Podcast · Health

DTB Podcast

by BMJ Group · English · Health

The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) Podcast is your source for practical, independent, and evidence-based information on drugs, medication, and prescribing. Join host Hannah Harris (GP and DTB Clinical Editor) and Dr. Gordon Mallarkey (Editor-in-Chief) each month as they discuss the key highl

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 25 min
Latest: 29 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

29 Sep 2026 · 35 min

When medicines cause harm: learning from the DES disaster

The DTB podcast returns with a new format, and a new host: Dr. Hannah Harris, urgent care GP and now Clinical Editor of DTB. In this episode, Hannah is joined by Professor Barbara Mintzes and Carol Devine, a patient and second-generation victim of Diethylstilbestrol (DES), to examine the long-term, multigenerational impacts of this synthetic oestrogen prescribed in pregnancy to prevent miscarriage from the 1940s to 1980s. They discuss why DES continued to be prescribed despite early proof of inefficacy and harm, Carol’s personal health struggle as a "DES Daughter," and the ongoing fight for…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E188 · 23 Mar 2026 · 19 min
Understanding clinical significance, and the new epinephrine nasal spray
In this podcast accompanying the March 2026 issue of the DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/64/3), Syba Sunny (DTB Clinical Editor) is joined by Shivali Fulchand (Editorials and Education editor at The BMJ). Syba and Shivali discuss this month’s editorial on clinically important differences (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/64/3/34) and talk about why this is such an important topic. Then they go on to talk through the DTB’s drug review on the new adrenaline nasal spray that’s been formulated for the treatment of anaphylaxis (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/64/3/36). Please subscribe to the DTB podcast…
E187 · 3 Feb 2026 · 29 min
GLP-1 drugs, reducing sedative use, and a thank you
In this podcast accompanying the February 2026 issue of the DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/64/2), Syba Sunny (DTB Clinical Editor) is joined by Julian Treadwell (DTB Associate Editor). Syba and Julian start by talking about this month’s ‘thank you’ editorial (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/64/2/18) before delving into the hot topic of GLP-1 drugs for the treatment of obesity, which is the subject of a DTB review article that summarises what is known about their benefits and harms (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/64/2/19). Finally, they discuss an intervention to reduce sedative use in patients…
E186 · 6 Jan 2026 · 21 min
Disinformation and misinformation, AI in primary care and antidepressant tapering
In this podcast accompanying the January 2026 issue of the DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/64/1), Syba Sunny (DTB Clinical Editor) is joined by Tom Nolan, an NHS general practitioner and Clinical Editor at BMJ Medicine. Syba and Tom first talk through this month’s editorial on disinformation and misinformation (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/64/1/2), and discuss ways to combat these in medicine. They then provide an overview of a DTB Forum article, which explains the benefits of taking people off antidepressants using the hyperbolic tapering method (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/64/1/3). The…
E185 · 3 Dec 2025 · 16 min
Prevention in primary care, elinzanetant for menopause, and a farewell to David.
In this podcast accompanying the December issue of the DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/12), David Phizackerley (DTB Editor) is joined by Syba Sunny (Clinical Editor). David and Syba discuss this month’s editorial, written by Julian Treadwell, academic GP and DTB editorial board member, which delves into the challenges of prioritising preventative medicine in primary care (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/12/178). They then talk about a review article that provides an overview of the new drug elinzanetant, a non-hormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause…
E184 · 3 Nov 2025 · 20 min
Medicines - but at what cost, direct penicillin allergy challenge, and prescribing mistakes
In this podcast accompanying the November issue of DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/11) David Phizackerley (DTB Editor) is joined by Syba Sunny (DTB Clinical Editor). David and Syba discuss the editorial that argues that NHS budgets should not be used to ensure that pharmaceutical companies invest in the UK (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/11/162). They talk about a DTB Select article that summarises a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials that assessed patients with a reported penicillin or beta-lactam allergy who underwent direct oral penicillin challenge…
E183 · 1 Oct 2025 · 30 min
Orphan drugs, allopurinol and CVD, mavacamten for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
In this podcast accompanying the October issue of DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/10) David Phizackerley (DTB Editor) is joined by Julian Treadwell (DTB Associate Editor). David and Julian discuss the editorial that highlights a few of the challenges associated with the introduction of an orphan medicine into clinical practice (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/10/146). They talk about a DTB Select article that summarises a randomised clinical trial that assessed the effect of allopurinol on cardiovascular outcomes in people with ischaemic heart disease who did not have gout…
