News | British Pharmacological Society

Medication-related harm in older adults is common, costly, and preventable

23 May 2018

New research indicates that harm from medicines is common in older adults following hospital discharge, and it results in substantial use of healthcare resources.

Society responds to Prime Minister’s announcement on boost for UK research to tackle chronic disease

20 May 2018

The British Pharmacological Society today welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of targeted support for research into chronic diseases. The Society also reiterated that there is a pressing need to ensure the UK develops the skills and workforce needed to deliver on the government’s ambitious vision for the life sciences sector and the health of the nation.

Many older adults discharged from the hospital receive inappropriate prescriptions

10 May 2018

In a British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology study of 259 older adults discharged from a general medical hospital, more than 4 in 5 patients were issued a potentially inappropriate prescription containing at least 1 potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) or potential prescribing omission (PPO).

Study points to the futility of urine tests for salbutamol doping

03 May 2018

A new British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology study shows that large variability in urine concentrations, however, lead to infeasibility of determining an administered dose from a single untimed urine sample.

Erectile dysfunction drugs may help treat many other conditions

19 Apr 2018

A new British Journal of Pharmacology review examines how phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which were originally approved to treat erectile dysfunction, are finding clinical uses for a wide variety of conditions.

Articles provide updated guidance to authors submitting to the British Journal of Pharmacology

18 Apr 2018

New editorials published in the British Journal of Pharmacology provide guidance for authors of papers submitted to the journal, with guidance on how to design and conduct experiments as well as what key information should be provided in methodology and presentation of data.

Study reveals large differences in drug prescriptions for newborns between NICUs

05 Apr 2018

Little is known concerning how extensively drugs are prescribed to newborns in different neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Certain pain medications linked to increased heart risks

21 Mar 2018

BJCP article: Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was associated with an 18% increased risk of atrial fibrillation – an irregular, often rapid heart rate – in a study of middle-aged adults in Taiwan. The findings are published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Society signs letter to prime minister on Tier 2 visa cap

08 Mar 2018

The Society has signed an open letter sent by the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) to the Prime Minister, Theresa May, calling on the government to take urgent action in revising current immigration policy to better attract international research and innovation talent.

Studies examine trends in pain medication use

08 Mar 2018

A new study reveals that acetaminophen use and over-dosing rise in cold/flu season in the United States, primarily due to increased use of over-the-counter combination medications treating upper respiratory symptoms. Another study reports that acetaminophen is the most commonly used analgesic in France, with more high-dose tablets being consumed in recent years. The findings, which are published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, indicate that individuals should take special care to follow labeled dosing directions for acetaminophen-containing products.

Study points to potential misuse/abuse of ADHD drugs

07 Mar 2018

A new British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology study indicates that methylphenidate, a central nervous system stimulant approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, may be subject to misuse and/or abuse.