Medical comms - Articles
Alex Bishop is the IT Business Manager at Pfizer, the largest supplier of medicines to the NHS.
Focus on: Alex Bishop Alex Bishop is the IT Business Manager at Pfizer, the largest supplier of medicines to the NHS. Pfizer has an extensive range of prescription only medicines treating diseases such as infections, arthritis, depression, heart disorders, and certain types of cancer. With the motto, “life is our life’s work”, Pfizer strive to lengthen and enrich people’s lives by providing them with better health. This week Alex talks to us about his love of the industry, his love of sport and his aspirations for love in his personal life. 1. Where and when did you start out in the industry? I started out in the Pharmaceutical Industry with Warner Lambert (remember…
Focus on: Alex Bishop Alex Bishop is the IT Business Manager at Pfizer, the largest supplier of medicines to the NHS. Pfizer has an extensive range of prescription only medicines treating diseases such as infections, arthritis, depression, heart disorders, and certain types of cancer. With the motto, “life is our life’s work”, Pfizer strive to lengthen and enrich people’s lives by providing them with better health. This week Alex talks to us about his love of the industry, his love of sport and his aspirations for love in his personal life. 1. Where and when did you start out in the industry? I started out in the Pharmaceutical Industry with Warner Lambert (remember…
27-Aug-2010
Because of the ever-increasing costs of healthcare provision the world over, many governments are enacting legislation to promote generic prescription in order to keep costs down. With drugs worth $160 billion in sales coming off patent by 2015, it would seem a good time to be in the generics industry. However the generics market is not without challenges.
The rise in healthcare expenditure internationally has led to governments implementing a variety of cost-containment policies, with increased generic use being a fundamental part of these. In the , for example, the growing cost of healthcare provision is affecting the ability of companies to be competitive. Meanwhile in , it is predicted that if healthcare spending continues to grow at the current rate, the health system will be bankrupt…
The rise in healthcare expenditure internationally has led to governments implementing a variety of cost-containment policies, with increased generic use being a fundamental part of these. In the , for example, the growing cost of healthcare provision is affecting the ability of companies to be competitive. Meanwhile in , it is predicted that if healthcare spending continues to grow at the current rate, the health system will be bankrupt…
27-Aug-2010
Manufacturing Instructions and Records: Operators are expected to follow manufacturing instructions to produce a product that meets the required specification. Typically these instructions will be written by technical experts, the chemical engineers who were responsible for the technology transfer, the process validation and so on.
Manufacturing Instructions and Records Operators are expected to follow manufacturing instructions to produce a product that meets the required specification. Typically these instructions will be written by technical experts, the chemical engineers who were responsible for the technology transfer, the process validation and so on. They may be comprehensive and detailed, but that doesn’t make them good. Manufacturing process instructions (MPIs) are…
Manufacturing Instructions and Records Operators are expected to follow manufacturing instructions to produce a product that meets the required specification. Typically these instructions will be written by technical experts, the chemical engineers who were responsible for the technology transfer, the process validation and so on. They may be comprehensive and detailed, but that doesn’t make them good. Manufacturing process instructions (MPIs) are…
27-Aug-2010
Networking: What is it and How do you do it?
What is networking?A definition is provided by the Oxford Dictionary: network n. & v. a group of people who exchange information, contacts, and experience for professional or social purposes. You might consider networking to make new friends, find a new job, develop your current career, explore new career options, obtain referrals or sales leads, or simply to broaden your professional horizons. Whatever the reason, it is important to focus on networking as an equal exchange of information, contacts or experiences.Networking helps you make connections in a personal context to build relationships of support, respect and to create mutual benefits. It is a skill set no serious professional can be without.Networking StepsEarly Bird – Much of th…
What is networking?A definition is provided by the Oxford Dictionary: network n. & v. a group of people who exchange information, contacts, and experience for professional or social purposes. You might consider networking to make new friends, find a new job, develop your current career, explore new career options, obtain referrals or sales leads, or simply to broaden your professional horizons. Whatever the reason, it is important to focus on networking as an equal exchange of information, contacts or experiences.Networking helps you make connections in a personal context to build relationships of support, respect and to create mutual benefits. It is a skill set no serious professional can be without.Networking StepsEarly Bird – Much of th…
Doctors taking part in a survey on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) management have called for clear and consistent guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of the condition to be drawn up as a matter of urgency. The survey was sponsored by Eisai Europe Ltd and Pfizer Inc, who market the cholinesterase inhibitor Aricept (donepezil), and was presented during the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.
