Healthcare professionals working in organisations that use Optum ScriptSwitch™ can now access publications from Keele’s Important News and Evidence Service (KINES). Please visit the Registration page to request access. Optum ScriptSwitch™ Users – if you have previously requested access please ensure you are logged in to view these publications. Publications include:
- KINES Rapid Updates – concise summaries of new evidence or developments that relate to primary care
- KINES Monthly Updates – an end-of-month newsletter providing a roundup of recent developments at key organisations (NICE, MHRA, etc.), a medicines update and other updates relevant to primary care. From Nov-17, a ‘Scotland Edition‘ of this monthly newsletter is also available.
How to find publications:
- Scroll down to see a list of all KINES publications to date.
- Users can also use the search box above to look for content. Searching will also return some older, archived National Prescribing Centre (NPC) articles. These have not been updated since their publication but may contain some useful information.
- KINES publications have also been classified under the categories shown on the right hand side.
Disclaimer: Information was correct at time of publication, however changes after publication may impact accuracy. The views expressed are Keele’s and may not reflect local prescribing guidance. External hyperlinks are provided as a convenience but are out of Keele’s control and do not constitute an endorsement by Keele.
KINES publications:
2024:
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: October/November 2024
- Monthly News Update October 2024
- Rapid Update 2 – October 2024: Cardiovascular: UK study finds statins are cost effective and improve health outcomes in older people
- Rapid Update 1 – October 2024: Antibiotics and serious cutaneous adverse drug reaction
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: September/October 2024
- Monthly News Update September 2024
- Rapid Update 2 – September 2024: Deprescribing: Systematic review highlights benefits of early intervention
- Rapid Update 1 – September 2024: Risk of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Patients Prescribed Semaglutidue
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: August/September 2024
- Monthly News Update August 2024
- Rapid Update 2 – August 2024: PROGRESS 3 trial: atogepant for the treatment of chronic migraine
- Rapid Update 1 – August 2024: Early findings from the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: July/August 2024
- Monthly News Update July 2024
- Rapid Update 1 – July 2024: Randomised trial finds over-the-counter nasal sprays reduced self-reported respiratory infection symptoms and duration
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: June/July 2024
- Monthly News Update June 2024
- Rapid Update 2 – June 2024: Prescribing and deprescribing: Potentially inappropriate medicines in newly treated patients with type 2 diabetes
- Rapid Update 1 – June 2024: Dermatology: Antihypertensive medication associated with eczema diagnoses
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: May/June 2024
- Monthly News Update May 2024
- Rapid Update 2 – May 2024: Randomised controlled trial finds a non-pharmacological intervention improves lower urinary tract symptoms in men
- Rapid Update 1 – May 2024: RCT: Dequalinium chloride vs. metronidazole for bacterial vaginosis
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: April/May 2024
- Monthly News Update April 2024
- Rapid Update 2 – April 2024: Dementia: Study finds additional adverse effects with antipsychotic use
- Rapid Update 1 – April 2024: Asthma: poor control associated with greater greenhouse gas emissions
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: March/April 2024
- Monthly News Update March 2024
- Rapid Update 2 – March 2024: Cardiovascular: NHS Health Check is associated with reduced multiorgan disease risk
- Rapid Update 1 – March 2024: Menopause: psychosocial interventions improve mood, cognition and quality of life
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: February/March 2024
- Monthly News Update February 2024
- Rapid Update 2 – February 2024: Cardiovascular: Prevalence and treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care
- Rapid Update 1 – February 2024: COVID-19: RCT finds online, supervised group rehabilitation programme improved health related quality of life with people with long-COVID
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: January/February 2024
- Monthly News Update January 2024
- Rapid Update 2 – January 2024: Asthma management post-hospitalisation
- Rapid Update 1 – January 2024: Hormone replacement therapy and risk of rheumatoid arthritis
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: January 2024
2023:
- Monthly News Update December 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – December 2023: ADHD: Long-term risk of cardiovascular diseases with ADHD medications
- Rapid Update 1 – December 2023: Cardiovascular: RCT finds semaglutide reduces major cardiovascular events in people who are overweight/obese but without diabetes
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: November/December 2023
- Monthly News Update November 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – November 2023: CHIPPS RCT: Evaluation of pharmacist involvement in care homes has mixed results over 6 months
- Rapid Update 1 – November 2023: Randomised controlled trial finds amitriptyline is superior to placebo as a second-line irritable bowel syndrome treatment
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: October/November 2023
- Monthly News Update October 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – October 2023: Polypharmacy: observational study examines association of anticholinergic burden with increased risk of cardiovascular events
- Rapid Update 1 – October 2023: Primary Care Prescribing: Trends in management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: September/October 2023
- Monthly News Update September 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – September 2023: Medication adherence: observational study finds low adherence in young people on 5-aminosalicylic acid maintenance treatment for ulcerative colitis
- Rapid Update 1 – September 2023: Study finds NSAIDs may increase risk of venous thromboembolism in women using hormonal contraception
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: August/September 2023
- Monthly News Update August 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – August 2023: HRT and dementia
- Rapid Update 1 – August 2023: Two year observational study suggests methylphenidate has no longer term adverse effects in children with ADHD
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: July/August 2023
- Monthly News Update July 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – July 2023: Better clinical outcomes with LABA-LAMA inhaler vs. LABA-ICS inhaler in observational study
- Rapid Update 1 – July 2023: UK study finds an intensive group-based education intervention reduced self-reported opioid use in people with chronic non-malignant pain
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: June/July 2023
- Monthly News Update June 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – June 2023: Cardiovascular: antihypertensives and risks of hospital admission
