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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has cautioned people to stop using certain eye gels, highlighting a potential risk of microbial contamination that can cause an infection. As a precaution, the agency on Friday announced recall of specific batches of carbomer-containing lubricating eye gels branded Aacarb, Aacomer and Puroptics, which are generally used to relieve the symptoms of dry eye. Burkholderia cenocepacia is suspected to have caused the microbial contamination, and the issue was raised after an ongoing investigation conducted by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified a small number of cases of infection. Investigations are on to determine if there is a link between these products and the infections which have been identified. Meanwhile, retailers have been told to withdraw the affected products, and users are asked to return their product to the place of purchase immediately.

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 300mg and 600mg tablets on Wednesday (14 June). It has notified that the Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 300mg tablets will be out of stock from late June 2023 until mid-July 2023 and Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 600mg tablets are out of stock until mid-July 2023. However, generic oxcarbazepine 300mg and 600mg tablets remain available and will be able to support increased demand. "Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 150mg tablets and generic oxcarbazepine 150mg tablets remain available but cannot support the increase in demand," said DHSC. "Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 60mg/ml oral suspension remains available but cannot meet an increase in demand."

Brits are increasing relying on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to prevent or treat common ailments, as the 'care at home trend' has become prominent amongst UK households following the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost three-quarters of Brits (71 per cent) now choose to treat minor ailments at home rather than visit their GP or pharmacist, according to new research. The self-care message promoted by the government and NHS during the pandemic has led to a new generation of consumers who continue to take control of their own health and treat minor ailments themselves. Additionally, the research, commissioned by Lanes Health, revealed that public awareness about preventative treatment has increased, with 70 per cent of Brits claiming that they do their best to prevent the spread of common illnesses since the pandemic.

The Department of Health of Social Care (DHSC) has re-determined that all six Madopar (Co-beneldopa) preparations meet the special container criteria as outlined in Part II Clause 10 of the Drug Tariff. "The NHS dictionary of medicines and devices (dm+d) has now been updated with special container status applied to the complete pack sizes of all Madopar preparations," said PSNC. "The special container rules apply immediately to all branded or generically written prescriptions for Madopar dispensed from December 2022 onwards." The following products will be treated as special containers for prescriptions dispensed from December 2022 onwards:

Aspire Pharma Limited, a leading UK provider of niche generic and branded medicines, on Monday, announced that it has successfully acquired Cenoté Pharma as part of the company's ongoing strategy to supplement its organic growth through acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Cenoté Pharma is a UK-based pharmaceutical company that specialises in addressing carnitine deficiencies. Carnitine is an amino acid derivative whose insufficiency can impair the metabolism of essential tissues, such as those of the liver, heart and muscles. While the exact prevalence of systemic primary carnitine deficiency (SPCD) remains uncertain and varies depending on ethnicity, the estimated prevalence is 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 70,000 newborns in Europe and the USA, as stated by Aspire Pharma in its press release. Aspire CEO Richard Condon expressed enthusiasm about the addition of a new therapy area into the company's portfolio. "This acquisition underscores our commitment to advancing the science and treatment options for vulnerable patient groups," he said.

Indian multinational pharmaceutical company, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has made its entry into the UK consumer health market with the launch of an over-the-counter allergy medication. Histallay (Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 120 mg tablets) is the company's first general sale list (GSL) product introduced in the UK market. Previously classified as a Prescription Only Medicine (POM), Dr. Reddy's Fexofenadine 120 mg is now available without prescription, under the brand name 'Histallay'. This allows people with allergic seasonal rhinitis (hay fever) to get direct access to the product via retail outlets such as pharmacies and supermarkets in the UK.