American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has received marketing authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for its
medication Etrasimod, marketed as Velsipity, used to treat people with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the lining of the large intestine (colon)
and rectum.
The approved recommended dose for Velsipity is one 2 mg tablet to be taken once daily. For the first three days, it is advised to take the medication with food,
and subsequently, it can be taken daily either with or without food.
According to the regulator, the approval of the medication is based on evidence from two clinical studies, which showed that 26 per cent of patients taking
etrasimod achieved clinical remission after 12 weeks of treatment compared with 11 per cent of those receiving placebo. The studies included more than 740
patients aged 16 years and over for whom standard treatment or other treatments did not work well enough or could not be used.
The National Health Service (NHS) on Monday launched a new national campaign to find the 'missing millions' who could be living with undiagnosed high
blood pressure, often described as a 'silent killer'.
People are being warned that the condition rarely has any symptoms and it can lead to fatal heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia, if
left untreated.
According to the NHS, high blood pressure affects an estimated 32 per cent of adults and approximately three in 10 of these remain undiagnosed, equating to
4.2 million people in England.
The NHS has expanded blood pressure checks in community pharmacies to include 2.5 million more tests as part of the Pharmacy First programme.
With the 'Get Your Blood Pressure Checked' campaign, the health service is encouraging those aged 40 years and over to get a free blood pressure test at a
participating pharmacy, for which they don't need to be booked in advance.
Health Minister Andrea Leadsom expressed confidence that this new drive will help to prevent the potentially "fatal consequences" of untreated high blood
pressure. She urged people to go to their local pharmacy to get their blood pressure checked, stating that it could be a "lifesaving trip."
The UK based Pharma giant Futura Medical Plc's lead product, Eroxon, a topical Stim-gel is now available on NHS prescription in England and Wales for the
treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
The Muti-Drug Resistant (MDR) approved alternative to PDE5i, Eroxon is available as an over-the counter off shelf at retailers like Boots and Superdrug; and is
available on NHS prescription in England and Wales as a CE-marked medical device.
Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to get and maintain an erection, typically concerning men over the age of 40 due to both,
psychological and physical causes such as anxiety, depression, diabetes, and obesity.
According to UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA), the approval of the medication is based on evidence from 2 Phase three clinical studies, which showed that
60 per cent of patients taking Eroxon achieved Minimal Clinically Important Differences (MCID) at 12 weeks.
NHS England's decision to forgo commissioning puberty suppressing hormones (PSH) for children and young people, citing insufficient evidence of their safety
and clinical effectiveness, follows a comprehensive review conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2020.
The clinical report underscores that "PSH treatment options will not be part of routine commissioning" for people under the age of 18 in England grappling with
gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The NHS England review analysed nine observational studies on Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Analogues (GnRHa) and found no statistically significant difference
in gender dysphoria, mental health, body image, and psychosocial functioning among children and adolescents treated with GnRHa.
Duncan Rudkin, chief executive of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), acknowledged the challenges faced by pharmacy professionals regarding prescriptions
for puberty suppressing hormones, stating:
A new report, published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), has revealed worrying statistics about the mental health of children and young people
in England.
The report is based on NHS survey on Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023, which showed that one in five children and young individuals
aged eight to 25 were grappling with probable mental disorders.
The report highlighted that 20.3 per cent of eight to 16-year-olds showed signs of mental distress in 2023. Among 17 to 19-year-olds, the proportion rose to
23.3 per cent, while in 20 to 25-year-olds, it stood at 21.7 per cent.
The rates of probable mental disorders were similar for boys and girls, while for 17- to 25-year-olds, rates were twice as high for young women than young men.
More than 7,000 hospitalisations and deaths in the UK could have been averted in summer 2022 if people had received their recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses,
a new study published in The Lancet has revealed.
The largest ever study carried out in the UK found that between a third and a half of the UK population had not had the recommended number of COVID vaccinations and
boosters by summer 2022.
In Northern Ireland, nearly 50 per cent of the population were under-vaccinated, while the proportion of under-vaccinated people in England was 45.7 per cent,
34.2 per cent for Scotland and 32.8 per cent Wales.
Researchers from the Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) and the University of Edinburgh analysed the electronic health records of 67 million residents aged 5 and
older from across the four countries during June 1 to September 30 2022.
The UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) Chief Executive, Professor Dame Jenny Harries has expressed concern that measles outbreak could spread to other
towns and cities unless urgent action is taken to increase Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake in areas at greatest risk.
