Demeclocycline 150mg capsules supply issue

25th September 2014

There is a manufacturing and supply issue with demeclocycline 150mg capsules in the UK, which is not expected to be resolved until June 2015. We understand that an unauthorized 150mg tablet can be imported from USA. The tablets are available as 100 tablet packs but are significantly more expensive and there is a lead time between ordering and supply.

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Supplementary information on wholesale dealer and controlled drugs licences in England

19th September 2014

The Department of Health has provided supplementary information summarising the circumstances in which it is necessary for pharmacies supplying controlled drugs to hold a wholesale dealer’s authorisation for human use (WDA(H)) and controlled drugs licence, following changes to the Medicines Act in August 2012.

Department of Health letter

Supplementary guidance

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Domperidone restricted to a POM

9th September 2014

As of the 4th September 2014, domperidone is available only as a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in the UK. All unexpired stock of products previously designated as Pharmacy medicines (P) have been recalled by the MHRA. This follows the Europe-wide review of the safety and efficacy of domperidone (see our news item 30th April 2014) which has resulted in the conclusion by the UK Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) that products containing domperidone no longer meet the requirements for supply with legal status ‘P’.

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Liverpool Care pathway replaced by five Priorities for Care

9th September 2014

The Leadership Alliance for the Care of Dying People (LACDP) has published a new approach to caring for people in the last few days and hours of life. This approach, based on five new priorities for care, is outlined in the new document ‘One Chance to Get it Right’ and follows the recommendation made by the independent Neuberger review of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) that the LCP be phased out by 14 July 2014.

The Five new Priorities for Care are:

• the possibility that a person may die within the coming days and hours is recognised and communicated clearly, decisions about care are made in accordance with the person’s needs and wishes, and these are reviewed and revised regularly
• sensitive communication takes place between staff and the person who is dying and those important to them
• the dying person, and those identified as important to them, are involved in decisions about treatment and care
• the people important to the dying person are listened to and their needs are respected
• care is tailored to the individual and delivered with compassion, with an individual care plan in place.

The full document can be downloaded from the Department of Health website, here.

Full details are available on the LACDP section of NHS England website, here.

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