contributed by LLS
Report on current perspectives in drug anti-counterfeiting strategies
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091031/Report-on-current-perspectives-in-drug-anti-counterfeiting-strategies.aspx
.....Parallel trade is a legitimate method of pharmaceutical import and export within the EU zone..and..into the US from Canada.
* Parallel trade is an expanding global sector of industry now that reimportation is permitted in the USA. European parallel trade is set to grow ..
* Counterfeiting is prevalent in higher priced drug markets of developed nations and also in lower priced markets of essential drugs in developing countries.
* The drug distribution routes are the market access points for counterfeits. Parallel traded and non-parallel traded routes are vulnerable to counterfeiting.
* Anti-counterfeiting technologies are being deployed in westernised countries but there are issues that need to be resolved before widespread implementation such as standardization of protocols, technology reliability and validity, and stakeholder funding.
Revised standards for four ingredients widely used in prescription and over-the-counter drugs announced
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091031/Revised-standards-for-four-ingredients-widely-used-in-prescription-and-over-the-counter-drugs-announced.aspx
.....revise the USP Propylene Glycol and Sorbitol Solution standards to include limits for diethylene glycol (DEG).. updated its standard for Glycerin..ensure the absence of DEG and ethylene glycol (EG).. not more than 0.10 percent. ..new standards for USP Sorbitol Sorbitan Solution and Noncrystallizing Sorbitol Solution.
Women may need smaller dose of H1N1 vaccine
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091031/Women-may-need-smaller-dose-of-H1N1-vaccine.aspx
..... women's bodies generate a stronger antibody response than men's do,..so less vaccine may be needed to immunize them. If we could give women a smaller dose, there would be more vaccine to go around. ..women produce as many antibodies in response to a half dose of the seasonal flu vaccine as men make in response to a full dose. Other studies have revealed similar sex differences in response to vaccines for yellow fever virus, measles, mumps and rubella, hepatitis A and B viruses and herpes simplex virus
Anabolic steroids may cause severe kidney dysfunction
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091030/Anabolic-steroids-may-cause-severe-kidney-dysfunction.aspx
.....Athletes who use anabolic steroids may gain muscle mass and strength, but they can also destroy their kidney function..nine of the ten bodybuilders developed a condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a type of scarring within the kidneys. This disease typically occurs when the kidneys are overworked. The kidney damage in the bodybuilders has similarities to that seen in morbidly obese patients, but appears to be even more severe..When the bodybuilders discontinued steroid use their kidney abnormalities improved,..propose that extreme increases in muscle mass require the kidneys to increase their filtration rate, placing harmful levels of stress on these organs. It's also likely that steroids have direct toxic effects on the kidneys.
Researchers show Simvastatin prevents Parkinson's disease from progressing further
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091030/Researchers-show-Simvastatin-prevents-Parkinsons-disease-from-progressing-further.aspx
......Simvastatin..may prevent Parkinson's disease from progressing further..in mice with Parkinson's disease and found that the drug successfully reverses the biochemical, cellular and anatomical changes caused by the disease..shown that the activity of one protein called p21Ras is increased very early in the midbrain of mice with Parkinson's pathology. Simvastatin enters into the brain and blocks the activity of the p21Ras protein and other associated toxic molecules, and goes on to protect the neurons, normalize neurotransmitter levels, and improves the motor functions in the mice with Parkinson's.
High Fructose Intake May Raise Blood Pressure
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20091030/high-fructose-intake-may-raise-blood-pressure?ecd=wnl_day_110709
.....''High fructose intake is linked to high blood pressure..About 2.5 sugary soft drinks a day is enough to elevate the pressure.. several mechanisms could explain the association. ''We know that fructose has the potential to reduce nitric oxide production within the blood vessels,'' .. "Nitric oxide relaxes the vessel and is supposed to lower blood pressure. Fructose reduces the production of nitric oxide and makes it difficult for the vessels to relax and dilate."..Fructose also raises uric acid in the blood, she says, and that could raise blood pressure. "Fructose can tell the kidneys to 'hold onto' more salt, and that can contribute to high blood pressure,"
Diet Sodas May Be Hard on the Kidneys
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20091102/diet-sodas-hard-on-the-kidneys?page=2
.....Women Who Drink 2 or More Diet Sodas Daily Double Their Risk of Kidney Function Decline, ..Women who drank two or more diet sodas a day had a 30% drop in a measure of kidney function.. less than two sodas a day didn't seem to hurt.
Satins May Boost Effects of Prostate Radiation
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ASTRO/16824?userid=171072&impressionId=1257489496329&utm_source=mSpoke&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_content=Group1
.....Prostate cancer patients had a reduced risk of biochemical failure if they were taking a statin during radiation therapy in a retrospective cohort study, but LDL levels may have been a key factor in that effect..Statin users had a 49% reduction in the risk of biochemical failure, although the benefit proved not to be statistically significant after controlling for LDL level.. an LDL level below the median value reduced the risk of biochemical failure by 62%, independent of statin use..."Lower cholesterol levels may interrupt cell signaling pathways to cause apoptosis and prevent tumor growth."
