Resources

RightBreathe website

The RightBreathe website and app has been developed by Lambeth GP, Dr Azhar Saleem, in conjunction with (amongst others) UK […]

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.

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.

SGLT2 inhibitors: updated MHRA advice on increased risk of lower-limb amputation (mainly toes)

Canagliflozin may increase the risk of lower-limb amputation (mainly toes) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Evidence does not show an increased risk for dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, but the risk may be a class effect. Preventive foot care is important for all patients with diabetes.

Cochrane review of long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) plus long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) versus LABA plus inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

In a Cochrane review of 11 studies, which included 9839 participants with stable chronic COPD, LAMA+LABA treatment had fewer exacerbations, […]

Inhaler Technique Videos

The inhaler technique videos below have been jointly produced by PrescQIPP and Health and Care Videos to help patients, carers […]

Making the most of your inhalers

Many people can get more out of their inhalers by using them slightly differently. Small differences in the way inhalers […]

Antimicrobial stewardship: changing risk-related behaviours in the general population (Joint NICE and Public Health England guideline)

This new guideline aims to make people aware of how to correctly use antimicrobial medicines and the dangers associated with their overuse and misuse in order to reduce antimicrobial resistance. It also includes measures to prevent and control infection.

Recommendations made by NG63 cover the following areas:

overarching principles
local system-wide approaches to reducing inappropriate antimicrobial demand and use
local system-wide approaches to preventing and limiting the spread of infection
childcare and education providers
prescribers, primary care, and community pharmacy teams.