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Healthcare professionals in the UK are being advised to avoid prescribing the migraine and antiseizure medication topiramate, commonly known by the brand name Topamax, to women and girls unless they fulfil the requirements of a Pregnancy Prevention Programme. This guidance follows new safety measures introduced by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) following a major safety review, which highlighted a potential increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children exposed to topiramate during pregnancy. The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) evaluated studies that examined the risks associated with using topiramate during pregnancy. These studies indicated that children born to mothers who took topiramate during pregnancy had an approximately 2 to 3 times higher risk of intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Based on CHM's recommendations, the MHRA now advises that topiramate should not be prescribed for treating epilepsy during pregnancy unless there is no suitable alternative.

Long appointment wait times, embarrassment, and lack of trust are causing thousands of Brits to avoid visiting doctors, according to new research by Newfoundland Diagnostics. With 1 in 4 individuals resorting to A&E due to the lack of available GP appointments, which adds to the NHS burden, the medical self-testing brand believes that educating the nation on at-home testing can help ease the strain on the health service. The research revealed the top five reasons why Brits avoid visiting doctors for medical testing: Appointments taking too long to book (28 per cent) Embarrassment around their illnesses (15 per cent) Preference for at-home testing (12 per cent) Not having time (10 per cent) Lack of trust in the NHS or their GP (7 per cent) The research team cautioned that delaying care can worsen conditions, resulting in more severe cases that place greater strain on the NHS.

The renowned health and beauty chain has announced impressive annual sales and profit figures, following the expansion of its British high street estate. According to a report by The Times, Superdrug's pre-tax profits jumped by 43.6 per cent to £111.6 million in the year ending December 2023 compared to the previous year. The company's revenue also experienced significant growth, rising by 11.8 per cent to reach £1.52 billion, marking its third consecutive year of market share growth. Key factors driving this growth include the opening of 14 new stores across strategic locations such as The Trafford Centre in Manchester and Brent Cross shopping centre in north London, and the refitting of 45 stores last year. Additionally, the continued expansion of its cheaper, own-label products, along with exclusive launches from brands like Bioré SPF, Nyx X Barbie, and Billie Eilish fragrances, significantly contributed to a 4.2 per cent year-on-year increase in Superdrug's sales volume.

Holland & Barrett, the UK's leading wellness retailer, has become the latest retailer regulatory member of PAGB, the consumer healthcare association. PAGB represents the manufacturers of branded over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, self care medical devices and food supplements in the UK. Holland & Barrett's decision to PAGB follows its recent introduction of a selected range of OTC and healthcare products in its stores across the UK. These include painkillers, cough and cold medicines, children's health essentials, hay fever relief, as well as skin and gastrointestinal products. With this expansion, the retailer aims to not only help customers to stay well, but also provide relief when needed.

PAGB, the prominent consumer healthcare association, has appointed a new Vice-President following the departure of Richard Holme from PAGB's Board earlier this year. Brian R. Fischel, who currently serves as Regional Director & General Manager for UK and Ireland at Reckitt, is set to take on the new Vice-President role at PAGB. Bringing extensive international experience as Vice-President at UK trade association representing manufacturers of branded over-the-counter medicines, medical devices and food supplements, Fischel has over eight years at Reckitt managing various global health territories. His election in the leadership role in June positions him alongside Bas Vorsteveld, President, and Mike Knowland, Vice President, completing PAGB's executive team. Michelle Riddalls, CEO of PAGB, expressed optimism about Brian's appointment, emphasising his alignment with PAGB's strategic objectives.

Ireland-based Perrigo Company has acquired a basket of value-brand OTC products sold in Australia and New Zealand from Aspen Global for $51m.

Started with the personal need of a young woman, who went on to be a prominent entrepreneur, to find products which are free of harsh chemicals and would suit her sensitive skin, Vedaearth came into existence. Divya Dinesh, along with the support of her mother Asha Dinesh, started Addvantis Enterprises LLP, a family business based in Bengaluru.

Shubhika Jain, the CEO of RAS Luxury Oils, naturally developed an interest and acumen for the same.

Rakesh Patni, an entrepreneur and investor, and Shivani Shah, a yoga and educational therapist, are the co-founders of Naturma.

US-headquartered coffeehouse chain Starbucks has upped its packaging sustainability efforts over recent years - from implementing cup charges to selling own-brand reusable tumblers. Packaging Gateway takes a look at the current and future sustainable packaging efforts from Starbucks.

