News
Antipsychotic use in patients with a learning disability but no mental health diagnosis
Transforming Care was set up by the Government to look at ways of improving the lives of people with learning disabilities.
As part of this work, a review is to be carried out on how medicines meant for people with mental health conditions are being given to people with learning disabilities to help with how they feel, act or behave.
Controlled Drugs: Learning from Incidents February 2016
This bulletin focuses on medicines for palliative care and what to do with unused medicines when a patient dies
MicroGuide antibiotics guideline app update
A new version of the MicroGuide antibiotics guideline app has been released which includes a new search function and the ability to add notes, bookmarks and share guidance via email or social media. If you already have the app, the update will download automatically. If you don’t have the app, download it from the App Store or Google Play by searching for MicroGuide.
New toolkit supports better understanding of the risks of valproate and pregnancy
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) today welcomed the launch of a new toolkit to ensure female patients are better informed about the risks of taking valproate medicines during pregnancy. Valproate (Epilim, Depakote and other generic brands) is a treatment for epilepsy and bipolar disorder and is prescribed to thousands of women. It is associated with a risk of birth defects and developmental disorders in children born to women who take valproate during pregnancy.
Generic medicine reimbursement: adjustment to prices from January 2016
Early calculations done by the NECS Medicines Optimisation team suggests an average reduction of approximately 17 pence per prescription item, or 2.1% of spend per month on the prescribing budget.
PPIs and the risk of Clostridium difficile infection
Gastric acid suppression has been a suggested risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Research shows that: PPIs are associated with a near doubling of the likelihood of CDI, co-administration of PPI and antibiotics increases the risk of CDI beyond that conferred by either treatment alone, and CDI risk is increased even after short duration PPI use.
TARGET Toolkit and Antimicrobial Stewardship 9th March 2016
A free event from TARGET/ RCGP to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance. Newcastle Marriott Gosforth Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne 12.00 – 16.00.
Cyclizine Lactate 50 mg/ml Injection Shortage – Information for Prescribers
There is a delay to the delivery of cyclizine injection and stock is now expected in Jan 2016. The company anticipates being out of stock for between 2 to 4 weeks.
New NICE Guidance on Type 2 Diabetes
A new NICE guideline ‘Type 2 diabetes in adults: management’ is now available. It covers the care and management of type 2 diabetes in adults (aged 18 and over) focusing on patient education, dietary advice, managing cardiovascular risk, managing blood glucose levels, and identifying and managing long-term complications.