New GSK raised its 2022 forecast for the second time this year, after third-quarter earnings and sales topped estimates, continuing its strong start as a
standalone prescription medicine and vaccine business since carving out its consumer health division Haleon.
After years of underperformance relative to its peers and missing out on the lucrative market for the first set of COVID-19 vaccines, GSK has delivered a string of
strong results.
The latest is led by a record quarter for its blockbuster shingles vaccine Shingrix and higher-than-expected revenue from its COVID therapy, Xevudy.
Having survived a revolt by activist investors Elliott and Bluebell last year, GSK's prospects have been boosted by clinical trial success, though concerns remain
around U.S. litigation over heartburn drug Zantac.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed in the United States against a raft of drugmakers over allegations the heartburn drug contains a probable carcinogen.
Pfizer said on Thursday (June 1) data from late-stage trials showed its experimental combination of antibiotics was effective in treating deadly infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
Deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs, have been on the rise globally, and health regulators have called for the development of newer
treatments as resistance to older antibiotics grows.
The late-stage studies compared the experimental combination of the antibiotics aztreonam-avibactam (ATM-AVI) and existing generic drug metronidazole with a
combination of two older antibiotics - meropenem and colistin - to treat complicated intra-abdominal infections and types of hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia occurs in patients at least two to three days after being admitted, or in those who have life-threatening lung infections with high
mortality rates and who are on mechanical breathing machines.
Pfizer said the data from the studies shows the antibiotic combination of ATM-AVI is effective and well-tolerated in treating infections caused by gram-negative
bacteria.
The cure rate in patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections with Pfizer's combination therapy, along with existing generic drug metronidazole, was 76.4%,
versus 74% using the other antibiotics.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has included Tibolone 2.5mg tablets (Livial) and Prasterone 6.5mg pessaries (Intrarosa) to the list of Hormone
Replacement Therapy (HRT).
It has updated the June 2023 Drug Tariff (Part XVI) to include these additional HRT medicines for which patients will be able to purchase an HRT PPC.
"HRT is the replacement of female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone in women to control symptoms of the menopause. Some medicines that are converted or break
down into oestrogen, progestogen or androgen hormones are prescribed for relief of menopausal symptoms. For the purposes of the HRT PPC these are included within
this definition of HRT," said DHSC.
National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not recommended 'Tirzepatide', also known as Mounjaro, developed by Eli Lilly, in its draft
guidance issued on Tuesday (27 June) for treating type 2 diabetes in adults alongside diet and exercise.
The independent NICE committee recognised the importance of new treatment options given that fewer than two-thirds of the adults with type 2 diabetes have adequate
glucose control when using current treatment options.
Evidence submitted to the committee from clinical trials showed the use of tirzepatide at any dose resulted in better glucose control and lower weight compared with
semaglutide or insulin therapy.
The weight reduction was more pronounced with higher doses of tirzepatide, while the effect on glucose levels seemed less dose-dependent. Similar effects were
observed against all GLP-1 receptor agonists in company's network meta-analysis, but this was uncertain.
The committee have asked the company to provide more data to address the uncertainties in the clinical evidence, when compared to all relevant alternative
treatments.
A group of pharmacists on Saturday (July 2) took part in this year's Pride in London parade, as the annual LGBTQ+ celebration returned to the capital after
three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Those who participated in the march called on the government to ban conversion therapy for all LGBT+ people, reform the Gender Recognition Act, and provide equal
protection for LGBT+ communities against hate crime.
The event which drew a crowd of a million people marked the 50th anniversary since the first ever parade in London in 1972.
Amandeep Doll, head of professional belonging at RPS, said: "It was a privilege to join in the recognition of the diversity of the LGBTQI+ community and our
profession, especially on such a historic occasion. Our group of pharmacists and allies from all parts of the country loved the excitement and buzz of the day."
Addiction is a complex disease that can be difficult to overcome. Many people don't realize how serious addiction is and often don't seek treatment until
it's too late. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it's important to learn as much as you can about the treatment process. This blog post
will discuss six vital things that you should know about addiction treatment.
RESEARCH THE VARIOUS TYPES OF TREATMENTS AVAILABLE
One of the first things you should do when considering addiction treatment is to research the different types of treatments available. There are many different
approaches to treating addiction, and it's important to find one that will work best for you or your loved one. Some common types of addiction treatments include
12-step programs, cognitive-behavioral therapy, detoxification, and medication-assisted treatment. The addiction treatment service providers behind Safe Harbor
Treatment Center suggest that you should also consider the length of treatment, as some programs are more intensive than others. It's important to remember that
no two people are the same, so what works for one person may not work for another. It's important to find a treatment that will address the underlying causes of
addiction and help the individual to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
AstraZeneca said on Thursday (June 30) that a combination of its cancer drug, Imfinzi, and chemotherapy showed promise in a late-stage trial in patients with
an aggressive form of lung cancer, when given before surgery.
