NEWS
FORMER CPS CHIEF APPOINTED AS NEW CHAIRMAN OF NUMARK
PHOENIX UK announced the appointment of Harry McQuillan as the new Chairman of Numark on 16 January 2024.
In this pivotal role, Mr. McQuillan will play a key part in advocating for the interests of Numark members and advancing the potential of community pharmacy across the United Kingdom. As the former Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Scotland, Harry McQuillan Harry brings a wealth of experience.
Group Managing Director of PHOENIX UK, Steve Anderson said, “Harry brings an outstanding wealth of experience and understanding of how community pharmacy can work successfully with government officials and politicians to develop and deliver a progressive pharmacy contract which benefits patients, the NHS, and our sector.
“Harry was a key figure in developing the “pharmacy first” concept in Scotland from the outset– arguably the most advanced community pharmacy provision anywhere in Europe – and that experience will help us persuade governments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to unlock the potential of community pharmacy.”
UP TO 14,000 PEOPLE COULD BENEFIT FROM THE FIRST TREATMENT FOR SEVERE ALOPECIA RECOMMENDED BY NICE
The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Pfizer’s Ritlecitinib, marketed as Litfulo, as a new treatment option for severe hair loss associated with alopecia areata.
The approval marks the first time NICE has recommended a treatment for this condition on the National Health Service (NHS).
Intended to be used in patients aged 12 years and above, Ritlecitinib is a once-daily oral medication.
It has been shown to reduce the enzymes that contribute to inflammation and hair loss at the follicle.
Evidence from clinical trials has demonstrated its effectiveness over placebo in promoting hair regrowth, with improvements observed for people taking Ritlecitinib for up to two years.
NEW VALPROATE SAFETY MEASURES APPLY
New regulatory measures have been implemented, January 2024, to mitigate the known risks associated with valproate use.
This includes the significant risks it poses to unborn babies and the potential impact on male fertility.
Valproate initiation is now prohibited in new patients (both male and female) under the age of 55 years, unless two specialists independently determine and document that no other effective or tolerated treatment is available, or there are compelling reasons that the reproductive risks do not apply. For the majority of patients, other effective treatment options are available.
All women who could become pregnant and girls who are currently taking valproate will be reviewed at their next annual specialist review, using a revised valproate Annual Risk Acknowledgement Form.
The form will require a second opinion’s signature if the patient is to continue with valproate.
These measures aim to increase scrutiny of valproate prescribing and reduce associated harms, as recommended by the Commission on Human Medicines.
New safety and educational materials have been introduced for both patients and healthcare professionals to support the implementation of these measures.
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