Retracted Mask Study Adds to H1N1 Confusion
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/IDSA/16745?userid=171072&impressionId=1257230650430&utm_source=mSpoke&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_content=Group1
.....The retracted study -- conducted in China by Australian researchers -- originally suggested that the expensive N95 respirators were effective and offered better protection than standard surgical masks....original analysis was in error...no evidence of a benefit" for N95 respirators
New Clues to How Fish Oils Help Arthritis Patients
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=107004
.....converts .. DHA into .. Resolvin D2, which reduces the inflammation ..Unlike current anti-inflammatory drugs, Resolvin D2 doesn't appear to suppress the immune system,
Low-Dose Naproxen Increases Ulcer Risk
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ACG/16621?userid=171072&impressionId=1256621517282&utm_source=mSpoke&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_content=Group1
.....Even at low doses, naproxen ..may increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal complications, .. Patients taking a 500-mg/day dose had a 2.5-fold increased risk of hospitalization from complicated gastric or duodenal ulcer, while those on the 750-mg/day dose had almost a threefold increased risk,..The 1,000-mg/day dose carried more than a threefold increased risk of hospitalization.
Heart failure may worsen with statins
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/05/statins.heart.failure/index.html
.....no guidelines on whether patients with heart failure should take statins. Some studies have shown that they can be helpful, while others have found no benefit...Since statins can cause muscle damage, they could theoretically also harm the heart--which is, essentially, a big muscle--although there is no evidence that this is the case..analyzed patients with the two different types of heart failure--systolic and diastolic--..the drugs seemed to help those with the systolic version, and hurt those with diastolic heart failure..speculated that the anti-inflammatory effect of the statins could be helping systolic heart failure patients, while their muscle-weakening effects might impair breathing in those with diastolic heart failure
Thursday, November 19, 2009
HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTION
Highlighted by Mr JC:
At the 2nd HAI (Health-Associated Infection) Forum it was learnt that about seven million medical professionals in the US and Europe are carriers of diseases or are susceptible to diseases, a new research has revealed.
There are three imminent threats to patients across the world. First threat: common bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) are now producing enzymes which make the bacteria capable of de-activating all but the antibiotics that specialists reserve as a last line of defense. Second threat: healthcare workers themselves may be contributing to the spread of infections by failing to get flu vaccinations and, in some countries, coming to work when they are ill rather than taking sick days. Third threat: Health ministries are failing to adopt proven health policies that could limit the spread of infections in hospitals and other healthcare establishments.
Health authorities and healthcare professionals worldwide are called upon to “reduce consumption of antibiotics and act as quickly as possible before some multi-resistant bacteria become endemic.” Many of the experts expressed concern that there is a false impression that HAIs are under control. With new kinds of bacterial resistance (KPC carbapenemases) and new strains (PVL-positive Staphylococcus aureus) appearing, HAI are still a major public health threat.
Healthcare-associated infections are now recognized as a critical public health issue and continue to be a major cause of morbidity, mortality and excess healthcare cost. Their prevalence is continually rising due to increasingly sophisticated medical treatment and surgical procedures, international travel and the overuse or misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
>> Read the whole article: http://202.144.202.76/mps/view_file.cfm?fileid=382
Source: Biospectrum Pharma Trend and Analysis 12th Nov 2009
At the 2nd HAI (Health-Associated Infection) Forum it was learnt that about seven million medical professionals in the US and Europe are carriers of diseases or are susceptible to diseases, a new research has revealed.
There are three imminent threats to patients across the world. First threat: common bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) are now producing enzymes which make the bacteria capable of de-activating all but the antibiotics that specialists reserve as a last line of defense. Second threat: healthcare workers themselves may be contributing to the spread of infections by failing to get flu vaccinations and, in some countries, coming to work when they are ill rather than taking sick days. Third threat: Health ministries are failing to adopt proven health policies that could limit the spread of infections in hospitals and other healthcare establishments.
Health authorities and healthcare professionals worldwide are called upon to “reduce consumption of antibiotics and act as quickly as possible before some multi-resistant bacteria become endemic.” Many of the experts expressed concern that there is a false impression that HAIs are under control. With new kinds of bacterial resistance (KPC carbapenemases) and new strains (PVL-positive Staphylococcus aureus) appearing, HAI are still a major public health threat.
Healthcare-associated infections are now recognized as a critical public health issue and continue to be a major cause of morbidity, mortality and excess healthcare cost. Their prevalence is continually rising due to increasingly sophisticated medical treatment and surgical procedures, international travel and the overuse or misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
>> Read the whole article: http://202.144.202.76/mps/view_file.cfm?fileid=382
Source: Biospectrum Pharma Trend and Analysis 12th Nov 2009
Consumers Education
The Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) is a leaflet that contains information on the safe and effective use of a medicine. The Australian TGA regulates that the CMI must be made available to consumers either in the pack or in another manner that will enable the information to be given to the person to whom the medicines are administered or otherwise dispensed. To view the CMI of various medication >>> http://www.tga.gov.au/meds/picmi.html
PATIENTS DO NOT TREAT COLD AND FLU SYMPTOMS EARLY ENOUGH
A survey conducted in September 2009, on a random sample of 505 pharmacists working in independent and chain pharmacies out of a pool of 68,000 pharmacies found that nine out of 10 pharmacists believe it is important for a patient to seek treatment early to help shorten the duration and severity of a cold.
