Health & NHS news

Eye care Campaign Paracetamol London NHS 111 Optician Royal Pharmaceutical Society

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Public health,

Alcohol-specific deaths in UK fell to lowest level for three years, reveals ONS

The Office for National Statistics revealed 9,809 people died from “alcohol-specific causes” compared with 10,048 in 2022.

14 May 2026

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Policy,

Streeting resigns as health secretary as PM accused of leadership ‘vacuum’

Streeting tells Starmer it would be 'dishonourable' to remain in post

14 May 2026

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Legislation for single patient record to go before parliament in Labour reform bill

Labour will seek to push through SPR legislation in the coming year

13 May 2026

Public health,

Children as young as 11 received weight loss jabs at obesity clinics in England

Over 6,000 severely obese young people and children have been treated at the clinics since 2021.

13 May 2026

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Integrated care,

Uncertainty with GP and pharmacy contracts a concern, says ICB chief pharmacist

Ewan Maule, director of medicines and pharmacy at North-East and North Cumbria ICB, said the GP contract was "vague".

11 May 2026

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Services,

Pharmacy First challenges: NHS 111 ‘referring dog bites and malaria patients’

Pharmacists air their frustration with inappropriate NHS 111 referrals

07 May 2026

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Public health,

Pharmacies delivered over 230,000 Pharmacy First consultations in Devon last year

There was a 154 per cent increase on 2024 in patients’ use of pharmacies’ free blood pressure checks and contraceptive services.

01 May 2026

Sertraline batch recalled after pack found containing citalopram

Patient complains after finding citalopram blister strip in prescribed sertraline pack

28 Apr 2026

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Government embarks on meningitis drive in Dorset after discovery of three cases

The UK Health Security Agency is working with Dorset Council, the NHS and “local partners” to vaccinate pupils.

24 Apr 2026

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Medicines,

Pharmacies in Wales supply medicines ordered by optometrists

The new NHS service allows pharmacies to supply the products without a GP prescription and free of charge.

21 Apr 2026

Public health,

Labour pledges to commission pharmacies to provide catch-up HPV vaccines

NPA chief executive Henry Gregg urged Labour to commission pharmacies “to take part in all national vaccination campaigns”.

20 Apr 2026

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‘Localised approach not enough’: New meningitis outbreak in Dorset

IPA comments as three MenB cases confirmed in Weymouth

17 Apr 2026

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Maximum weekly Wegovy dose to be available as a single injection

MHRA announces approval of single-injection 7.2mg Wegovy pen

15 Apr 2026

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‘Not genuine’: eBay takes down over 200 erectile dysfunction drug listings

MHRA reminds public that ED drugs can only be dispensed by registered pharmacies

13 Apr 2026

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NHS spends £2m on Pharmacy First advertising ‘rerun’

Kinnock reveals amount spent to repeat Pharmacy First awareness campaign in 2025-26

13 Apr 2026

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Labour announces US pharma partnership alongside new NICE approval approach

Government claims thousands will benefit from zero-tariff deal with US

09 Apr 2026

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