Data showed the combination was more effective in removing cancer cells in tissue samples taken during surgery when compared with just chemotherapy in patients with
non-small cell lung cancer, the drugmaker said.
The interim result is a boost to the company's oncology efforts - a major area of focus - following disappointing data for Imfinzi earlier in the year in another
area of therapy.
AstraZeneca added the trial would continue as planned to assess the additional main goal of event-free survival, and the interim data would be shared with health
authorities globally.
Imfinzi belongs to the immunotherapy class of treatments, which boost the body's defences to fight cancer by using antibodies that block or bind to foreign
substances in the body. The treatment generated $2.41 billion in 2021 sales.
An autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, interact with others, and process
information. There is no one-size-fits-all for people with ASD, as each experiences symptoms differently. While some people with ASD may be nonverbal, others may
speak fluently but have difficulty with social interaction.
Most people with ASD need specialized educational and behavioral intervention early. There is no medical cure for ASD, but treatments and therapies can improve
symptoms and help people with ASD lead fulfilling lives.
If you or your child has just been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it's normal to feel a range of emotions. You may feel relieved to finally have a
diagnosis and explanation for your or your child's symptoms. Or you may feel overwhelmed, worried, or even angry about the diagnosis.
The drug, alpelisib, which is the 100th cancer drug that has being fast-tracked to patients under the NHS Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) will be used in combination
with the hormone therapy, fulvestrant, to target the gene that causes fast-growing tumours.
Up to 3,000 people a year with a certain type of secondary breast cancer will benefit from the treatment.
The approach has contributed to people in England having access to nearly one third more cancer drugs compared to the European average.
The drug which is manufactured by pharmaceutical company Novartis, is part of a growing number of precision treatments that target a tumour based on mutations in
its DNA and that the NHS is rolling out.
John Stewart, NHS National Director for Specialised Commissioning said, "In just over five years, more than 80,000 people have benefitted from earlier access to a
range of cancer drugs, with people in England having access to nearly one third more cancer drugs compared to the European average, and this latest innovative new
treatment will help up to 3,000 more to live a better quality of life.
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.
Living with diabetes can be managed by proper medication. However, you may have questions regarding the medications available to you. Here, we will take a
closer look at two medications, Ozempic and Saxenda, so that you can see how these medications can impact your health.
A CLOSER LOOK AT DIABETES
Diabetes can be divided into two categories, type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and is commonly diagnosed in children. Individuals with T1D require lifelong insulin treatment to manage their diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed later in life due to genetics, lifestyle, and other risk factors. Unlike T1D, there are numerous treatment options other than insulin
therapy to manage type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS
A common drug class used to treat type 2 diabetes is glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 receptor agonists work by lowering blood glucose and
slowing gastric emptying. Benefits of using a GLP-1 receptor agonist include: weight loss, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) benefits, lowering A1C
values, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) benefits with little risk of hypoglycemia. Common GLP-1 receptor agonist side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
weight loss, and injection site reactions. GLP-1 receptor agonists should not be used in patients with a personal or a family history of medullary thyroid cancer.
The world has never been in a better position to end the Covid-19 pandemic, the head of the World Health Organization said on September 14, his most optimistic
outlook yet on the years-long health crisis which has killed over six million people.
"We are not there yet. But the end is in sight," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters at a virtual press conference.
That was the most upbeat assessment from the UN agency since it declared an international emergency in January 2020 and started describing Covid-19 as a pandemic
three months later.
The virus, which emerged in China in late 2019, has killed nearly 6.5 million people and infected 606 million, roiling global economies and overwhelming healthcare
systems.
The rollout of vaccines and therapies have helped to stem deaths and hospitalisations, and the Omicron variant which emerged late last year causes less severe
disease. Deaths from Covid-19 last week were the lowest since March 2020, the U.N. agency reported.
A report released by the Independent Commission has blamed Brexit supply issues for medicine shortages.
NHS is forced to pay extortionate prices to fulfil the demand for vital antibiotics, anti-depressants, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) drugs.
The report highlights the impact of affected medicine supply issues on community pharmacies and patients.
Janet Morrison, the chief executive of Community Pharmacy England, backed the report and said that the "medicine shortages and market instability appear to be
as bad as they have ever been".
She also explained how the Ukraine conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, and broader economic instability also play a major factor in the situation.
Proprietary Association of Great Britain, PAGB - which represents manufacturers of branded over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, self-care medical devices
and food supplements - on Tuesday (12 December) celebrated 40 years of reclassification of medicines.
Expanding self-care for common ailments and minor injuries will not only help ease pressure on primary care services, but also provides significant potential
savings for the NHS, the consumer healthcare association highlighted during the event.