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: May/June 2023
- Rapid Update 1 – June 2023: European study reports on an intervention that safely reduced antibiotic prescribing in frail older people with suspected urinary tract infection
- Monthly News Update May 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – May 2023: Predictors of hospital admissions following lower UTI
- Rapid Update 1 – May 2023: Association of Psychological Therapies for Depression With Cardiovascular Risk
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: April/May 2023
- Monthly News Update April 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – April 2023: CLEAR outcomes trial – bempedoic acid
- Rapid Update 1 – April 2023: Study finds all hormonal contraceptives may increase breast cancer risk
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: March/April 2023
- Monthly News Update March 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – March 2023: Antibiotics RCT: effect of fewer prescriptions in frail older people with urinary tract infections
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: February/March 2023
- Rapid Update 1 – March 2023: Systematic review reports on interventions that may reduce hospitalisation from long-term care facilities
- Monthly News Update February 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – February 2023: Systematic review questions the efficacy of antidepressants for chronic pain
- Rapid Update 1 – February 2023: Duration of diabetes, glycaemic control, and risk of heart failure
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: January/February 2023
- Monthly News Update January 2023
- Rapid Update 2 – January 2023: Deprescribing: Systematic review describes factors that may help or hinder stopping cardiovascular medicines
- Rapid Update 1 – January 2023: Dermatology: Effectiveness of an online behavioural intervention to support self-care for eczema
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: December/January 2023
2022:
- Monthly News Update December 2022
- Rapid Update 2 – December 2022: Gastrointestinal: Helicobacter pylori eradication as protection against ulcer bleeding in older people on low-dose aspirin
- Rapid Update 1 – December 2022: Pharmacist lead safety intervention (PINCER) shows significant and maintained reductions in hazardous prescribing
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: November/December 2022
- Monthly News Update November 2022
- Rapid Update 2 – November 2022: Dementia: Effects of blood pressure lowering treatment on dementia incidence
- Rapid Update 1 – November 2022: Cardiovascular (CV): Study finds timing of antihypertensive medication does not affect the incidence of major CV outcomes
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: October/November 2022
- Monthly News Update October 2022
- Rapid Update 3 – October 2022: Modifiable risk factors and type 2 diabetes in women with history of gestational diabetes
- Rapid Update 2 – October 2022: Asthma: UK observational study finds high levels of short-acting-beta-agonist (SABA) overprescribing
- Rapid Update 1 – October 2022: RCT: Comparison of three treatment pathways for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: September/October 2022
- Monthly News Update September 2022
- Rapid Update 3 – September 2022: Meta analysis: Comparative efficacy of mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab in eosinophilic asthma
- Rapid Update 2 – September 2022: Large RCT finds dapagliflozin benefits people with heart failure and mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction
- Rapid Update 1 – September 2022: Systematic review: anti-viral agents for non-hospitalised patients with COVID-19
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: August/September 2022
- Monthly News Update August 2022
- Rapid Update 2 – August 2022: Incidence of non-valvular atrial fibrillation and patterns of oral anticoagulant prescribing
- Rapid Update 1 – August 2022: Study finds cessation of methotrexate treatment for two weeks after a COVID-19 vaccination boosts antibody response
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: July/August 2022
- Monthly News Update July 2022
- Rapid Update 3 – July 2022: Observational study compares metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors as first-line therapy
- Rapid Update 2 – July 2022: RCT: Enterosgel® may improve abdominal pain and stool consistency in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome
- Rapid Update 1 – July 2022: Pharmacist interventions can improve cardiovascular risk factors
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: June/July 2022
- Monthly News Update June 2022
- Rapid Update 3 – June 2022: Randomised trial finds methenamine hippurate is non-inferior to antibiotics in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in women
- Rapid Update 2- June 2022: Co-prescribing NSAIDS and oral anticoagulants
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: May/June 2022
- Rapid Update 1 – June 2022: An online breathing and wellbeing programme (ENO Breathe) for long COVID
- Monthly News Update May 2022
- Rapid Update 3 – May 2022: addressing potentially inappropriate prescribing of bronchodilator inhalers
- Rapid Update 2 – May 2022: Physical activity and risk of depression
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: April/May 2022
- Rapid Update 1 – May 2022: Hypertension: meta-analysis of longer-term studies finds antihypertensive medicines reduce blood pressure, but effects may diminish over time
- Monthly News Update April 2022
- Rapid Update 3 – April 2022 – Cardiovascular: meta-analysis of the prevalence of statin intolerance
- Rapid Update 2 – April 2022: Opioids: systematic review of interventions to reduce long-term use in non-cancer pain
- Rapid Update 1 – April 2022: COVID-19: risk of thrombosis post infection
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: March/April 2022
- Monthly News Update March 2022
- Rapid Update 3 – March 2022: Levels of antipsychotic prescribing to people with a diagnosis of personality disorder
- Rapid Update 2 – March 2022: Paxlovid reduces COVID-19 hospitalisation and death
- Rapid Update 1 – March 2022: GP consultation rates Post-COVID-19 infection
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: February/March 2022
- Monthly News Update February 2022
- Rapid Update 3 – February 2022: Cardiovascular: Modelling benefits of optimising sub-optimal statin and antihypertensive treatment
- Rapid Update 2 – February 2022: Further evidence on safety of Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy
- Rapid Update 1 – February 2022: MART in mild asthma
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: January/February 2022
- Monthly News Update January 2022
- Rapid Update 3 – January 2022 COVID-19: Molnupiravir reduces hospitalisations in at-risk unvaccinated patients
- Monthly News Update – Scotland Edition: December/January 2022
- Rapid Update 2 – January 2022: Hormone replacement therapy and the effect on survival of UK women
- Rapid Update 1 – January 2022: COVID vaccination: Large observational study emphasises importance of third (booster) COVID vaccine dose
2021:
- Monthly News Update December 2021
- Rapid Update 4 – December 2021: Systematic review of Smoking Cessation Treatments
