Regulatory news
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MenB vaccine uptake in Year 13 cohort reaches only 26.6%
UKHSA data reveals three quarters of Year 13 students remain unprotected against MenB despite pharmacies administering over 212,000 doses.
Read briefCPE confirms changes to committee composition from April
Community Pharmacy England has updated its constitution to introduce a rebalanced committee structure starting in April next year.
Read briefMHRA approves elinzanetant for VMS in breast cancer therapy
The MHRA has approved elinzanetant to treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms in women receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer.
Read briefThe Pharmacist summarises September national health headlines
The Pharmacist has reviewed September health headlines, including assisted dying, male contraception and records privacy, to support patient communication.
Read briefMHRA supports global call for alternatives to animal testing
The MHRA has co-developed an international statement with global regulators to advance and validate alternatives to animal testing in medicine development.
Read briefScottish community pharmacy funding to rise by 3.5% for 2026/27
Community Pharmacy Scotland and the Scottish government have agreed an £8.5 million uplift to the global sum for 2026/27, bringing total funding to £250.5m.
Read briefUK watchdog warns of potential flu vaccine supply delays
England could face flu vaccine delays and volume limits, though sector leaders confirm most pharmacies have adequate initial stock.
Read briefRoyal College backs pharmacy technician career development pathway
The Royal College of Pharmacy has supported an APTUK consultation on creating a UK-wide post-registration career pathway for pharmacy technicians.
Read briefMHRA and DIA announce speaker line-up for global summit
The MHRA and DIA have announced the speaker line-up for their inaugural global summit addressing major healthcare opportunities and challenges.
Read briefGPhC misses fitness to practise timeliness standard for eighth year
A PSA review found the GPhC met 17 of 18 standards but failed to resolve fitness to practise cases in a timely manner.
Read briefGuideline recommends measures to reduce distress during vaccination
An updated clinical guideline recommends offering pain and fear reduction techniques, including distraction and numbing agents, during vaccinations.
Read briefARRS pharmacist numbers rise after four-month decline
NHS England data shows the number of ARRS pharmacists in primary care networks rose slightly in August after falling for four consecutive months.
Read briefPharmacy2U enables NHS login for patient registration
Pharmacy2U has integrated NHS login, enabling patients to register and access its digital prescription services using existing national health credentials.
Read briefNPA framework calls for record access in prescribing expansion
A new NPA framework says pharmacists require sufficient patient record access to underpin safe decision-making as prescribing services expand.
Read briefGPhC records 66 whistleblowing disclosures in annual report
The General Pharmaceutical Council received 66 whistleblowing disclosures during the last financial year, a joint regulatory report confirms.
Read briefManaging the clinical risks of unregulated skin lightening products
Guidance highlights that patients rarely disclose using unregulated skin lightening products despite presenting with linked symptoms in primary care.
Read briefCochrane review highlights mifepristone for emergency contraception
A new Cochrane review suggests mifepristone may be more effective and better tolerated than several existing emergency contraceptives.
Read briefSpending watchdog considers UK-US pharma deal inquiry
The National Audit Office is considering an investigation into the UK-US pharmaceutical deal following requests from parliamentary committees.
Read briefRCPharm updates stance on training for cosmetic procedures
The Royal College of Pharmacy has warned that procedure-specific training alone is not sufficient for pharmacists delivering non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
Read briefWorld Pharmacists Day brings calls for government funding
Sector commentary marks World Pharmacists Day with fresh calls for government funding to relieve ongoing financial and operational pressures.
Read briefThe Pharmacist marks World Pharmacists Day across nations
A publication notice highlights coverage of pharmacy practice across the UK nations marking World Pharmacists Day without detailed policy specifics.
Read briefPDA joins NHS Staff Council as full member
The Pharmacists' Defence Association has secured national representation for NHS-employed pharmacists after joining the NHS Staff Council.
Read briefCommunity pharmacies deliver 10.5 million NHS blood pressure checks
NHSBSA figures show community pharmacies across England have completed over 10.5 million blood pressure checks under the national hypertension service.
Read briefScotland expands medicines ecosystem and clinical trial access
Scottish partnerships between the NHS, academia and industry are expanding clinical trial access and strengthening the UK life sciences sector.
Read briefMHRA appoints five new commissioners to human medicines body
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has announced five new appointments to the Commission on Human Medicines.
Read briefMHRA welcomes sentencing over falsely certified medical devices
The MHRA has welcomed the sentencing of individuals following fraud convictions linked to falsely certified medical devices.
