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  • Letters and urgent communications 2026

    Date published: 12 January 2026

    Last updated: 9 April 2026

    Advice from the Chief Medical Officer to HSC professionals for 2026

    Documents

    • HSS(MD) 01/2026 - UK CLINICAL GUIDELINES FOR ALCOHOL TREATMENTAdobe PDF (208.38 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 02/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: Improving Information Supplied with Gabapentinoids (Pregabalin/Gabapentin), Benzodiazepines and Z-DrugsAdobe PDF (251.02 KB)
    • Addendum to HSS(MD) 03/2026 - FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY (FSA) FOOD ALERT Nestlé recalls several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On FormulaAdobe PDF (208.62 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 03/2026 - FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY (FSA) FOOD ALERT Nestlé recalls several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On FormulaAdobe PDF (235.43 KB)
    • Addendum to HSS(MD) 03/2026 - Food Standards Agency (FSA) FOOD ALERT Nestlé recalls several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On FormulaAdobe PDF (207.95 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 4/2026 - NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT – SUPPLY OF STERIFLEX® NO. 109 (1L) AND NO. 171 (2L): POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15%, SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.45%, GLUCOSE 2.5% BAGS Adobe PDF (233.38 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 05/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: Isotretinoin – changes to prescribing guidance and additional risk minimisation measuresAdobe PDF (249.04 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 06/2026 - A change of pneumococcal vaccine – Introduction of PCV20Adobe PDF (282.91 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 07/2026 - End of COVID-19 2025/26 Campaign and details of spring 2026 vaccination campaignAdobe PDF (250.45 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 08/2026 - NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT - Recall of Quetiapine Oral Suspension (unlicensed medicine), manufactured by Eaststone Limited due to a potential for overdosingAdobe PDF (240.04 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 09/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists: strengthened warnings on acute pancreatitis, including necrotising and fatal casesAdobe PDF (224.37 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 10/2026 - Expansion of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programmeAdobe PDF (259.74 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 11/2026 - MHRA drug safety update Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus) risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)Adobe PDF (224.15 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 12/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: IXCHIQ Chikungunya Adobe PDF (225.43 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 13/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE Falsified Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pensAdobe PDF (247.38 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 14/2026 - ADOPTION OF AN EVIDENCE BASED APPROACH TO MEDICATION REVIEWAdobe PDF (329.68 KB)
    • HSS(MD)15/2026 - UPDATE TO ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMPLETION AND ISSUING OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATES OF CAUSE OF DEATH AND STILL BIRTH CERTIFICATESAdobe PDF (254.41 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 16/2026 SUPPORTING THE ONGOING SUPPLY AND DEPLOYMENT OF VACCINATIONS ACROSS THE UK HUMAN MEDICINES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2026_Adobe PDF (251.34 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 17/2026 - NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT – SHORTAGE OF DINOPROSTONE 3MG TABLETS AND 1MG/2.5ML, 2MG/2.5ML GELAdobe PDF (269.17 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 18/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: Nasal decongestant sprays and drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride / oxymetazoline hydrochloride: increased risk of rebound congestion, rhinitis medicamentosa, and tachyphylaxis with overuseAdobe PDF (216.11 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 18/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE Nasal decongestant sprays and drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride oxymetazoline hydrochlorideAdobe PDF (216.11 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 19/2026 - Expanding access to Influenza Antiviral Medicines year roundAdobe PDF (213.19 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 20/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: Finasteride and Dutasteride – updated safety warnings for psychiatric side effects and sexual dysfunctionAdobe PDF (239.66 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 21/2026 - Revision and replacement of NICE Clinical Guidelines CircularAdobe PDF (248.43 KB)

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