Call for guidelines on when to stop or continue drug treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease Doctors taking part in a survey on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) management have called for clear and consistent guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of the condition to be drawn up as a matter of urgency. The survey was sponsored by Eisai Europe Ltd and Pfizer Inc, who market the c…
Call for guidelines on when to stop or continue drug treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease Doctors taking part in a survey on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) management have called for clear and consistent guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of the condition to be drawn up as a matter of urgency. The survey was sponsored by Eisai Europe Ltd and Pfizer Inc, who market the c…
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, with an estimated nine million sufferers worldwide. Although safe, effective treatment for AF is critical, historically there has been little R&D investment and little innovation in the AF market. However, this may be about to change, with the AF market expected to triple by 2015.
Arrhythmia is defined as an irregular heart rhythm, or an abnormality in the timing or pattern of the heartbeat, causing the heart to beat too rapidly, too slowly, or irregularly. Due to the complex nature of the condition, comprehensive epidemiology data on the prevalence of arrhythmia as a whole is difficult to come by. However, accurate data does exist for AF, the most common form of arrhythmia; it suggests a prevalence of c…
Arrhythmia is defined as an irregular heart rhythm, or an abnormality in the timing or pattern of the heartbeat, causing the heart to beat too rapidly, too slowly, or irregularly. Due to the complex nature of the condition, comprehensive epidemiology data on the prevalence of arrhythmia as a whole is difficult to come by. However, accurate data does exist for AF, the most common form of arrhythmia; it suggests a prevalence of c…
Treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is focussing increasingly on prevention of cardiovascular complications with the aim of reducing the cardiovascular mortality and morbidity to which many patients currently succumb.
Role of Arenesp and cinacalcet in protecting hearts of renal patients Treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is focussing increasingly on prevention of cardiovascular complications with the aim of reducing the cardiovascular mortality and morbidity to which many patients currently succumb. Recognition of the fact that it is heart disease rather than renal failure that kills most CKD patients, and that the risks start early in the disease process, was reinforced a couple of years ago when an analysis of the Kaiser Permanente Renal Registry of 1.1 million patients was…
Role of Arenesp and cinacalcet in protecting hearts of renal patients Treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is focussing increasingly on prevention of cardiovascular complications with the aim of reducing the cardiovascular mortality and morbidity to which many patients currently succumb. Recognition of the fact that it is heart disease rather than renal failure that kills most CKD patients, and that the risks start early in the disease process, was reinforced a couple of years ago when an analysis of the Kaiser Permanente Renal Registry of 1.1 million patients was…
Hints and Tips: Survive in the Work Place Part Two
It’s good to talkPeople like it when you take time to call. A five minute phone call can do the work of several emails because you can hear someone’s tone of voice and gauge reaction.Plan to talkJust because the phone is an informal medium you can still plan an agenda of the points you need to cover and decide what information you need from the other person.Be politeIf your mobile rings during a land-line call, forward it to voicemail. Taking the call is equivalent to looking over someone’s shoulder while they are talking with you.Record itWhen you’ve had an important call, commit to paper what’s been said and agreed.Writing a one page overviewAn executive summary is all most people want or have time to read to make an informed decision o…
It’s good to talkPeople like it when you take time to call. A five minute phone call can do the work of several emails because you can hear someone’s tone of voice and gauge reaction.Plan to talkJust because the phone is an informal medium you can still plan an agenda of the points you need to cover and decide what information you need from the other person.Be politeIf your mobile rings during a land-line call, forward it to voicemail. Taking the call is equivalent to looking over someone’s shoulder while they are talking with you.Record itWhen you’ve had an important call, commit to paper what’s been said and agreed.Writing a one page overviewAn executive summary is all most people want or have time to read to make an informed decision o…
27-Aug-2010
The FDA has approved Tibotec and Johnson & Johnson's HIV drug Prezista, enabling it to join Boehringer Ingelheim's recently launched Aptivus as one of just two second-generation protease inhibitors currently available. However, competition will be fierce as both drugs target similar patients in a crowded market where small differences in marketing approaches could impact hugely on sales.
