Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has urged the healthcare professionals to share their views on the consultation on 'how MHRA
communicate with healthcare professionals to improve medicines and medical devices' safety'.
Through this consultation the agency wants to review its approach to engagement with healthcare professionals to improve the safety of medicines and medical devices.
"We want to ensure that healthcare professionals are receiving actionable information and guidance on safe use of medicines and medical devices that they can take
into their working practice, providing timely advice to patients," said MHRA.
"We need to improve the way we communicate with healthcare professionals. We want to hear from you to enable us to transform how we communicate with you and how we
work together on our common goal of greater patient safety."
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reclassified codeine linctus, a medicine used for the treatment of dry cough, from
a pharmacy-only medicine (P) to a prescription-only medicine (POM) owing to the risk of dependence, addiction, and overdose.
This implies that the dry cough syrup, which is also known as codeine oral solution, can only be dispensed upon the submission of a prescription at a pharmacy,
rather than being accessible over the counter upon request.
Patients are cautioned that as an opioid medicine, codeine can be addictive, and the risk of addiction may increase, particularly with prolonged use over an
extended period.
According to the medicines regulator, codeine is converted into morphine by the liver enzyme CYP2D6. In individuals identified as ultra-rapid metabolizers, this
conversion from codeine to morphine occurs at a faster rate than in others.
"If you want to stop taking it and have been taking codeine linctus for a long time, then it is important to reduce the amount you take slowly with the help of
your prescriber," the agency said in its drug safety update issued on Tuesday, 20 February.
Teva UK has begun replacing its existing packaging with a new design which is "clearer and easier to read".
The new look is "unique, recognisable and distinctive." It "enhances safety and provides a recognisable and distinguishable pack range."
One of the UK's leading generics manufacturers, Teva UK supplies more than 500 generic pharmaceutical products to retail and hospital pharmacies.
The company says each product within the portfolio is distinguishable by colour, ensuring no two different packs have the same drug and strength colours and with
additional product information on the side of the pack and a simplified back, it makes it even easier to identify the correct product when dispensing and supports
patients when taking their medication.
"Our medicines impact the lives of millions of people every day and our packaging is often the first touchpoint for our patients and our customers", said Kim Innes,
general manager of Teva UK and Ireland.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recalled Labetalol 200mg tablets (Tillomed Laboratories Ltd) directed to pharmacies
and wholesalers.
Manufacturer, Tillomed Laboratories is recalling one batch of Labetalol 200mg tablets due to an error on the foil blister packaging.
The incorrect aluminium foil blister packaging states Labetalol 100mg tablets, however it should be labelled as Labetalol 200mg Tablets. This error has occurred
at the primary packing operation.
Tillomed Laboratories Limited has confirmed the actual tablet contained in the blister is Labetalol 200mg Tablets, which is the strength stated on the outer carton.
This error is limited to the packaging of the batch with 100mg aluminium foil blister and does not impact the lot (batch) number or expiry as printed on the outer
carton and aluminium foil blister.
Healthcare professionals has been advised to stop supplying the batches immediately. Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to supplier using supplier's
approved process.
The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has initiated a recall of three batches of Quantum Pharmaceutical's Diltiazem HCl 2% Cream, which is an
unlicensed medicine. MHRA issued a precautionary recall of the cream due to a change in the product's appearance that affected its thickness.
Pharmacists are instructed to halt supply, quarantine remaining stock, and contact Quantum Pharmaceutical to return affected batches M1402497, M1402574, and M1402680.
Patients using this product may encounter application issues with the cream due to its consistency. However, MHRA said that this has not impacted the product's
effectiveness or posed any risk to patient safety.
The MHRA also reported that medac GmbH (t/a medac Pharma LLP) is conducting a recall of two batches of Sodiofolin 50 mg/ml solution for injection/infusion
(400mg/8ml vial) with batch numbers G220393B and G220393C. This class 2 medicines recall is a result of particles detected during long-term stability tests.
Community pharmacies in England will have to go through a clinical audit focusing on valproate, following an agreement reached between the PSNC and NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I).
The audit, a part of NHS contractual requirements, aims to reduce the potential harm caused by taking valproate during pregnancy.
The 2021/22 audit will be based on the Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) audit, allowing contractors to close the cycle by re-auditing their practice.
NHSE&I recently shared the results of the PQS 2019/20 valproate audit.
Around 5.6 per cent of the 12,068 girls or women of childbearing potential who participated in the audit said they were not advised in line with the MHRA Drug Safety
Update 2018 relating to the potential impact on an unborn child.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued an alert to update healthcare professionals on the shortage of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor
agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which are used to treat type 2 diabetes.
It has informed that the supply of the drugs continues to be limited, and is not expected to return to normal until at least the end of 2024.
An increase in demand for these products for licensed and off-label indications is cited as the cause of the supply issues.
"Rybelsus® (semaglutide) tablets are now available in sufficient quantities to support initiation of GLP1 RA treatment in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in
whom new initiation of GLP-1 RA therapy would be clinically appropriate," the DHSC's National Patient Safety Alert reads.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has appointed Dr Anthony Cox from the University of Birmingham as the new chair of its Education and Standards Committee.
Anthony is Head of the School of Pharmacy and a Reader in Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Safety. He has previously been a member of the English Pharmacy Board and is a
Fellow of the RPS.
The Education and Standards Committee provides expert advice and makes recommendations to the RPS Education and Professional Development directorate, reporting
directly to the RPS Assembly.
Dr Anthony Cox said: "I'm looking forward to working with the committee during this vitally important time for the education of the profession at all levels, and
delighted to support the RPS in continuing to develop and deliver its important role in defining and assuring post-registration standards of pharmacy practice."