Latest news with #YellowCardBiobank
The Star
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Popular weight-loss jabs trigger pancreas problems in some patients
GLP-1 medications, which have become popular for helping with weight loss, have been found to have a negative effect on the pancreas (the bottom organ in red) in some patients. — AFP Hundreds of people have reported problems with their pancreas linked to taking weight-loss and diabetes jabs. This has prompted health officials in Britain to launch a new study into the drugs' side effects. Some cases of pancreatitis reported to be linked to GLP-1 medicines (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) have been fatal. Data from Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) shows that since the drugs were licensed, there have been hundreds of cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis among people taking GLP-1 medicines. This includes: 181 reported cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to tirzepatide, with five deaths. 116 reported reactions of this kind linked to liraglutide, one of which was fatal. 113 cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to semaglutide, one of which was fatal. 101 reported reactions of this kind linked to exenatide, with three deaths. 52 reported reactions of this sort linked to dulaglutide, and 11 reported reactions with lixisenatide. These cases are not confirmed as being caused by the medicines, but the people who reported them suspected they may be. Nonetheless, Yellow Card Biobank project, launched by the MHRA and Genomics England, will have researchers examining whether cases of pancreatitis linked to GLP-1 drugs may be influenced by people's genetic make-up. Patients will be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample, which will be assessed to explore whether some people are at a higher risk of acute pancreatitis when taking these medicines due to their genes. GLP-1 agonists can lower blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes and can also be prescribed to support some people with weight loss. Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in Britain are taking such weight-loss jabs. Health officials have suggested that they can help to turn the tide on obesity, but have stressed that they are not a silver bullet and do come with side effects. Most side effects linked to the jabs are gastrointestinal, including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. And the MHRA recently warned that tirzepatide may make the oral contraceptive pill less effective in some patients. MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: 'Evidence shows that almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing. 'It is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS (National Health Service) more than £2.2bil (RM12.7bil) a year in hospital stays alone. 'Information from the Yellow Card Biobank will help us to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions, enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic make-up. 'To help us help you, we're asking anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine to report this to us via our Yellow Card scheme. 'Even if you don't meet the criteria for this phase of the Biobank study, information about your reaction to a medication is always extremely valuable in helping to improve patient safety.' Genomics England chief scientific officer Prof Dr Matt Brown said: 'GLP-1 medicines like (semaglutide) have been making headlines, but like all medicines, there can be a risk of serious side effects. 'We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause. 'This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system.' – PA Media/dpa
Medscape
08-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
A DNA Test for Every Newborn: Smart or Premature?
During these sweltering early summer days, I've come across several news stories about the use of genetic testing — each deserving a very different level of scrutiny. Three examples come from the United Kingdom, where Health Secretary Wes Streeting is grappling with an NHS in worse shape than healthcare systems in other European countries. In response, he appears committed to investing in genetics as a cornerstone of future predictive and preventive medicine. It's a bold strategy, though not without merit. For example, offering all patients with lung or breast cancer a liquid biopsy— capable of detecting fragments of circulating tumour DNA in the blood — could have clear clinical advantages. This approach would enable physicians to recommend, as early as possible, a personalized therapy tailored to the tumour's molecular profile, with the potential to extend both survival and quality of life. If the UK government does implement such a plan, the benefits could be significant. In fact, there's a strong likelihood that the NHS would recoup the investment over time. A Case Study: The Yellow Card Biobank Equally notable is the new initiative by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA): the Yellow Card Biobank, launched to investigate adverse drug reactions. The first focus area is the risk for acute pancreatitis in patients taking semaglutide or other GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity or type 2 diabetes. To explore whether genetic factors may contribute to this serious complication, doctors have been asked to report relevant cases involving their patients. Those patients will then be invited to provide a saliva or sputum sample for DNA testing. The project aims not only to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying adverse reactions such as pancreatitis but also to prevent future recurrences in genetically predisposed individuals. This pharmacogenomics effort isn't limited to these medications. It will gradually expand to help reduce adverse events from other drugs as well. In the UK, it's estimated that at least 1 in 6 hospital admissions is due to iatrogenic harm, costing the NHS (in England) roughly £2.2 billion annually for hospital stays alone. According to Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the MHRA, up to one third of all adverse drug reactions could potentially be predicted with genetic testing. Genome Testing for All Newborns Too Much More controversial is the proposal to sequence the entire genome of every newborn in England over the next decade. The goal is to detect not only gene mutations linked to conditions treatable through early diagnosis — similar to existing newborn screening programs — but also many others where knowing the genetic information has no impact on the clinical outcome. This type of sequencing will inevitably identify carrier states and, more problematically, genetic markers associated only with increased statistical risk for such conditions as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other currently untreatable illnesses. This raises serious ethical questions. How will sufficient numbers of genetic counsellors be trained and funded to support parents in understanding these results? And once these children come of age, could they challenge the government for conducting genomic testing without their consent? The plan aims to build a research database of 500,000 genomes — an undoubtedly valuable resource. But the methods used to collect these data, and the decision to prioritize this initiative over other pressing NHS challenges, are open to debate. Crucially, this approach risks reinforcing a false equivalence between prediction and prevention. While the two can sometimes align to deliver significant public health benefits, they are not universally interchangeable.
