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Incorrectly Recorded Penicillin Allergy – Increased risk of MSRA & C.difficile infection
NICE has warned healthcare professionals and the public that people who incorrectly believe they are allergic to penicillin are unnecessarily put at an increased risk of developing MRSA or C difficile. Incorrectly identifying people as allergic could also contribute to antimicrobial resistance, as people are likely to be given broad-spectrum antibiotics. Studies suggest that: Around 10% of the UK population has a penicillin allergy documented in their clinical notes, but that only around 5% of these people actually have a ‘true’ penicillin allergy. People with a penicillin allergy recorded in their notes are almost 70% more likely to develop MRSA and around 25% […]
Coroner’s Inquest into fatal anaphylaxis – Prevention of Future Deaths Report
Following the inquest concerning the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, HM Assistant Coroner for West London will be issuing three Prevention of Future Deaths Reports under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the 2009 Act and Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, including a report: To the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and to the manufacturers of the Epipen in relation to the apparently inadequate length of the needle and the dosage of adrenaline within the device See also the MHRA 2014 publication – Adrenaline Auto-injectors: A Review of Clinical and Quality Considerations which included the following advice: In view […]
EPS – Controlled Drugs Pilot
NHS Digital have started a pilot for prescribing Schedule 2 & 3 Controlled Drugs using the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). 10 GP practices in Yorkshire, the North West and London can now send prescriptions for Schedule 2 and 3 Controlled Drugs (CDs) electronically via the EPS . This includes all Schedule 2 and 3 CDs, except for instalment FP10MDA prescriptions. As patients can choose to have their electronic prescriptions dispensed anywhere in England, all dispensers will need to be aware that they could receive an electronic prescription for a Schedule 2 or 3 CD. Following successful testing, the functionality to prescribe Schedule 2 […]
No-Deal Brexit – MHRA consultation
The MHRA have launched a consultation on legislative proposals for a no-deal exit from the EU. The consultation document proposes that “the overall approach in no-deal is for the MHRA to be a stand-alone medicines and medical devices regulator, taking any decisions and carrying out any functions which are currently taken or carried out at EU-level. This would include decisions on Marketing Authorisation (MA) applications which are currently authorised through the Centralised Procedure, paediatric investigation plans and orphan status, as well as pharmacovigilance responsibilities.” The no-deal Brexit consultation closes at 11:45pm on 1 November 2018
HUHY – “Help Us, Help You”
NHS winter pressures campaigns promote appropriate self-care & illnesss prevention measures and provide signposting & guidance on prudent use of NHS services during the winter period. This winter, NHS England and Public Health England are introducing a new overarching brand that brings together all the ‘winter pressures campaign activity – Help Us, Help You’. The campaign is delivered across a range of phases that target different audiences with different calls to action to help reduce pressures. This includes messages about flu immunisation, staying well in winter, NHS 111, community pharmacy and extended GP hours. The unifying ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign brand is […]
Tapering Opioids – Tips from the I-WOTCH team
The BMJ has published a paper on tapering opioids from the team responsible for the I-WOTCH study and their collaborators. The paper includes the following tips and suggestions: Limit prescribing, which is unlikely to offer benefit—Avoid opioids for pain relief in people at high risk for opioid use disorder, such as those with an active or previous substance use disorder, or a psychiatric disorder. Explain the harms of long term opioid use and enable access to non-pharmacological pain management interventions—Provide clear advice on the high potential for physical dependence and its consequences. Monitor the benefits and harms—Once prescribed, monitor patients […]
Sinemet Supply Issues – MSD Statement
MSD have notified UK healthcare professionals about delays in the production and supply of some SINEMET ® products. MSD anticipate intermittent supplies products from late August 2018 onwards and into Q1 of 2019. Affected products include: • SINEMET 12.5/50MG 9X10 Tablets • SINEMET 25/250MG 10X10 Tablets • SINEMET PLUS 25/100MG 10X10 Tablets Further details can be found on the MSD site. Information for patients can be found on the Parkinson’s UK website. Parkinson’s UK’s statement for patients: If you are currently taking Sinemet, there is a chance that your pharmacist will be unable to give you your prescription. There are generic versions of […]
Department of Health Supply Issues Bulletins
The Department of Health and Social Care has a team responsible for managing medicine supply issues, including shortages and discontinuations. The team produces monthly updates on supply issues affecting primary care. Registered users can access the updates via PrescQIPP or the Specialist Pharmacy Services website (when logged-in – please log-in before using the links): https://www.prescqipp.info/resources/category/413-out-of-stock-intelligence https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/department-of-health-and-pharmaceutical-market-strategy-group-pmsg-supply-updates/ November 2019 issue