Health news round-up: ‘landmark’ long COVID trial results and are contraceptives linked to brain tumours?
The Pharmaceutical Journal’s weekly summary of the important developments in pharmacy and health news you may have missed.
This week, The Pharmaceutical Journal has highlighted the potential for community pharmacy to ease pressure on hospital discharge and identify cases of heart failure, but noted its exclusion from premises support in the recently published ten-year capital plan
We have also reported on private-sector demand for the new semaglutide weight-loss pill and regulatory action against promotion of prescription-only weight loss medicines to the public.
NHS-employed pharmacists may welcome new staff standards that address problems including workplace racism, violence and sexual harassment, and encourage flexible working, support for line management and improved health and wellbeing
An analysis of prescribing data in England, published in Nature Health, has shown an ongoing decline in prescribing of central nervous system medications, including analgesics and antidepressants, suggesting a “disruption of clinical pathways and potential inequities in medication use” following the pandemic
In wider health news, NICE recommended two non-invasive tests that could speed up endometriosis diagnoses, the National Institute for Health and Care Research has joined the European Rare Diseases Research Alliance to open “new pathways for UK researchers to participate in international clinical trials”, and NHS patients could get access to “cutting-edge” medicines months earlier under pilots announced by the Department of Health and Social Care
Read on for more health news you might have missed this week
Long COVID, ME and chronic fatigue
Antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, and blood thinner drugs have only a “modest, short-term benefit” on long COVID, a “landmark” large-scale randomised controlled trial — results of which were published in Lancet Infectious Diseases — has shown
“As many of the most severe patients are now 5–6 years into this disabling condition, they do need hope from large clinical trials. A number of further ones are in progress or planned,” commented Daniel Altmann, professor of immunology at Imperial College London
A separate small-scale trial led by University College London researchers showed that ten weeks of cognitive rehabilitation helped people with long COVID symptoms, such as brain fog, achieve their goals in returning to work and hobbies
A “world first” finding from Griffith University researchers has offered new clues to understanding why patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) experience low energy
“We found a significant TRPM3-calcium pathway dysfunction in ME/CFS, resulting in impaired calcium entry into mitochondria, a region of the cell responsible for energy production,” said lead author Chandi Magawa
“It explains how reduced calcium entry into mitochondria may impair immune cell function and energy production, the process effectively triggering a chain reaction in the body.”
Further reading
- CPPE launches training for pharmacy staff to support patients with long COVID
- PJ view: People with long COVID are being left behind
- Managing the long-term effects of COVID-19
Are contraceptives linked to brain tumours?
A large population-based study from Denmark, published in JAMA Network Open, adds to evidence that meningiomas may be linked to progesterone by confirming an association with progestogen use for contraception. It found the strongest association with medroxyprogesterone injections and a weak association for several other progestogens, with the risk declining once hormonal contraceptives were stopped. However, experts stressed that the absolute risk of developing a meningioma brain tumour remains low, and patients should not stop using progestogens without consulting their doctor.
Channa Jayasena, professor of reproductive endocrinology at Imperial College London, commented: “All medications have risk, and contraceptive medications are no different. As the paper correctly states, the overall chance of these drugs giving you a meningioma is tiny
“Also, this study did not look at HRT which uses much lower doses of progesterone, so is not expected to increase meningioma risk. Therefore, these results do not apply for women taking HRT.”
Further reading
- Case-based learning: menopause and HRT consultations
- Case-based learning: dysmenorrhoea management
- Long-acting reversible contraception
Hot weather, dementia and older adults
Exposure to extreme heat and cold is associated with an increased risk of emergency department visits among people living with dementia, preliminary research presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2026 suggests
Lead author Luca Vignatelli said physiological stress, behavioural factors and a potential impact of extreme temperatures on neurodegenerative pathogenic mechanisms could all play a role
“During hot weather, healthcare professionals should take proactive measures to support people with cognitive impairment, while telemedicine could be a useful tool for providing flexible clinical care during both hot and cold weather,” he said
A separate study published the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that older adults discharged from hospital with a new prescription for a sedative, especially a benzodiazepine or antipsychotic, are at increased risk of falls and other negative consequences. However, individuals with prior exposure did not experience the same increased hazards
“Clinicians must consider whether new sedative prescriptions are essential or can be deprescribed or de-escalated before or shortly after hospital discharge. When ongoing sedative use is required, community support, such as falls or mobility assessments, and ongoing medication reviews may help mitigate risks,” the study authors said
Further reading
- Heat-related illnesses: preparing for periods of high temperatures
- Heat-related illnesses: physiology, symptoms and management
- Medicines storage needs to change with the climate
Last updated 10 July 2026 11:23
Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ July 2026, Vol 320, No 8011;320(8011)::DOI:10.1211/PJ.2026.1.419194
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