- Rapid Update 3 – December 2021: UK study finds children with poorly controlled asthma have an increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation
- Rapid Update 2 – December 2021: Meta-analysis finds lower incidence of new-onset diabetes with some antihypertensive medications
- Monthly News Update – Scotland Edition: November/December 2021
- Rapid Update 1 – December 2021: UK study finds repeated comparative feedback reduced opioid prescribing
- Monthly News Update November 2021
- Rapid Update 3 – November 2021: Impact of deprivation, prevalence and region on prescribing of anti-dementia drugs in England
- Rapid Update 2 – November 2021: Observational data confirm lower incidence of cervical cancer after national HPV vaccination campaigns
- Rapid Update 1 – November 2021: Smoking and risk of COVID-19 related hospitalisation and death
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: October/November 2021
- Monthly News Update October 2021
- Rapid Update 3 – October 2021: Systematic review finds higher incidence of psoriasis with antihypertensive treatment
- Rapid Update 2 – October 2021: RCT finds that antibiotics are unlikely to benefit children with uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infection
- Monthly News Update – Scotland Edition: September/October
- Rapid Update 1 – October 2021: COVID-19: risk of haematological and vascular events after vaccination and positive SARS-CoV-2 test
- Monthly News Update September 2021
- Rapid Update 3 – September 2021- COVID-19: Inhaled budesonide in people at high risk of complications after infection with SARS-CoV-2 (PRINCIPLE study)
- Rapid Update 2 – September 2021: Pain: systematic review of the use of muscle relaxants in adults with non-specific low back pain
- Rapid Update 1 – September 2021: Empagliflozin for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: August/September 2021
- Monthly News Update August 2021
- COVID-19: August 2021 COVID-19 update
- Rapid Update 2 – August 2021: Pregnancy: paracetamol exposure and autism spectrum/ADHD
- Rapid Update 1 – August 2021: COVID-19 vaccine: Insights and beliefs of the UK population on COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy – the findings of the UPTAKE study
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update July/August 2021
- Monthly News Update July 2021
- Rapid Update 2 – July 2021: COVID-19 vaccine: Study suggests a second dose of an alternative vaccine is more effective compared with no second dose
- Rapid Update 1 – July 2021: Depression: Systematic review of treatment in people with dementia
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update June/July 2021
- Monthly News Update June 2021
- Rapid Update 3 – June 2021: Treatment of COVID-19 in community settings: Sub-group analysis of large trial suggests possible benefit with colchicine
- Rapid Update 2 – June 2021: Pain: Pharmacist management of chronic non-malignant pain
- Rapid Update 1 – June 2021: Cardiovascular disease: CV risk reduction in review of BP lowering trials
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update May/June 2021
- Monthly News Update May 2021
- Rapid Update 3 – May 2021: Vaccine side-effects and SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in users of the COVID Symptom Study app
- Rapid Update 2 – May 2021: Glucose lowering drugs and COVID-19 mortality in type 2 diabetes
- Rapid Update 1 – May 2021: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Self-management in men
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update April/May 2021
- Monthly News Update April 2021
- Rapid Update 3 April 2021: Review highlights drugs involved in clinically relevant interactions with warfarin
- Rapid Update 2 – April 2021: UK study reports reduced antibiotic prescribing and consultations for infections in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update March/April 2021
- Rapid Update 1 – April 2021: Single-dose administration and the influence of the timing of the booster dose on immunogenicity and efficacy of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine
- Monthly News Update March 2021
- Rapid Update 3 – March 2021: Cardiovascular: more evidence on statins and muscle symptoms
- Rapid Update 2 – March 2021: Obesity: effect of community weight loss programmes on cardiometabolic risk factors
- Rapid Update 1 – March 2021: Potentially inappropriate prescribing in middle-aged adults
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update February/March 2021
- Monthly News Update February 2021
- Rapid Update 3 – February 2021: Cardiovascular: observational study suggests moderate alcohol consumption may increase risk of atrial fibrillation
- Rapid Update 2 – February 2021: Gastrointestinal system: Cohort study investigates adverse outcomes of proton pump inhibitors in people with chronic kidney disease
- Rapid Update 1 – February 2021: RCT finds a digital intervention improves systolic blood pressure in poorly controlled hypertension
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update January/February 2021
- Monthly News Update January 2021
- Rapid Update 3 – January 2021: COVID-19 Update
- Rapid Update 2 – January 2021: New data on lifestyle modification and symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Rapid Update 1 – January 2021; An interim analysis of the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) against SARS-CoV-2
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update December 2020/January 2021
2020:
- Monthly News Update December 2020
- Rapid Update 3 – December 2020: Medicines optimisation: Psychotropic prescribing in people with learning difficulties
- Rapid Update 2 – December 2020: Type 2 Diabetes: Ertugliflozin does not show superiority versus placebo in key cardiovascular and renal outcomes
- Rapid Update 1 – December 2020: Atrial fibrillation: study finds overall cost saving despite increased drug spend
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update November/December 2020
- Monthly News Update November 2020
- Rapid Update 3 – November 2020: Drug Safety: Study suggests room for improvement with the pregnancy safety advice given to women prescribed RAS drugs
- Rapid Update 2 – November 2020: Gastrointestinal: proton pump inhibitors and risk of type 2 diabetes
- Rapid Update 1 – November 2020: Prescribing of opioid drugs in the UK for patients with non-cancer pain
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update October/November 2020
- Rapid Update 3 – October 2020: Cardiovascular disease: Systematic review reports on interventions to improve statin tolerance and adherence
- Monthly News Update October 2020
- Rapid Update 2 – October 2020: Respiratory Tract Infections: Systematic review finds honey may be effective for symptomatic relief of acute cough
- Rapid Update 1 – October 2020: Respiratory: no harm or benefit from regular inhaled corticosteroid use in COPD and asthma patients on COVID-19-related mortality
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update September/October 2020
- Monthly News Update September 2020
- Rapid Update 3 – September 2020: RCT finds empagliflozin reduces hospitalisation for heart failure and cardiovascular deaths in people with and without diabetes
- Rapid Update 2 – September 2020: Do antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives?
