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15 February 2021
Two applications to switch oral contraceptives from prescription-only to pharmacy (POM to P) status in the UK are now out for consultation. If they are approved, then Maxwellia’s Lovima and HRA Pharma’s Hana will become the country’s first OTC oral contraceptive pills.
31 December 2020
Sanofi’s Allevia – containing the antihistamine fexofenadine hydrochloride – has been switched from prescription-only to general sales list (GSL) status in the UK.
23 December 2020
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a number of warning letters to cannabidiol (CBD) companies, the Norwegian Medicines Agency (NoMA) is expanding the list of general-sale medicines, and the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued an exceptional us...
20 November 2020
Johnson & Johnson’s Benacort Hayfever Relief – containing the intranasal corticosteroid budesonide – has been switched to general-sales list (GSL) status in the UK.
23 September 2020
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has introduced stronger warnings for prescribed and OTC medicines containing opioids, while New Zealand’s Medsafe is to reconsider a recent recommendation for pholcodine and has reached a settlement over Arthrem.
24 August 2020
New Zealand has set a date to reverse-switch codeine, while the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has a new chair and is backing a fire risk campaign for skin creams.
21 August 2020
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has introduced restrictions on the sale of stimulant laxatives. The regulatory agency said the move would “reduce abuse and overuse” of the products.
28 April 2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Council has adopted the European Commission’s proposal to postpone by one year the date of application of the new Medical Devices Regulation, regulatory agencies around the world have stepped up global collaboration, and the US has taken action on h...
21 April 2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, France has warned people to stop taking certain food supplements if they have COVID-19, the UK has issued advice on the use of ibuprofen and COVID-19, and the US has authorised the first diagnostic test for COVID-19 with at-home sample collection.
25 October 2019
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has appointed an interim director of devices following the retirement of John Wilkinson.