News in brief - December 2013

• A new orodispersible film formulation of nicotine (Niquitin Strips) has been launched by GSK as an aid to smoking cessation or reduction.
• The influenza vaccines Agrippal and Optaflu (both Novartis) are now available for the 2013/2014 flu season.
• Zonegran (zonisamide) is now licensed for use as adjunctive therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation in children aged six years and older.
• The TNF-alpha inhibitor Simponi (golimumab) can now be used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis when conventional treatments, including corticosteroids, 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine, are unsuitable.
• The MHRA has restricted the use of short-acting β₂-agonists in obstetric indications to parenteral preparations, with a maximum treatment period of 48 hours and a requirement for specialist supervision. This is due to the risk of serious cardiovascular events in the mother and the foetus/newborn.
• Revolade (eltrombopag) can now be prescribed for patients with chronic hepatitis C where thrombocytopenia prevents or limits optimal interferon-based therapy.
• Zedbac is the first parenteral formulation of the antibacterial azithromycin to be launched in the UK and is licensed for use in community-acquired pneumonia and pelvic inflammatory disease when initial intravenous treatment is required.

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