Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHS faces staff and hospital equipment shortages alongside the growing need to reduce the backlog in patient surgeries and treatments.
News
All adults to be offered COVID-19 booster jabs by end of January 2022
The UK government has aimed to expand their COVID-19 vaccination programme, in accordance with guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Scotland expands vaccine rollout in the face of rising Omicron cases
The Scottish government aims to expand and advance their COVID-19 booster programme, following the six cases of the Omicron variant that were reported as of Monday 29 November. This decision is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
GSK aim for HIV cure by 2030
Following its recent approval of an injectable HIV-1 treatment from the National institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has high hopes in developing a cure for the virus in the future.
Total UK cases of Omicron rise to nine
An additional six cases of the Omicron variant have now been detected in Scotland, bringing the UK total so far to nine.
Late cancer diagnoses rise as NHS struggles with COVID-19
Analyses provided by UK cancer charity Macmillan has provided insights into the repercussions experienced by patients waiting to receive treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PMEA 2021: A Celebration of Excellence in Patient Engagement
After hosting a virtual ceremony in 2020, this year’s awards returned to the Royal Lancaster London hotel
COVID-19 vaccines safe for pregnant women
Data from the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that COVID-19 vaccines are safe in pregnancy.
EMA approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for young children
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for emergency use of the Comirnaty vaccine in children in October 2021.
EMA receive marketing authorisation application for molnupiravir
The use of molnupiravir in COVID-19 cases aims to reduce the pressure on hospitals, in turn reducing the risk of patients developing more severe symptoms of the virus.
University of Glasgow reveals drug design for new Alzheimer’s treatments
A team of scientists and pharmaceutical collaborators have discovered a ‘bench to bedside’ drug design, which will hopefully improve the future treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
EC grant Trodelvy marketing authorisation for treatment of breast cancer
With the latest approval from the EC, patients in Europe suffering from metastatic triple-negative breast cancer can now receive Gilead Science’s Trodelvy as part of their treatment.
NICE approves hormone drug which could prevent 1,200 miscarriages each year
The leading UK preganancy and baby loss charity Tommy’s have said with the approval of the hormonal drug, as many as 8,450 miscarrages a year could be prevented.
Nykode Therapeutics partners with Regeneron to develop cancer and infectious disease vaccines
Nykode Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Regeneron.
NICE recommends risdiplam for spinal muscular atrophy
NICE has published draft guidance recommending risdiplam (Evrysdi) as part of a managed access agreement (MAA) for the treatment of the rare genetic disorder spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