E182 · 5 Sep 2025 · 18 min
Antibiotic susceptibility reports, deprescribing, and heart failure drugs
In this podcast accompanying the September issue of DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/9), David Phizackerley (DTB Editor) is joined by Syba Sunny (DTB Clinical Editor). David and Syba discuss the editorial that highlights changes to antibiotic susceptibility reports, and in particular, the change to the 'I' classification from 'intermediate' to 'susceptible, increased exposure’ (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/9/130). They talk about a DTB Select article that summarises an evidence review of deprescribing interventions in primary care and the importance of collaborative multidisciplinary…
E181 · 31 Jul 2025 · 39 min
AI and DTB, drug safety, tirzepatide, and lecanemab for Alzheimer's disease
In this podcast accompanying the August issue of DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/8), David Phizackerley (DTB Editor) is joined by James Cave (former DTB Editor-in-Chief). David and James discuss an editorial generated by artificial intelligence (AI) (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/8/114) which looks at the role of AI in publishing. They talk about a DTB Forum article (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/8/115) that explores some of the practical problems of implementing drug safety alerts. A DTB Select article (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/8/117) provides an overview of a double-blind,…
E180 · 1 Jul 2025 · 23 min
National asthma guidelines, bisoprolol for COPD and abaloparatide for osteoporosis
In this podcast accompanying the July issue of DTB (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/7), David Phizackerley (DTB Editor) is joined by Syba Sunny (Clinical Editor). David and Syba discuss the editorial (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/7/98) which focuses on some key changes in the new national asthma guideline and the implications for patients and healthcare professionals. A DTB Select article (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/7/99) provides an overview of a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial that assessed whether bisoprolol reduced the number of exacerbations in people with COPD.…
E179 · 3 Jun 2025 · 40 min
Identifying VTE in early pregnancy, gabapentinoids and COPD, managing ADHD
In this podcast accompanying the June issue of DTB, David Phizackerley (DTB Editor) is joined by Julian Treadwell (DTB Associate Editor) and Laurence Leaver (GP). David and Julian start by discussing the editorial - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/6/82 - which highlights some of the challenges in preventing VTE in early pregnancy. They also talk about a cohort study - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/6/84 - that assessed whether gabapentinoid use was associated with severe exacerbations among patients aged >55 years with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the second half of the…
E178 · 9 May 2025 · 19 min
The polypill revisited, cytisinicline for vaping cessation and a new co-host
In this podcast accompanying the May issue (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/5) of DTB, David Phizackerley (DTB Editor) welcomes Syba Sunny (DTB Clinical Editor) to the podcast. Syba provides an overview of her role with DTB, discusses her previous work as a Consultant Microbiologist and talks about areas of interest for future DTB articles. The editorial (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/5/66) discusses a paper in The BMJ which proposed offering a polypill containing rosuvastatin, hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine and losartan to all people in the UK over the age of 50 years to reduce the risk of…
E177 · 2 Apr 2025 · 28 min
Misuse of female empowerment to sell tests and treatments, triptan safety, use of ACEI or AIIRA in CKD
In this podcast recorded in early March, David Phizackerley (DTB Editor-in-Chief) and James Cave (DTB Editor-in-Chief Emeritus) provide an overview of the April 2025 issue of DTB. The editorial discusses concerns over the use of feminist empowerment messages to sell tests and treatments - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/4/50. A DTB Select item summarises the results of an observational study that assessed the association between initiation of a triptan and the risk of myocardial infarction or stroke - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/4/51. The main article provides an overview of initiating…
E176 · 3 Mar 2025 · 32 min
Paying the price, liver problems with fezolinetant, systemic anticancer treatments
In this podcast recorded in early February, David Phizackerley and Julian Treadwell (DTB Associate Editor) provide an overview of the March 2025 issue of DTB. Julian talks about his work as an academic GP based at Bristol University. He explains why and how he developed the GP Evidence website (https://gpevidence.org/) as a resource for health professionals to use as part of a shared decision making process, and talks about the importance of providing patients with information on the absolute benefits and harms of different treatment options for long-term conditions. The editorial discusses…
E175 · 27 Jan 2025 · 9 min
Prioritising shared decision making, remission from type 2 diabetes, gefapixant for cough
