{"id":1028,"date":"2015-03-20T11:55:30","date_gmt":"2015-03-20T11:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/?p=1028"},"modified":"2015-03-10T10:58:40","modified_gmt":"2015-03-10T10:58:40","slug":"news-and-updates-from-www-palliativedrugs-com-74","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/2015\/03\/20\/news-and-updates-from-www-palliativedrugs-com-74\/","title":{"rendered":"News and updates from www.palliativedrugs.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Selected items from the News and Latest Additions sections of<a href=\"%20www.palliativedrugs.com\" target=\"_blank\"> www.palliativedrugs.com<\/a>, the world\u2019s leading palliative care website.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Safety alerts<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Patient Safety Alert for Fluid\/Food Thickening Powder<\/strong><br \/>\nNHS England has issued a patient safety alert (NHS\/PSA\/W\/2015\/002) warning of the risk of death from asphyxiation\u00a0by accidental ingestion of fluid\/food dry thickening powder. For more information, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cas.dh.gov.uk\/ViewandAcknowledgment\/ViewAlert.aspx?AlertID=102291\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hot topics<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>New Drug Driving Legislation Now in Force<br \/>\n<\/strong>The new offence of driving or attempting to drive with certain controlled drugs above specified limits in the blood came\u00a0into force on 2nd March 2015, in England and Wales. The legislation covers eight illegal drugs and eight prescription\u00a0drugs including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><font size=\"2\">benzodiazepines; clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam<\/font><\/li>\n<li><font size=\"2\">opioids; diamorphine, methadone, morphine<\/font><\/li>\n<li><font size=\"2\">psychostimulants; amphetamine<\/font><\/li>\n<li><font size=\"2\">others; cannabis-based medicines (e.g. \u03949-tetrahydrocannabinol), ketamine.<\/font><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The main focus of the new law is the illicit use of these drugs. Accordingly, provided driving is not impaired and the\u00a0drugs are being taken as directed either by a health professional or the Patient Information leaflet (PIL), drivers\u00a0lawfully using these drugs are exempt from prosecution (the \u2018medical defence\u2019). Thus, it is important to inform patients\u00a0of this if prescribed these drugs and they intend to drive. The MHRA and Department for Transport have produced\u00a0information for patients (see below). PCF Chapter 19 on drugs and fitness to drive will be updated shortly.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk\/media\/54d4ad5e40f0b670f4000003\/drug_driving_patient_DSU_Feb_2015.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">MHRA: Information for patients<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/325275\/healthcare-profs-drug-driving.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Department for transport: Guidance for health professionals<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/extranet.dft.gov.uk\/think-downloads\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2015\/01\/15012798011-SDT001962-Think-Drugs-Campaign-Leafle.-Hi.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Department for transport: Information for patients<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/drug-driving-law\" target=\"_blank\">Department for transport: Drugs and driving<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Choice in End of Life Care Report<\/strong><br \/>\nAn independent report \u2018Review of Choice in End of Life Care\u2019, which provides advice to the Government has been\u00a0published. For more information, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/choice-in-end-of-life-care\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Drug Updates<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ketamine Supply Update<\/strong><br \/>\nThere have been ongoing manufacturer supply problems with all strengths of ketamine injection (Ketalar; Pfizer) since\u00a0November 2012 in the UK. Some units have been using imported products of varying strengths, presentation and type\u00a0(see our news item <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/news\/june\/ketamine-update-on-regulation-and-availability.html\" target=\"_blank\">6th June 2014<\/a>). We can report that ketamine injection 50mg\/mL (10mL vial) is now available via\u00a0Pfizer. It is manufactured by Pfizer in Turkey, but is identical in content to the UK product and approved by the UK\u00a0MHRA. It is presented in an amber vial with a yellow flip cap and red stopper (UK product was a clear vial and a grey\u00a0cap and stopper). Pfizer anticipate that the 10mg\/mL (20mL vials) and 100mg\/mL (10mL vials) will be available March\u00a02015. For further details contact Pfizer customer services (01304 616161).