The FDA has granted accelerated approval for Tibotec and Johnson & Johnson's anti-HIV protease inhibitor Prezista (darunavir, previously known as TMC114) co-administered with ritonavir for use in combination therapy in treatment-experienced patients who have failed other antiretroviral therapies. Prezista belongs to a class of antiretrovirals known as protease inhibitors, or PIs. It is the secon…
The FDA has granted accelerated approval for Tibotec and Johnson & Johnson's anti-HIV protease inhibitor Prezista (darunavir, previously known as TMC114) co-administered with ritonavir for use in combination therapy in treatment-experienced patients who have failed other antiretroviral therapies. Prezista belongs to a class of antiretrovirals known as protease inhibitors, or PIs. It is the secon…
ROCHE is set to file for a new indication for its oral, targeted cancer drug Xeloda® following impressive new data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference (ASCO).
ROCHE is set to file for a new indication for its oral, targeted cancer drug Xeloda® following impressive new data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference (ASCO). Jonathan Dickinson, Life Cycle Leader - Xeloda®, told Pharmiweb: “Roche plans to file in the next few months for a gastric cancer indication for Xeloda in Europe. The label will be for advanced gastric cancer, because that is what the data at this stage supports. Data in the future may support an indication for gastric cancer in the adjuvant setting.” Mr Dickinson predicted that, if granted, a new indication for Xelod…
ROCHE is set to file for a new indication for its oral, targeted cancer drug Xeloda® following impressive new data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference (ASCO). Jonathan Dickinson, Life Cycle Leader - Xeloda®, told Pharmiweb: “Roche plans to file in the next few months for a gastric cancer indication for Xeloda in Europe. The label will be for advanced gastric cancer, because that is what the data at this stage supports. Data in the future may support an indication for gastric cancer in the adjuvant setting.” Mr Dickinson predicted that, if granted, a new indication for Xelod…
Pharmaceutical companies are renowned for exhaustive pages of regulatory reports and documentation procedures. An enormous amount of effort goes into creating and maintaining these documentations, usually by people for whom it is only a small part of their job.
Another problem is that complexity exists in such documents and may be due to an excess of information or to inappropriate structure. Again, historically there may have been a drive to put every little detail into the procedures, in t
Lean DocumentationDocumentation is the backbone of the pharmaceutical industry – the taken-for-granted support for GLP, GCP, GMP and many other regulations. We have to document what we do, how we do it, the expected result, the actual result, what went wrong, what we did about what went wrong,…
Lean DocumentationDocumentation is the backbone of the pharmaceutical industry – the taken-for-granted support for GLP, GCP, GMP and many other regulations. We have to document what we do, how we do it, the expected result, the actual result, what went wrong, what we did about what went wrong,…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (July 7th, 2006) - In today's edition we highlight Biomarin's development of the novel antihypertensive 6R-BH4 and new research describing a promising molecular target for future sepsis therapeutics.
