DTB Podcast

In this podcast recorded in early April, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the May 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that highlights the effect medicines have on greenhouse gas emissions and the need to consider the environmental impact of all aspects of the patient care pathway​ (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/5/66). They review the results of a study that assessed the effect of donanemab on early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease​ (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/5/67). The main article considers the evidence for cytisine, a nicotine receptor partial agonist, that has recently been licensed to facilitate quitting smoking​ (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/5/71). They begin by highlighting some useful resources relating to the safe use of valproate. Other links: https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/sodium-valproate/ https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/decision-support-tool-is-valproate-the-right-epilepsy-treatment-for-me/ https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/valproate-safety-measures https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valproate-use-by-women-and-girls Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast recorded in early March, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the April 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that questions whether drug safety alerts are effective in changing practice and whether more needs to be done to implement safety recommendations (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/4/50). They review the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's latest risk minimisation measures for using valproate, which include a guide for healthcare professionals, a guide for patients, an annual risk acknowledgement form and an information card for patients (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/4/53). The main article considers the evidence for a new progestogen only pill containing drospirenone (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/4/55). They begin by discussing recent concerns over neuropsychiatric reactions associated with montelukast. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast recorded in early February, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the March 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial highlighting the important work that the founders of The Medical Letter, Worst Pills, Best Pills and Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin did to scrutinise the safety of medicines and the need to challenge the processes by which medicines are licensed, appraised, commissioned and promoted (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/3/34). They review a coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report that highlighted an interaction between tramadol and warfarin (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/3/36). They also talk about a study that compared the emergency contraceptive efficacy of levonorgestrel plus piroxicam with levonorgestrel plus placebo (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/3/38). The main article considers the effectiveness of low or very low calorie diets in achieving remission of type 2 diabetes (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/3/39). Link Mathew R. Prescribing isn’t a single act—getting it right requires time and effort. BMJ 2024;384:q279 (https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj.q279) Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast recorded in early January, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the February 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that highlights problems associated with shortages of ADHD medicines. They talk about two safety alerts issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency that focus on the adverse effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics on physical and mental health. The main article considers various NHS initiatives that have attempted to limit primary care prescribing of drugs that are deemed to have limited clinical value. They begin the podcast with sad news of the death of Dr Sidney Wolfe (1937-2024), a colleague and friend who co-founded the US Health Research Group and Public Citizen (a nonprofit consumer advocacy organisation) and who was "a towering public health leader and an unparalleled consumer champion". Links https://www.citizen.org/remembering-sidney-wolfe/https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/4/52https://www.citizen.org/topic/safe-affordable-drugs-devices/worst-pills-best-pills/ Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast recorded in BMA House in December, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the January 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss continuity of care in general practice and the benefits it offers (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/1/2). They discuss a safety alert issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency that highlights a very small number of reports of new-onset or aggravation of pre-existing myasthenia gravis associated with statins (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/1/4). The main article is an overview of the management of acne (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/1/6). They begin the podcast by providing a brief update on the results of a trial that assessed the effect of semaglutide on cardiovascular outcomes in people aged ≥45 years with cardiovascular disease (but not diabetes) and a BMI ≥27 kg/m2 (plot spoiler: make sure you know your ARRs from your RRRs). Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the December 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss monitoring drugs in primary care and the need to rationalise the number of blood tests undertaken (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/12/178). They talk about a study that reported the effect of bempedoic acid on a composite cardiovascular outcome (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/12/180). The main article is a review of semaglutide as an option for weight management and discusses the evidence for its use and some of the hype that has surrounded the its launch (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/12/182). They begin by responding to a listener's complaint about terminology. Related link: Aronson JK. When I use a word . . . Medicines regulation—apothecaries, quacks, chemists, druggists, pharmacists. BMJ 2023;383:p2603. https://www.bmj.com/content/383/bmj.p2603 Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the November 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss the history of the BNF and the announcement that the 86th edition of the BNF and the 2023–2024 edition of the BNF for Children will be the last print issues to be purchased by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for the NHS in England (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/11/162 and https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/11/166). They talk about a retrospective review of a case series of UK coroners’ Reports to Prevent Future Deaths that found that around one in five reports involved a medicine (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/11/165). The main article provides an introduction to pharmacogenetics (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/11/168). They begin by responding to a listener's email. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the October 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss NHS prescription charges in England and the impact they have on people with long-term ill health (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/10/146). They talk about a study that assessed the incidence of retinopathy associated with hydroxychloroquine (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/10/148). The main article discusses intravenous vitamins and reviews the evidence for their use for serious medical conditions and the evidence for their use in the absence of a specific vitamin deficiency or medical condition (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/10/151). The latest issue of Australian Prescriber mentioned in thia podcast is available from https://australianprescriber.tg.org.au/. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the September 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss concerns over redacted data in NICE appraisal documents (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/9/130). They review a placebo-controlled study that assessed the use of spironolactone for women with acne (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/9/132). The main article explores anticholinergic burden and the risk of cognitive decline, dementia and increased mortality associated with long-term use of drugs with anticholinergic activity (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/9/135). Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the August 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in the management of asthma (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/8/114). They review a study that assessed the use of H. pylori eradication in people taking low-dose aspirin (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/8/116). The main article explores the evidence for the use of finerenone for CKD associated with type 2 diabetes (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/8/120). Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the July 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss evidence-based medicine, access to evidence and increasing use of press releases and social media to present evidence (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/7/98). They talk about the safety of isotretinoin (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/7/99) and review a study that assessed the accuracy of conflict of interest statements in clinical guidelines (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/7/100). The main review article explores the evidence for cardiac and renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitors (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/7/103). They begin by discussing the impact of the shortage of Utrogestan.

