Should the maker of Ozempic be funding children’s playgrounds in Ireland?
In 2023, Novo Nordisk was suspended by its own industry body in the UK for two years over its sponsorship of weight management courses for health professionals
Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)
Illegal or fake weight-loss drugs seized by medicines watchdog this month almost five times 2024 total
Authority says it never endorses or lends its logo to brands or products
Seizures of potentially fatal ‘coffin tablet’ up almost 10-fold in five years
Number of illegal doses of pregablin has increased by 920% over past five years
Rising demand for HRT is ‘making it harder for pharmacists to ensure consistent supply’
There are shortages of four hormone replacement therapy patches
‘We never got to say goodbye to him’: family seek answers years after Naas hospital ambulance fire
Christy Byrne died in 2016 when an oxygen cylinder inside the ambulance ignited and engulfed the vehicle in flames – now his family want to know why a prosecution case against the HSE was dropped
Nurse suspended over Botox treatments in Donegal clinic
UK registered nurse used medicines issued for patients in Strabane
Irish health system report card: a year of criticisms, concerns and innovations
From rows about staffing, waiting lists and cost overruns to resignations of senior staff, heathcare was never far from the news headlines in 2024
Sharp increase in number of illegal weight loss drugs seized
HPRA warns of risks of illegal, counterfeit versions of drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, saying they pose ‘significant risk’
Rise in seizure of illegal muscle-boosting and weight-loss drugs
Steroids accounted for 23% of seized medicines, while quantity of Semaglutide seized rises three-fold
Pharmacists dispensing unlicensed medications due to shortages
Exempt medicinal products can be legally supplied under prescription but are not assessed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority
Large increase in number of fake weight-loss drugs seized by watchdog in 2024
Officials warned consumers of risks from falsified versions of Ozempic and Wegovy
Medicine shortages have hit one-third of families over past year
Many of the medicines currently listed as out of stock or in short supply do not have a generic alternative
Drug costs a top concern for consumers as over-the-counter medicine prices rise
Half of Irish adults say price of everyday medicines has increased over past year, according to Azure Pharmaceuticals
What now for transgender healthcare in Ireland after publication of the Cass review?
The landmark report by UK paediatrician Hilary Cass into transgender treatment for young people is published as the HSE plans a new Irish clinical programme for gender healthcare
‘I have women in their 60s and 70s watching TikTok fads’: Skin doctors warn over damaging beauty trends
‘Sunscreen contouring’, ‘freckling’ and DIY chemical peels are among the concerning trends people are absorbing online
Stronger focus on generic medicines could save HSE cash, says industry report
Medicines for Ireland strategic review calls for agreement with Department of Health on supply and pricing of off-patent medicines
Illegal sales of bodybuilding steroids, Botox and cancer-causing fake tan drugs on the rise, latest data indicates
Among products seized by HPRA last year were sedatives, erectile disfunction and weight loss drugs
Irish gene therapy specialist eyes multimillion fundraising to expand
High cost of cell and gene therapies often dwarfed by lifetime cost of otherwise treating patient
‘Coffin tablet’: Renewed calls for prescription drug feared to be ‘new OxyContin’ to be reclassified
Pregabalin is licensed in Ireland to treat epilepsy, nerve pain and general anxiety disorders and has been implicated in many postmortems
‘Urgent need’ for a stronger national policy on medicine shortages, watchdog says
More than 300 medicines were in short supply as of mid-December amid record levels of shortages
Call for action as list of medicines with supply issues jumps 87%
Ireland should compile essential medicines list and use available pricing tools to make market more attractive, says generics specialist Azure Pharma
Ozempic drug-maker pushed Government to oppose EU pharma reforms
Proposals would lower time period a company has protection over research behind drugs they develop
Regulator warns of surge in falsified anti-obesity medicines such as Ozempic and Wegovy sold online
This year, the HPRA has seized 254 units of fake semaglutide, compared to 32 units in all of 2022
Regulator warned GPs over Ozempic advertising breaches
Correspondence between health officials details 'high level of concern' about obesity drug shortages
Pharma giant behind Ozempic paid doctors thousands in speaking fees and expenses
Novo Nordisk profits surging due to huge demand for obesity drugs Ozempic and Wegovy
Significant surge in Irish seizures of weight-loss drugs sold illegally online
Website advertising Ozempic for sale online falsely using address of north Dublin pharmacy
Purported tanning aid advertised on social media may cause serious health issues, regulator warns
‘Notable escalation’ in online activity related to advertisement of products that can cause long-term damage
Plan for vaccine-damages scheme stalls despite ‘priority’ pledge
Department of Health says resources necessary to progress scheme were directed towards Covid-19 public health response
Number of medicines hit by supply issues jumps 45% so far this year
Cholesterol, blood pressure products and aspirin are among those featuring in the latest update that says 307 products are now unavailable
HSE says price is not an issue affecting medicine supply
Authorities say a rise in supply-related shortages in Ireland is reflected across Europe
Ireland likely to supply more equipment to Ukraine through EU defence projects
Tánaiste Micheál Martin secures approval for Ireland to participate in four European Defence Agency projects
Coroner says nothing to suggest link between flu vaccine and Co Mayo man’s death
Verdict of natural causes recorded at inquest into death of Thomas Carroll (69) from Ballyhaunis last October
EU pharmaceutical reforms fail to confront reality of medicine shortages
Refusal of strategy to be published this week to address pricing issues for common off-patent therapies likely only to worsen supply issues
Sacked drug safety manager at Roche accused of making false allegations
Dr Seigle-Murandi says he was pressurised into signing an alternative storyline about firm’s stance on recall of marketing literature
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