The virus can spread very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools, she said on Friday (19 January) during a visit to
irmingham to review the ongoing work to contain the spread of the disease.
A rapid rise in cases has been seen in the West Midlands since 1 October 2023, with 216 confirmed cases and 103 probable cases recorded till 18 January.
The majority of the cases (around 80 per cent) were reported from Birmingham, with about 10 per cent in Coventry, mostly affecting children aged under 10 years.
Dame Jenny is calling on all local areas to increase MMR vaccine uptake rates in communities across the country.
The NHS England is rapidly expanding the targeted lung health check programme (TLHC) across England to detect lung cancers at an early stage.
Launched in 2019, it is a national scheme that identifies people aged 55-74 at increased risk of lung cancer to invite them for a lung health check and chest
CT scan, if appropriate.
Since then, it has heled detect over 3,000 lung cancers, mostly at an early stage when the condition is more treatable, Dr Jason Page, Clinical Director of South
Yorkshire and Bassetlaw targeted lung health checks, revealed in a blog on the NHS website.
The decision to initiate the programme follows a study that showed CT screening reduced lung cancer mortality by 26 per cent in men and between 39 per cent and
61 per cent in women.
The number of people living to be 100 or more increased by 3.7 per cent in England and Wales in 2022, compared to the previous year, according to new
figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
ONS data also revealed that the number of centenarians in the UK has more than doubled in the last two decades.
Wales has more centenarians (27 people per 100,000 aged 100 or over) than England (25 people per 100,000).
It's good news that more people are living into their second century, but it also means that we may need to rethink our health plans for a longer future, a leading
testing expert has suggested.
A newly licensed 1mg/ml Omeprazole Powder for Oral Suspension has been developed by Rosemont Pharmaceuticals to meet the special needs of babies
from 1 to 12 months old who have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). In infants, the symptoms of GORD can be particularly distressing for both the child
and parent.
Previously, Rosemont Omeprazole Powder for Oral Suspension has been available in 2mg/ml and 4mg/ml strengths. However, the addition of the new 1mg/ml product
ensures that the needs of all patient groups with GORD are sufficiently met.
The Rosemont range of Omeprazole Powder for Oral Suspension products are the only PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) indicated for use in babies from 1 month to
1 year. Symptoms of GORD in infants are usually resolved by 1 year of age1, so it is key that there is a licensed treatment option available for the 1 to 12 month
patient group.
A newly licensed 1mg/ml Omeprazole Powder for Oral Suspension has been developed by Rosemont Pharmaceuticals to meet the special needs of babies from 1 to 12
months old who have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). In infants, the symptoms of GORD can be particularly distressing for both the child and parent.
Previously, Rosemont Omeprazole Powder for Oral Suspension has been available in 2mg/ml and 4mg/ml strengths. However, the addition of the new 1mg/ml product
ensures that the needs of all patient groups with GORD are sufficiently met.
The Rosemont range of Omeprazole Powder for Oral Suspension products are the only PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) indicated for use in babies from 1 month to 1 year.
Symptoms of GORD in infants are usually resolved by 1 year of age1, so it is key that there is a licensed treatment option available for the 1 to 12 month patient
group.
The much-awaited Pharmacy First service has been launched in England, enabling patients to get treatment for seven common conditions from their community
pharmacists without needing to see a GP.
According to NHS England, a total of 10,265 community pharmacies, which is equivalent to more than nine in ten community pharmacies in the country, will be
offering the ground-breaking initiative.
The new scheme allows highly trained pharmacists to give advice and prescription-only medicines for minor ailments including sinusitis, sore throat, earache,
infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (under the age of 65).
With this major expansion of pharmacy services, the NHS is aiming to free up 10 million GP appointments a year while giving the public more choice in where and
how they access care.
Lower back pain is a common experience for women of all ages, but the specific causes can differ depending on life stage.By understanding the potential causes of Lower Back Pain at different stages of life, women can make informed decisions about their health and seek appropriate care to manage this common yet complex issue.
Here's a breakdown of potential culprits throughout their lifespan:
Adolescence and Young Adulthood (12-30 years):
Muscle strain and overuse: Repetitive activities like sports, heavy lifting, or poor posture can strain back muscles and ligaments.
Menstrual pain: Cramping and inflammation associated with periods can radiate to the lower back.
Scoliosis: An abnormal curvature of the spine can contribute to back pain, though often asymptomatic in mild cases.
Menopause and Beyond (50+ years):
Arthritis: Degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis can affect the spine, leading to pain and stiffness.