In a series of podcasts to mark the 60th anniversary of DTB, we talk to some of DTB's Editorial Board members and other colleagues about their work and their involvement with DTB. In this podcast, David Phizackerley (DTB deputy editor) talks to Barbara Mintzes (DTB associate editor) who is Associate Professor at the School of Pharmacy and Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney, where she has worked since 2015. Her background is in epidemiology and the main focus of her work is on pharmaceutical policy, including the effects of direct-to-consumer advertising and physician-directed promotion on medicine use. Barbara talks about her interest in medicines policies, the impact of pharmaceutical and medical device company payments to clinicians, medicalisation of normal life, medicine safety scandals and the impact on those who have been harmed by medicines with a particular focus on women's health. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). If you want to contact us please email dtb@bmj.com. Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the June 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss new guidelines on post-exposure prophylaxis for varicella or shingles during pregnancy (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/6/82). They review the effect of low-dose aspirin on fractures and falls (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/6/85), and talk about a study that does not provide meaningful cardiovascular outcome data for inclisiran (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/6/86). The main review article explores hospitalisation as a consequence of medication-related harm and the need to reduce the burden of harm caused by medication (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/6/87). They begin by discussing an announcement from NHS England that antibiotics will be provided without the need for a prescription from community pharmacies to free up GP time. The contact address for the DTB team is dtb@bmj.com. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the June 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss new guidelines on post-exposure prophylaxis for varicella or shingles during pregnancy (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/6/82). They review the effect of low-dose aspirin on fractures and falls (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/6/85), and talk about a study that does not provide meaningful cardiovascular outcome data for inclisiran (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/6/86). The main review article explores hospitalisation as a consequence of medication-related harm and the need to reduce the burden of harm caused by medication (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/6/87). They begin by discussing an announcement from NHS England that antibiotics will be provided without the need for a prescription from community pharmacies to free up GP time. The contact address for the DTB team is dtb@bmj.com. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the May 2023 issue of DTB. They celebrate 60 years since DTB became independent from The Medical Letter and discuss what DTB stands for (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/5/66). They review a retrospective cohort study involving people taking oral anticoagulants that compared the risk of bleeding and embolic events in new users of NSAIDs with those not prescribed NSAIDs (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/5/67). They also talk about the main review article that explores the therapeutics of siRNA medicines (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/5/72). They begin by discussing the UK Government’s recent Budget statement that the MHRA will introduce a new approval process for medicines that have been licensed elsewhere.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the April 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss evidence around morning and evening doses of antihypertensive medication (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/4/50). They review a study that analysed health technology assessment decisions made in Australia, Canada and England (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/4/51) and also talk about managing skin conditions in women who are planning pregnancy or who are pregnant (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/4/55). They begin by responding to a listener's letter about last month's podcast. The Prescribing for pregnancy series of articles can be found here: https://dtb.bmj.com/pages/prescribing-for-pregnancy-series/

