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  • Letters and urgent communications 2026

    Date published: 12 January 2026

    Last updated: 6 February 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)

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