NICE and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) have announced that they are working with the RCGP to co-develop a new rapid COVID-19 guideline addressing Long COVID.
Long COVID is a condition that describes persistent symptoms of COVID-19 following on from the acute infection, regardless of …

NICE has published new technology appraisal guidance (TA651) on the use of naldemedine (Rizmoic) for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation.
NICE recommends naldemedine as an option for treating opioid-induced constipation in adults who have had laxative treatment (ie according to the terms of its marketing authorisation). …

The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has started rolling review of two COVID-19 vaccines currently in clinical trials.
A rolling review is used to speed up the assessment of a promising new medicine or vaccine during a public health emergency. In this …

The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended four new medicines (not including generics or biosimilars) for approval at its September meeting.
It has granted a positive opinion for Exparel, a new formulation of bupivacaine (liposome injectable suspension) for the treatment of …

A meta-analysis by the WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working group has provided more evidence that systemic corticosteroids can reduce mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19 (JAMA 2 September 2020; DOI: doi:10.1001/jama.2020.17023).
The prospective meta-analysis of seven randomised trials from 12 countries …

NICE has published guidance on mental health rehabilitation for adults with complex psychosis (NG181). The aim is to promote a positive approach to long-term recovery and to ensure that people have access to help when they need it.
NICE defines complex psychosis as a primary diagnosis …

NICE has published a new guideline on perioperative care in adults undergoing elective or emergency surgery, including dental surgery (NG180). The guidance covers all stages of perioperative care from booking in to post-discharge, including recommendations on preparation for surgery, safety during surgery and pain relief …

Oxford University’s ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against COVID-19 induces a strong immune response, according to interim results of a UK phase 1/2 trial, recently published The Lancet. The trial also indicates that there are no early serious safety concerns, showing a similar safety profile to similar …

In new draft guidance for consultation, NICE has recommended that several commonly used painkillers should not be prescribed for chronic primary pain.
The draft guideline, Chronic Pain in Over 16s: Assessment and Management, includes recommendations on the pharmacological management of chronic primary pain, which it defines …

The European Commission has granted a conditional marketing authorisation for remdesivir (Veklury), for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age (and body weight at least 40kg) with pneumonia who require supplemental oxygen.
The European Commission’s decision was made just over …