DTB Podcast

Happy New Year, sad news from Australia, toxocarosis in humans and yet more on valproate safety

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the January 2023 issue of DTB. They begin with another reminder of the concerns over the use of sodium valproate. They talk about the closure of NPS MedicineWise in Australia and the uncertainty over the future of Australian Prescriber - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/1/2. They highlight the risk of eye problems with dupilumab - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/1/6 (see more links below) and the challenge of making sure that primary care clinical systems record drugs prescribed by specialists. They discuss toxocarosis in humans and the risk of environmental contamination from parasiticides used for deworming cats and dogs (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/1/3 and https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/1/7).
Dupilumab links:
1. Reji MA, Haque A, Goyal S, et al. Dupilumab-induced ocular surface disease: a primer. BMJ Case Reports CP 2022;15:e249019. https://casereports.bmj.com/content/15/4/e249019
2. Nahum Y, Mimouni M, Livny E, et al. Dupilumab-induced ocular surface disease (DIOSD) in patients with atopic dermatitis: clinical presentation, risk factors for development and outcomes of treatment with tacrolimus ointment. British Journal of Ophthalmology 2020;104:776-9. https://bjo.bmj.com/content/104/6/776
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.

December 2022 - MHT and ’brain fog’, risks from sodium-containing paracetamol and 2022 revisited

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the December 2022 issue of DTB. They discuss cognitive changes that have been reported during the menopause and whether there is a role for MHT (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/12/178). They highlight an observational study that found an association between the use of sodium-containing paracetamol and cardiovascular events (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/12/181), and talk about the evidence for increasing the dose of vedolizumab in IBD (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/12/183). They begin the podcast by talking about their top three highlights from 2022.
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.

DTB 60th anniversary podcast interview - Jo Congleton

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 Jo Congleton, who is a consultant in Integrated Respiratory Care in Brighton and Hove. She is also clinical lead for the Kent, Surrey, Sussex Academic Health and Science Network (AHSN) Respiratory Programme. Her interests are in chronic respiratory conditions (particularly COPD) and reducing both variation, and inequalities, in care.
This special series of the DTB Podcast is produced by Leticia Amorim.
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.

November 2022 - FMT, methotrexate and COVID vaccine boosters, and Palforzia for peanut allergy

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the November 2022 issue of DTB. They discuss the use of faecal microbiota transplantation to treat gastrointestinal infections and in particular its role in managing Clostridioides difficile infection (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/11/162). They highlight a study that assessed the effect of interrupting methotrexate treatment on COVID-19 booster vaccine response (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/11/163) and review a new drug that is licensed for treatment of patients aged 4 to 17 years with a confirmed diagnosis of peanut allergy (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/11/166). The podcast begins with the editors talking about the response to October's editorial "Stop advertising".
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.

October 2022 - two freebies, advertising woes, paracetamol (again) and standing up to Pharma

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the October 2022 issue of DTB. They discuss whether the language used in announcements from organisations such as NHS England, NICE and the MHRA regarding new medicines is appropriate and highlight concerns that some press releases are at risk of promoting POMs to the public (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/10/146). They review a study that assessed the effect that regular doses of paracetamol had on blood pressure (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/10/147) and talk about an article that discusses the role played over the past 20 years by groups, organisations and individuals that have been critical of the pharmaceutical industry (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/10/151).
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.

September 2022 - healthcare costs, gout, metformin and B12, more on COI and carbetocin

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the September 2022 issue of DTB. They discuss a new national guideline on the management of gout (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/9/130). They highlight a safety update on the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency with metformin (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/9/131) and provide an overview of a study that analysed the way countries across Europe report payments made by pharmaceutical companies to healthcare professionals (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/9/135). They end the podcast with a discussion on the evidence for carbetocin in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/9/136).
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.

August 2022 - COI, STOMP/STAMP, BP deprescribing, amiodarone and bempedoic acid

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the August 2022 issue of DTB. They discuss progress in reducing use of psychotropic medications in adults and children with a learning disability, autism or both (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/8/114). They also provide an overview of a study that assessed the effect of deprescribing antihypertensive medication in older people (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/8/118) and talk about a national safety alert relating to amiodarone (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/8/116). They end the podcast with a discussion on the evidence for the lipid-lowering drug bempedoic acid and its effect on reducing low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and the lack of evidence on clinical outcomes (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/8/120).
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.

July 2022 - an e-letter, estradiol, APPGs, inclisiran and nitrofurantoin

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) provide an overview of the July 2022 issue of DTB. They discuss the proposed reclassification of estradiol vaginal tablets from Prescription Only Medicine to a Pharmacy medicine (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/7/98) and review a study that assessed pharmaceutical industry funding of All Party Parliamentary Groups (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/7/100). They talk about the evidence for the lipid-lowering drug inclisiran and its effect on reducing low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and the lack of evidence on clinical outcomes (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/7/102). The editors also highlight a case report of acute lung toxicity caused by nitrofurantoin (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/7/108).
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.

June 2022 - a complaint, primary care spirometry, paracetamol and frailty, serotonin syndrome

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) provide an overview of the June 2022 issue of DTB. They discuss the impact that the cessation of spirometry services in primary care has had on diagnosing obstructive lung disease (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/6/82). They highlight two separate patient safety incident reports from the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch - confusion over the prescribed dose of oral morphine solution and the harm caused by a standard therapeutic dose of paracetamol in a frail older person (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/6/84). The editors also talk about an article on serotonin syndrome (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/6/88).
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.
Read the June issue: https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/6

May 2022 - an apology, international drug bulletins, mirtazapine and oral antivirals for covid-19

In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) provide an overview of the May 2022 issue of DTB. They talk about drug bulletins across the world and the role of the International Society of Drug Bulletins in supporting bulletins and ensuring that they are intellectually and financially independent (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/5/66). They review a study that assessed the use of mirtazapine for treating agitation in people with dementia (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/5/68). The editors also discuss the evidence behind two new oral antivirals that have been licensed for the treatment of covid-19 (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/60/5/73).
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.