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The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has initiated a recall of three batches of Quantum Pharmaceutical's Diltiazem HCl 2% Cream, which is an unlicensed medicine. MHRA issued a precautionary recall of the cream due to a change in the product's appearance that affected its thickness. Pharmacists are instructed to halt supply, quarantine remaining stock, and contact Quantum Pharmaceutical to return affected batches M1402497, M1402574, and M1402680. Patients using this product may encounter application issues with the cream due to its consistency. However, MHRA said that this has not impacted the product's effectiveness or posed any risk to patient safety. The MHRA also reported that medac GmbH (t/a medac Pharma LLP) is conducting a recall of two batches of Sodiofolin 50 mg/ml solution for injection/infusion (400mg/8ml vial) with batch numbers G220393B and G220393C. This class 2 medicines recall is a result of particles detected during long-term stability tests.

Following centuries of stigma, the importance of mental wellness is finally matching that of physical healthcare. Conditions such as depression have become common topics in the media, particularly in the last few years as celebrities and experts warned against the pressures of social media. The bouts of isolation connected with the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue, with the British Medical Association declaring a UK mental health crisis at the end of 2022. This media attention has led to acknowledgement of the realities of mental health problems from the government and medical sector, and a recognition that these need to be approached differently to physical ailments when it comes to providing treatment. If you are motivated to be involved in this rapidly changing industry, consider these rewarding business ideas for developing a career in mental health. Become a counsellor Counselling is a broad term, but essentially it is the practice of having impartial conversation with patients about their life experiences with a view to overcoming emotional obstacles and trauma. Training can take three to five years depending on whether you are getting a degree or diploma, and there are many opportunities to specialise both during and after your education. Psychotherapy is a similar field, but this is a more academically focused course that tends to be concerned with long-term or particularly complex mental health issues. You will need a post-graduate qualification and several years of training to become certified.

British health officials on Wednesday (September 28) warned that increased circulation of flu and a resurgence in Covid-19 could lead to a difficult winter that increases pressure on the already stretched NHS. Warnings over a possible "twindemic" of Covid-19 and flu have been issued each winter since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, but Covid restrictions that limited social contact have meant flu levels stayed low. However, the government ended coronavirus restrictions earlier this year, meaning that social contact rates have returned to near pre-pandemic norms while immunity to flu is relatively low. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that given the risk it was important those eligible took up vaccines against Covid and flu. "There are strong indications we could be facing the threat of widely circulating flu, lower levels of natural immunity due to less exposure over the last three winters and an increase in Covid-19 circulating," said Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at UKHSA.

In partnership with the Prescription Charges Coalition (PCC), the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has taken a significant step by urging political leaders to abolish prescription charges for individuals with long-term conditions. Tase Oputu, Chair of the RPS England Pharmacy Board, signed an open letter on Thursday, calling on party leaders to address this pressing issue. The letter emphasises the outdated nature of the current exemption list, which forces individuals with chronic conditions like Parkinson's, cystic fibrosis, and HIV to bear the cost of their essential medications. It urges party leaders to urgently review and update the exemption list to ensure equitable access to necessary medicines. "Nobody should face a financial barrier to accessing the medicines they need," Oputu stated.

"Our main concerns are that the use of what they call an asynchronous supply, where the prescriber neither sees nor talks to the patient at the time they issue the prescription, does lay itself open to perhaps people getting hold of medication that they shouldn't," the Head of Policy, PDA said. The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) engages in a critical conversation on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, shedding light on the online prescribing of weight loss drugs and advocating for safer practices. The PDA's spokesperson, Head of Policy Alima Batchelor, emphasised the importance of adhering to professional guidelines to ensure patient safety and mitigate regulatory concerns. During the feature, the PDA highlighted the complexities and risks associated with online supply chains, stressing the necessity for direct clinical consultations and pharmacist involvement in medication management. ""There are guidelines and advice about verification within the DiCE guidance, but it doesn't go quite far enough for us. We are concerned when patients decline to allow the online prescriber to advise their GP of what they're taking," Batchelor highlighted.

