Letters and urgent communications 2026
Date published:
Last updated:
Advice from the Chief Medical Officer to HSC professionals for 2026
Documents
- HSS(MD) 01/2026 - UK CLINICAL GUIDELINES FOR ALCOHOL TREATMENT
- HSS(MD) 02/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: Improving Information Supplied with Gabapentinoids (Pregabalin/Gabapentin), Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs
- Addendum to HSS(MD) 03/2026 - FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY (FSA) FOOD ALERT Nestlé recalls several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula
- HSS(MD) 03/2026 - FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY (FSA) FOOD ALERT Nestlé recalls several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula
- Addendum to HSS(MD) 03/2026 - Food Standards Agency (FSA) FOOD ALERT Nestlé recalls several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula
- 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
- HSS(MD) 05/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: Isotretinoin – changes to prescribing guidance and additional risk minimisation measures
- HSS(MD) 06/2026 - A change of pneumococcal vaccine – Introduction of PCV20
- HSS(MD) 07/2026 - End of COVID-19 2025/26 Campaign and details of spring 2026 vaccination campaign
- HSS(MD) 08/2026 - NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT - Recall of Quetiapine Oral Suspension (unlicensed medicine), manufactured by Eaststone Limited due to a potential for overdosing
- 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 cases
- HSS(MD) 10/2026 - Expansion of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme
- HSS(MD) 11/2026 - MHRA drug safety update Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus) risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)
- HSS(MD) 12/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: IXCHIQ Chikungunya
- HSS(MD) 13/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE Falsified Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pens
- HSS(MD) 14/2026 - ADOPTION OF AN EVIDENCE BASED APPROACH TO MEDICATION REVIEW
- HSS(MD)15/2026 - UPDATE TO ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMPLETION AND ISSUING OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATES OF CAUSE OF DEATH AND STILL BIRTH CERTIFICATES
- HSS(MD) 16/2026 SUPPORTING THE ONGOING SUPPLY AND DEPLOYMENT OF VACCINATIONS ACROSS THE UK HUMAN MEDICINES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2026_
- HSS(MD) 17/2026 - NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT – SHORTAGE OF DINOPROSTONE 3MG TABLETS AND 1MG/2.5ML, 2MG/2.5ML GEL
- 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 overuse
- HSS(MD) 18/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE Nasal decongestant sprays and drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride oxymetazoline hydrochloride
- HSS(MD) 19/2026 - Expanding access to Influenza Antiviral Medicines year round
- HSS(MD) 20/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: Finasteride and Dutasteride – updated safety warnings for psychiatric side effects and sexual dysfunction
- HSS(MD) 21/2026 - Revision and replacement of NICE Clinical Guidelines Circular
- HSS(MD) 22/2026 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: ACE-inhibitors: Be aware of the distinction between bradykinin- and histamine-mediated angioedema, as treatment strategies differ significantly
- HSS(MD) 23/2026 - Hantavirus becomes a notifiable disease in Northern Ireland
- HSS(MD)24/2026 - END OF THE INFLUENZA SEASON FOR 2025/2026
- HSS(MD) 25 2026 - VALUING MEDICINES - ACTIONS TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF MEDICINES AND REDUCE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE MEDICINES EXPENDITURE IN NORTHERN IRELAND