Vertebral fractures: Weakened bones are more susceptible to fractures with falls or minor impacts.
Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal can compress nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs.
A cataract is an eye condition where the usually clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, leading to a decrease in vision. Cataracts typically develop slowly as part of the normal aging process but can occasionally progress rapidly.
As the population continues to age, the number of dementia cases in the UK could increase to rise to 1.5 million by 2040, a new study has predicted.
The study report from Future Health also cautioned that over half a million people with dementia could remain undiagnosed by 2040, representing an increase of
nearly a quarter of a million compared to the current figure, if there is "no progress in improving diagnosis rates."
At present, approximately 850,000 individuals in the UK are living with dementia, with an estimated 315,000 cases going undiagnosed.
Sponsored by Lilly, the study also highlighted significant variations in diagnosis rates across the four nations. Despite improvements, England's dementia
diagnosis rate stands at 64.6 per cent, falling short of the two-thirds target.
After receiving approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the NHS is preparing to roll out a new combination treatment
for brain tumours in children and young people in England.
Dabrafenib with trametinib would be the first ever targeted treatment for children (aged 1-17) with gliomas that have a specific genetic mutation, the health
service said.
The treatment, which can be taken at home, has been found to slow the progression of the disease by over threefold compared to standard chemotherapy in children
with low-grade gliomas that have a BRAF V600E mutation. Clinical trials have shown that it causes fewer side-effects than chemotherapy.
NICE approved the combination treatment on Wednesday 24 April. It will be available on the NHS in the coming months.
For the first time, Covid-19 vaccines will be available for purchase from pharmacies in Britain from April 1.
As revealed by The Times, Boots is set to launch a private vaccination service next week to ensure that people "remain ready to respond to this constantly
evolving and unpredictable virus."
Under the NHS national immunization programme (NIP), Covid booster vaccines are only offered to those at high risk, including over-65s or patients with weakened
immune systems.
From April 1, anyone aged 12 or over can get the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at 50 Boots stores for £98.95.
While it's highly unlikely for healthier young adults to experience severe Covid-19, getting the single-dose vaccine can protect them from discomforting symptoms
like coughs and sore throats.
A spokesperson for Boots told the publication that their private service is the extension of their existing delivery of Covid-19 vaccinations for the NHS.
With scarlet fever currently circulating in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) has urged parents to remain vigilant for potential symptoms in
children.
Also known as scarlatina, it is an infectious disease triggered by group A strep bacteria that can lead to symptoms such as fever, a sandpapery rash, sore throat
and swollen tonsils.
The latest data published by the UKHSA showed that a total of 19,528 cases of scarlet fever were reported in the 2023/24 season, of which 12,176 cases occurring
between 1 January and 24 March 2024.
While the number of cases recorded this year is lower than those recorded during the same period in 2023, which totaled 15,933 cases, it exceeds the average for
the previous five years.
"Scarlet fever is a common childhood illness, although it can affect anyone of any age," said Dr Theresa Lamagni at UKHSA.
Parents are advised to contact their GP practice or NHS111 when their GP is unavailable, if they suspect they or their child are experiencing symptoms of scarlet
fever.
Colonis, a subsidiary company of the Clinigen Group has received the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval for Melatonin 1mg/ml
Oral Solution for sleep onset insomnia in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Clinical evidence demonstrates that Melatonin has the potential to decrease sleep latency and increase sleep efficiency in children with ADHD and chronic sleep onset
insomnia.
Children with ADHD are statistically more likely to have sleep onset insomnia than non-ADHD children. The prevalence of sleep onset insomnia in children with ADHD
ranges from 25%-50%. Sleep onset insomnia in children with ADHD can affect their mood, attention, behaviour and school performance.
Henno Welgemoed, Director of Medical Affairs at Colonis said: "We welcome the MHRA's approval for a condition that negatively affects the quality of life for
children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and increases the burden for support networks."
Veoza, a non-hormonal treatment for menopause, has been made available on the high street for the first time in the UK.
British pharmacy chain Superdrug on Thursday (1st February) announced the launch of the newly approved menopause medication, expanding its comprehensive
portfolio of products and services to support menopausal women.
Veoza is a prescription medication that is used to manage vasomotor symptoms, specifically hot flushes and night sweats, which affect up to 80 per cent of women
during menopause, as estimated by experts.
It is recommended for women who prefer not to or are unable to take hormone replacement.
Perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women, aged 45-65 who are not on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or hormonal contraception, and are suffering
from moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms, are eligible to take the medication, the retailer said in a release.
