Euan Reid
LightNews LightNews
euanreid.pharmsky.app
Euan Reid
@euanreid.pharmsky.app
190 followers 240 following 180 posts
Pharmacist 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #Pharmsky
Posts Replies Media Videos
euanreid.pharmsky.app
How seaweed is replacing single‑use plastics in healthcare.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How seaweed is replacing single-use plastics in the Black Country
Two Wolverhampton entrepreneurs hope to reduce the amount of plastic used in healthcare.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Reposted by Euan Reid
lancetrespirmed.bsky.social
📢 New trial: Budesonide–glycopyrronium–formoterol fumarate dihydrate in uncontrolled #asthma (KALOS and LOGOS)

📊 These findings show that BGF improves lung function and reduces severe exacerbation rates in a broad population with asthma inadequately controlled

🔗 www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
February 13, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Reposted by Euan Reid
erictopol.bsky.social
A healthy diet, accounting for longevity-related genes, adds 2-3 years of life expectancy
from >100,000 people followed 10.6 years, max benefit for starting at youngest age (Figure)
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
February 13, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
lancetprimarycare.bsky.social
🆕 In their Comment, Peter Hanlon and colleagues discuss pragmatic prescribing for people with moderate or severe frailty in primary care
Read the full Comment here ➡️ www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Frailty, polypharmacy, and the case for pragmatic prescribing in primary care
Primary care clinicians are often caught between conflicting recommendations for clinical care. On one side, specialist guidelines and trial evidence urge intensive treatment, such as tight blood pres...
www.thelancet.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
ema.europa.eu
We have just recommended that medicines containing #levamisole, used to treat parasitic worm infections, be withdrawn from the EU market due to the risk of leukoencephalopathy, a condition that affects the brain’s white matter.

Read more 🔗 www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/meet...

#PublicHealth #MedSky 🧪
Meeting highlights from the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) 9 - 12 February 2026 | European Medicines Agency (EMA)
PRAC concludes safety review of levamisole, a medicine used to treat parasitic worm infections
www.ema.europa.eu
February 13, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
arc-west.bsky.social
Our just published pilot study found community pharmacies are a promising site for expanding access to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) - particularly for under-served groups who may not engage with traditional #SexualHealth clinics

#PrEP #HIV #HIVPrevention

arc-w.nihr.ac.uk/community-ph...
Community pharmacies: A new frontier for PrEP access - ARC West
Community pharmacies are a “promising site” for expanding access to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), according to a recent pilot study led by researchers at NIHR ARC West and NIHR Health Protectio...
arc-w.nihr.ac.uk
February 12, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
jama.com
Moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee or tea was linked to reduced #dementia risk and modest improvements in cognitive outcomes; no benefit was seen for decaffeinated coffee in an observational study of US adults.

bit.ly/4bEUa2F
Line graph titled 'Incident dementia' shows hazard ratio (95% CI) vs. caffeinated coffee intake. The curve starts at 1.0, declines until about 3 c/d intake, then slightly rises. Intake c/d ranges from 0 to >5. No. of cases and person-years are also provided.
February 9, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
jama.com
The FDA recently cleared a new smartwatch #hypertension notification feature for the Apple Watch. In this study, researchers applied performance metrics to nationally representative US survey data to better understand the potential population impact.

bit.ly/3O3Wiaw
JAMA Research Letter, published Feb 9, 2026, shows smartwatch hypertension notification impact. Illustration of feature performance among people with/without hypertension. For those with, 41/100 had appropriate alert. For those without, 8/100 had inappropriate alert.
February 9, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
bjgp.bsky.social
Consultation rates between 2010 and 2022 show locums make a larger contribution to UK #PrimaryCare than official statistics suggest. 
#Locum use increased in England, remained flat in Wales, and decreased in Scotland and Northern Ireland doi.org/10.3399/BJGP... @tommyallen87.bsky.social 
February 11, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Reposted by Euan Reid
nhsforthvalley.bsky.social
We are recruiting. Find out more and apply today ⬇

🔹Primary Care Pharmacy Technician apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk/Job/JobDetai...

🔹Primary Care Deputy Team Leader - Prison Service apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk/Job/JobDetai...

