Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that accelerates the rate at which your skin cells grow. An effective method to treat psoriasis is phototherapy or light therapy.
Psoriasis is an auto-immune illness that affects almost three percent of the world's population. People who suffer from psoriasis experience a great deal of skin irritation and discomfort.
Parijatak Ayurveda is a renowned Ayurvedic clinic in Nagpur that gives you the best knee pain treatment in Ayurveda. A right combination of therapies and medicines work to release the underlying cause of the pain and provide long-lasting relief from morning stiffness and all sort of knee pain.
Scotland has become the world's first country to introduce a simple blood test for Type 1 diabetes patients, enabling them to stop taking insulin by improving the accuracy of diagnosis.
The routine C-peptide test, introduced today (November 1), will allow doctors to know how much insulin someone with diabetes is making themselves.
The roll-out of test follows a two-year pilot study in NHS Lothian led by diabetes and endocrinology consultant Professor Mark Strachan.
Strachan said: "C-peptide helps diabetes specialists make a more accurate diagnosis of the cause of diabetes, and that means we can get people on the most appropriate treatment. In some instances, C-peptide testing allowed people to stop very long-standing insulin therapy; this can be life-transforming."
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has issued an advisory information to community pharmacy contractors about Paxlovid antiviral treatment for
non-hospitalised patients.
"Patients will be assessed to see if they meet the criteria for inclusion and will need careful checking to see if Paxlovid therapy is safe due to the significant
number of drug interactions. Assessment and prescribing are provided via dedicated services with dispensing and supply arranged by the central supply service or
via participating community pharmacies," said the PDA.
Every pharmacist can support this service by making themselves familiar with the service set up in their area. This is so that they can provide advice and signpost
to healthcare colleagues and patients.
Pharmacists working in general practice may also be able to help with identifying newly diagnosed highest risk patients. Whilst most of this group should have
already been identified and contacted, no system is entirely foolproof.
The PDA's advisory note provides information around indemnity and links to information about the prescribing and administration of Paxlovid since it is being
provided under a temporary authorisation, and is subject to numerous drug-drug interactions, and is a recommended first-line treatment.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has welcomed the Health Secretary Sajid Javid's plan to appoint Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) tsar to tackle the medicine shortages.
On Sunday (April 24) Sajid Javid told the Mail that he planned to tackle the problem (shortage of HRT medicine) by appointing a new HRT tsar with the role modelled on that of Kate Bingham, who successfully led the government's Covid vaccine taskforce.
"The difficulties in accessing HRT medicine have unfairly impacted women's mental health," said RPS President, Professor Claire Anderson.
"I look forward to working with this new champion for HRT and the Government on how we can better support women's health, building on the positive move to reduce
prescription charges for HRT for women."
Anderson also stressed that "the Government should now go further and end unfair prescription charges for patients in England altogether."
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has rejected the use of olaparib on the NHS for treatment of adults with hormone-relapsed prostate cancer with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations which has spread to other parts of the body.
In a draft guidance issued today (January 5) NICE said evidence around the drug made by AstraZeneca was uncertain and approving it would not be a good use of NHS funds.
Current treatment for metastatic prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy is chemotherapy with docetaxel, cabazitaxel, or radium 223 dichloride - a
treatment option for people with symptomatic bone metastases who have already had docetaxel or cannot have it.
NICE said: "Clinical trial evidence showed that people taking olaparib have more time before their disease gets worse, and live longer overall, than people having retreatment with abiraterone or enzalutamide. However, retreatment with abiraterone or enzalutamide is not considered effective and is not standard care in the NHS.
An independent committee at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed a menu of options to treat depression in adults.
The first guideline to identify, treat and manage depression has been created after looking at the evidence of treatment on various aspects of depression.
The guideline allows patients to select the best suited cure for them through a shared decision-making process between them and their healthcare practitioner.
Patients with less severe depression can choose a first-line treatment option from the menu, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exercise, counselling or
psychotherapy.