- Rapid Update 1 – September 2020: Polypharmacy in the UK: rapid review discusses prevalence of problematic polypharmacy and interventions to minimise it
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update August/September 2020
- Monthly News Update August 2020
- COVID-19: August 2020 COVID-19 update
- Rapid Update 2 – August 2020: Methotrexate: study finds wide variation in “unsafe” prescribing across general practices and CCGs in England
- Rapid Update 1 – August 2020: Diabetes: Uptake of biosimilar insulin glargine in primary care
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update July/August 2020
- Monthly News Update July 2020
- COVID-19: July 2020 COVID-19 update
- Rapid Update 2 – July 2020: Cardiovascular disease: high intensity statins associated with better adherence
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update June/July 2020
- Rapid Update 1 – July 2020: Cardiovascular: Study suggests the majority of home blood pressure monitors in use by patients are accurate
- Monthly News Update June 2020
- COVID-19: June 2020 COVID-19 update
- Rapid Update 2 – June 2020: Osteoarthritis of the knee: randomised study compares corticosteroid injections with physical therapy.
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update May/June 2020
- Rapid Update 1 – June 2020: Cardiovascular: study finds physical activity reduces risk of atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias.
- Monthly News Update May 2020
- COVID-19: Late-May 2020 COVID-19 update
- COVID-19: Use of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) Blockers and the risk of COVID-19
- COVID-19: Mid-May 2020 COVID-19 update
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update April/May 2020
- Monthly News Update April 2020
- COVID-19: Late April 2020 COVID-19 update
- Rapid Update April 2020: Urinary tract infections: qualitative study finds variation between patient and GP views
- Rapid Update: April 2020: Cardiovascular: review of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in real-world practice finds sub-optimal dosing associated with serious adverse outcomes
- COVID 19: Mid-April 2020 COVID-19 update
- Monthly News Update March 2020 – includes new COVID-19 section
- Rapid Update 2 – March 2020: HepCATT intervention shows success in increasing hepatitis C virus case-finding in primary care
- Rapid Update 1 – March 2020: Antibiotic prescribing: observational study finds macrolide antibiotic use in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of birth defects.
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update February/March 2020
- Monthly News Update February 2020
- Rapid Update 4 – February 2020: Cardiovascular: Increased risk of bleeding in people with atrial fibrillation taking NSAIDs with warfarin or apixaban
- Rapid Update 3 – February 2020: Cardiovascular: new study confirms abstinence from alcohol can reduce recurrence of AF episodes in regular drinkers
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update January/February 2020
- Rapid Update 2 – February 2020: Whitehall II study investigates the contribution of socioeconomic status to the transition to adverse health and mortality
- Rapid Update 1 – February 2020: Type 2 diabetes: cohort study reports early weight loss is associated with longer-term remission
- Monthly News Update January 2020
- Rapid Update 3 – January 2020: Cardiovascular (CV): Hygia study finds taking antihypertensive medicines at bedtime reduces CV risks
- Rapid Update 2 – January 2020: Cardiovascular disease: RCT finds dapagliflozin reduces hospitalisation and death in people with heart failure, including those without diabetes.
- Rapid Update 1 – January 2020: Cardiovascular disease (CVD): Systematic review finds success for pharmacist-led interventions in primary care in reducing CVD risk factors
2019:
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: December 2019/January 2020
- Monthly News Update December 2019
- Rapid Update 2 – December 2019: Study finds levothyroxine does not benefit adults over 80 years with subclinical hypothyroidism
- Rapid Update 1 – December 2019: Type 2 diabetes: disparities in monitoring, treatment and glycaemic control across patient groups
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: November – December 2019
- Monthly News Update November 2019
- Rapid Update 3 – November 2019: Lower carbon footprint inhalers: costs of switching and carbon footprint analysis
- Rapid Update 2 – November 2019: Atrial fibrillation: Observational study finds poor adherence and persistence to oral anticoagulants in the first year of treatment
- Rapid Update 1 – November 2019: Review looks at the impact of integration of pharmacists in primary care on healthcare system indicators
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: October-November 2019
- Monthly News Update October 2019
- Rapid Update 3 – October 2019: Type 2 diabetes: more evidence on self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)?
