Medical comms - Articles

Skin cancers come in various forms but the type which causes most fear is the malignant melanoma, derived from the pigment-forming cells of the skin or melanocytes.
Skin cancers come in various forms but the type which causes most fear is the malignant melanoma, derived from the pigment-forming cells of the skin or melanocytes. Normal melanocytes are situated near the surface of the skin, at the junction between the outer layer (epidermis) and the deeper layer (dermis). People with naturally fair skin have just as many melanocytes in their skin as darker skinned individuals but they just produce less melanin, which is the brown pigment that the skin needs to protect itself from damage by ultraviolet sun rays. It appears that episodes of sunburn or more persistent exposure to the sun (or r…

During a time of major economic downturn, there are few industries that can be said to be truly ‘recession proof’. Yet for years now, big pharma has largely been seen as precisely that. After all, no matter dire the markets, and no matter how low consumer confidence plummets, there is always a demand for healthcare.
During a time of major economic downturn, there are few industries that can be said to be truly ‘recession proof’. Yet for years now, big pharma has largely been seen as precisely that. After all, no matter dire the markets, and no matter how low consumer confidence plummets, there is always a demand for healthcare. Seen from this angle then, it’s almost as good as mandatory spending. Yet as the most recent global economic slowdown has shown, healthcare and big pharma aren’t qu…

In areas such as competition policy and choice in the NHS, there could be said to be much correlation between the approaches of both governments past and present. Yet in other key areas of policy, there are unquestionably examples of ideological, or at least philosophical, differences in outlook. Or at least in theory.
In areas such as competition policy and choice in the NHS, there could be said to be much correlation between the approaches of both governments past and present.Yet in other key areas of policy, there are unquestionably examples of ideological, or at least philosophical, differences in outlook. Or at least in theory.During their 13 years in Whitehall, New Labour used healthcare targets as one of the key sets of instruments through which to improve performance in the nation’s…

A selective memory is a wonderful thing. That is, if you're a conspiracy theorist or an opportunistic critic of any kind. Yet, for those of us with memories of a more consistent mold, a lot of the current and decidedly harsh criticism directed against the World Health Organization’s handling of the just passed H1N1 'Swine Flu' outbreak must be questioned in kind.
A selective memory is a wonderful thing. That is, if you're a conspiracy theorist or an opportunistic critic of any kind. Yet, for those of us with memories of a more consistent mold, a lot of the current and decidedly harsh criticism directed against the World Health Organization’s handling of the just passed H1N1 'Swine Flu' outbreak must be questioned in kind. Let's start at the beginning. While the very first cases of swine fl…

As the new Conservative-led coalition finally begins to settle down to the task ahead, questions of policy detail are increasingly replacing the brouhaha of election-time buccaneering and healthcare policy and the NHS are no exceptions to the rule – particularly in the case of competition policy.
As the new Conservative-led coalition finally begins to settle down to the task ahead, questions of policy detail are increasingly replacing the brouhaha of election-time buccaneering and healthcare policy and the NHS are no exceptions to the rule – particularly in the case of competition policy. Indeed, while the coalition insists that it is standing by the Conservative pledge to ring-fence spending on healthcare - and while the party and now the coalition has done a lot to repair its previously…

With every challenge comes a new opportunity. Indeed, if we are to believe the results of a recent international workforce survey by Kelly Services, while the global economic recession has produced troubles a plenty, it has also evoked a new found sense of entrepreneurialism as workers look to adjust to changing employment models and to respond to new challenges in a very human way.
With every challenge comes a new opportunity. Indeed, if we are to believe the results of a recent international workforce survey by Kelly Services, while the global economic recession has produced troubles a plenty, it has also evoked a new found sense of entrepreneurialism as workers look to adjust to changing employment models and to respond to new challenges in a very human way. Through organic change and a…

