Medical comms - Articles

DailyUpdates 5th May: As the battle lines are drawn up between gabapentin and its generic equivalents, research published by Turkish researchers suggests that the first-line use of these therapeutics in the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury will represent one battle in the war between Pfizer and its competitors.
DailyUpdates 5th May: As the battle lines are drawn up between gabapentin and its generic equivalents, research published by Turkish researchers suggests that the first-line use of these therapeutics in the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury will represent one battle in the war between Pfizer and its competitors. Approximately 26 million patients worldwide (10 million in the ) suffer from some form of neuropathic pain…

DailyUpdates 29th April: Cancer pain affects over 3 million people in the US alone. The treatment of this condition, whether it is due to bone metastasis or a result of the use of cytotoxic therapies is challenging. Researchers from McGill University have now demonstrated that ethosuximide, an anti-epileptic and relatively selective T-type calcium channel blocker, is highly effective in reversing neuropathic pain caused by the commonly employed cytotoxics paclitaxel or vincristine. This contr

DailyUpdates 22nd April: Phase III studies have previously shown Merkle’s first in the class COX/LOX inhibitor, Licofelone, to be equally effective to standard treatments of osteoarthritis. Moreover, gastrointestinal adverse events tended to be less frequent in patients treated with licofelone as compared to naproxen. In this month’s edition of the American Journal of Gastroenterology new data is published showing clear cut advantages of licofelone arising from the dramatic reduction in incide
DailyUpdates 22nd April: Phase III studies have previously shown Merkle’s first in the class COX/LOX inhibitor, Licofelone, to be equally effective to standard treatments of osteoarthritis.  Moreover, gastrointestinal adverse events tended to be less frequent in patients treated with licof…

DailyUpdates 20th April: An estimated 5 million individuals suffer from rheumatoid arthritis in the Western world. CB1 cannabinoid receptor ligands are in development as candidate treatments of this disease due to their analgesic properties. Now researchers from the Hebrew University and the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology in London have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, disease modifying efficacy of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, HU-320 in a model of rheumatoid arthritis.
DailyUpdates 20th April: An estimated 5 million individuals suffer from rheumatoid arthritis in the Western world.  CB1 cannabinoid receptor ligands are in development as candidate treatments of this disease due to their analgesic properties.  Now researchers from the Hebrew University and the Ken…

DailyUpdates 19th April: NSAIDs have shown promising activity in the prevention and possible treatment of cancer. The French pharmaceutical NicOx has successfully improved both the safety and efficacy of NSAIDs by attaching a nitric oxide donor group to various NSAIDs. In a recent study nitrosulindac has been demonstrated to act as an effective and selective cytotoxic and antiproliferative agent against bladder cancer cells. The efficacy of nitrosulindac was considerable better than sulindac.
DailyUpdates 19th April: NSAIDs have shown promising activity in the prevention and possible treatment of cancer.  The French pharmaceutical NicOx has successfully improved both the safety and efficacy of NSAIDs by attaching a nitric oxide donor group to various NSAIDs.  In a recent s…

DailyUpdates 16th April: RNA interference is emerging as a major tool to help researchers identify new therapeutic targets. Novartis researchers have recently used this technology to underline the role that the ligand activated cation-channel, P2X3 plays in neuropathic pain. This study also demonstrates the therapeutic potential of P2X3 gene silencing in the treatment of this major unmet area of analgesia.
DailyUpdates 16th April: RNA interference is emerging as a major tool to help researchers identify new therapeutic targets.  Novartis researchers have recently used this technology to underline the role that the ligand activated cation-channel, P2X3 plays in neuropathic pain.  This study also demonstrates the therapeutic potential of P2X3 gene silencing in t…

DailyUpdates 14th April: Neuropathic pain affects 26 million patients including a sub-population of cancer patients being treated with cytotoxics. McGill researchers have published the results of a study looking at neuropathic pain in various strains of mice. These data show that neuropathic pain has a genetic component suggested to be equally relevant to paclitaxel and surgically-induced pain. The study also advances the use of paclitaxel-induced hyperalgesia as a model for the development o
DailyUpdates 14th April: Neuropathic pain affects 26 million patients including a sub-population of cancer patients being treated with cytotoxics.  McGill researchers have published the results of a study looking at neuropathic pain in various strains of mice.  These data show that ne…

DailyUpdates 13th April: According to WHO, there are some 130 million diagnosed diabetics in the world, a figure that is predicted to increase to 300 million by 2025. Approximately 10-15% of these patients suffer type 1 diabetes. Novo Nordisk have shown that their Kir6.2/SUR1 channel opener, NN414 is able to preserve beta-cell function and reduction of insulitis presumable through the induction of "beta-cell rest".
DailyUpdates 13th April: According to WHO, there are some 130 million diagnosed diabetics in the world, a figure that is predicted to increase to 300 million by 2025. Approximately 10-15% of these patients suffer type 1 diabetes. Novo Nordisk have shown that their Kir6.2/SUR1 channel opener, NN414 is able to preserve beta-cell function and reduction of insulitis presumable…