- Rapid Update 2 – October 2019: Public health assessment finds a quarter of adults in England prescribed medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal
- Rapid Update 1 – October 2019: Treatment of depressive symptoms in patients in primary care: study investigates short-term effects of sertraline
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: September-October 2019
- Monthly News Update September 2019
- Rapid Update 3 – September 2019: Systematic review finds cognitive behavioural therapy delivered in primary care may improve insomnia
- Rapid Update 2 – September 2019: Urinary tract infections: Study investigates management in primary care, finding re-prescribing as potential area for improvement
- Rapid Update 1 – September 2019: Respiratory: UK study investigates cost saving inhaler switches, finding no adverse impact on health outcomes
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: August-September 2019
- Monthly News Update August 2019
- Rapid Update 3 – August 2019: Anticholinergic medicines: observational study suggests link with dementia
- Rapid Update 2- August 2019: Respiratory: Study suggests point-of-care CRP-tests may reduce use of antibiotics for COPD exacerbations
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: July-August 2019
- Rapid Update 1 – August 2019: Further evidence on safety of influenza vaccination in pregnancy
- Monthly News Update July 2019
- Rapid Update 3 – July 2019: Pain: Tramadol for osteoarthritis – systematic review finds little benefit and increased adverse events compared with placebo
- Rapid Update 2 – July 2019: Type 2 diabetes: dulaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes
- Rapid Update 1 – July 2019: New products added to NHS England’s list of ‘low-priority’ treatments
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: June-July 2019
- Monthly News Update June 2019
- Rapid Update 3 – June 2019: Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes: New findings on renal outcomes with canagliflozin
- Rapid Update 2 – June 2019:Respiratory: Updated Cochrane review finds small impact for mucolytics on COPD exacerbations
- Rapid Update 1 – June 2019: Reduction in clinically important cervical disease following HPV vaccination
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: May-June 2019
- Monthly News Update May 2019
- Rapid Update 3 – May 2019: Fluoroquinolone antibiotics: Increased risk of non-traumatic tendon rupture, especially in people also taking corticosteroids
- Rapid Update 2 – May 2019: Cardiovascular disease (CVD): UK study finds sub-optimal cholesterol lowering in many patients initiating statin therapy, resulting in higher CVD risk
- Rapid Update 1 – May 2019: Osteoporosis: Meta-analysis examines evidence on long-term osteoporosis drug treatment
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: April-May 2019
- Monthly News Update April 2019
- Rapid Update 3- April 2019: Dermatology: RCT compares effectiveness of four topical treatments for actinic keratosis
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: March-April 2019
- Rapid Update 2 – April 2019: Osteoarthritis: Observational study finds increased mortality in patients prescribed tramadol
- Rapid Update 1 – April 2019: Common infections: UK study finds that many antibiotic prescriptions have durations that exceed guideline recommendations
- Monthly News Update March 2019
- Rapid Update 2 – March 2019: Further data for no association between MMR vaccination and autism
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: February-March 2019
- Rapid Update 1 – March 2019: Smoking cessation: RCT finds e-cigarettes more effective than nicotine-replacement products within setting of NHS stop smoking services
- Monthly News Update February 2019
- Rapid Update 3 – February 2019: Laryngeal cancer: is hoarseness a risk marker in primary care?
- Rapid Update 2 – February 2019: Respiratory: Vitamin D supplementation reduces rates of moderate and severe COPD exacerbations, but only in people with vitamin D deficiency
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: January-February 2019
- Rapid Update 1 – February 2019: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Further evidence that oral but not transdermal HRT is associated with venous thromboembolism
- Monthly News Update January 2019
- Rapid Update 4 – January 2019 Type 2 Diabetes: update on non-insulin drugs
- Rapid Update 3 – January 2019: Antibiotic prescribing: UK study reports that high volume prescribing GP practices issue more antibiotic prescriptions
- Rapid Update 2 – January 2019: Influenza: Large cohort study finds influenza vaccine decreases risk of death in people with heart failure
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: December 2018-January 2019
- Rapid Update 1 – January 2019: Respiratory: New NICE guidance on COPD – what’s changed?
2018:
- Monthly News Update December 2018
- Rapid Update 2 – December 2018: Systematic Review suggests muscle strength training plus protein supplementation as the most effective and easiest to implement intervention to delay or reverse frailty
- Rapid Update 1 – December 2018 Hypertension: large UK cohort study finds people with mild hypertension and low cardiovascular risk did not benefit from antihypertensive treatment
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update: November-December 2018
- Monthly News Update November 2018
- Rapid Update 3 – November 2018 Common Infections: RCT confirms increasing daily water intake reduces recurrence of cystitis
- Rapid Update 2- November 2018: Cardiovascular: ACE inhibitors – Observational study finds an increase in lung cancer risk with long-term use
- Rapid Update 1- November 2018: Respiratory: Low-dose oral theophylline does not reduce exacerbation rates when added to inhaled corticosteroid therapy in patients with COPD
- Monthly News Update: Scotland Edition: October-November 2018
- Monthly News Update October 2018
- Rapid Update 3- October 2018: Atrial fibrillation: new systematic review considers evidence for screening
- Rapid Update 2- October 2018: Type 2 diabetes: large Swedish cohort study finds controlling multiple risk factors reduces mortality and improves cardiovascular outcomes
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update September/October 2018
- Rapid Update 1- October 2018: The evolution of the role of general practice pharmacists: early insights
- Monthly News Update September 2018
- Rapid Update 3-September 2018: Diabetes: new study investigates factors for early discontinuation of metformin treatment by patients
- Rapid Update 2-September 2018: Diabetes: Sulfonylureas – are they safe instead of, or when added to metformin?