In this podcast recorded in early January, David Phizackerley provides a brief overview of the February 2025 issue of DTB. The editorial discusses the importance of shared decision making and calls on guideline developers to produce patient decision aids to accompany their guidance - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/2/18. A DTB Select item summarises a study that evaluated implementation of NHS England’s type 2 diabetes path to remission programme - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/2/19. The authors of a DTB Commentary article review a UK primary care study which reported that treatment with…
E174 · 30 Dec 2024 · 29 min
PILs: all harms and no benefits, Irish College of GPs end pharma funding, Ryeqo for fibroids
In this podcast recorded in early December, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the January 2025 issue of DTB. They provide an overview of the editorial that questions whether it is time for the medicine Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) to include information on the impact of a medicine on clinical outcomes - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/63/1/2. They talk about a recent announcement from the Irish College of GPs that it is phasing out sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies as evidence suggests that ‘engagement between pharmaceutical companies and…
E173 · 28 Nov 2024 · 28 min
When it comes to drugs, sex matters; menopausal HT and dementia; daridorexant for sleep
In this podcast recorded in early November, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the December issue of DTB. They provide an overview of the editorial that discusses the need to record the sex and gender of all participants in clinical trials and the importance of recognising diversity and inclusivity in clinical research - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/12/178. They talk about a commentary article that addresses claims made in a systematic review that menopausal HT may support neurological function and reduce the risk of Alzeheimer's disease -…
E172 · 30 Oct 2024 · 25 min
Supporting obesity treatment, major bleeds with anticoagulants and SSRIs, equity in COPD care
In this podcast recorded in early October, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the November issue of DTB. They provide an overview of the editorial that discusses the need to support people taking drugs to help with weight loss: "Providing the drug is only one part of the process and if the other elements are not available to support people with obesity the full benefits of these expensive treatments will not be realised" - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/11/162. They talk about the results of an observational study that assessed the risk of major…
E171 · 25 Sep 2024 · 20 min
(Un)common sense in oncology, DOACs in device-detected AF, and hypertension in the elderly
In this podcast recorded in early September, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the October issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that highlights the work of the Common Sense in Oncology movement and its aim "to counteract the trend towards irrational, industry-designed, profit-driven cancer drug development" - https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/10/146. They talk about the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of two randomised controlled trials that assessed the effect of treating people who have device-detected subclinical atrial…
E170 · 6 Sep 2024 · 23 min
Medicines optimisation measures, warfarin-tramadol interaction and icosapent ethyl
In this podcast recorded in early August, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the September issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/9/130) that highlights some of the challenges associated with NHS England's national medicines optimisation measures for Integrated Care Boards. They talk about the MHRA's recent safety alert on the risk of an interaction between tramadol and warfarin (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/9/131), which was prompted by a coroner's prevention of future deaths report (summarised in a DTB article…
E169 · 29 Jul 2024 · 20 min
Psychotropic medicines in children, warfarin vs DOAC in old age, and fezolinetant in menopause
In this podcast recorded in early July, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) continue to ignore political and sporting events and talk about the August issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that highlights the growth in the use of psychotropic medication in children and young people and some of the challenges associated with this trend. They talk about a study that assessed the harms of changing frail older people with AF from warfarin to a DOAC. The main article is an overview of the evidence for fezolinetant for the treatment of menopausal vasomotor…
E168 · 1 Jul 2024 · 17 min
Propranolol and its risk in overdose and managing COPD exacerbations
In this podcast recorded in early June, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) ignore the UK general election, the T20 cricket world cup and the European football championship and talk about the July 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that highlights trial data showing that dupilumab had a modest effect on reducing COPD exacerbations, and question whether more drugs or greater investment in pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation services are a better use of resources. They review a coroner's prevention of future deaths report that highlights…
E167 · 29 May 2024 · 23 min
Diagnostic imaging and shielding, sinusitis, antibiotics and coloured snot, ritlecitinib