Similarly, those with a severe depression can select from a range of psychological interventions and antidepressant medication.
As per data released by the Office of National Statistics, around 17 per cent of people aged 16 years and over in Great Britain experienced some form of depression in summer 2021, higher than the previous year.
A pioneering study by UCL researchers has found that just three minutes of exposure to deep red light once a week, when delivered in the morning, can significantly improve declining eyesight.
Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the study builds on the team's previous work, which showed daily three-minute exposure to longwave deep red light 'switched on' energy-producing mitochondria cells in the human retina, helping boost naturally declining vision.
For this latest study, scientists wanted to establish what effect a single three-minute exposure would have, while also using much lower energy levels than their previous studies.
Furthermore, building on separate UCL research in flies that found mitochondria display 'shifting workloads' depending on the time of day, the team compared
morning exposure to afternoon exposure.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says initial tests of the antibody-based Covid-19 therapy it is developing with US partner Vir suggest the drug is effective against
the Omicron variant.
A GSK statement on Thursday (December 2) said that lab tests and a study on hamsters have demonstrated the sotrovimab antibody cocktail to work against viruses
that were bio-engineered to carry a number of hallmark mutations of the new variant.
The tests are continuing to confirm the results against all of the Omicron mutations, with an update expected by the end of the year, it added.
The antibody is designed to latch on to the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus, but Omicron has been found to have an unusually high amount of mutations on that protein.
"Sotrovimab was deliberately designed with a mutating virus in mind," said Vir chief executive George Scangos, adding that the drug was targeting a region of the spike protein that was highly unlikely to mutate.
To help the pharmacists understand the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for three Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products that was recently announced by
the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)'s, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has shared top tips on the correct SSP endorsement and
submission requirements.
Top Tips by PSNC for pharmacists on HRT SSPs:
Always double check that endorsements reflect the requirements outlined in the supporting guidance published for each SSP on the dedicated page of the NHSBSA's
website.
When endorsing using EPS, contractors are reminded to select the SSP endorsement and input the correct three-digit reference number leaving a space in between 'SSP'
and the three-digit reference number for example, SSP 019. Remember to insert the leading zero in the three digit reference number.
Each of the affected HRT medicines has its own SSP reference number. Check that the correct SSP number is endorsed for e.g. for Oestrogel® Pump-Pack 0.06% gel the
SSP endorsement should be 'SSP 019'. Please note the 'NCSO' endorsement is no longer accepted for SSPs.
Endorse the SSP product dispensed including the quantity. Ensure your endorsements are accurate and clear - NHSBSA processing staff must be able to determine what
has been supplied. Contractors should note that SSP claims submitted using EPS tokens are no longer permitted.
In the parliamentary drop-in-event hosted by Community Pharmacy England last week, Members of Parliament (MPs) questioned the Health Secretary on the rising
issue of medicines supply.
"Eighteen community pharmacists in my constituency are reporting challenges on medicine supplies. What more is the Minister going to do to get a grip of this
situation?", Mike Amesbury MP for Weaver Vale, who was present at the event last week, asked the Health Secretary.
In his response, the Health Secretary, Steve Barclay MP said: "We have a long-standing team in the Department focused on medical supplies, which are a continual
issue; as a matter of routine business, there are often challenges in that area."
The Shadow Pharmacy Minister, Karin Smyth MP, also asked: "People across the country rely on local, accessible pharmacies, but whether it is high street closures
or supply problems leading to the absurd situation where women are phoning or visiting multiple pharmacies for a prescribed dose of hormone replacement therapy and
other drugs…They have repeatedly announced plans to expand the role of community pharmacies but have failed to update legislation that could possibly help. … Why
will they not do so?
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the marketing authorisation of Adtralza, a dermatological solution developed
by Danish specialist LEO Pharma. This injectable solution contains 300 mg of tralokinumab in a 2 mL pre-filled pen and will be available for tralokinumab patients
in the UK from early 2024.