- Rapid Update 1-September 2018: Smoking cessation: Weight gain after quitting smoking temporarily increases risk of type 2 diabetes but is far outweighed by reductions in CV and all-cause mortality
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update August/September 2018
- Monthly News Update August 2018
- Rapid Update 3-August 2018: Cardiovascular Disease: Increased anticoagulant uptake is associated with a significant decline in hospitalised AF-related stroke rates
- Rapid Update 2-August 2018: Medication safety: Study suggests fixed-dose drug combinations are associated with an increased risk of therapeutic duplication
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update – July/August 2018
- Rapid Update 1- August 2018: Infections: Large UK cohort study finds increased risk of MRSA and Clostridium difficile infections in patients labelled as allergic to penicillin
- Monthly News Update July 2018
- Rapid Update 3- July 2018: Hospital discharge summaries: failure to process requested actions in primary care are common and can cause harm
- Rapid Update 2- July 2018: Respiratory: shorter courses of systemic steroids for COPD exacerbations likely to be as effective as longer courses
- Rapid Update 1- July 2018: Low-priority treatments: Analysis of prescribing trends in England
- Monthly News Update June 2018
- Rapid Update 2- June 2018:Childhood ezcema: trial finds no benefit with emollient bath additives
- Rapid Update 1- June 2018: Opioids: interventions to reduce use in chronic non-cancer pain
- Monthly News Update May 2018
- Rapid Update 3- May 2018: Respiratory: Asthma self-management: mixed findings on escalating inhaled corticosteroid dose to prevent exacerbations
- Rapid Update 2- May 2018: Breast cancer: Updated Cochrane review of the evidence for bisphosphonates and other bone agents in breast cancer
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update April/May 2018
- Rapid Update 1- May 2018: Common infections: adverse outcomes in older patients using trimethoprim for urinary tract infection
- Monthly News Update April 2018
- Rapid Update 3- April 2018: Respiratory: TRIBUTE study finds modest benefits of inhaled triple therapy on COPD exacerbations compared with dual bronchodilator therapy
- Rapid Update 2- April 2018: Antibiotic Prescribing: Clinician-targeted interventions to influence antibiotic prescribing behaviour
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update March/April 2018
- Rapid Update 1- April 2018: Drug safety: review calls for wider awareness of herb-drug interactions
- Monthly News Update March 2018
- Rapid Update 3- March 2018: Antibiotic prescribing: UK study investigates quality of prescribing in primary care for children with respiratory tract infections
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update February/March 2018
- Rapid Update 2- March 2018: Communication and shared decision-making: UK questionnaire-based study finds that many people do not fully understand common medical terms
- Rapid Update 1- March 2018: Type 2 diabetes: observational study investigates cardiovascular outcomes and amputation risks with sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors
- Monthly News Update February 2018
- Rapid Update 3- February 2018: Medicines optimisation: what is the incidence of drug-related deaths in hospital inpatients?
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update January/February 2018
- Rapid Update 2- February 2018: Biochemical monitoring: UK observational study in people taking an aldosterone antagonist finds many are not monitored in line with guidelines
- Rapid Update 1- February 2018: Oral anticoagulants: do they reduce the risk of dementia in people with atrial fibrillation?
- Monthly News Update January 2018
- Rapid Update 3- January 2018: Asthma: The new NICE guideline on asthma – what’s different?
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update December 2017/January 2018
- Rapid Update 2- January 2018: Chronic kidney disease: benefits from intensive blood pressure control?
- Rapid Update 1- January 2018: Polypharmacy: Potentially inappropriate medication use by people with dementia
2017:
- Monthly News Update December 2017
- Rapid Update 3- December 2017: Hypertension: Antihypertensives, serum potassium and sudden cardiac arrest
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update November/December 2017
- Rapid Update 2- December 2017: Gabapentin and opioids: Observational study finds increased risk of opioid-related death when used in combination
- Rapid Update 1- December 2017: Lipid modification: Underuse of QRISK2 and the mismatch between initiation of statins and cardiovascular disease risk
- Monthly News Update November 2017
- Rapid Update 3- November 2017: Polypharmacy: Clinical benefits of medicines optimisation by geriatricians in primary care
- SCOTLAND EDITION: Monthly News Update October/November 2017
- Rapid Update 2- November 2017: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): long-term mortality findings from the Women’s Health Initiative trials
- Rapid Update 1- November 2017: Respiratory Tract Infections: UK observational study provides evidence to support the option of shorter penicillin courses for sore throats
- Monthly News Update October 2017
- Rapid Update 3- October 2017: Type 2 Diabetes: Cardiovascular outcomes with pioglitazone versus sulfonylureas
- Rapid Update 2- October 2017: Cardiovascular disease: anti-inflammatory therapy with canakinumab for coronary artery disease
- Rapid Update 1- October 2017: Are drugs approved on the basis of surrogate outcomes promoted appropriately by pharmaceutical representatives?
- Monthly News Update September 2017
- Rapid Update 3- September 2017: Osteoarthritis: systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis finds no good evidence to support the use of glucosamine
- Rapid Update 2- September 2017: Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs: GP survey suggests long-term prescribing may be common in the UK
- Rapid Update 1- September 2017: Gastrointestinal disease: Do proton pump inhibitors increase the risk of death?
