Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Lucy Farrell & Ryan Fahey

Drug to help millions suffering 'urge to pee' could soon be available in UK

A drug to help millions of women suffering with an uncontrollable urge to urinate could soon be available over-the-counter in the UK.

Experts say overactive bladder (OAB) can have a dramatic effect on a person's quality of life - impacting their work, personal relationships and mental health.

Women who struggle with the constant "urge to pee" are now being asked for their opinions before officials decide whether to roll out the medication without a prescription.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are also asking Pharmacists, GPs, and other healthcare professionals for their input.

The medication that could be on offer is Aquiette, a tablet which treats the constant need to urinate during the day and through the night, the Daily Record reports.

According to the NHS, the cause of OAB is relatively unknown - but around 12% of the total adult population suffer with it.

The medication - Aquiette - will be available over the counter (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If approved, the medication would be the first of its kind available over the counter, without prescription.

Dr Laura Squire, of the MHRA, said: "For many women, an overactive bladder can make day-to-day living extremely challenging.

"It can impact on relationships, on work, on social life, and it can lead to anxiety and depression.

Experts say the condition can make everyday life incredibly difficult (Getty Images)

"Fortunately there are treatments around, and from today you will have a chance to have your say on whether one of those treatments, Aquiette, can be available for the first time without a prescription."

Minister for Women's Health Maria Caulfield said: "When it comes to sensitive issues such as bladder control, speaking to a GP may act as a barrier for some women to seek help.

"Reclassification of Aquiette would enable women to access vital medication without needing a prescription."

The Commission on Human Medicines has been consulted and has advised that it is safe for Aquiette to be made available over-the-counter at UK pharmacies.

The treatment still needs to be approved (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The deadline to submit comments is 6pm on May 6, 2022.

More information on how to participate can be found here.

It comes after a new study revealed a key indicator in a person's urine which is linked to aggressive prostate cancer.

The condition, which mainly affects men over 50, can become more and more dangerous as the sufferer ages.

Risk factors for prostate cancer include smoking and obesity. However, scientists are always working to find out new risks and symptoms connected to the disease.

A new study conducted by the University of East Anglia has discovered that a sign in men's urine may be related to aggressive prostate cancer.

The researchers have also said that further study might help find new ways to spot and prevent the illness.

Here's what you need to know about the newly identified potential sign for prostate cancer as well as symptoms of the disease.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia have identified bacteria in the urine, which could be linked to aggressive prostate cancer.

The study found that bacteria in the urine was much more common in men with aggressive or advanced prostate cancer than in those men with low risk or no cancer.

Scientists identified five types of bacteria - including two brand new species - in urine and tissue samples from men who ended up having aggressive prostate cancer.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.