Mental health

The pharmacy regulator has advised that pharmacy teams carry out a “robust” assessment before supplying finasteride – a hair-loss drug with psychiatric and sexual health risks.

A “thorough review” by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has found that evidence “does not support” a link between suicidal ideation and diabetes and weight management drug semaglutide. 

A pharmacist independent prescriber has been removed from the GPhC register after issuing tens of thousands of prescriptions using online questionnaires.

GP bureaucracy can leave individuals “without access to medication, which could cause or contribute to their death”, a coroner has warned.  

As the amount of medication prescribed for ADHD rose by nearly 15% in 2023/24, a Labour councillor has blamed Brexit for shortages of medicines to treat the condition.

Pharmacists have been asked to “call on their clinical expertise to determine” which of nine new quetiapine tablet serious shortage protocols (SSPs) is “most appropriate” to use. 

A coroner has raised concerns about GP practice “safety measures” after advice from a dispensing pharmacist and consultant psychiatrist was ignored.  

Superdrug has reported a 209% rise in sales of magnesium tablets to combat the UK's "summer of stress" due to Euro 2024, the general election and changeable weather.

A coroner has demanded tighter regulation after an "elite" army veteran overdosed on drugs he bought through an “online company”. 

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has promised more prescribing rights for pharmacists as well as “fairer and more sustainable funding” as he launched his party’s election manifesto today.