March 2026

New Products

• Belantamab mafodotin (rch) (Blenrep) is a humanised immunoglobulin G1 kappa monoclonal antibody conjugated with a cytotoxic agent, maleimidocaproyl monomethyl auristatin F (mcMMAF). Belantamab mafodotin binds to cell surface B cell maturation antigen and is rapidly internalised. Once inside the tumour cell, the cytotoxic agent (cys-mcMMAF) is released, disrupting the microtubule network, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The antibody also enhances recruitment and activation of immune effector cells, killing tumour cells by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis. Apoptosis induced by belantamab mafodotin is accompanied by markers of immunogenic cell death, which may contribute to an adaptive immune response to tumour cells. Blenrep is indicated for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients who have received at least one prior therapy and in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in patients who have received at least one prior therapy including lenalidomide. Blenrep powder for infusion contains belantamab mafodotin 70 mg or 100 mg and is available in packs of 1 vial.
   
• Glofitamab (rch) (Columvi) is a bispecific monoclonal antibody that binds bivalently (with high avidity) to CD20 expressed on the surface of B cells and monovalently to CD3 in the T-cell receptor complex expressed on the surface of T cells. By simultaneous binding to CD20 on the B cell and CD3 on the T cell, glofitamab mediates the formation of an immunological synapse with subsequent potent T-cell activation and proliferation, secretion of cytokines, and release of cytolytic proteins that results in the lysis of CD20-expressing B cells. Columvi in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin with obinutuzumab pretreatment is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified who are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplant. Columvi monotherapy with obinutuzumab pretreatment has provisional approval for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL after two or more lines of systemic therapy. Columvi concentrate for infusion contains glofitamab 2.5 mg per 2.5 mL or 10 mg per 10 mL and is available in packs of 1 vial.
   
• Sotatercept (Winrevair) is a recombinant activin receptor type IIA-Fc (ActRIIA-Fc) fusion protein. It is an activin signalling inhibitor that binds to activin A and other TGF-β superfamily ligands. As a result, sotatercept improves the balance between the pro-proliferative (ActRIIA/Smad2/3-mediated) and anti-proliferative (BMPRII/Smad1/5/8-mediated) signalling to modulate vascular proliferation. In rodent models of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a sotatercept-csrk analogue reduced inflammation and inhibited proliferation of endothelial and smooth muscle cells in diseased vasculature. These cellular changes were associated with thinner vessel walls, reversal of right ventricular remodelling, and improved haemodynamics. Winrevair is indicated for the treatment of adults with PAH in World Health Organization functional class II or III, in combination with standard therapy. Efficacy has been shown in idiopathic and heritable PAH, PAH associated with connective tissue disease, drug or toxin-induced PAH and PAH associated with congenital heart disease with repaired shunts. Winrevair powder for injection contains sotatercept 45 mg or 60 mg and is available in packs of 1 or 2 vials of powder plus 1 or 2 prefilled syringes of diluent.

New Presentations

• Aripiprazole (monohydrate) (Abilify Maintena Pre-Filled Syringe) is now available as a powder and solvent for prolonged release injection presented in a prefilled dual chamber syringe containing aripiprazole 300 mg or 400 mg powder (front chamber) plus solvent (rear chamber) in packs of 1 syringe.
   
• Brimonidine tartrate (Alphagan P 1.0) is now available in a 0.1% (1 mg/mL) ophthalmic solution in a 5 mL bottle.
   
• Influenza virus vaccine, split virion, trivalent (inactivated) (Fluzone) is now available and indicated for use in adults and children 6 months and older for active immunisation of influenza disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B viruses contained in the vaccine.

New Indications

• Darolutamide (Nubeqa) is now also indicated as monotherapy for patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.    
   
• Guselkumab (Tremfya) is now also indicated for the treatment of paediatric patients (6 years of age or older) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.
   
• Iptacopan (hydrochloride monohydrate) (Fabhalta) is now indicated for the treatment of adult patients with complement 3 glomerulopathy.
   
• Pegcetacoplan (Empaveli) is now indicated for the treatment of adults and adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with C3 glomerulopathy or primary immune-complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.
   
• Tretinoin (ReTrieve Cream) is now indicated for the treatment of acne vulgaris, in particular forms where comedones, papules and pustules predominate in patients 12 years of age and older. It is not generally effective in most cases of severe pustular or nodulocystic acne.

New Contraindications

• Bivalirudin (trifluoroacetate) (Bivalirudin ARX) is now contraindicated in patients with acute gastric or duodenal ulcer; cerebral haemorrhage; severe cerebrospinal trauma; diabetic or haemorrhagic retinopathy; and proximal use of spinal/epidural anaesthesia.
   
• Metronidazole (Rozex Cream and Rozex Gel) is now contraindicated in patients with Cockayne syndrome.
   
• Posaconazole (Noxafil and Noxafil Concentrated Injection) is now contraindicated for concomitant use with rivaroxaban and apixaban.
   
• Tretinoin (ReTrieve Cream) is now contraindicated in women of childbearing potential who are not using effective contraception correctly during treatment and for 1 month after discontinuation of treatment.

This list is a summary of only some of the changes that have occurred over the last month.
Before prescribing, always refer to the full product information.