Leader Live
27-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Weight loss jabs linked to potentially fatal side effects
Some cases of pancreatitis reported to be linked to GLP-1 medicines (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) have been fatal. Data from the medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), shows that since the drugs were licensed there have been hundreds of cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis among people taking GLP-1 medicines. The new weight management medication 'Tirzepatide' (brand name Mounjaro®) is shortly being made available to NHS patients to support weight loss. Access is prioritised for those with the greatest clinical need. You can find out more at: This includes: These cases are not confirmed as being caused by the medicines, but the person who reported them suspected they may be. Review your ICB's local policy about treating patients with tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for weight management in a primary care setting and visit: Nonetheless, Yellow Card Biobank project, launched by the MHRA and Genomics England, will see researchers examine whether cases of pancreatitis linked to GLP-1 drugs may be influenced by peoples genetic makeup. The MHRA is calling for people who are taking GLP-1 medicine who have been admitted to hospital due to acute pancreatitis to submit a report to its Yellow Card scheme. When a Yellow Card report is received, the MHRA will contact patients to ask if they would be willing to take part in the study. Patients will be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample which will be assessed to explore whether some people are at a higher risk of acute pancreatitis when taking these medicines due to their genes. GLP-1 agonists can lower blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes and can also be prescribed to support some people with weight loss. 🧵Weight loss jab roll out 'positive for patients' but with implications for general practice that must be considered. Our Chair Kamila Hawthorne has featured widely in the national press and broadcast media responding to the phased roll-out of Mounjaro prescriptions by NHS… Chronic stress and poor sleep are major weight loss blockers. Stress increases cortisol, a hormone linked to fat retention, especially around the abdomen. Sleep deprivation increases ghrelin (hunger hormone) and decreases leptin (fullness hormone), making you more likely to overeat and less likely to move. You're also more impulsive and less motivated when sleep-deprived, making it harder to stick to your diet and exercise routine. As a solution, prioritise stress management techniques (like mindfulness or journaling), and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Medical issues such as PCOS, diabetes, hypothyroidism, or insulin resistance can all interfere with weight loss. Similarly, certain medications (like antidepressants or steroids) may cause weight gain or inhibit fat loss. If weight loss stalls despite doing everything right, consult your GP to rule out or address any underlying conditions. If you have a known medical condition, it's important to stay up to date with your routine reviews and inform your GP or specialist about any weight loss treatments you're using. Regular follow-up helps ensure your treatment plan remains safe and effective. More Mounjaro news... Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in the UK are taking weight loss jabs. Health officials have suggested that they can help to turn the tide on obesity, but have stressed they are not a silver bullet and do come with side effects. Most side effects linked to the jabs are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. And the medical regulator recently warned that Mounjaro may make the oral contraceptive pill less effective in some patients. Dr Alison Cave, MHRA's chief safety officer, said: 'Evidence shows that almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing, it is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS more than £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone. 'Information from the Yellow Card Biobank will help us to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions – enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic makeup. 'To help us help you, we're asking anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine to report this to us via our Yellow Card scheme. 'Even if you don't meet the criteria for this phase of the Biobank study, information about your reaction to a medication is always extremely valuable in helping to improve patient safety.' Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England, said: 'GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects. 'We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause. 'This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system.'
STV News
27-06-2025
- Health
- STV News
What is acute pancreatitis and is it a side effect of weight-loss jabs?
