Latest News

Commission on Human Medicines seeks 6 commissioners

12 March 2012 | No comments

The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) advises the Licensing authority (UK Health Ministers) on matters relating to safety, quality and efficacy of medicines and the collection of adverse drug reactions to marketed medicines.

Sleeping pills linked to death risk

28 February 2012 | No comments

Sleeping pills are linked to a raised risk of death, according to several high-profile news reports in today’s newspapers. Several front page stories have covered the link, reporting a four-fold death risk among users of the drugs, medically known as ‘hypnotics’.

Local NHS launches major initiative to reduce medicine waste

21 February 2012 | No comments

Wasted medication is costing the NHS millions every year – including £20million for the NHS across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, local health chiefs have revealed.

Old antibiotic could be a new weapon to fight TB

20 February 2012 | No comments

A cheap and safe antibiotic that is widely available in the developing world might have a new use as a tuberculosis (TB) treatment, according to new research.

NPC publishes reports into controlled drugs

17 February 2012 | No comments

The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has published three reports commissioned by the Department of Health, concerning the safe management and use of controlled drugs in the ambulance and paramedic sector, in prisons and when privately prescribed.

Government backs Imperial researchers in drive to eliminate tropical diseases

25 January 2012 | No comments

Renewed support from the British government will enable research groups based at Imperial College London to distribute an additional 100 million treatments for schistosomiasis in Africa.

Aspirin may soon need a replacement after thousands of years of use

13 January 2012 | 1 comment

Aspirin has long been established as a bit of a miracle drug to those in the later years of life.

Christmas stocking-up on the morning after pill?

7 December 2011 | No comments

“Morning after pill given out free over the phone,” said The Daily Telegraph in a report also carried by most newspapers.

Common bone drug may extend life of replacement joints

6 December 2011 | No comments

People who take bisphosphonates after joint replacement surgery are less likely to need a repeat operation, finds a new study published on bmj.com today.

Life sciences sector to receive £180m government funding boost

5 December 2011 | No comments

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a £180 million funding boost for the life sciences sector will come into effect.

Paracetamol research is not cause for concern

24 November 2011 | No comments

“Taking too much paracetamol in pills and cold remedies could kill you,” the Daily Mail has today reported.

Small no longer means impossible – new technique enables study of ‘challenging’ proteins

15 November 2011 | No comments

Researchers from Hull, Bristol and Frankfurt have shown that a new technique for identifying molecular structure can be used effectively on small samples of biological proteins, particularly proteins that are targeted for drug development.

MMR fraud needs parliamentary inquiry, says BMJ, as new information puts spotlight on Wakefield’s co-authors

9 November 2011 | No comments

Britain’s leading medical journal, the BMJ, is calling on MPs to launch a parliamentary inquiry into research which claimed that the MMR vaccine causes autism and bowel disease, following extraordinary new disclosures

Community Wardens help vulnerable manage their medicines as part of national pilot

9 November 2011 | No comments

Community Wardens in the Chichester District are piloting a UK-wide project to help older and vulnerable people manage their medicines with a medication card.

Royal Borough alcohol intervention training scheme ‘could save NHS and local authorities millions’

3 November 2011 | No comments

An innovative Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead training scheme for pharmacists could save the NHS and local authorities millions.

New pharmacy services announced by Welsh Government

31 October 2011 | No comments

Study confirms some contraceptive pills more likely to cause blood clots

25 October 2011 | No comments

A study published on bmj.com today confirms previous findings that certain oral contraceptive pills are more likely to cause serious blood clots (venous thromboembolism – VTE ) than others.

Vitamin pills and risk of death studied

12 October 2011 | No comments

“Women have been told there is ‘little justification’ for taking vitamin supplements in an academic study that found the tablets may be actually linked to a higher risk of death,” The Daily Telegraph reported.

Medicine failing probe into Copthorne care home

5 October 2011 | No comments

A care home is under investigation by police for failing to give elderly residents their medication, after already being threatened with closure.