Pharma & Drug Safety

EMA CHMP Meeting Minutes July 2025

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published the minutes from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) meeting held from July 21-24, 2025. The document details discussions and opinions on various medicinal products, including initial applications and re-examinations.

MHRA Safety Roundup February 2026: Falsified Mounjaro Pens

The MHRA has issued a safety alert regarding falsified Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pens found in the UK. The affected pens, batch number D873576, have faulty mechanisms and should not be supplied or used. Healthcare professionals are advised to quarantine and return affected stock.

GLP-1/GIP Agonists: Strengthened Pancreatitis Warnings

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has updated product information for GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists to strengthen warnings about the risk of severe acute pancreatitis, including necrotising and fatal cases. Healthcare professionals are advised to be vigilant and report suspected adverse reactions.

Chikungunya Vaccine (IXCHIQ) Use Restrictions Updated

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has updated restrictions for the IXCHIQ Chikungunya vaccine following a safety review. The vaccine is no longer indicated for individuals over 60 and is contraindicated for those with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.

Semaglutide Drug Linked to Optic Neuropathy Risk

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued guidance regarding a rare risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) associated with semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus). Healthcare professionals are advised to refer patients with sudden vision loss for ophthalmological examination and to consider discontinuing semaglutide if NAION is confirmed.

Falsified Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg Pens Found in UK

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a notice regarding falsified Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pens found supplied through an online pharmacy. Batch number D873576 is affected, and the pens have a faulty mechanism, posing a safety risk to patients.

Isotretinoin Prescribing Guidance Updated

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has updated prescribing guidance for isotretinoin, removing the requirement for a second prescriber for patients under 18. New risk minimisation measures, including an updated Acknowledgement of Risk Form, have been introduced to ensure safe prescribing.

NICE Guidance: Pegzilarginase for Arginase-1 Deficiency

NICE has published guidance recommending pegzilarginase (Loargys) for treating arginase-1 deficiency in individuals aged 2 years and over. The guidance includes evidence-based recommendations and details a commercial access agreement for the treatment.

Cerliponase alfa for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis Type 2 Guidance

NICE has published updated highly specialised technologies guidance (HST34) on cerliponase alfa (Brineura) for treating neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 in children. This guidance replaces previous guidance and confirms that patients already receiving treatment can continue.

NICE Guidance: Setmelanotide for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published highly specialised technologies guidance on setmelanotide (Imcivree) for treating obesity and hyperphagia in Bardet-Biedl syndrome. The guidance provides evidence-based recommendations for patients aged 6 years and over, with specific criteria for treatment initiation.