ALTURiX, part of the Kelso Pharma Group, will be presenting new research at the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) British Branch Annual Scientific Conference, beginning tomorrow (8th October 2026), highlighting the significant challenges faced by people living with epilepsy and healthcare professionals when managing rescue medications.
Two studies, supported and commissioned by ALTURiX, provide new evidence on both medicine wastage and the practical challenges of administering current rescue therapies during seizure emergencies.
The first piece of research involved UK patients, carers and pharmacists and found that epilepsy rescue medications with reduced shelf-lives can lead to substantial medicine wastage, increased healthcare workload and additional stress for patients and families. The findings suggest that treatments that have a longer shelf-life could support better use of medicines while reducing pressure on patients, carers and the healthcare system.
A separate study, analysing prescribing data from Sweden, found that healthcare professionals frequently chose nasal midazolam spray (benzodiazepine medication) when existing epilepsy rescue medication options presented practical challenges.
Prescribers cited difficulties administering existing buccal midazolam, rectal diazepam or intravenous midazolam treatments during seizures, concerns around effectiveness and the need for easier-to-use rescue therapies.
The research found that clinicians viewed nasal administration as a practical option in situations where other routes may be difficult to deliver effectively during a seizure.
Together, these studies highlight opportunities to improve epilepsy rescue treatment through solutions that reduce medicines wastage, support patient and caregiver confidence and address practical challenges associated with emergency seizure management.
Poster presentations on both research studies will be available to view at the ILAE British Branch Annual Scientific Conference, which takes place from 8th – 10th October in Harrogate.
Kelso Pharma UK Managing Director, Mark Inker, said: “These studies highlight some of the very real challenges faced by people living with epilepsy, their families and the healthcare professionals who support them. From the burden of replacing expired rescue medication to the practical difficulties of administering treatment during a seizure, there remains a clear need for solutions that improve both patient and healthcare professional experience. At ALTURiX, and across the wider Kelso Pharma Group, we are committed to generating evidence that helps inform better care and supports positive outcomes for patients, families and healthcare systems alike.”
Phil Tittensor, Consultant Nurse for the Epilepsies at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, added: “Patients and carers worry about finding that their emergency medication is out of date. Longer shelf lives should help to alleviate some of that anxiety. It should also reduce the obvious burden on the healthcare system in terms of needing to provide fewer repeat prescriptions and reduce medication wastage.”
Commenting on the research from Sweden, Senior Consultant in Child Neurology at Karolinska University Hospital, Tommy Stödberg, said: “Nasal administration is a practical alternative for carers and patients in pre-hospital rescue treatment, especially in seizure scenarios where buccal or rectal administration is not optimal.”
Kelso Pharma is focused on bringing innovative, value-added, specialty medicines to international healthcare markets, providing products that improve the lives of patients in a cost-effective and ethical manner. The company is growing through a blend of company and product acquisitions, partnerships and organic growth internationally. UK-based, its companies currently consist of Stirling Anglian Pharmaceuticals; Kelso Pharma Italy (formerly Velit Biopharma); and ALTURiX.