- Monthly News Update August 2017
- Rapid Update 3- August 2017: Type 2 diabetes: potential cardiovascular benefits with the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin but with a greater risk of amputation
- Rapid Update 2- August 2017: Monthly high-dose vitamin D: no reduction in falls and fractures found in large randomised controlled trial
- Rapid Update 1- August 2017: Alzheimer’s disease: increased risk of pneumonia observed in people treated with benzodiazepines
- Monthly News Update July 2017
- Rapid Update 3- July 2017: Inappropriate prescribing in renal impairment: its prevalence, consequences and the impact of interventions to improve prescribing
- Rapid Update 2- July 2017: Cardiovascular Disease: Study questions use of beta-blockers after MI in people without heart failure or ventricular dysfunction
- Rapid Update 1- July 2017: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): What are the effects of temporarily discontinuing medications to prevent AKI?
- Monthly News Update June 2017
- Rapid Update 3- June 2017: Biosimilars: NOR-SWITCH study provides evidence to support switching from originator to biosimilar infliximab in stable patients
- Rapid Update 2- June 2017: NSAIDs and risk of acute myocardial infarction
- Rapid Update 1- June 2017: COPD: New Cochrane review compares LAMA+LABA and LABA+ICS
- Monthly News Update May 2017
- Rapid Update 3 – May 2017: Antibiotic prescribing: long-term use of antibiotics and risk of colorectal adenoma
- Rapid Update 2- May 2017: Cardiovascular disease: Supporting decisions about prolonged use of dual antiplatelet therapy after a myocardial infarction
- Rapid Update 1- May 2017: Lipid modification: Evolocumab and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease
- Monthly News Update – April 2017
- Rapid Update 3 – April 2017: Statin prescribing for people with severe mental illnesses: a staggered cohort study of ‘real-world’ impacts
- Rapid Update 2 – April 2017: Erectile dysfunction treatment: Mortality and cardiovascular outcomes after first myocardial infarction
- Rapid Update 1 – April 2017: Pain: meta-analysis finds limited efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for spinal pain
- Monthly News Update – March 2017
- Rapid Update 3 – March 2017: Statins and liver function testing: CCG intervention to reduce unnecessary testing
- Rapid Update 2 – March 2017: Patient safety incidents involving sick children in primary care
- Rapid Update 1 – March 2017: Vitamin D to prevent acute respiratory tract infections
- Monthly News Update – February 2017
- Rapid Update 3 – February 2017: Survey of GPs’ attitudes to prescribing of tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer
- Rapid Update 2 – February 2017: Under-implementation of guidance on monitoring of creatinine and potassium in those taking ACE inihibitors or ARBs
- Rapid Update 1 – February 2017: Stroke: are stroke prevention therapies under-prescribed?
- Monthly News Update – January 2017
- Rapid Update 3 – January 2017: Asthma – the importance of diagnosis and reassessment
- Rapid Update 2 – January 2017: Stress Urinary Incontinence: Meta-analysis of clinical study reports questions use of duloxetine
- Rapid Update 1 – January 2017: Gastrointestinal disorders: proton pump inhibitors and community acquired pneumonia
2016:
- Monthly News Update – December 2016
- Rapid Update 3 – December 2016: Cardiovascular safety of celecoxib, naproxen, or ibuprofen for arthritis
- Rapid Update 2 – December 2016: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – update on tiotropium inhalers
- Rapid Update 1 – December 2016. Long-term oxygen in COPD: Time to revisit?
- Monthly News Update – November 2016
- Rapid Update 3 – November 2016: COPD: Update to GOLD COPD guideline
- Rapid Update 2 – November 2016: Dementia: No reduction in antipsychotic prescribing in care homes 4 years after introduction of the National Dementia Strategy
- Rapid Update 1 – November 2016: Public Health England guidance on vitamin D
- Monthly News Update – October 2016
- Rapid Update 4 – October 2016: Statins: Review and interpretation of the evidence for efficacy and safety
- Rapid Update 3 – October 2016: Bioequivalence of biosimilar tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors compared with their reference biologics: A systematic review
- Rapid Update 2 – October 2016: Antibiotic Prescribing: Development and internal validation of a practical tool for primary care antimicrobial stewardship in children (STARWAVe)
- Rapid Update 1 – October 2016: Asthma: Cochrane review finds vitamin D supplements may lower risk of severe asthma exacerbations
Publications prior to October 2016:
All content displayed and/or linked to on this webpage that is dated prior to October 2016 (the “Content”) was produced by Keele University independent of Optum and pre-dates Optum’s partnership with The Centre for Medicines Optimisation at Keele University. Any and all views expressed in the Content are solely that of Keele University. In no event shall Optum be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of the completeness, correctness, accuracy, or currentness of, content of (or omissions from), use of, reliance on, inability to use, or the resulting use of the Content, whether based on contract, tort, or any other legal theory.