Just five years after its formation through the merger of Fujisawa and Yamanouchi, Astellas has become one of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world. Employing 15,000 people and with annual sales reaching €1,287 million in Europe, Astellas has exceeded all expectations for growth in the past five years and the company’s management team has devised a clear vision to ensure that this success continues in the years to come.
Introduction Just five years after its formation through the merger of Fujisawa and Yamanouchi, Astellas has become one of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world. Employing 15,000 people and with annual sales reaching €1,287 million in Europe, Astellas has exceeded all expectations for growth in the past five years and the company’s management team ha…

Economic uncertainty has fueled a growing trend toward self-employment and entrepreneurialism with one-in-five respondents worldwide now working outside the traditional employment relationship, and 50 percent saying that they would like to do so, according to the latest survey results from workforce solutions leader Kelly Services®.
The findings are part of the Kelly Global Workforce Index, which obtained the views of approximately 134,000 people in 29 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The rise of the self-employed, often known as independent contractors or ‘free agents,’ is most pronounced in North America, with 26 percent identifying themselves in this category, compared with 19 percent in Asia Pacific, and 17 percent in Europe. The survey also fin…

The theme for National Stop Snoring Week 2010 is all about our houses. From house dust mites to pet dogs it seems that our houses are minefields when it comes to snoring. Nobody is safe as there are dangers lurking in every room.
Did you know that most people use at least seven personal care items every day such as shampoo and deodorant, but 1 in 5 people are allergic to them? Symptoms of allergy cause breathing difficulties at night that can lead to snoring. A tour around our interactive house will demonstrate just how many household items can make you snore. During National Stop Snoring Week we will be scrutinising people's homes to help them eliminate their snoring. Just follow this link http://www.britishsnoring.co.uk/house For further information, please contact: Marianne Davey, dire…

Parents of babies and young children suffering from conditions such as asthma and eczema will be relieved to know there is a breakthrough product available that can drastically reduce their child’s misery and symptoms.
Parents of babies and young children suffering from conditions such as asthma and eczema will be relieved to know there is a breakthrough product available that can drastically reduce their child’s misery and symptoms. The PurFlo mattress is a unique concept that dispels the common household dust mite (HDM) often associated with asthma, eczema and similar allergies. The mattress consists of a fully breathable mesh SleepSurface™ fitted over a hollow frame that not only comfortably supports a child better than a conventional mattress, but also allows free air circulation pr…

The NGP union, held in the Netherlands last week saw over 50 visionaries gathered for the Supreme Court verdict against Myriad Genetics given on March 29th. They voted against their patent claims and a storm is brewing in the biotech community. The Court ruled that the patents should have never been granted because genes are a law of nature. With the majority of industry outsiders in agreement, how will the pharmaceutical world react?
The NGP union, held in the Netherlands last week saw over 50 visionaries gathered for the Supreme Court verdict against Myriad Genetics given on March 29th. They voted against their patent claims and a storm is brewing in the biotech community. The Court ruled that the patents should have never been granted because genes are "a law of nature." With the majo…

Since the moment of the NHS’s very inception in 1948, complementary medicine has formed an accepted and often-used element of the country’s national health service. Thousands of Brits swear blind by the efficacy of homeopathic treatments and rates of patient satisfaction are often far higher at the country’s homeopathic hospitals than they are on standard NHS wards. Yet while many patients claim a strong appreciation of the benefits of homeopathy, the science tells another story.
Since the moment of the NHS’s very inception in 1948, complementary medicine has formed an accepted and often-used element of the country’s national health service. Thousands of Brits swear blind by the efficacy of homeopathic treatments and rates of patient satisfaction are often far higher at the country’s homeo…

Until recently, pharmaceutical companies paid little attention to the process of maximising their data through publications. Today, several pharma firm and even consumer companies are beginning to recognise publications planning as an integral part of the marketing matrix. It now forms part of the overall communications strategy, adopted not only to raise awareness of a product and its key messages, but also to provide an evidence base for all other communication activities for the product.
Strategic publication plans are developed in two sections: the publications strategy and the publications plan. The publication plan utilises clinical trial data to recommend publications(including journals/abstracts), timings and maximisation of publication opportunity. WHY DO YOU NEED A PLAN? The k…

