Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Another quick link to a website you may find useful - the MHRA, or Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.  This website contains lists of approved medicines and also recalls, safety warnings and alerts about drugs.  They also have specialist sections which deal with particular areas, e.g. anaesthesiology, critical care, obs and gynae and physiotherapy which are well worth a look.  Their guidance coverage includes drugs and medical devices including things like syringe drivers, infusion pumps and even bed rails so is broad ranging and comprehensive.

Drugs misuse evidence update now available

NHS Evidence has released the latest Evidence Update for drugs misuse, focussing on treatment in offender populations.

Can you get through the day without coffee?

Acknowledgement: Young woman holding mug © Getty Images.
Persistent URL: http://0-edina.ac.uk.brum.beds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/purl/eig/aa047032-001.jpg

Are you the sort of person that needs a cup of coffee to wake you up in the morning? Well, according to a new study, coffee doesn't make you any more alert but could leave you feeling more tired and sluggish than non-coffee drinkers. This study was interesting as participants' DNA was analysed and they concluded that people who were 'predisposed' to suffering anxiety drank more coffee than non-anxious people. What do you think about this research?

Interruptions linked to medication errors

A recent piece of research in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine has shown that interruptions are linked to medication administration errors. Would you agree?

New report - worldwide access to medication for children

Unicef and the World Health Organisation have worked collaboratively to produce a guide to availability and prices of medicines for children worldwide. It also includes food, vitamin and mineral supplements to treat major childhood illnesses and diseases. The guide can be accessed here.

New study reveals gender differences in drug use

A new report reveals that there has been a big fall in the number of women being treated for heroin addiction.

Public Health in England - drug use

Check out this new report about drug use in England.