Tralokinumab is indicated for treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult and adolescent patients aged 12 and older who require systemic therapy, Leo
Pharma said in a statement. It is a fully human monoclonal antibody developed to specifically bind to and inhibit the IL-13 cytokine. Previously, it was available
in a 150 mg in 1 mL pre-filled syringe.
According to Leo Pharma, the 300 mg tralokinumab in a 2 mL pre-filled pen offers a streamlined administration for both patients and prescribers. It begins with an
initial 600 mg dose in two injections, followed by a single 300 mg maintenance dose administered every other week.
"We're pleased that this simplified administration method for tralokinumab will soon benefit eligible atopic dermatitis patients in the UK. It aligns with our
commitment to elevate the standard of care and support for individuals with skin conditions," said Leanne Walsh, Vice President and General Manager of UK and
Ireland at LEO Pharma.
The life cycle management company, Pharmanovia, has appointed Nivedita Valentine as associate vice president of Product Innovation.
Ms Valentine will oversee the company's product innovation operations and decision-making as Pharmanovia continues to focus efforts on both, identifying new
prospects to enhance lifecycle management of its brands through incremental innovation. She will report to interim chief scientific officer Stephen Deacon and
help bridge unmet patient needs with the help of novel therapies, originating both from in-house development and through partnerships.
Ms Valentine currently holds positions on the value-added medicines committee within Medicines for Europe and the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium
(IRDiRC) Task Force on Drug Repurposing Guidebook.
Pharmanovia CEO Dr James Burt commented: "Digitalisation and utilising the latest technological innovation are notable areas of acceleration within the pharma
industry and Nivedita's appointment will ensure iconic brands will continue to be improved, supported, and used sustainably.
British drug discovery company C4X Discovery said AstraZeneca had signed a licence worth up $402 million to develop an oral therapy for the treatment of
inflammatory and respiratory diseases using its NRF2 Activator programme.
The Manchester-based company said on Monday (November 28) it would receive pre-clinical milestone payments worth up to $16 million ahead of the first clinical trial,
including $2 million upfront.
In addition, C4XD said it would receive a further potential $385.8 million in clinical development and commercial milestones and tiered mid-single digit royalties
upon commercialisation of any treatment.
Novartis on Wednesday (February 1) predicted that core operating income would grow in a "mid single digit" percentage range in 2023 following stagnation last
year, as the Swiss drugmaker prepares to spin off its Sandoz generics business.
Full-year core operating income was broadly flat at $16.7 billion, it said in a statement, coming in slightly below market expectations of $16.8 billion.
Adjusted for overall negative currency effects, group sales in 2022 advanced 4 per cent to $50.5 billion as gains from heart failure drug Entresto and multiple
sclerosis (MS) drug Kesimpta were partly offset by competition from cheap generic copies of established MS drug Gilenya.
Novartis said it was on track to spin off its generics unit Sandoz in the second half of the year as part of its effort to sharpen its focus on its patented
prescription medicines.
Analysts have welcomed a programme unveiled in 2022 to trim costs and cut 8,000 jobs and plans to focus on fewer therapy areas and drug technologies. But the market
has been underwhelmed by prospects for medium-term growth from new drugs.
Women in the UK will be able to purchase Gina 10 mg vaginal tablets without prescription from September from their local pharmacies, announced the Medicines
and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) product, Gina 10 microgram vaginal tablets (containing estradiol) are used for the treatment of vaginal symptoms such as
dryness, soreness, itching, burning and uncomfortable sex caused by oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women aged 50 years and above who have not had a period
for at least one year.
The decision to reclassify these vaginal tablets follows a safety review by the MHRA, independent advice from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), and a public
consultation.
The UK regulator sought views from patients, pharmacists, prescribers and a wide range of stakeholders including the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, the British Pharmacopoeia Commission and the British Menopause Society.
