Medical comms - Articles

Next to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder is the most important condition for psychiatrists to recognise and treat. Indeed, the discovery by John Cade in 1949 of lithium as an effective treatment for mania,1 and the finding in 1952 of chlorpromazine as an effective agent for acute psychotic states including mania, heralded the beginning of the modern era of psychopharmacology.
Next to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder is the most important condition for psychiatrists to recognise and treat. Indeed, the discovery by John Cade in 1949 of lithium as an effective treatment for mania,1 and the finding in 1952 of chlorpromazine as an effective agent for acute psychotic states including mania, heralded the beginning of the modern era of psychopharmacology. Since this time, however, bipolar disorder ha…

Schizophrenia can affect anyone, and is one of the greatest causes of lost quality of life worldwide. One-in-100 people will experience this serious mental illness at some time in their lives, though it commonly starts in the late teens to the early 20s in men and early to late 20s in women. Although schizophrenia can have a profound effect, it can be treated effectively in most people. This was not always the case.
Schizophrenia can affect anyone, and is one of the greatest causes of lost quality of life worldwide. One-in-100 people will experience this serious mental illness at some time in their lives, though it commonly starts in the late teens to the early 20s in men and early to late 20s in women. Although schizophrenia can have a profound effect, it can be treated effectively in most…

Allergic rhinitis is an increasingly prevalent disorder, affecting up to 40% of children and up to 30% of adults in the UK. The disease has traditionally been considered as either seasonal or perennial depending on the allergenic triggers and their presence in the environment. Typically, tree pollen promotes seasonal symptoms between February and April, grass pollens in late May through to early August, whilst weed pollens and mould spores are common in late summer and early autumn.
Allergic rhinitis is an increasingly prevalent disorder, affecting up to 40% of children and up to 30% of adults in the . The disease has traditionally been considered as either seasonal or perennial depending on the allergenic triggers and their presence in the environment. Typically, tree pollen promotes seaso…

Although difficult to determine accurately, annual global figures for reported cases of hepatitis A and typhoid are estimated to be in the region of 1.5 million and at least 16 million, respectively. Moreover, typhoid fever accounts for up to 600,000 deaths worldwide each year. The two diseases are often found in partnership and have common routes of transmission, particularly where sanitation is poor.
Although difficult to determine accurately, annual global figures for reported cases of hepatitis A and typhoid are estimated to be in the region of 1.5 million and at least 16 million, respectively. Moreover, typhoid fever accounts for up to 600,000 deaths worldwide each year. The two diseases are often found in partnership and have common routes of transmission, particularly where sanitatio…

In addition to the traditional clinical needs, such as efficacy and resistance profile, product characteristics such as dosing and side effects can be fundamental in maintaining market share in the maturing antiretroviral market. In response to the launch of two once-daily protease inhibitors (PI), Abbott has reformulated its leading PI drug, Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) in a once-daily dose.
Since the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in 1981, HIV infection leading to AIDS has been a major cause of illness worldwide, with an estimated 40 million people currently infected with the disease. Indeed, in some parts of the world, HIV is associated with a high mortality rate, causing almost 3 million AIDS-related deaths. However, in the developed world, the past two decades have witnessed rap…

New on-line system for hospital pharmacies makes ordering medicines easier, quicker and, being paperless, virtually error-free.
The Agency has supported the development of the NHS Pharmaceutical Messaging Service, a pilot scheme which aims to streamline the supply of medicines to England’s hospitals. The project pinpointed efficiencies and is delivering savings through the introduction of an electronic ordering, information and invoicing system for hospital pharmacies. The Agency has supported the development of the NHS Pharmaceutical Messaging Service, a pilot scheme which aims to streamline the supply of medicines to England’s hospitals. The project pinpointed efficiencies and is delivering savings through the introduction of an electronic ordering, information and invoicing system for h…

Did you know you can generate SMS messages from any software that can send an email or generate an HTTP request such as Outlook, Lotus Notes..?
These practical, secure and easy-to-use products from PharmiWeb partner, RedOxygen, allow users to: Send SMS messages to staff, suppliers and customers around the world from their desktops using Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes or a delivery channel for a custom developed CRM/ERP application Receive message replies in their inboxes or on their mobile phones Receive calendar reminders on their phones via SMS Control corporate account usage, cost and technical support with online management tools. Several beneficial applications also help employees remain connected to both local and remote colleagues: Sales Managers can coordinate meetings with f…

The Healthcare Industry is currently experiencing the effects of a global shortage of qualified and experienced clinical research professionals – and this situation has evolved into the industry’s very own version of ‘Catch 22’. While employers are looking to hire candidates who are already experienced in the practice of clinical research, new Life Science graduates and others wishing to start on a career in the Healthcare Industry are unable to gain such experience without first being hired.
CRAcademyThe Healthcare Industry is currently experiencing the effects of a global shortage of qualified and experienced clinical research professionals – and this situation has evolved into the industry’s very own version of ‘Catch 22’. While employers are looking to hire candidates who are alread…

Depression is the most common mental disorder worldwide affecting around 120 million people globally. The depression market is the largest segment of the CNS market with global sales of US$15.5 billion in 2003 although this figure is dropping as generic equivalents of past blockbusters are launched. Although the depression market has matured, key areas of unmet clinical need will have to be addressed in order to drive further growth of the market. These include improvements in the safety/tolerab
  Depression is the most common mental disorder worldwide affecting around 120 million people globally. The depression market is the largest segment of the CNS market with global sales of US$15.5 billion in 2003 although this figure is dropping as generic equivalents of past blockbusters are la…