Alliance Healthcare UK has won a 'special achievement' award for its work during the Covid-19 pandemic at the Logistics UK Awards 2021. The pharmaceutical wholesaler and it's subsidiary, Alloga UK - a specialist provider of supply chain solutions for healthcare manufacturers - received the 'Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Response to Covid' at an event held in central London on Thursday, December 9, 2021 - beating off stiff competition from a number of high profile challengers. Alliance Healthcare's new managing director Marie Evans said: "I am delighted that our business and team of 6,000 colleagues have been recognised at this level for our contribution to the fight against Covid-19. Our main aim over this unprecedented period is to support the NHS, pharmacy and all UK patients, and this award is true recognition for all of that hard work and dedication." The special award category was open to an individual or organization that demonstrated an outstanding response to the pandemic in 2020 within the logistics sector and included seven other nominees including the likes of National Highways, Hermes UK and Yodel.

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."

The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) has elected Matthew Salzmann, UK Country Manager at Viatris, as its new Vice-Chair with immediate effect. He will replace the current chair of the BGMA, Diane DiGangi-Trench, who is the UK country head for Sandoz. Salzman, who is originally from Australia, has served approximately 1 billion patients worldwide last year as the UK Country Manager at Viatris, a global pharmaceutical company operating in 165 countries. In his role as BGMA Vice-Chair, Salzmann would focus on working in partnership with key stakeholders - the NHS, healthcare professionals, policy makers, clinical societies, patient associations, academia - to ensure access to affordable and sustainable medicines for patients and the NHS.

When it comes to supplements, more and more people are starting to become interested in them. This is because supplements have a lot of benefits that can improve a person's health in many ways. However, with the increasing popularity of supplements also comes an increase in the number of low-quality and ineffective supplements on the market. Because of this, it is important for people who are interested in taking supplements to know how to choose quality ones that will be beneficial to their health. In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to do just that. CHOOSE SUPPLEMENTS FROM A REPUTABLE COMPANY Finally, one of the best ways to ensure that you're getting a quality supplement is to choose one from a reputable company. There are many different supplement companies out there, but not all of them are created equal. Some companies are more interested in making money than they are in providing their customers with safe and effective products. Therefore, when you're looking for supplements, it's important to do some research on the different companies that sell them. See if there have been any complaints filed against the company or if their products have been recalled by the FDA. Also, look for customer reviews of the company's products to see what other people have thought about them. As explained by the folks from Supplement First, A good supplement company will have no problem providing you with this information and will be happy to answer any questions you have. Doing some research on the company beforehand can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has proposed a Voluntary Scheme for Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) that aims to deliver a sustainable approach to medicines provision and maximise the growth potential of the UK life sciences industry. It has published the industry's vision for a new agreement with the government which will deliver for patients, the NHS and the economy. VPAG also includes measures to ensure rapid patient access and adoption of new medicines, as well as opportunities to improve health outcomes and productivity for the whole country. The association's proposals consist of four key areas: restoring an internationally competitive commercial environment for life sciences; supporting UK clinical research and R&D; ensuring rapid patient access and uptake of new medicines; and improving population health and productivity through health innovation. The proposal would deliver over £1bn a year to the NHS - around £300m more than the average delivered under the old scheme before 2023, and comfortably more than the highest contributions ever made before the pandemic.

Dermal fillers, also known as injectable facial fillers, can be an effective way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, restore facial volume, and enhance certain features. While dermal fillers are generally safe, it's important to know about the potential benefits and side effects before you decide if they're right for you. In this blog post, we will look at the potential benefits and side effects of dermal fillers. We will also provide some tips for preparing for your treatment and ensuring a safe, successful procedure. So if you're considering dermal fillers, read on to learn more! HOW ARE DERMAL FILLERS INJECTED? Dermal fillers are typically injected directly into the skin with a small needle. Your doctor or injector will decide how much filler should be used and where it should be placed based on your desired outcome. In general, people who want to reduce wrinkles or enhance certain features may need more filler than those who just want to restore the volume in their face. Since they are injected under the skin, dermal fillers are minimally invasive and require little downtime after the procedure. It usually takes around 30 minutes to perform the procedure. Additionally, you may experience some swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the area where the filler was injected. This should subside over the next few days.

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.

A recent study, conducted by CBD experts at Brown's CBD, unveiled Dundee as the UK's leading CBD hotspot, with an average monthly search volume of 530.29 per 100,000 residents, sparking a surge of interest in natural wellness solutions. New research analysed search volume data across UK cities for CBD-related terms, reflecting a staggering 1100% increase in searches for 'what is CBD' over the last decade. Following Dundee, Brighton secures the second spot in the rankings with an average monthly search volume of 530.08 per 100,000 residents for CBD related terms, closely trailed by St. Albans in third place. Other notable cities making the top ranks include Gloucester, Hereford, and Bath, indicating a widespread curiosity about CBD products and their purported health benefits.