In this podcast recorded in early May, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the June 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that highlights changes to the use of gonadal and fetal shielding for diagnostic imaging (see link). They review the results of a study that assessed the benefit of antibiotics for treating acute sinusitis in children aged 2-11 years. The main article considers the evidence for ritlecitinib, a Janus kinase enzyme inhibitor that is licensed for the treatment of severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents aged ≥12…
E166 · 25 Apr 2024 · 26 min
Medicines and global warming, donanemab for AD, and cytisine for smoking cessation
In this podcast recorded in early April, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the May 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that highlights the effect medicines have on greenhouse gas emissions and the need to consider the environmental impact of all aspects of the patient care pathway (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/5/66). They review the results of a study that assessed the effect of donanemab on early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/5/67). The main article considers the evidence for cytisine, a nicotine…
E165 · 26 Mar 2024 · 31 min
Drug safety alerts, valproate safety (again) and a new contraceptive POP
In this podcast recorded in early March, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the April 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that questions whether drug safety alerts are effective in changing practice and whether more needs to be done to implement safety recommendations (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/4/50). They review the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's latest risk minimisation measures for using valproate, which include a guide for healthcare professionals, a guide for patients, an annual risk acknowledgement form…
E164 · 28 Feb 2024 · 27 min
Protecting consumers, tramadol-warfarin interaction and very low calorie diets
In this podcast recorded in early February, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the March 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial highlighting the important work that the founders of The Medical Letter, Worst Pills, Best Pills and Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin did to scrutinise the safety of medicines and the need to challenge the processes by which medicines are licensed, appraised, commissioned and promoted (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/3/34). They review a coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report that highlighted an interaction…
E163 · 30 Jan 2024 · 27 min
ADHD medicines shortages, fluoroquinolone safety, drugs not to prescribe
In this podcast recorded in early January, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the February 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss the editorial that highlights problems associated with shortages of ADHD medicines. They talk about two safety alerts issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency that focus on the adverse effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics on physical and mental health. The main article considers various NHS initiatives that have attempted to limit primary care prescribing of drugs that are deemed to have limited…
E162 · 28 Dec 2023 · 17 min
Continuity of care, statins and myasthenia gravis, and acne
In this podcast recorded in BMA House in December, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the January 2024 issue of DTB. They discuss continuity of care in general practice and the benefits it offers (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/1/2). They discuss a safety alert issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency that highlights a very small number of reports of new-onset or aggravation of pre-existing myasthenia gravis associated with statins (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/62/1/4). The main article is an overview of the management of…
E161 · 30 Nov 2023 · 27 min
Rationalising blood tests, bempedoic acid and CV outcomes and semaglutide for obesity
In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the December 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss monitoring drugs in primary care and the need to rationalise the number of blood tests undertaken (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/12/178). They talk about a study that reported the effect of bempedoic acid on a composite cardiovascular outcome (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/12/180). The main article is a review of semaglutide as an option for weight management and discusses the evidence for its use and some of the hype that has surrounded the its…
E160 · 25 Oct 2023 · 20 min
BNF moving with the times; preventable deaths; plus an intro to pharmacogenetics
In this podcast, James Cave (Editor-in-Chief) and David Phizackerley (Deputy Editor) talk about the November 2023 issue of DTB. They discuss the history of the BNF and the announcement that the 86th edition of the BNF and the 2023–2024 edition of the BNF for Children will be the last print issues to be purchased by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for the NHS in England (https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/11/162 and https://dtb.bmj.com/content/61/11/166). They talk about a retrospective review of a case series of UK coroners’ Reports to Prevent Future Deaths that found that…

About DTB Podcast

DTB Podcast is a English health podcast from BMJ Group. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: BMJ Group
Language: English
Category: Health
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 25 min
Latest episode: 29 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
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