Pharmacy First-issued medicines increase by nearly a third
Medicines issued in Pharmacy First consultations for seven common conditions rose 32% in 2025/26, NHSBSA figures show.
Category Prescribing & medicines
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ASA clamps down on rule-breaking pharmacy weight-loss medicine adverts
The advertising regulator has ruled for the first time against online pharmacies promoting oral weight-loss drugs.
Autism and ADHD review recommends building capacity across multidisciplinary workforce
An independent review led by Professor Peter Fonagy finds that services for children and young people with mental health conditions, ADHD and autism fall short of need. It calls for more capacity across the multidisciplinary workforce.
NICE plans to make guidance more accessible and relevant for GPs and patients
NICE plans to make its guidance easier for GPs and patients to use.
Pharmacist faked GP prescriptions to defraud NHS of £1.3m
A pharmacist forged GP prescriptions in a £1.3m NHS fraud.
Levemir discontinuation: National Patient Safety Alert – switch all patients by 30 November
DHSC's National Patient Safety Alert (1 October): don't start anyone on Levemir, and switch every existing patient to an alternative insulin by 30 November 2026, seeking specialist advice where needed. Fewer than 230 patients remain on Levemir across the cluster.
Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) is for type 2 diabetes only; oral Wegovy isn’t commissioned
Don't prescribe Rybelsus for weight management. Review any patients on it for that reason and manage them through local weight pathways. Oral Wegovy must not be issued on NHS prescription in BSol or the Black Country.
Flu antivirals can be prescribed without waiting for the CMO letter
Since September 2025, eligible patients with influenza can be given antivirals at any time of year, without waiting for confirmation that the flu season has started.
Oral semaglutide: Wegovy tablets licensed, but not commissioned locally
Wegovy tablets were licensed for weight management in June 2026, but aren't commissioned for NHS prescribing in BSol or the Black Country. Rybelsus is for type 2 diabetes only.
Fostair 200/6 inhalers supplied without a dose counter
Some batches have no dose counter. Tell patients how to track doses and when to replace the inhaler.