The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published Drug Safety Update for August 2022 (PDF).
This issue advises clinicians that the home use of nebulisers in paediatric asthma should be initiated and managed only by specialists. The MHRA is aware of a number of fatal cases in children in England, which occurred between 2008 and 2022, in which clinically unsupervised use of a nebuliser was a potential contributory factor in the child's death from asthma.
This issue contains the latest COVID-19 vaccine and medicine information including confirmation of the authorisation of the first bivalent vaccine.
Lastly in this issue is a summary of letters to healthcare professionals in July. These generally related to supply issues and recalls as well as the reclassification of estradiol 10 microgram vaginal tablets (Gina®) as a pharmacy medicine.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of this month's new guidance and implement any necessary changes to practice.