QDS
The British National Formulary (BNF) has updated the dosage recommendations for nystatin suspension for the treatment of oral candidiasis, to reflect the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for GENERIC nystatin products.
The BNF dosage recommendation has reverted back to the lower dose (in the generic SPC), and is as follows:
Adults and children — 100,000 units (1 ml) 4 times a day.
MHRA Drug Safety Update April 2017
Valproate and developmental disorders: new alert asking for patient review and further consideration of risk minimisation measures
Ponatinib (Iclusig▼): risk of vascular occlusive events—updated advice on possible dose reduction
Multiple sclerosis therapies: signal of rebound effect after stopping or switching therapy
Letters sent to healthcare professionals in March 2017: Nulojix (belatacept) 250 mg: supply shortage—restricted to existing patients
Chief Medical Officer Letters to High Antibiotic Prescribers
Improving antibiotic stewardship is a priority for Public Health England due to the continuing threat of antimicrobial resistance. The Chief Medical Officer for England is sending her annual feedback letter on antibiotic prescribing rates to GPs in April 2017.
The feedback letters are being sent to over 6,300 individual GPs in over 1,400 different GP practices with high antibiotic prescribing rates. Practices were selected based on their level of prescribing per STAR-PU and in comparison with the England average used by the Quality Premium. The letters are tailored according to GP practice prescribing rate, change in prescribing over time, and whether they were previously sent feedback. While many GPs are already reducing their usage of antibiotics, the letters are intended to support GPs to reduce their prescribing further by providing feedback on practice prescribing rates, offering encouragement and suggesting practical actions in a clear and succinct manner.
Resources To Support The Safety Of Girls And Women Who Are Being Treated With Valproate
It is vital where valproate is prescribed to girls and women of childbearing potential that they are made aware of the risks of taking the medication in pregnancy. The need for effective contraception planning must also be emphasised, along with the requirement for specialist oversight to safely change their medication if planning a pregnancy. MHRA have updated its valproate toolkit, providing a range of resources to support providers, staff and patients in the safe use of valproate. This alert asks all providers to undertake systematic identification of girls and women who are taking valproate, and to ensure the MHRA resources are used to support them to make informed choices.