- Influenza:Oseltamivir and zanamivir for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza (Sep-16)
- Monthly News Update September 2016
- Medication review: study highlights potential missed opportunities to modify use of fracture-associated drugs following a fragility fracture (Sep-16)
- Liraglutide: Cardiovascular outcome data in type 2 diabetes (Aug-16)
- Infections: A large reduction in antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections is associated with only a very slight increase in the incidence of pneumonia (Aug-16)
- Influenza: More evidence on the protective benefits for infants of influenza vaccination during pregnancy (Aug-16)
- Monthly News Update August 2016
- Smoking cessation: large randomised controlled trial finds varenicline and bupropion do not increase the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events (Jul-16)
- Monthly News Update July 2016
- Lipid-lowering in people with intermediate-risk without cardiovascular disease: results from the HOPE-3 tria (Jul-16)
- Blood pressure lowering in people with intermediate risk without cardiovascular disease: antihypertensive results from the HOPE-3 trial (Jul-16)
- COPD: LABA/LAMA indacaterol/glycopyrronium reduces risk of exacerbations (Jun-16)
- Lipid Modification: Does low-density lipoprotein cholesterol matter in older people? (Jun-16)
- Monthly Update – June 2016
- Monthly Update May 2016
- Medication-related burden and patients’ experience with medicine: A review of qualitative studies (May-16)
- Type 2 Diabetes: cohort study finds that compared with other antidiabetic drugs, sitagliptin and saxagliptin do not increase the risk of heart failure (May-16)
- Monthly Update April 2016
- Safer Prescribing:A trial of education, informatics, and financial incentives (Apr-16)
- Antibiotic Prescribing: Provision of social norm feedback to high prescribers of antibiotics in general practice: a pragmatic national randomised controlled trial (Mar-16)
- Monthly Update March 2016
- Medicines Optimisation: Effect of behavioural interventions on inappropriate antibiotic prescribing among primary care practices (Mar-16)
- Bipolar disorder: prevalence of unrecognised bipolar disorder in patients prescribed antidepressants in UK primary care (Mar-16)
- Monthly Update February 2016
- Antibiotic Prescribing: RCT of different prescription strategies in acute uncomplicated respiratory infections (Feb-16)
- Hypertension: Lowering blood pressure can work whatever the blood pressure (Feb-16)
- Monthly Update – January 2016
- Updated NICE guidance on Type-2 Diabetes – recommendations on drug treatments (Jan-16)
- Hypertension: Is intensive control of blood pressure better than standard control? (Dec-15)
- Variations in Prescribing Safety in UK General Practices – Room for Improvement (Dec-15)
- Asthma – importance of providing frequently repeated counselling on inhaler technique (Dec-15)
- Monthly News Update December 2015
- Type 1 and 2 diabetes: new meta-analysis quantifies risks of smoking (Dec-15)
- Monthly Update November 2015
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of long-acting inhaled treatments (Nov-15)
- Cardiovascular disease: Meta-analysis finds that gains in all-cause survival with statin treatment are small (Nov-15)
- Network meta-analysis finds significant differences between types of placebo and improvements in pain score (Nov-15)
- Draft Royal Pharmaceutical Society guidance on Prescribing Specials is out for consultation (Nov-15)
- Hypertension: bedtime, rather than morning, ingestion of hypertension medication may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (Nov-15)
- Type 2 diabetes: potential cardiovascular and mortality benefits with empagliflozin treatment in high-risk individuals (Oct-15)
- Myocardial Infarction: benefits and safety of extended dual antiplatelet therapy (Oct-15)
- Monthly News Update October 2015
- Prescribing: FY1 and FY2 doctors at a tertiary care renal unit made more prescribing errors than other prescribers (Oct-15)
- Study suggests psychotropic drugs may be overprescribed for people with intellectual disability (Oct-15)
- Monthly News Update September 2015
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – study reports β-blockers are associated with a reduction in COPD exacerbations (Sep-15)
- Using liraglutide as a weight-loss drug (Sep-15)
- Intracranial haemorrhage: risk increased with concurrent use of antidepressants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(Sep-15)
- Monthly News Update August 2015
- Asthma: New report follows up data from the National Review of Asthma Deaths (Jul-15)
- Monthly News Update – July 2015
- Atrial Fibrillation – BRIDGE study finds net clinical benefit in favour of forgoing perioperative anticoagulant bridging (Jul-15)
- Optimising antibiotic prescribing – systematic review finds that simple information leaflets can help reduce antibiotic prescribing for common conditions in primary care(Jul-15)
- Type 2 Diabetes: large RCT finds no effect of sitagliptin on the risk of cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Jul-15)
- Type 2 Diabetes: educational programme reduces inappropriate self-monitoring of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease: further evidence that digoxin may be associated with an increased risk of mortality (Jun-15)
- Cardiovascular disease: IMPROVE-IT published: addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin may modestly improve cardiovascular outcomes (Jun-15)
- Renal colic: time to review management guidance as new, high-quality evidence suggests no role for tamsulosin or nifedipine in kidney stone expulsion (Jun-15)
- Monthly News Update – June 2015
- Constipation: an update on prucalopride (Resolor) (Jun-15)
- Asthma – update on generic salmeterol/fluticasone inhaler (Sirdupla) (Jun-15)
- Monthly News Update – May 2015
- Smoking cessation: some new reassuring evidence that varenicline is not associated with an increased risk of suicide or depression (May-15)
- Medicines optimisation: New initiative to reduce the ‘harms of too much medicine’ (May-15)
- Antipsychotics: more data on the risk of death in people with dementia (May-15)
- Cardiovascular: RCT investigates safety and benefits of stopping statins in patients with life-limiting conditions (May-15)
- Reducing inappropriate polypharmacy: a 5-step process to ‘deprescribing’ (May-15)
- Osteoarthritis: evidence review of paracetamol raises further doubts about its effectiveness (and safety) (Apr-15)
- Ultibro vs tiotopium/formoterol in COPD (Apr-15)
- Monthly Update April 2015
- Systematic review finds that adverse events with amoxicillin may be under-reported in clinical trials (Apr-15)