Read briefIndependent prescribing rollout poorly planned, pharmacy leaders warn
Pharmacy leaders warn that the rollout of independent prescribing services has been poorly planned, citing unresolved funding and IT infrastructure issues.
Read briefMHRA approves lurbinectedin for adult small cell lung cancer
The MHRA has approved lurbinectedin for the treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.
Read briefThe Pharmacist reporter wins MJA award for Mounjaro investigation
Emily Warner has won the Medical Journalists' Association newcomer award for reporting on NHS integrated care board approaches to Mounjaro prescribing.
Read briefStudy links night-time light exposure to changes in heart function
A Tulane University study of UK Biobank data has linked higher night-time light exposure to potentially harmful changes in heart structure and function.
Read briefPharmacy finalists named in General Practice Awards 2026 shortlist
Eight pharmacists and pharmacy teams have been shortlisted for the General Practice Awards 2026 across primary care categories.
Read briefGenetic changes identified in severe Kent meningitis B outbreak
Researchers from UKHSA and Oxford have identified the genetic changes behind a severe meningitis B outbreak in Kent using bacterial genome sequencing.
Read briefNew neighbourhood health model risks excluding community pharmacy
Pharmacy leaders warn that NHS England's proposed neighbourhood health models focus too heavily on general practice and could destabilise existing contracts.
Read briefReformed National Cancer Board meets as key targets missed
The reformed National Cancer Board has convened its first meeting to scrutinise progress on NHS cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Read briefNovo partners with Anthropic to develop AI software and medicines
Novo has formed a partnership with AI firm Anthropic to tackle drug discovery challenges and support software development.
Read briefReview sought for propranolol safety information in anxiety
Professional bodies have asked the UK medicines regulator to review propranolol safety information regarding overdose and self-harm risks in anxiety treatment.
Read briefMHRA issues defect notice for clobazam oral suspension
The MHRA has issued a class 4 defect notice for three batches of clobazam oral suspension following the identification of a barcode packaging error.
Read briefPCN establishes pharmacist-led asthma optimisation service
Nuneaton and Bedworth PCN has developed a pharmacist-led asthma service to embed the 2024 joint BTS, NICE and SIGN guidance into routine care.
Read briefVaccine and immunisation virtual event opens final registrations
A virtual pharmacy event on 24 September will address vaccine uptake, clinic management, patient hesitancy and winter pressures.
Read briefPre-pregnancy multimorbidity linked to increased complication risks
A UK study of over 2.2 million pregnancies has linked multiple pre-existing physical or mental health conditions to higher risks of complications.
Read briefStudy links cardiovascular disease to increased cancer mortality risk
A study suggests people with cardiovascular disease face higher risks of developing and dying from cancer.
Read briefRoyal college updates leadership guide for chief pharmacists
The Royal College of Pharmacy has refreshed its guidance for chief pharmacists to reflect recent shifts in healthcare policy.
Read briefPharmacy leaders seek national independent prescribing baseline
The NPA has convened sector leaders to call for a national baseline for pharmacist independent prescribing to prevent inconsistent patient access.
Read briefPropranolol capsule shortage expected to last until November 2026
A shortage of propranolol 80mg and 160mg modified-release capsules is now expected to persist until November 2026, following updated supply notifications.
Read briefMHRA issues safety alert on patient hoist maintenance
A National Patient Safety Alert sets out practical measures to reduce patient hoist risks through improved checks and maintenance.
Read briefNICE recommends glycopyrronium bromide cream for hyperhidrosis
NICE has recommended glycopyrronium bromide cream for adults with severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis who cannot use or respond to standard therapies.
Read briefGovernment lays legal framework for NHS pharmacist prescribing
Regulations laid before Parliament on 3 September establish the legal framework for pharmacist independent prescribers in NHS services from October.
Read briefTrial links specialist NHS long Covid care to reduced fatigue
A major English study found around six in ten long Covid patients experienced meaningful improvements in fatigue after 12 weeks of specialist clinic care.
Read briefMHRA and Malaysia discuss closer healthcare regulation ties
The MHRA has reaffirmed its regulatory partnership with Malaysia following bilateral discussions on healthcare innovation and research in Kuala Lumpur.
Read briefSurvey reveals worsening financial health across Welsh pharmacies
A Community Pharmacy Wales survey reveals that 63% of Welsh pharmacies saw their finances worsen, with nearly half doubtful of their ongoing viability.
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