According to the WHO, 350-400 million individuals are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Chronic infection with hepatitis viruses causes cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, both devastating diseases with few treatments and the demand for effective treatments for hepatitis infection is therefore high. Lamivudine dominates first-line therapy for HBV (see our feature on hepatitis B & C). Gilead's Adefovir prodrug (Hepsera) represent a second line option although nephrotoxici
According to the WHO, 350-400 million individuals are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Chronic infection with hepatitis viruses causes cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, both devastating diseases with few treatments and the demand for effective treatments for hepatitis inf…

Beta blockers reduce heart rate and myocardial contractility thereby reducing myocardial work load. Diastolic perfusion time is also lengthened by beta blockers supporting the use of this drug class as acute and chronic treatment following myocardial infarction. Studies have demonstrated that beta blockers can reduce total mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction and sudden death in patients who have already suffered a myocardial infarction by 20-30%. Despite the potential benefit of beta block
  Beta blockers reduce heart rate and myocardial contractility thereby reducing myocardial work load. Diastolic perfusion time is also lengthened by beta blockers supporting the use of this drug class as acute and chronic treatment following myocardial infarction. Studies have demonstrated that…

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems. In particular lupus nephritis claim a significant number of lives. More than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year. It is estimated that 500,000 to 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with lupus. Current treatments focus
  Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems. In particular lupus ne…

Imagine the benefits of working for a global organisation which turns over over £4 billion per year worldwide but is primarily family owned and complete with family values? This is exactly what Merck offers.
Company in View The best of both worlds – A global Organisation with family values Imagine the benefits of working for a global organisation which turns over £4.5 billion per year worldwide but is primarily family owned and complete with family values?  This is exactly what Merck offers. Merck, (not to be confused with MSD) is a company with over 34,000 employees, working in 55 countries, producing a financial output which places it as a major player in the world wide market.  The future pipeline is impressive with new products to be launched in key growth areas of Oncology…

Bipolar affective disorder – previously referred to as manic depression – is a psychiatric disorder affecting at least 1% of the UK population, and depending on the definition used, may affect as many as 5% of the population. A recent World Health Organization analysis of the major global causes of disability, economic and social burden, indicated that bipolar affective disorders are ranked in the top ten, and account for 2.5% of total years lost to disability across all age groups.
Bipolar affective disorder – previously referred to as manic depression – is a psychiatric disorder affecting at least 1% of the UK population, and depending on the definition used, may affect as many as 5% of the population. A recent World Health Organization analysis of the major global causes of disability, e…

The oncology market is the third largest pharmaceutical market, behind the cardiovascular and CNS therapy areas, and is currently experiencing strong growth. Worth an estimated $35 billion in 2003, analysts predict that the sector will grow to $60 billion by 2010, yielding a compound annual growth rate of 8% over this period. Major changes are however occurring in the oncology market. Cytotoxics, a cornerstone of oncology, are reaching patent expiry and the last cytotoxic genericization is expec
Emerging oncology treatments: A focus on targeted therapeutics, supergeneric reformulations and supportive care (LeadDiscovery Special Feature - February, 2005) The oncology market is the third largest pharmaceutical market, behind the cardiovascular and CNS therapy areas, and is currently experienc…

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, known collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) currently affects 0.5-1% of the Western world’s population. This translates to over one million people in America (525,000 Ulcerative Colitis, 490,000 Crohn's Disease) and four million people worldwide. Sufferers experience a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain resulting in weight loss as well as other extraintestinal manifestation such as skin and
Emerging treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Febuary, 2005- Source LeadDiscovery) Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, known collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) currently affects 0.5-1% of the Western world’s population. This translates to over one million people in Amer…

Dementia currently affects over 750,000 people in the UK, with 650,000 new cases arising each year across the European Union. Alzheimer’s disease is the major cause of dementia and accounts for about 55% of all cases. It is a progressive, degenerative disease which affects memory, judgement, orientation, behaviour and language skills, and can place an enormous stress on family caregivers, 49% of whom are over 70 years of age.
Dementia currently affects over 750,000 people in the UK, with 650,000 new cases arising each year across the European Union. Alzheimer’s disease is the major cause of dementia and accounts for about 55% of all cases. It is a progressive, degenerative disease which affects memory, judgement, orientation, behaviour and language skills, and can place an enormous stress…

A significant rise in sales of InterMune's hepatitis drug Infergen, from $9.3 million in 2003 to $22.3 million in 2004, is the result of the company's focus on marketing Infergen to HCV non-responders. In targeting this vital patient sub-group, InterMune could gain a useful head start in an area of hepatitis treatment that is set to become fiercely competitive in the years ahead.
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is four times more common than HIV infection, and chronic HCV infection (CHC) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality due to CHC-associated liver cirrhosis and cancer. Between 170-200 million individuals are estimated to be infected worldwide, with a prevalence of approximately 7.5 million in the seven major markets and 2.7 million in the alone, according…

Five million adult asthmatics may have predominantly neutrophilic inflammation. Whilst this phenotype is usually associated with severe asthma, it may be more prevalent across the range of disease severities than originally thought. The emergence of this phenotype in asthma raises important implications for treatment practice.
Severe asthma is a term that encompasses patients with a steroid-resistant, irreversible, refractory, brittle, near fatal and difficult-to-control or poorly controlled condition. Both genetic and environmental elements are likely to play an important role in the development of severe disease, although it is unclear what is the most important factor in its development. Although many asthmatics have been severely affected for most of their lives, there appears to be a…

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems. In particular lupus nephritis claim a significant number of lives. More than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year. It is estimated that 500,000 to 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with lupus. Current treatments focus
Esai's retinoic acid (RAR)-alpha receptor agonist as a candidate therapy for the treatment of lupus nephritis Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a…