A new study by the University of East Anglia has found that giving out 'vape starter kit vouchers' on the NHS could help even hardened smokers quit.
In the recent study, researchers worked with GPs and the 'NHS stop smoking service', commissioned locally by Public Health at Norfolk County Council, to set up a
pilot 'vape shop voucher' scheme (worth £25 each) to help patients who had tried but failed to stub it out in the past.
An evaluation of the scheme, funded by Norfolk County Council, showed it was a big success - with 42 per cent of the entrenched smokers who were referred to it and
redeemed their vape voucher having quit within a month.
After the success of the pilot, the scheme has been rolled out across Norfolk and the research team hope it could be rolled out nationally to help more smokers quit.
Lead researcher and addiction expert Prof Caitlin Notley, from the UEA's Norwich Medical School, said: "Research shows that vaping is an effective way of quitting
smoking, compared to nicotine replacement therapies like patches and gum. E-cigarettes or vapes are now the most popular way of stopping smoking.
Mental health issues are very common, and one in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. Unfortunately, many people do not seek
treatment because they are embarrassed or ashamed. However, there is no need to be ashamed - mental health problems are just like any other medical condition.
Treatment options include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. In this blog post, we will discuss the top ways medications can help in treating mental health
issues. We will also dispel some of the myths about mental health medications.
MENTAL HEALTH MEDICATIONS CAN REDUCE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Mental health medications can be very effective in treating mental illness. In fact, they can be just as effective as medications for physical health conditions.
Mental health medications can help to reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and prevent relapses. They are also legal psychedelic medicine that have been shown to
be helpful in treating mental illness. For example, ketamine has been shown to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Some people worry that taking mental health medication will make them feel like a different person. However, this is not the case. Mental health medications can help
you to feel like yourself again. They can also help you to function better in your everyday life.
If you have recently been diagnosed with hearing loss, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. You are not alone - millions of people
around the world are living with hearing loss. The good news is that there are many resources available to help you learn how to manage your condition and live a
full life. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common issues that people with hearing loss face and provide tips on how to handle them.
HANDLING ISSUES FROM HEARING LOSS - HOW TO DO IT PROPERLY
Hearing loss is certainly a difficult obstacle to face in life, but it doesn't have to stop you from living a full and rich life. Of course, hearing loss comes with
its own set of unique challenges, but there are ways to manage them. From learning what hearing aids are the best for you to communicate with loved ones, to the
different types of therapies available, we're here to help you find the answers you need. Generally speaking, there are four main issues that people with hearing
loss face; Isolation, communication difficulties, feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, and depression. Unfortunately, each of these "consequences" will likely get
worse if hearing loss is not managed early on. Here are some tips on how to handle each one:
Being accepted and appearing attractive has always been among the most coveted goals in the world, which has given rise to the multibillion-dollar cosmetic
and beauty industry. Fairy stories have been written about everlasting charm, and battles have been waged over attaining beauty. For the most part throughout history,
people have continuously sought ways to improve their features using natural materials, and as technology advanced, they began to use technical methods like light
therapy to accomplish the same goal.
Chains of cosmetic clinics have sprouted up as a result of advances in technology and cosmetic materials, providing a variety of techniques to slow down the aging
process or improve our appearance. So how can you set up your own beauty treatment and plastic surgery clinic to take advantage of this rapidly expanding market?
Here are some pieces of advice!
FIND QUALITY EQUIPMENT
Your success depends on securing the greatest tools available for skin care and plastic surgery. Good quality equipment is a complete solution for distinguishing
yourself from the competition. The initial step would be to locate different vendors. Using criteria like the cost of the equipment and replacement parts, the
vendor's training, the company's reputation, the after-sales services, yearly maintenance, system performance, warranty, and extended warranties, you may narrow
down your list of recommended suppliers. When selecting the appropriate medical supplies and equipment for your clinic, keep your budget in mind.