Britain called on Sunday (November 21) for international action on the issue of medical devices such as oximeters that work better on people with lighter skin, saying the disparities may have cost lives of ethnic minority patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Health secretary Sajid Javid said he had commissioned a review of the issue after learning that oximeters, which measure blood oxygen levels and are key to assessing Covid patients, give less accurate readings for patients with darker skin. "This is systemic across the world. This is about a racial bias in some medical instruments. It's unintentional but it exists and oximeters are a really good example of that," Javid said during an interview with the BBC. Asked whether people may have died of Covid-19 as a result of the flaw, Javid said: "I think possibly yes. I don't have the full facts." He said the reason for the discrepancies was that a lot of medical devices, drugs, procedures and textbooks were put together in white majority countries.

We all know that clothes can make us look and feel good. But did you know that they can also be used to relieve some common health issues? That's right - by choosing the right fabrics and materials, you can help alleviate conditions like skin irritations, back pain, and even headaches. So the next time you're feeling under the weather, reach for your wardrobe first - it just might hold the key to feeling better. COMPRESSION SOCKS FOR DIABETES Compression socks for diabetes have become an invaluable tool for people with diabetes to keep their lower legs healthy. Wearing compression socks can help increase circulation in diabetic patients, which is incredibly important for the health of their feet and ankles. Additionally, if the patient suffers from swelling or poor blood circulation - compression socks can help reduce those negative side effects. As a result of wearing these specialty socks, many diabetics are kept more comfortable and experience less fatigue in their legs throughout the day. With many different sizes and varieties available - it's easy for anyone suffering from diabetes to find the perfect pair of compression socks to suit their specific needs and lifestyle. There are various diabetic stockings designed for men and women. Take the time to find the right pair for you.

Drug addiction poses a serious challenge since it impacts one's physical and mental health. However, the good news is that individuals who complete a drug rehabilitation program can overcome this problem. If you are interested in providing rehab services, there are a couple of things you should know. Read on to learn how to operate a rehabilitation clinic flawlessly. KNOW THE NEEDS OF YOUR CLIENTS The main purpose of drug rehab is to help different people overcome addictions. It is designed to heal the body and mind from the negative effects of addiction. It also teaches the affected individuals to learn to live without using substances. Therefore, your first step is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of each client to formulate a personalized treatment plan. Everyone has unique needs in their recovery journey. Your rehab program can start with detox which is designed to rid the body of substances, although it does not treat addiction. The person affected undergoes different therapies during treatment. Therapy helps them deal with the issues that cause substance abuse and teach them healthier ways of life. Various therapies will be applied throughout the entire treatment process. Therefore, you must choose a suitable therapy for each individual. For instance, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy are the most common.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued draft guidance on 'Evusheld' which is not recommended for vulnerable adult with high risk of severe Covid-19 on Thursday (16 February). The draft guidance is open for public consultation until 9 March 2023. The committee will consider any comments received at a meeting currently due to take place on 4 April 2023. It comes after last month's decision by the US drug regulator to withdraw its emergency use authorisation for Evusheld as a preventative treatment for Covid-19, which said there was insufficient evidence that Evusheld is effective against the dominant variants of Covid-19 in the US. NICE's independent appraisal committee has reached the same conclusion having considered evidence which shows Evusheld is unlikely to prevent infection with most of the variants circulating in the UK now and in the near future. It has also announced that it is developing a new review process to update recommendations on the cost-effectiveness of Covid-19 treatments so they can be made available more quickly to patients if they show promise against new variants and are found to be cost-effective.

Danish drug developer Novo Nordisk on Wednesday (February 1) warned of supply constraints on its best-selling drug. The company, which develops diabetes and obesity drugs, said it expected "periodic supply constraints" this year, partly driven by higher than expected demand for its blockbuster diabetes drug, Ozempic, and manufacturing constraints. "Supply of Ozempic cannot keep up with demand in some markets," Novo's Chief Financial Officer Karsten Munk Knudsen told journalists on Wednesday, but said Ozempic was available in the United States, the firm's biggest single market. Shortages of human growth hormone would also cause sales in its rare disease franchise to drop by a "mid-single digit" percentage in 2023, as its Norditropin drug would be out of stock in certain markets, Knudsen said.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)'s independent committee has called for more research to ensure liposuction for treatment of chronic lipoedema is safe and effective enough for use on the NHS. Lipoedema is more prevalent in women and very rarely affects men. It is characterised by an abnormal, usually symmetrical, accumulation of fat in the legs, hips, buttocks, and occasionally arms. It is a separate condition to obesity and lymphoedema. The cause of lipoedema is unknown, but hormonal changes, weight gain and genetics are thought to be involved. The size and shape of legs, and the resultant mobility issues and pain, can have a profoundly negative effect on quality of life, and physical and mental health. The interventional procedures advisory committee reviewed evidence from several sources, including eight before-and-after studies. The committee was informed that several different liposuction techniques are used and that they may have different safety and efficacy profiles.