And 75 percent of pharmacists say most patients should purchase over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu products at the first sign of symptoms, while only 26 percent of their patients take this proactive approach.
According to the survey, pharmacists are increasingly playing a more prominent role in patient care due to the anticipated severity of the upcoming cold and flu season and the current state of the economy. The survey also showed:
· 87% of pharmacists anticipate an overall increase in the number of cold and flu patients seeking their counsel
· 85% agree that the economic downturn will specifically lead more patients to first come to their pharmacist rather than a physician
· 81% pharmacists report making five or more recommendations per day for OTC cold and flu products. (Note: These could be Group C items which pharmacists can recommend)
"Early preparedness is going to be more important this cold and flu season; however, even with the threat of stronger, more virulent infections, pharmacists note that patients oftentimes delay treatment allowing a virus to live longer," said Dr. Fred Eckel, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Experiential Education at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy."Pharmacists are the most accessible health care provider for patients with cold and flu symptoms and the survey findings emphasize the important role of the pharmacist in educating patients with information about early treatment to shorten the duration and severity of a cold."
The survey, entitled "National Pharmacist O.T.C. (Observations on the Treatment of Colds)" was sponsored by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. an OTC healthcare company.
http://www.smartbrief.com/news/bio/industryPR-detail.jsp?id=A18C035F-A376-405E-B2AD-0D6726A1361D
And 75 percent of pharmacists say most patients should purchase over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu products at the first sign of symptoms, while only 26 percent of their patients take this proactive approach.
According to the survey, pharmacists are increasingly playing a more prominent role in patient care due to the anticipated severity of the upcoming cold and flu season and the current state of the economy. The survey also showed:
· 87% of pharmacists anticipate an overall increase in the number of cold and flu patients seeking their counsel
· 85% agree that the economic downturn will specifically lead more patients to first come to their pharmacist rather than a physician
· 81% pharmacists report making five or more recommendations per day for OTC cold and flu products. (Note: These could be Group C items which pharmacists can recommend)
"Early preparedness is going to be more important this cold and flu season; however, even with the threat of stronger, more virulent infections, pharmacists note that patients oftentimes delay treatment allowing a virus to live longer," said Dr. Fred Eckel, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Experiential Education at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy."Pharmacists are the most accessible health care provider for patients with cold and flu symptoms and the survey findings emphasize the important role of the pharmacist in educating patients with information about early treatment to shorten the duration and severity of a cold."
The survey, entitled "National Pharmacist O.T.C. (Observations on the Treatment of Colds)" was sponsored by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. an OTC healthcare company.
http://www.smartbrief.com/news/bio/industryPR-detail.jsp?id=A18C035F-A376-405E-B2AD-0D6726A1361D
INFORMATION CENTER FOR H1N1 INFLUENZA PANDEMIC
Highlighted by Assoc Prof Dr Abas Hj Hussin:-
A free, highly interactive searchable resource to obtain information and documents pertaining to H1N1 influenza pandemic is available at http://h1n1.ebrary.com
No password is required
A free, highly interactive searchable resource to obtain information and documents pertaining to H1N1 influenza pandemic is available at http://h1n1.ebrary.com
No password is required
MPS Building at 1-Puchong Business Park
Below are some pictures taken in July 2009 showing the development of MPS new building at 1-Puchong Business Park. The reinforced concrete framework and floor slabs of the first floor is already up.
Expected completion is end 2010 and occupancy is expected to be mid-2011.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Local News To Watch This Week
Health D-G: 1Malaysia clinics to go mobile too :
http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3055...
The government has approved an annual allocation of RM10 million to operate 50 1Malaysia static and mobile clinics nationwide.. The static clinics will be opened at shophouses or rented premises .. operate from 10am to 10pm, would provide minor treatment . .. that patients will go to these clinics for minor treatments and procedures
A bitter pill to swallow for govt clinics:
http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3057
...allocation for the Health Ministry, particularly for the purchase of drugs and non-drug items for 2010, will be less compared to the current year ...government clinics and hospitals are experiencing a sudden increase of patients... instead of spending money to open 50 1Malaysia clinics, the allocation can be used to meet public demand for medications
http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3055...
The government has approved an annual allocation of RM10 million to operate 50 1Malaysia static and mobile clinics nationwide.. The static clinics will be opened at shophouses or rented premises .. operate from 10am to 10pm, would provide minor treatment . .. that patients will go to these clinics for minor treatments and procedures
A bitter pill to swallow for govt clinics:
http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3057
...allocation for the Health Ministry, particularly for the purchase of drugs and non-drug items for 2010, will be less compared to the current year ...government clinics and hospitals are experiencing a sudden increase of patients... instead of spending money to open 50 1Malaysia clinics, the allocation can be used to meet public demand for medications
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