Switch patients on Levemir to alternative insulins ‘as soon as possible’, prescribers reminded Continued high prescribing has prompted action by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Switch patients on Levemir to alternative insulins ‘as soon as possible’, prescribers reminded

Read more on MIMS

Multiple Parkinson’s disease medications in short supply Co-careldopa, ropinirole and pramipexole preparations among those impacted.

Multiple Parkinson’s disease medications in short supply

Read more on MIMS

This week's news in brief:

▶️ Co-codamol shortage continues

▶️ High-dose Wegovy pen set to launch

▶️ Genetic differences linked to GLP-1 drug response pinpointed

Read more on MIMS
buff.ly/harLZlf

Additional treatment option available for under-served heart failure population The non-steroidal aldosterone antagonist finerenone can now be used to treat heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction following MHRA approval.

The non-steroidal aldosterone antagonist finerenone can now be used to treat heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction following MHRA approval.

Read more on MIMS

This week's #DrugShortages

▶️ Almuriva 4.6mg/24hr and 9.5mg/24hr patches (rivastigmine)

▶️ Capimune 25mg and 50mg capsules (ciclosporin)

▶️ Erastig (rivastigmine)

For more information, see the MIMS Drug Shortages tracker
buff.ly/ttOv5qP

COVID spring vaccination campaign begins, with change to adult vaccine The spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination programme starts today, with a change to the vaccine supplied for adults.

The spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination programme started yesterday, with a change to the vaccine supplied for adults.

Read more on MIMS

A quarter of older patients can discontinue levothyroxine successfully, researchers find The need to continue levothyroxine in adults aged 60 years or older should be reviewed, researchers have advised after finding that more than a quarter of patients in this age group could discontinue…

A quarter of older patients can discontinue levothyroxine successfully, researchers find

Read more on MIMS

This week's news in brief:

▶️ New oral GLP-1 agonist under MHRA review

▶️ GLP-1 adverse events differ by indication, large-scale analysis finds

Read more on MIMS

buff.ly/harLZlf

Lack of support for new pharmacist prescribers threatens plan to bring more NHS care into community Thousands of new pharmacist prescribers face 'worrying barriers' to helping the NHS shift more care into the community, a new report warns.

Thousands of new pharmacist prescribers face 'worrying barriers' to helping the NHS shift more care into the community, a new report warns.

Read more on MIMS

This week's #drugshortages

▶️ Aztreonam 2g powder for solution for injection in vials: Kent Pharmaceuticals

▶️ Domperidone Suspension, 1mg/ml: Zentiva

▶️ Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil)

For more information, see the MIMS Drug Shortages Tracker
buff.ly/CSsYVep

Two new CGMs approved for NHS prescribing Two more continuous glucose monitoring sensors can be prescribed for eligible patients.

Two more continuous glucose monitoring sensors can be prescribed for eligible patients.

Read more on MIMS

UK at risk of drug shortages due to Middle East war, warns head of NHS England The head of NHS England has said that he is 'really worried' about potential disruption to medicines supply as a result of the war in Iran.

The head of NHS England has said that he is 'really worried' about potential disruption to medicines supply as a result of the war in Iran

NICE recommends semaglutide to prevent heart attack and stroke Wegovy (semaglutide) has been recommended by NICE to help prevent heart attack and stroke in people who have already experienced such an event or have peripheral arterial disease and who are also…

Wegovy (semaglutide) has been recommended by NICE to help prevent heart attack and stroke in people who have already experienced such an event or have peripheral arterial disease and who are also overweight.

Read more on MIMS

This week's #drugshortages

▶️ Bexsero (meningitis B vaccine)

▶️ Chlordiazepoxide 5mg and 10mg capsules: Viatris

▶️ Conotrane (benzalkonium chloride/dimeticone)

For more information, see the MIMS Drug Shortages tracker
buff.ly/z4EKhdy

SSRI provides ‘consistent and meaningful benefits’ in long COVID, trial finds Fluvoxamine reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in adults with long COVID.

SSRI provides ‘consistent and meaningful benefits’ in long COVID, trial finds.
Read more on MIMS:

New salbutamol inhaler launched A new pressurised metered-dose salbutamol inhaler, Asthalin, has been launched in the UK.