The incredible consequences that drug misuse has imposed on humans in the last few years make it one of the most pressing issues facing such nations. A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol often turns to these substances as a crutch while they're going through tough times. Taking the drug regularly becomes habitual since it provides short-term relief without permanently resolving the issue. An important part of becoming sober is learning to substitute better routines for the addict's old, harmful ones. These self-care routines and healthy habits are much better ways to deal with stress. Here we will explain how healthy behavior throughout addiction recovery is simply one of many methods to adapt to life after treatment. Physical Activity Scientific studies have shown that physical activity increases levels of two hormones. dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to better mood. A more positive outlook, restful sleep, and enhanced general health are all possible outcomes of these hormones. In the early stages of your rehabilitation, it is wise to start an exercise regimen that you have never done before. You may find new sober friends and interactions, as well as inspiration to improve your physical health, by connecting with other people who share your interests in physical activity. In the early stages of recovery, having sober friends may be really helpful since it allows you to connect with those who understand what you're going through. Friendships formed in early recovery often continue long after the addict has left the program, according to many people in recovery.

Weight loss drug Wegovy has transformed the obesity market and pharmaceutical companies with existing treatments are hoping the resulting demand will boost demand for their older, less effective but cheaper, drugs. A weekly injection of Wegovy, which was launched in the U.S. in June 2021, leads to an average weight loss of around 15%, alongside changes to diet and exercise. Its impact has captured the attention of patients, investors and even celebrities. But supply issues for Wegovy manufacturer Novo Nordisk means the Danish drugmaker has struggled to meet surging U.S. demand, delaying a launch in most of Europe. Insurers and some national governments have also baulked at its cost, while a minority of patients do not respond to it. Vivus and Currax Pharmaceuticals, U.S.-based developers whose treatments have been on the U.S. market for around a decade, hope to benefit from the attention and supply shortage. But scientists and investors say that lower efficacy plus side effects could continue to hold the treatments back.

British drugmaker GSK has signed deals with three companies allowing them to make inexpensive generic versions of its long-acting HIV preventive medicine for use in lower-income countries, where the majority of new HIV cases occur. The injected drug cabotegravir is approved by regulators in Britain and the United States. Last July, GSK announced a program with the United Nations-backed healthcare organisation, the Medicines Patent Pool, aiming to get poor countries access to new HIV therapies far earlier than they did for previous HIV medicines. During the HIV/AIDs epidemic in Africa in the 1990s and early 2000s, in which many millions of people died, treatments used widely in wealthy countries were unavailable on the continent. GSK said last year the new program could result in the generic form of its injection being available in lower-income countries beginning in 2026. The drugmaker's HIV treatment division, ViiV Healthcare, said in a statement on Wednesday it had issued voluntary licenses - waiving intellectual property rights - to Aurobindo, Cipla and Viatris, which will manufacture the generic versions of injectable cabotegravir.

Hospitals and healthcare providers across the UK have been notified about the shortage of an anti-inflammatory medicine caused by a manufacturing failure. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on Friday (3 May) issued a National Patient Safety Alert stating that Erelzi 50mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen will be out of stock from early May until mid-July 2024. "The supply issues have been caused by a manufacturing failure resulting in delays in production and the implementation of global allocations," it said. However, it noted that homecare providers (Alcura, Healthnet and Sciensus) have sufficient stock to supply existing patients until mid/late May 2024. Although Erelzi 50mg pre-filled syringes (PFS) are still available, they cannot support a full increase in demand, the DHSC warned.