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (July 7th, 2006) - In today's edition we highlight Biomarin's development of the novel antihypertensive 6R-BH4 and new research describing a promising molecular target for future sepsis therapeutics. Summaries of this content can be seen below or click here for today's edition of DailyUpdates Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Cardiovascular Diseases): Biomarin advance novel antihypertensive: Effective blood pressure control for all hypertensive patients remains an elusive goal. Th…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (July 7th, 2006) - In today's edition we highlight Biomarin's development of the novel antihypertensive 6R-BH4 and new research describing a promising molecular target for future sepsis therapeutics. Summaries of this content can be seen below or click here for today's edition of DailyUpdates Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Cardiovascular Diseases): Biomarin advance novel antihypertensive: Effective blood pressure control for all hypertensive patients remains an elusive goal. Th…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (from DailyUpdates 5th July)- Although press releases are quite thin on the ground today because of the July 4th holiday in the US, Abiogen have released important information regarding the start of phase 2 testing of the company's anxiolytic, ABIO 08/01. In addition we feature a review describing a potentially groundbreaking drug delivery technology. This technology harnesses protein transduction domains (PTDs), endogenous peptide sequences
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (from DailyUpdates 5th July)- Although press releases are quite thin on the ground today because of the July 4th holiday in the US, Abiogen have released important information regarding the start of phase 2 testing of the company's anxiolytic, AB…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (from DailyUpdates 5th July)- Although press releases are quite thin on the ground today because of the July 4th holiday in the US, Abiogen have released important information regarding the start of phase 2 testing of the company's anxiolytic, AB…
27-Aug-2010
The leading pharmaceutical companies have historically focused on developing small molecules to drive their bottom line growth. However, this is set to change, with around 60% of revenue growth for 'Big Pharma' companies forecast to come from biologic products. In fact by 2010, annual sales of biologics will have increased by $26 billion, compared to a $13 billion increase for small molecules.
The leading pharmaceutical companies have historically focused on developing small molecules to drive their bottom line growth. However, this is set to change, with around 60% of revenue growth for 'Big Pharma' companies forecast to come from biologic products. In fact by 2010, annual sales of biologics will have increased by $26 billion, compared to a $13 billion increase for small molecules. Datamo…
The leading pharmaceutical companies have historically focused on developing small molecules to drive their bottom line growth. However, this is set to change, with around 60% of revenue growth for 'Big Pharma' companies forecast to come from biologic products. In fact by 2010, annual sales of biologics will have increased by $26 billion, compared to a $13 billion increase for small molecules. Datamo…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network - Today we feature news from Vasogen on their candidate treatment of chronic heart failure plus new data from Johnson & Johnson on a new integrin antagonist that may underly a future treatment of asthma
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (June 27th) Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Cardiovascular Disease): New phase III data on heart failure candidate, Velacade: There is a clear need for new treatments for heart failure, as associated mortality and morbidity rates are high. Nearly 5 million Americans and 6.5 million Europeans have heart failure and each year, in the alone, 550,000 new cases of heart failure are diagnosed and nearly 300,000 deaths are registered. The five-year survival rate for patients with heart fail…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (June 27th) Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Cardiovascular Disease): New phase III data on heart failure candidate, Velacade: There is a clear need for new treatments for heart failure, as associated mortality and morbidity rates are high. Nearly 5 million Americans and 6.5 million Europeans have heart failure and each year, in the alone, 550,000 new cases of heart failure are diagnosed and nearly 300,000 deaths are registered. The five-year survival rate for patients with heart fail…
While the number of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) is set to grow only minimally in next two decades, the condition still represents a key health risk, for both society and the individual. For example, MDD is a leading cause of disability and under-diagnosis remains a problem. Furthermore, the leading classes of MDD drugs have been linked to increased suicidality.