A new pressurised metered-dose salbutamol inhaler, Asthalin, has been launched in the UK.

Read more on MIMS

This week's news in brief

▶️ Additional meningitis vaccine stock released for private supply

Read more on MIMS
buff.ly/KOqSq1k

NHS clinicians should flag safety concerns about private GLP-1 prescriptions, says pharmacist NHS clinicians should inform providers and patients seeking a private GLP-1 drug prescription of any potential safety issues, a clinical pharmacist has said in a new webinar.

NHS clinicians should inform providers and patients seeking a private GLP-1 drug prescription of any potential safety issues, a clinical pharmacist has said in a new webinar

This week's #drugshortages

▶️ Trumenba (meningococcal group B vaccine)

▶️ Aceclofenac 100mg tablets: various

▶️ Fluomizin (dequalinium)

For more information, see the MIMS Drug Shortages Tracker
buff.ly/z4EKhdy

Community and primary care teams will be supported to diagnose and treat patients with asthma and COPD closer to home, in a new national partnership between the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry, the DHSC has announced.

Read more on MIMS
buff.ly/P2Nca4d

NICE to reconsider Alzheimer’s drugs for NHS use Donanemab and lecanemab will be re-evaluated for NHS use after being rejected in draft NICE guidance last year.

Donanemab and lecanemab will be re-evaluated for NHS use after being rejected in draft NICE guidance last year.

Read more on MIMS

This week's news in brief

▶️ GLP-1 use in early pregnancy may not cause complications in women without diabetes

Read more on MIMS
buff.ly/jTIKxpE

Three more product trackers available from MIMS Trackers covering product presentation changes, nutritional product shortages, and NICE decisions are now available to MIMS subscribers.

Trackers covering product presentation changes, nutritional product shortages, and NICE decisions are now available to MIMS subscribers.

Read more on MIMS

This week's #drugshortages

▶️ Betnovate RD 0.025% cream (betamethasone)

▶️ Co-trimoxazole Paediatric Suspension, 40mg/200mg per 5ml: various

▶️ Ramipril Capsules, 1.25mg: various

For more information, see the MIMS Drug Shortages tracker
buff.ly/DCQ0Mbg

Anxiolytics linked with increased risk of death in dementia patients The use of anxiolytic medication was strongly associated with mortality in people with dementia in a case-controlled study.

The use of anxiolytic medication was strongly associated with mortality in people with dementia in a case-controlled study.

Read more on MIMS

Once-daily inhaler reduces risk of COPD exacerbations compared with twice-daily alternatives, study suggests A once-daily, dual therapy, dry powder inhaler was associated with slightly improved COPD outcomes compared with a twice-daily, dual therapy, metered dose inhaler and a twice-daily, dual therapy, dry…

A once-daily, dual therapy, dry powder inhaler was associated with slightly improved COPD outcomes compared with a twice-daily, dual therapy, metered dose inhaler and a twice-daily, dual therapy, dry powder inhaler in a cohort study.

Read more on MIMS

This week's news in brief:

▶️ Risk of rare semaglutide-linked eye condition highest with weight loss preparation, analysis suggests

▶️ New type of treatment for excessive sweating recommended by NICE

Read more on MIMS
buff.ly/V3Sz8Rt

New type of treatment for menopausal hot flushes approved for NHS use Fezolinetant, a non-hormonal treatment for hot flushes in menopause, has been approved for NHS use in draft guidance published by NICE today.

Fezolinetant, a non-hormonal treatment for hot flushes in menopause has been approved for NHS use in draft guidance published by NICE today.
Read more on MIMS

This week's #drugshortages

▶️ Baclofen Oral Solution, 10mg/5ml: SyriMed

▶️ Diprosalic Scalp Application (betamethasone/salicylic acid)

▶️ Librium 5mg capsules (chlordiazepoxide)

For more information, see the MIMS Drug Shortages Tracker
buff.ly/BYl1K9Y

Use of a tool to personalise antidepressant prescribing increased the likelihood of people with major depressive disorder staying on treatment for at least 8 weeks in a randomised controlled trial.

Read more on MIMS
buff.ly/vnke58O