Digestive issues such as constipation, dysphagia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be precursors of Parkinson's disease, according to research published in the journal Gut. Gastrointestinal symptoms are thought to precede the development of some cerebrovascular disease, including brain aneurysm or Alzheimer's disease, and it has been suggested (Braak's hypothesis) that gut conditions may precede the development of Parkinson's disease too. To test this hypothesis, researchers used data from a US nationwide medical record network (TriNetX) to compare 24,624 people who had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease of unknown cause with those who had been diagnosed with other neurological conditions - Alzheimer's disease (19,046) or cerebrovascular disease (23,942) - or with none of these (24,624; comparison group).

To help manage the ongoing supply disruptions, the health regulators have extended to 28 October 2022, serious shortage protocols (SSPs) for 12 of the 13 hormone replacement therapies (HRT). "The only HRT SSP set to expire on 29 July 2022 is for SSP021 Premique low dose 0.3mg/1.5mg modified-release tablets. After 29 July, there will be no need to restrict quantities of Premique tablets as its supply situation has now stabilised," said PSNC. In addition, the dose equivalence advice and endorsement guidance for SSP024 and SSP025 have been updated. SSP024 and SSP025 have been updated by DHSC to provide greater clarity to pharmacists on the dose equivalences to determine the appropriate quantity to supply. Pharmacists are asked to refer to the latest SSP versions and endorsement guidance published on NHSBSA's website.

In many rural areas and underserved neighborhoods, a critical issue is quietly emerging. Although often overlooked, its effects are extensive and significant. Countless individuals in these communities do not have sufficient access to dental care, confronting a harsh reality where a minor toothache can develop into a severe problem. This situation impacts more than just oral health; it also affects general well-being, job prospects, and even self-confidence. Recent studies reveal a startling picture of dental health disparities in these areas. Studies show that individuals residing in rural areas face a higher risk of tooth loss due to untreated decay and gum disease when compared to those living in urban areas with better access to dental care. Children miss school and adults miss work due to preventable dental problems. These statistics paint a bleak portrait of a healthcare gap that demands our immediate attention. Good dental health is not a luxury; it's a fundamental component of a healthy life. It contributes to our overall well-being, playing a role in preventing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. The consequences of neglecting oral health can be devastating, leading to pain, infection, and even systemic health issues.

We cannot deny the benefits and uses of regenerative medicines as they have been so in demand in recent times. One such effective medicine with a lot of potential health benefits is BPS-157. The peptide is thought to be extremely beneficial for those struggling with various neurological or health issues. Another medicine with the same beneficial effects is the Semax peptide. Well, the benefits of both these peptide-based medicines and their other aspects will be discussed in detail in this blog along with answering your question about the BPC-157 buy, Semax effects, and polypeptide. ALL ABOUT BPC-157: BPC-157, a pentadecapeptide consisting of 15 amino acids, is a synthetic peptide that is known for its positive effects on the human body. The peptide is derived from human gastric juice. A protein is present in the human gastric juice through which this peptide is derived and synthesized. It is called a Body Protection Protein as it exerts several therapeutic effects on the human body. Not only have health benefits or therapeutic effects, the peptide has healing and regeneration powers. It also helps in the preventing formation of gastric ulcers. This peptide is of great interest to researchers due to its numerous positive effects and benefits. DOSING LEVELS OF BPC-157: Not much about the dosing levels of BPC-157 has been researched yet but always try to concern the relevant persons before taking the medicine. The dosage of BPC-157 depends on the health and body conditions of the person taking it along with other related factors.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) today issued a draft guidance recommending dapagliflozin, sold under the brand name Forxiga among others, as an option for treating certain adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dapagliflozin belongs to a group of medicines called sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It is the first SGLT2 inhibitor to be recommended through NICE's technology appraisal process for CKD. Adding dapagliflozin to current standard care has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of having declining kidney function, end-stage kidney disease, or dying from causes related to the kidneys or cardiovascular system. "Dapagliflozin is a promising treatment for certain people with chronic kidney disease and it has the potential to increase the length of time before the disease gets worse," Meindert Boysen, deputy chief executive and director of the NICE Centre for Health Technology Evaluation, said.