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Latest Additions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>PCF Updated Monographs<br \/>\n<\/strong>The following monographs of the on-line <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Palliative Care Formulary (PCF)<\/a> have been updated during February 2015\u00a0and supersede those in the publication of the 5th edition of the Palliative\u00a0epdf. They can be accessed from the formulary section of the website:<\/p>\n<p>Chapter 04: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/formulary\/en\/antihistaminic-antimuscarinic-anti-emetics.html\" target=\"_blank\">Antihistaminic antimuscarinic anti-emetics<\/a> (minor change)<br \/>\nChapter 04: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/formulary\/en\/vertigo.html\" target=\"_blank\">Quick Clinical guide: Vertigo<\/a> (new)<br \/>\nChapter 06: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/formulary\/en\/urinary-tract-infections.html\" target=\"_blank\">Urinary tract infections<\/a> (minor change).<\/p>\n<p>In addition, a correction has been made to the following monograph:\u00a0Chapter 29: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/formulary\/en\/oral-nutritional-supplements.html\" target=\"_blank\">Oral nutritional supplements<\/a> (correction November 2014).<\/p>\n<p>For further details of the minor changes or corrections, see the individual notifications in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/latest.html\" target=\"_blank\">Latest additions<\/a> section of\u00a0the website.<\/p>\n<p>For a full list of all the monographs updated since the publication of PCF5, click <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/download\/PCF5%2B_updated_monographs_list_1502_sc_final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. Follow us on twitter\u00a0@palliativedrugs for the latest updates.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Save 33%: Strong Opioids and the Relief of Cancer Pain Booklet<br \/>\n<\/strong>The booklet Strong opioids and the relief of cancer pain; Information for patients, families and friends (produced by\u00a0the editorial team of the Palliative Care Formulary) has been reduced to \u00a33.99 (from \u00a35.99) while stocks last. The\u00a0question and answer style booklet, which carries the prestigious Crystal Mark for clarity, was published in December\u00a02013 (see our news item <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/news\/december\/strong-opioids-and-the-relief-of-cancer-pain-information-for-patients-families-and-friends.html\" target=\"_blank\">17th December 2013<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Some example questions answered include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><font size=\"2\">Will I become addicted?<\/font><\/li>\n<li><font size=\"2\">How soon will I become pain-free?<\/font><\/li>\n<li><font size=\"2\">What should I do if I forget to take a dose?<\/font><\/li>\n<li><font size=\"2\">What can I do if the pain comes back between regular doses?<\/font><\/li>\n<li><font size=\"2\">What about unwanted effects with skin patches?<\/font><\/li>\n<li><font size=\"2\">Do strong opioids have many unwanted effects?<\/font><\/li>\n<li><font size=\"2\">What is &#8216;spinal&#8217; morphine?<\/font><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is available via our <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/shop\/strong-opioids-and-the-relief-of-cancer-pain.html\" target=\"_blank\">store<\/a> now priced \u00a33.99 (discounts available for purchases of 10 or more) or from amazon. For\u00a0more information, click <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palliativedrugs.com\/shop\/strong-opioids-and-the-relief-of-cancer-pain.html\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Prepared by Sarah Charlesworth and Andrew Wilcock<!--TrendMD v2.4.8--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Selected items from the News and Latest Additions sections of www.palliativedrugs.com, the world\u2019s leading palliative care website. &nbsp; Safety alerts Patient Safety Alert for Fluid\/Food Thickening Powder NHS England has issued a patient safety alert (NHS\/PSA\/W\/2015\/002) warning of the risk of death from asphyxiation\u00a0by accidental ingestion of fluid\/food dry thickening powder. For more information, click [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/2015\/03\/20\/news-and-updates-from-www-palliativedrugs-com-74\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2833],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-updates-from-www-palliativedrugs-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/201"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1028"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1028\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}