We often use them to make decisions about what products we buy and which we keep buying…except for pharma’. Yet more than that, he makes a coherent and convincing argument for how these kinds of services could ultimately end up benefiting the pharma industry itself. Indeed while information from a single person on the internet might be far too subjective to be of use, the sophistication of the crowd is arguably much greater.
For decades GPs stood as the lonely guardians of patient opinion. Computers were still the exclusive preserve of scientists and government officials at the Pentagon and the inventors of Google were still at school. With a distinctly limited arrange of options then, the closest people got to ‘crowd sourcing’ was a ten minute chat with their next door neighbours and your…

Research and development is the bread and butter of healthcare innovation. For decades the world’s pharmaceutical companies have treasured and protected this simple maxim, pouring billions of dollars into research and development and creating hundreds of groundbreaking new drugs in the process. Yet since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2007, big pharma has begun to ask some very difficult questions of its research commitments.
Research and development is the bread and butter of healthcare innovation. For decades the world’s pharmaceutical companies have treasured and protected this simple maxim, pouring billions of dollars into research and development and creating hundreds of groundbreaking new drugs in the process. Yet since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2007, b…

Diabetes mellitus – more commonly known as just diabetes – is a chronic metabolic condition that occurs as a result of either the pancreas’ failure to produce normal insulin levels, or as a result of the body’s inability to make use of the insulin that it does produce.
Diabetes mellitus – more commonly known as just diabetes – is a chronic metabolic condition that occurs as a result of either the pancreas’ failure to produce normal insulin levels, or as a result of the body’s inability to make use of the insulin that it does produce. The most common form of diabetes – type 2 diabetes – accounts for between 90% - 95% of all diabetes cases globally and occurs when normal insulin levels prove inadequate in provoking the necessary insulin response in the body’s fat cells. This disorder is kno…

A recent research study, which was undertaken as part of medical research charity, Kidney Research UK’s ABLE programme, investigated the impact of national guidelines for the management of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), on referral patterns between South Asian and white European patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
A recent research study, which was undertaken as part of medical research charity, Kidney Research UK’s ABLE programme, investigated the impact of national guidelines for the management of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), on referral patterns between South Asian and white European patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). With support from The Big Lottery Fund, the ‘Patient Pathway’ study commenced in 2006 and examined referral patterns to hospital-based diabetes and…

At 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010, the small Caribbean island nation of Haiti was dealt another cruel blow: a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck at the heart of the nation - just over 15 miles west of the capital of Port-au-Prince. With the already traumatic history of this poor yet historic nation in mind, the events of January 12 represented yet another devastating hit to the already fragile foundations of this young nation.
At 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010, the small Caribbean island nation of Haiti was dealt another cruel blow: a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck at the heart of the nation - just over 15 miles west of the capital of Port-au-Prince. With the already traumatic history of this poor yet historic nation in mind, the events of January…

Hardly a week goes by without Alzheimer’s being in the news – scientists discovering more about what causes it, developing a greater idea of how we can prevent or treat it, or another step being taken towards a cure.
Hardly a week goes by without Alzheimer’s being in the news – scientists discovering more about what causes it, developing a greater idea of how we can prevent or treat it, or another step being taken towards a cure. It does seem to be an exciting time for Alzheimer’s and this becomes more apparent when you look back twenty or thirty years to what life was like for Alzheimer’s sufferers then. We have come a long way from the days when little was known about Alzheimer’s, when the attitude was taken that ‘granny’s gone a bit mad’, and knowledge of how to help and make life eas…

Washington is famous for its lobbyists. Make no mistake, of all the industries currently making themselves heard on Capitol Hill, the healthcare lobby is one of the largest and the loudest. Indeed, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, the pharmaceutical industry had almost 1700 registered lobbyists in Washington as of late 2009. Unsurprisingly, then, the pharmaceutical industry has a considerable degree of pull on The Hill.
Washington is famous for its lobbyists. Make no mistake, of all the industries currently making themselves heard on Capitol Hill, the healthcare lobby is one of the largest and the loudest. Indeed, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, the pharmaceutical industry had almost 1700 registered lobbyists in Washington as of late 2009. Unsurprisingly,…