DailyUpdates 8th April: An estimated 5 million individuals suffer from rheumatoid arthritis in the Western world. Corticosteroids are the most dramatically effective short-term anti-inflammatory drugs; however, their clinical benefit for rheumatoid arthritis often diminishes with time. This, the severe rebounds observed following the withdrawal of corticosteroids, and long-term systemic side effects associated with corticosteroids limits their use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Rese
DailyUpdates 8th April: An estimated 5 million individuals suffer from rheumatoid arthritis in the Western world.  Corticosteroids are the most dramatically effective short-term anti-inflammatory drugs; however, their clinical benefit for rheumatoid arthritis often diminishes with time.&nb…

DailyUpdates 7th April: A recent survey of community-dwelling women in France, Germany, Spain and the UK found that 35% women suffer urinary incontinence, the most prevalent form of which was stress urinary incontinence. The findings also revealed that two-thirds of women affected with urinary incontinence never consulted a health care professional for treatment. The perceived and real lack of pharmaceutical options for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence is a major factor contributing
DailyUpdates 7th April: A recent survey of community-dwelling women in France, Germany, Spain and the UK found that 35% women suffer urinary incontinence, the most prevalent form of which was stress urinary incontinence. The findings also revealed that two-thirds of women af…

DailyUpdates 6th April: According to WHO, there are some 130 million diagnosed diabetics in the world and the long term consequences of diabetes such as diabetic nephropathy are becoming increasingly frequent and unmet components of diabetes care. In a recent study Glasgow Royal Infirmary researchers report that intensive treatment slowed progression of renal disease within 2 years in patients with established diabetic nephropathy and predict that this approach may delay the onset of dialysis b
New data shows that intensive treatment of diabetes may lower coexistent hypertension and delay renal dialysis by up to 20 years   DailyUpdates 6th April: According to WHO, there are some 130 million diagnosed diabetics in the world and the long term consequences of diabetes such as diabetic n…

DailyUpdates 5th April: There is growing evidence of a link between type-2 diabetes/obesity and Alzheimer disease. Researchers now report that diet-induced insulin resistance increases beta amyloid generation, amyloid plaque burden in the brain and behavioural impairment in a model of Alzheimer disease.
DailyUpdates 5th April: There is growing evidence of a link between type-2 diabetes/obesity and Alzheimer disease.  Researchers now report that diet-induced insulin resistance increases beta amyloid generation,  amyloid plaque burden in the brain and behavioural impairment in a model of Alzheimer disease.  The aging population will contribute to an expansion of the already $30 billion neurodegenerative market. The market for Alzheimer disease therapy i…

DailyUpdates 1st April: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is estimated to affect over 73 million people in the seven major pharmaceutical markets. Disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) currently represent the ‘holy grail’ in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The Group for the Respect of Ethics and Excellence in Science (GREES) have now published recommendations on the clinical development of DMOADs.
GREES publish new recommendations on the clinical development of disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) DailyUpdates 1st April: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is estimated to affect over 73 million people in the seven major pharmaceutical markets. Disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) currently represent the ‘ho…

a Bristol based Biochemical Company, says it has invented a new sprayable antibacterial disinfectant agent, to be launched under the name of D-Stroy, that can kill the hospital superbug MRSA and TB.
Greenbridge, a based Biochemical Company, says it has invented a new sprayable antibacterial disinfectant agent, to be launched under the name of D-Stroy, that can kill the hospital superbug MRSA and TB. Greenbridge claims their product will revolutionise hospital hygiene. The news comes after a study commissioned by the company revealed that the is at risk of a severe epidemic of MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureas. Lethal traces of the superbug were found in many public places, the authors of the study claimed. It is feared that the bug could kill up to 150,000 hospital pat…

According to research by market analyst, Datamonitor, pharmaceutical companies drug promotion spends are on an upward spiral.
According to research by market analyst, Datamonitor, pharmaceutical companies drug promotion spends are on an upward spiral. This is an important part of the marketing mix and should not be overlooked, however, new research suggests that companies’ spends on promotion are increasing faster than the proportionate rate of sales, and this is bad news for their return on investment (ROI). In an increasingly competitive market place, clearly, those companies with superior promotion skills will achieve a greater share of the market.   To enhance their promotional “reach” and reduce in house costs, pharmaceutical companies will often also use a communications agency.…

Which ever side of the desk you’re on you will be familiar with the principle of the trade-off between the cost of recruitment and the cost of failure to recruit the right person – never more in the spotlight than now.
A few points to consider when choosing a consultancy for either your PSL or a one-off assignment, compiled by Nigel Haigh, founder in 1989 of Haigh Recruitments Consultants, specialists in recruitment within Healthcare Communications.   What’s the Strategy?   “The management of any and all the strategies, processes, procedures and technologies that facilitates, supports or communicates the sales and marketing function with the customer, can now be identified as Customer Relationship Marketing”. What, I hear you ask, has a definition of CRM to do with the sele…