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General Pharmaceutical Council Reports Record Number of Concerns Amid Sector Pressures

General Pharmaceutical Council Reports Record Number of Concerns Amid Sector Pressures

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has reported its highest ever recorded number of concerns in the second quarter of 2025/2026, with 2,159 issues raised. The concerns primarily relate to customer service issues and dispensing errors, reflecting broader pressures within the pharmacy sector. A significant portion of these concerns, 17%, were associated with online settings. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in concerns related to weight management, particularly following the price increase of Mounjaro (semaglutide) by Eli Lilly. The GPhC has closed 93% of these concerns at the initial assessment stage, while a small number have been referred for further investigation. The council has also noted ongoing issues with Jhoots pharmacies, leading to enforcement actions and inspections. The GPhC is in the process of developing a policy on the disqualification of pharmacy owners, with a draft expected in February 2026.

Novo Nordisk Faces Market Challenges Amidst GLP-1 Competition and Analyst Downgrades

Novo Nordisk Faces Market Challenges Amidst GLP-1 Competition and Analyst Downgrades

Novo Nordisk Faces Market Challenges Amidst GLP-1 Competition and Analyst Downgrades

Curis Reports Promising Results from AML Triplet Study with Emavusertib

Curis Reports Promising Results from AML Triplet Study with Emavusertib

Curis Reports Promising Results from AML Triplet Study with Emavusertib

Lack of Official Data Fails Psychosis Patients in Northern Ireland, Says Carer

Lack of Official Data Fails Psychosis Patients in Northern Ireland, Says Carer

Psychosis patients in Northern Ireland are reportedly being failed due to a lack of official data on the number of individuals suffering from the condition. Margaret Gibney, a carer for a person living with psychosis, highlights the absence of readily available statistics on patients taking antipsychotic medication. This lack of data prevents patients from making informed treatment choices. The Department of Health is working towards a system to generate high-quality data to improve patient outcomes. However, the current system focuses on symptoms rather than root causes, often leading to medication being prescribed without adequate follow-up. Thousands are waiting for mental health services, with some waiting up to seven years for treatment. The rollout of a new electronic patient record system, Encompass, has further complicated data availability.

Cystic Fibrosis Therapy Reduces Chronic Medication Use in Patients

Cystic Fibrosis Therapy Reduces Chronic Medication Use in Patients

A study published in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis reveals that a combination therapy, Kaftrio, significantly reduces the need for chronic respiratory medications in cystic fibrosis patients. The therapy, which includes elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor, was shown to decrease the number of chronic therapies required by patients over a 54-month period. This reduction in treatment burden is seen as a major advancement in improving the quality of life for those living with cystic fibrosis.

Pharmacies Enhance Support for Substance Use Disorders with Holistic Care Approach

Pharmacies Enhance Support for Substance Use Disorders with Holistic Care Approach

Pharmacies are increasingly playing a crucial role in supporting individuals affected by substance use disorders through a holistic care approach. This involves integrating harm reduction strategies, improving access to opioid agonist treatments, and fostering a stigma-free environment. Pharmacies are positioned to provide essential services such as supervised consumption of opioid agonist treatments and education on safer substance use practices. By collaborating with health and social care partners, pharmacies aim to offer comprehensive care that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of substance use. This approach is designed to reduce harm, support recovery, and improve health outcomes for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.

FDA opens safety review of injectable RSV drugs approved for babies and toddlers

FDA opens safety review of injectable RSV drugs approved for babies and toddlers

Federal health officials are reviewing the safety of two injectable drugs used to protect babies and toddlers from the RSV virus

Study Reveals Tirzepatide's Efficacy in Weight Loss for Non-Diabetic Adults

Study Reveals Tirzepatide's Efficacy in Weight Loss for Non-Diabetic Adults

A recent study has demonstrated the effectiveness of tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, in promoting weight loss among adults with obesity who do not have diabetes. Conducted as a prospective multicentre observational study, 115 participants were administered tirzepatide at a starting dose of 2.5 mg weekly for four weeks, which was then increased to 5 mg for a total of 12 weeks. The study observed significant reductions in body weight, with an average decrease of 8.2 kg, equating to a 7.3% reduction in body mass index (BMI). Additionally, 46.1% of participants achieved a weight loss of 5% or more. The study also noted improvements in metabolic parameters, including reductions in HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. However, HDL cholesterol and eGFR levels remained unchanged. Nausea was reported as the most common adverse event, affecting 7.8% of participants, and 10.4% discontinued treatment, primarily those with prior GLP-1 receptor agonist use.

PureTech Advances Deupirfenidone for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis with FDA Support

PureTech Advances Deupirfenidone for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis with FDA Support

PureTech Health has successfully completed an End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its drug candidate deupirfenidone (LYT-100) for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The FDA's feedback supports the advancement of deupirfenidone into a pivotal Phase 3 trial, which is set to begin in the first half of 2026. Deupirfenidone is being developed by Celea Therapeutics, a PureTech Founded Entity, and aims to become a new standard of care for IPF, a progressive and fatal lung disease. The Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial will compare deupirfenidone to pirfenidone, an existing FDA-approved therapy, to assess its efficacy and safety.

Study Finds GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic Have Little Impact on Obesity-Related Cancer Risk

Study Finds GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic Have Little Impact on Obesity-Related Cancer Risk

Recent research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Zepbound, likely have minimal effect on the risk of developing 13 types of obesity-related cancers. The study, led by Dr. Cho-Han Chiang, reviewed 48 randomized controlled trials involving over 94,000 patients with Type 2 diabetes, overweight, or obesity. The findings suggest that while GLP-1 drugs can aid in weight loss, they do not significantly alter the risk of cancers like breast, kidney, thyroid, and pancreatic, among others. The study highlights the need for longer-term research to fully understand the implications of GLP-1 drugs on cancer risk, as the current trials were not specifically designed to measure cancer outcomes.

Syrian refugee returns set to slow as donor support fades

Syrian refugee returns set to slow as donor support fades

GENEVA, Dec 8 (Reuters) - More than 3 million Syrians have returned home since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule a year ago but a decline in global funding could deter others, the U.N. refugee agency said on Monday.

Tirzepatide Shows Promising Weight Loss Results in Non-Diabetic Adults

Tirzepatide Shows Promising Weight Loss Results in Non-Diabetic Adults

A real-world study has demonstrated the effectiveness of tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, in promoting weight loss among adults with obesity but without diabetes. Conducted over 12 weeks, the study involved 115 participants who received low-dose tirzepatide. Results showed an average weight loss of 8.2 kg and a reduction in BMI, with 46.1% of participants achieving at least 5% weight loss. The study also noted improvements in metabolic parameters such as HbA1c and LDL cholesterol. Nausea was the most common side effect, leading to a 10.4% discontinuation rate.