In a series of podcasts to mark the 60th anniversary of DTB, we talk to some of DTB's Editorial Board members and other colleagues about their work and their involvement with DTB. In this podcast, recorded May 2022, David Phizackerley (DTB's deputy editor) talks to Joanna Girling who is a consultant in obstetric medicine in north London and has been involved with DTB since 2006. Joanna talks about her clinical work, her role with establishing the local maternity network and her involvement in research. She also talks about supporting women who have pre-existing medical conditions and who are pregnant or who are planning pregnancy and the importance of checking that they are on the most appropriate medicines. The contact address for the DTB team is dtb@bmj.com. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). Thank you for listenin

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the March 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss incorrect penicillin allergy labels and ways that these can be corrected (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/3/34). They review clinical trial results for lecanameb in early Alzheimer's disease (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/3/37) and also talk about a new combined oral contraceptive that contains estetrol and drospirenone (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/3/39). They begin by discussing a proposal from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to lower the threshold for offering statins for primary prevention. The contact address for the DTB team is dtb@bmj.com. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). Thank you for listening.

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the February 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss concerns over a national initiative in England to transfer people with atrial fibrillation to edoxaban from other DOACs (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/2/18). They review a study that examined whether the correct dose of DOAC was used in people with renal impairment (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/2/21). They talk about the use of empagliflozin in people with heart failure (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/2/22) and finish with an overview of an article that discusses prescribing for pregnancy for those with inflammatory rheumatic disease (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/2/24). 60th anniversary interview with Dr John Dowden: https://soundcloud.com/bmjpodcasts/dtb-60th-anniversary-podcast-interview-john-dowden Trends in direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) prescribing in English primary care (2014–2019): https://heart.bmj.com/content/109/3/195 The contact address for the DTB team is dtb@bmj.com. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). Thank you for listening.

In a series of podcasts to mark the 60th anniversary of DTB, we talk to some of DTB's Editorial Board members and other colleagues about their work and their involvement with DTB. In this podcast, David Phizackerley (DTB's deputy editor) talks to Dr John Dowden, the editor of Australian Prescriber since 1990. Australian Prescriber (https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber) is an independent peer-reviewed journal providing critical commentary on drugs and therapeutics for health professionals, and like DTB, Australian Prescriber was a founder member of the International Society of Drug Bulletins. At the time of recording, John highlighted that public funding for NPS Medicinewise (https://www.nps.org.au/), the organisation that publishes Australian Prescriber, was under threat and unfortunately the Australian Government withdrew funding and the organisation closed at the end of December. John and his team were made redundant, and the future of Australian Prescriber is uncertain. We wrote an editorial that criticises the decision to remove funding from NPS Medicinewise and you can find this in the January 2023 issue of DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/1/2). This special series of the DTB Podcast is produced by Letícia Amorim and edited by Brian O'Toole. Please subscribe to the DTB podcast to get episodes automatically downloaded to your mobile device and computer. Also, please consider leaving us a review or a comment on the DTB Podcast iTunes podcast page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dtb-podcast/id307773309). Thank you for listening.