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October 2026 | Issue 10

Welcome to the October edition of Therapeutics Today. This month’s issue will highlight information, including guidance and advice, recently published by various organisations. Readers are also reminded of previously published NMIC bulletins, which are available on our website www.nmic.ie.

We welcome any feedback or comments which can be provided using the feedback button below or by emailing the NMIC directly at nmic@stjames.ie.

The SPS are a team of pharmacy professionals and support staff commissioned by NHS England to provide advice and guidance on Medicines Optimisation. Recent publications that may be of interest include:

Choosing medicines in sulfonamide hypersensitivity - published 9^th September 2026

Defining and understanding medication adherence - last updated 11^th September 2026

Adverse drug reactions: resources to support clinical decisions - last updated 21^st September 2026

A patient-centred approach to improving medication safety - published 28^th September 2026

Evidence-based recommendations for the NHS and wider health and social care sector,
developed by independent committees, including professionals and lay members, and
consulted on by stakeholders.

Multiple sclerosis in adults: management [NG220] - last updated 26^th August 2026

Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: prevention and management [CG178] - last updated 4^th September 2026

As readers are aware, the HSE antibiotic prescribing website is a very useful evidence-based antimicrobial information resource. Recent updates to antibiotic prescribing that can be found in the community guidelines section include:

•Scabies treatment V3.0

•Antimicrobial drug interactions tables

Other resources that readers may find useful for the winter season include: 

•HPSC Guidance for seasonal influenza

•HSE Clinical Guidance on Paxlovid for use in the Treatment of COVID 19

•HSE Prescribing Protocol for Remdesivir use in the Treatment of COVID-19   

Readers are reminded of the “Medication Safety Minute”, a collaborative project undertaken by two hospital consultants and the Medication Safety Facilitator (a pharmacist) in St James’s Hospital. 

These bite-sized messages, which may also include short videos, are published every week and are available via X @medsafetymin. Recent Medication Safety Minutes are linked directly below and include: 

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) website contains the latest regulatory updates on medicines and information on medicine shortages, as well as access to all currently approved product information (e.g., Summary of Product Characteristics [SmPCs]).

Direct Healthcare Professional Communication (DHPC)

The HPRA has recently published the following important safety information updates:

Flebogamma DIF 100 mg / ml solution for infusion, EU/1/07/404/007-008, batch recall – published 14^th September 2026

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab): New risk of drug-induced liver injury and recommendations on monitoring of liver function before and during treatment – published 8^th October 2026

The UK NPPG has recently published an updated version of the following position statement:

Use of Steroid Medication Warning Cards for Children and Young People. Version 2 – published September 2026

This updated position statement includes new information relating to immunosuppressive effects of exogenous corticosteroids, and a reduction (from 5 years to 6 months) of the age below which a steroid treatment card should be issued with inhaled corticosteroids, regardless of dose.

Recently published articles that may be of interest can be found below:

Please share any suggestions/comments that you might have!

Contact Us: 

National Medicines Information Centre

St James’s Hospital

Emmet House

138-140 Thomas Street

Dublin 8

D08 XN61