Health experts are investigating the risk of acute pancreatitis from injections for weight loss jabs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy. Patients have reported being hospitalised with inflammation of the pancreas suspected to be related to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 medicines), such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. Sometimes referred to as 'skinny jabs', they are licensed for both weight loss and Type 2 diabetes. STV News spoke to a GP earlier this year who said the weight loss drugs are the most 'transformational' she has seen in her 20-plus-year career. The drugs have been helping thousands of people at risk of poor health due to obesity to lose huge amounts of weight rapidly. Many are also prescribed weight-loss drugs privately. Common side effects such as nausea and headaches are well documented, and users are provided with guidance about what to do if they experience them. But dramatic weight loss can also result in sagging or loose skin. Those who want the excess skin to be removed can face issues. In response, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Genomics England will begin an investigation into acute pancreatitis through its Yellow Card Biobank. Healthcare professionals are also being asked to help recruit for the study by reporting Yellow Cards on behalf of patients experiencing acute pancreatitis while taking the medicines. Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas and can be 'serious' for some patients. The pancreas is a small organ, located behind the stomach, that helps with digestion. The main symptom of the condition is severe pain in the stomach that radiates to the back and does not go away. Most people with acute pancreatitis start to feel better within about a week and have no further problems. But some people with severe acute pancreatitis can go on to develop serious complications. It is different to chronic pancreatitis, where the pancreas has become permanently damaged from inflammation over many years. The most common symptoms of acute pancreatitis include: suddenly getting severe pain in the centre of your abdomen, feeling or being sick, and a high temperature of 38C or more, like a fever. Treatment for acute pancreatitis aims to help control the condition and manage symptoms. This usually involves admission to hospital. Patients may be given fluids directly into a vein (intravenous fluids), pain relief, liquid food through a tube in your tummy, and oxygen through tubes in your nose. Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in the UK are taking weight loss jabs. Health officials have suggested that they can help to turn the tide on obesity, but have stressed they are not a silver bullet and do come with side effects. Since the drugs were licensed, there have been hundreds of cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis among people taking GLP-1 medicines. 181 cases were reported of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to tirzepatide – the active ingredient for Mounjaro. Five people died. There were 116 reported reactions of this kind linked to liraglutide, one of which was fatal. 113 cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to semaglutide – the active ingredient for Ozempic and Wegovy were reported. One person died. 101 reported reactions of this kind were linked to exenatide, and three people died. There were 52 reported reactions of this sort linked to dulaglutide and 11 reported reactions linked to liraglutide. No fatalities were linked to either drug. These cases are not confirmed as being caused by the medicines, but the person who reported them suspected they may be. Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer said: 'Evidence shows that almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing. It is predicted that adverse drug reactions cost the NHS more than £2.2bn a year in hospital stays alone. 'Information from the Yellow Card Biobank will help us to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions – enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic makeup. 'To help us help you, we're asking anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine to report this to us via our Yellow Card scheme. 'Even if you don't meet the criteria for this phase of the biobank study, information about your reaction to a medication is always extremely valuable in helping to improve patient safety.' Professor Matt Brown, Chief Scientific Officer of Genomics England, said: 'GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines, there can be a risk of serious side effects. 'We believe there is real potential to minimise these, with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause. 'This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system. 'Although infrequent, acute pancreatitis has been reported with GLP-1 medicines. This can be serious. The main symptom of this is severe pain in the stomach that radiates to the back and does not go away. Anyone who experiences this should seek immediate medical help.' When a Yellow Card report is received, the MHRA contacts patients to ask if they would be willing to participate in the study. Patients will be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample, which will be assessed to explore whether some people are at a higher risk of acute pancreatitis when taking these medicines due to their genes. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
North Wales Live
26-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Weight-loss jabs linked to multiple deaths as hundreds report problems
Hundreds of individuals have reported pancreas issues associated with weight loss and diabetes injections, leading health officials to launch a study into potential side effects. Some instances of pancreatitis, reportedly connected to GLP-1 medicines (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists), have resulted in fatalities. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) data reveals that since the licensing of these drugs, there have been hundreds of acute and chronic pancreatitis cases among those taking GLP-1 medicines. This includes: 181 reported cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to tirzepatide – the active ingredient for Mounjaro. Five people died. 116 reported reactions of this kind linked to liraglutide, one of which was fatal. 113 cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to semaglutide – the active ingredient for Ozempic (licensed to treat type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy. One person died. 101 reported reactions of this kind linked to exenatide, three people died. 52 reported reactions of this sort linked to dulaglutide and 11 reported reactions lixisenatide. No fatalities were linked to either drug. These incidents are not definitively attributed to the medication, but the person who reported them, suspected a possible link. However, the Yellow Card Biobank project, a collaboration between the MHRA and Genomics England, will investigate whether pancreatitis cases linked to GLP-1 drugs could be influenced by genetic factors. The MHRA is urging individuals taking GLP-1 medicine who have been hospitalised due to acute pancreatitis to submit a report to its Yellow Card scheme. Upon receipt of a Yellow Card report, the MHRA will reach out to patients to inquire if they would be willing to participate in the study. Patients are being invited to provide additional details and a saliva sample for examination, which will determine if genetic factors may increase their risk of acute pancreatitis when taking certain medicines. GLP-1 agonists, commonly used to reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, are also prescribed to aid weight loss for some individuals, reports Wales Online. Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in the UK are taking weight loss jabs. Health officials have suggested that they can help to turn the tide on obesity, but have stressed they are not a silver bullet and do come with side effects. Most side effects linked to the jabs are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. And the medical regulator recently warned that Mounjaro may make the oral contraceptive pill less effective in some patients. Dr Alison Cave, MHRA's chief safety officer, said: "Evidence shows that almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing, it is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS more than £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone. "Information from the Yellow Card Biobank will help us to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions – enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic makeup. To help us help you, we're asking anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine to report this to us via our Yellow Card scheme. "Even if you don't meet the criteria for this phase of the Biobank study, information about your reaction to a medication is always extremely valuable in helping to improve patient safety." Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England, said: "GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects. We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause. "This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system."