🔹Specialist Healthcare Scientist apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk/Job/JobDetai...
February 11, 2026 at 10:33 AM
euanreid.pharmsky.app
People with respiratory conditions deserve excellent care, and clinicians deserve comprehensive support
from health systems in order to provide it. As this report shows, there are many areas in which inhaler care needs to be improved.
@asthmaandlung.org.uk

www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/all-puffed-o...
Asthma deaths have increased by nearly 25% since 2014 and basic asthma care – including vital guidance on how to correctly use inhalers – is given to fewer than 1 in 3 people with asthma each year despite being advocated by national guidelines. Basic asthma care should be the norm, and limited access to this care increases a person’s likelihood of having an asthma attack, being hospitalised, or dying. Following the new national asthma guideline published by BTS, NICE and SIGN in November 2024, Asthma + Lung UK is calling for better care for the 7.2 million people in the UK with asthma. The guideline presents a key opportunity to review and improve inhaler care, revolutionising asthma treatment through new approaches to treating asthma and expanding access to basic asthma care to improve health outcomes. The new guideline makes ICS-formoterol the reliever of choice for most people with asthma. Where this isn’t the case, healthcare professionals should ensure concurrent prescribing of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with a SABA inhaler as reliever. In all cases an appropriate personalised asthma action plan should be completed and shared with the patient to outline how to self-manage their condition. A key part of good care is having the right inhaler, which may mean switching from one inhaler to another. This is a key opportunity to optimise a person’s asthma care and ensure they are receiving the best care. However, our survey of those who have had their inhaler changed recently found a worrying situation, and patients are clearly in need of significantly more clinical support. We found that: 22% of people were switched with no appointment to oversee and explain the switch. A third of patients say their condition control is worse after their inhaler has been switched. 39% of people who have their inhaler switched aren’t given any inhaler technique guidance at all. Of those who were given some form of inhaler technique guidance, only 19% received gold standard guidance,…
February 10, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
erictopol.bsky.social
We used to think that the benefit of GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) was dependent on weight loss.
Now we know so many health benefits have little to do with that!
Today's report: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
February 9, 2026 at 9:33 PM
euanreid.pharmsky.app
The Transition to Green Respiratory Care in NHS Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #Pharmsky
1/8
Respiratory prescribing in Scotland is facing its biggest shift in a generation.
With NHSScotland aiming for net-zero by 2045, how we approach inhaler therapy is evolving to meet the climate emergency. 🧵
February 7, 2026 at 8:51 PM
euanreid.pharmsky.app
Patient-led Apple Watch based monitoring after AF catheter ablation reduced the time to recurrent arrhythmia detection, increased the overall detection yield, and was associated with fewer unplanned hospitalisations compared with standard care.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Patient-Led Smartwatch ECG Monitoring After AF Ablation: A Randomized Trial
www.sciencedirect.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
erictopol.bsky.social
The real story about statin safety from >122,000 RCT participants with individual level data. They can cause new-onset diabetes and muscle pain/weakness, but other than that they are remarkably safe for 62 outcomes. Rare liver function test abnormalities thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Assessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials
Adverse event data from blinded randomised trials do not support causal relationships between statin therapy and most of the conditions (including cognitive impairment, depression, sleep disturbance, ...
thelancet.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
rpharms.com
We’ve launched a new Digital Skills and Capability Resource which brings together trusted national frameworks, guidance and training opportunities to help pharmacy teams across GB develop the digital confidence needed for modern practice.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3ZaPxpz
February 6, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Euan Reid
ukcpa.bsky.social
Introducing the UKCPA Handbook of Pharmacogenomics 🧬 A new flagship resource to support the use of pharmacogenetic results and optimise medicines. Join us on 5 March at 12pm (Teams) to see it in action. events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3dfc2e...
February 5, 2026 at 12:30 PM
euanreid.pharmsky.app
Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus): risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)
#Pharmsky

www.gov.uk/drug-safety-...
Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus): risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that can cause sudden deterioration in vision, usually in one eye at a time, has been very rarely reported in association with sem...
www.gov.uk
February 5, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
bmj.com
Autism has long been viewed as a condition that predominantly affects male individuals, but this new study shows that autism may actually occur at comparable rates among male and female individuals #BMJResearch
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
February 5, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Reposted by Euan Reid
bopa.org.uk
BOPA recognised in the National Cancer Plan for England

BOPA welcomes the National Cancer Plan and highlights the essential role of cancer pharmacy professionals in delivering world‑class cancer care

bopa.org.uk/bopa-welcomes-…#WorldCancerDaya#CancerPlan20262#CancerPharmacycy
February 4, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Reposted by Euan Reid
johnswinney.bsky.social
It’s now official.