It's estimated that 34 million people suffer from MDD in the western world, but new research estimates that the number of individuals with MDD will grow only minimally in the next two decades, to 37 million by 2025. Unlike a number of other global health issues such as cancer and Parkinson's disease, the aging nature of the world's population won't significantly increase the number of those suffering from MDD.…
It's estimated that 34 million people suffer from MDD in the western world, but new research estimates that the number of individuals with MDD will grow only minimally in the next two decades, to 37 million by 2025. Unlike a number of other global health issues such as cancer and Parkinson's disease, the aging nature of the world's population won't significantly increase the number of those suffering from MDD.…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (20th June, 2006): We highlight research from Merck who are developing a novel approach to anxiety and news from ArQule on their oncology candidate
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (20th June, 2006): We highlight research from Merck who are developing a novel approach to anxiety and news from ArQule on their oncology candidate - to view today's bulletin in its entirety click here or read on for further information on these two publications Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Oncology): ArQule moves forward with their cell cycle modulator The cell cycle and check-points within the cycle represent a major focus of drug development companies attempting to introduce new cancer therapeutics. One group of molecular targets…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (20th June, 2006): We highlight research from Merck who are developing a novel approach to anxiety and news from ArQule on their oncology candidate - to view today's bulletin in its entirety click here or read on for further information on these two publications Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Oncology): ArQule moves forward with their cell cycle modulator The cell cycle and check-points within the cycle represent a major focus of drug development companies attempting to introduce new cancer therapeutics. One group of molecular targets…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (19th June - 2006): Today we feature over 60 breaking journal articles including our featured study discussing the development of a new antibody being developed for HIV-1. In addition we highlight news from Micromet on their antibody therapy for the treatment of NHL
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (19th June - 2006): Today we feature over 60 breaking journal articles including our featured study discussing the development of a new antibody being developed for HIV-1. In addition we highlight news from Micromet on their antibody therapy for the treatment of NHL plus today's featured jobs. To see the entire bulletin click here Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Cancer Immunotherapy): Micromet develops new lymphoma thera…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (19th June - 2006): Today we feature over 60 breaking journal articles including our featured study discussing the development of a new antibody being developed for HIV-1. In addition we highlight news from Micromet on their antibody therapy for the treatment of NHL plus today's featured jobs. To see the entire bulletin click here Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Cancer Immunotherapy): Micromet develops new lymphoma thera…
In today's edition of DailyUpdates we report on CD40:CD40L. Traditionally a target for autoimmune/transplant therapeutics, we highlight a study supporting the development of blockers of CD40:CD40L as candidate treatments of Alzheimer's disease. We also highlight a new oncology candidate in development by Lorus
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network. In today's edition (see it in full) we report on CD40:CD40L. Traditionally a target for autoimmune/transplant therapeutics, we highlight a study supporting the development of blockers of CD40:CD40L as candidate treatments of Alzheimer's disease. We also highlight a new oncology candidate in development by Lorus Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Oncology): Locus Pharmaceuticals about to enter the clinic with novel cell cycle r…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network. In today's edition (see it in full) we report on CD40:CD40L. Traditionally a target for autoimmune/transplant therapeutics, we highlight a study supporting the development of blockers of CD40:CD40L as candidate treatments of Alzheimer's disease. We also highlight a new oncology candidate in development by Lorus Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Oncology): Locus Pharmaceuticals about to enter the clinic with novel cell cycle r…
In today's edition of DailyUpdates we headline with news from CuraGen and TopoTarget on a new trial evaluating the combination of an HDAC inhibitor an cis-retinoid acid. In addition we highlight research from Wyeth suggesting a new approach to depression
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (access DailyUpdates 15th June, 2006 here) Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Oncology): CuraGen and TopoTarget to test the promising combination of HDAC inhibition and retinoic acid receptor activation in patients with solid tumors The histone deacetylase inhibitor class of therapeutics represents a highly exciting approach to cancer. Merck's ZOLINZA (SAHA; vorinostat) and Gloucester Pharmaceuticals' Depsipeptide (FK228) lead this class however . Both candidates are evaluated in our fea…
Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (access DailyUpdates 15th June, 2006 here) Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Oncology): CuraGen and TopoTarget to test the promising combination of HDAC inhibition and retinoic acid receptor activation in patients with solid tumors The histone deacetylase inhibitor class of therapeutics represents a highly exciting approach to cancer. Merck's ZOLINZA (SAHA; vorinostat) and Gloucester Pharmaceuticals' Depsipeptide (FK228) lead this class however . Both candidates are evaluated in our fea…