Scotland will have an extra bank holiday on Monday 15 June to mark our return to the World Cup. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
February 4, 2026 at 8:43 PM
euanreid.pharmsky.app
National therapeutic indicators data visualisation
Data to September 2025

The indicator chosen to highlight this quarter relates to prescribing of amoxicillin. Data suggests improved compliance from prescribers with the antibiotic prescribing policies.

publichealthscotland.scot/publications...
The indicator chosen to highlight this quarter relates to prescribing of amoxicillin. This indicator, shown below, presents the proportion of five-day courses of amoxicillin prescribed as a proportion of all amoxicillin prescriptions. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic commonly prescribed for respiratory infections, and NICE guidance recommends five days' treatment for most common community respiratory infections. This is to ensure that antibiotics are not taken longer than is clinically necessary, and to slow the development of antimicrobial resistance. The chart below shows that the number of 5-day course amoxicillin prescriptions as a percentage of all amoxicillin prescriptions (items) has increased over time, from 70% in July to September 2023 to 76% in July to September 2025. This suggests improved compliance from prescribers with the antibiotic prescribing policies.
February 4, 2026 at 8:36 PM
euanreid.pharmsky.app
The Essentials of Safe Care is a practical package of evidence-based guidance and support that enables Scotland’s health and social care system to deliver safe care.
@healthimprovescot.bsky.social

www.healthcareimprovementscotland.scot/improving-ca...
SPSP Essentials of Safe Care Creating the conditions for safe care, improving outcomes for every person, every time across health and care. The Essentials of Safe Care is a practical package of evidence-based guidance and support that enables Scotland’s health and social care system to deliver safe care. It forms the building blocks for each SPSP programme of work. The essential drivers of safe care Working in partnership with health and social care teams and several representative bodies across Scotland, the following essentials have been identified as being central to supporting the safe delivery of care across health and care. A people-led approach to the planning and delivery of safe care Effective and inclusive communication Leadership at all levels to support a culture of safety Safe clinical and care processes
February 4, 2026 at 8:18 PM
euanreid.pharmsky.app
Estimated prescribing patterns for care home patients aged 65 years and over in England
#Pharmsky

nhsbsa-data-analytics.shinyapps.io/estimated-pr...
Key findings The estimated number of care home patients aged 65 years and over who received prescribing has increased since 2020/21. The number of prescription items and associated drug cost also increased. In 2024/25, we estimated a monthly average of 331,000 care home patients aged 65 years and over receiving prescriptions. They received an estimated 42 million prescription items at a drug cost of £410 million. Care home patients aged 65 years and over received a higher rate of prescribing than non-care home patients. This includes prescribing of drugs associated with a falls risk and anti-cholinergic burden. They received less prescribing of medicines associated with kidney injury. Care home patients also received a different range of medicines to non-care home patients. They were more likely to receive Vitamin D and drugs for pain relief. Non-care home patients were more likely to receive Atorvastatin. The total drug cost for Paracetamol for care home patients has doubled in the last five years to an estimated £22.4 million, whereas costs have reduced for non-carehome patients. Almost two-thirds of care home patients aged 65 years and over who received prescriptions were female. Just over 4 in 10 were females aged 85 years and over. Monthly prescribing costs and volumes varied by age, gender, care home type and geography. These insights will benefit from local interpretation.
February 4, 2026 at 7:56 PM
euanreid.pharmsky.app
There is a need for better communication of shortages to GPs, hospitals and pharmacies so they can take necessary action to support patients and more importantly, the recognition that medicines supply chain resilience is a national security issue.
#Pharmsky

committees.parliament.uk/committee/43...
Lords Committee calls for proactive leadership to tackle medicines supply - Committees - UK Parliament
Today, the House of Lords Public Services publishes its report, 'Medicines security—a national priority'.
committees.parliament.uk
February 4, 2026 at 7:27 PM