Nurofen (ibuprofen) and Imodium (loperamide) were the first medicines to go through Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)'s switch process
in 1983 to make them available over the counter - OTC.
Other reclassified medicines which were once available on prescription only include Voltarol (diclofenac dimethylammonium), Canesten (clotrimazole), Nexium
(esomeprazole), Nicorette, Nicotinell and Niquitin (nicotine replacement therapies), Regaine (minoxidil), Viagra Connect (sildenafil), Cialis Together
(tadalafil) for erectile dysfunction and Gina (estradiol hemihydrate) for the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness.
In a recent meeting with the head of the government's HRT Taskforce, Madelaine McTernan, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) board members gave a gist on the ongoing medicines supply issues in community pharmacy.
The meeting, which explored possible solutions to end the nationwide shortage of some Hormone Replacement Therapies, took place on Friday (May 20).
Independent contractors Reena Barai and Olivier Picard gave the so-called 'HRT tsar' an overview of the medicines supply issues in community pharmacy and discussed the new Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) which the government introduced in response to the on-going HRT disruption.
Earlier this month, the NPA attended an HRT summit organised by the Department of Health and Social Care, alongside other pharmacy bodies, wholesalers and manufacturers.
Health secretary Sajid Javid and pharmacy minister Maria Caulfield said they would be working collaboratively with manufacturers to meet demand and boost supply.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has awarded Professor Abdul Basit with the RPS Harrison Memorial Medal for an outstanding contribution to advancing
pharmaceutical science.
Professor Basit graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Pharmacy from the University of Bath, and received his PhD from The School of Pharmacy, University
of London.
Currently in position as Professor of Pharmaceutics at the UCL School of Pharmacy, he is internationally recognised for leading in the field of drug delivery,
microbiome medicines, three-dimensional printing of pharmaceuticals and digital health. He has also founded three start-up companies.
Professor Basit has an impressive track record of publications, and a lifetime grant and investment income of over £100million pounds. His research has led to
a series of transformative drug delivery systems, translated into the design of new technologies and improved therapies, many of which have been commercialised
and launched worldwide including a new treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. To date, more than a million patients have benefited from inventions created and
developed in the Basit Research Group.
The world's first human challenge trial in which volunteers were deliberately exposed to Covid-19 to advance research into the disease was found to be safe in
healthy young adults, one of the companies running the study said on Wednesday.
The data supports the safety of this model which could theoretically provide a "plug and play" platform for testing therapies and vaccines using the original
Covid-19 strain as well as variants of the virus, Open Orphan, which carried out the study, said in a statement.
Open Orphan is running the project, launched a year ago, with Imperial College London, the UK government's vaccines task force and the clinical company hVIVO.
The trial infected 36 healthy male and female volunteers aged 18-29 years with the original SARS-CoV-2 strain of the virus and closely monitored them in a controlled
quarantined setting. They will be followed up for 12 months after discharge from the quarantine facility.
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline aims to get its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to regulators for review later this year, after interim data
showed the vaccine was effective in a keenly-watched late-stage study involving older adults.
RSV is a leading cause of pneumonia in toddlers and the elderly, but the complex molecular structure of the virus and safety concerns have stymied efforts to
develop a vaccine since the virus was first discovered in 1956.
Companies including Pfizer, J&J, Sanofi, Moderna and AstraZeneca are also racing to get an RSV therapy or vaccine approved.
The latest GSK trial is the first to show statistically significant efficacy for RSV in adults aged 60 years and older, the British drugmaker said of the ongoing
study on Friday (June 10).
If approved, the RSV vaccine is expected to generate billions for GSK, which is already the world's biggest vaccine maker by sales but has faced pressure from
activist investors such as Elliott Management who have urged the London-based company to shore up its drug pipeline.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a new Innovative Medicines Fund on Tuesday (June 7) under which £340 million has been made available
to purchase potentially life-saving drugs early.
This will allow NHS patients in England to have early access to potentially life-saving and cutting-edge treatments
Health secretary Sajid Javid said: "I want NHS patients to be the first in the world to access the most promising and revolutionary treatments that could extend or
save their lives.
"The launch of the Innovative Medicines Fund delivers another manifesto pledge and will fast-track cutting-edge medicines to adults and children to give people
renewed hope for a better future."
A total of £680 million has been ringfenced for the Innovative Medicines Fund and Cancer Drugs Fund - £340 million each - to fast-track medicines to NHS patients.
DHSC said: "The Innovative Medicines Fund will provide quick access to novel treatments, including potentially lifesaving gene therapies for serious conditions with
few treatment options. It often takes longer for pharmaceutical companies to collect data on a medicine's clinical and cost effectiveness for rare diseases due to
the smaller patient cohort.
Besins Healthcare has acquired a pharmaceutical manufacturing site in Drogenbos, Belgium to boost the production of hormonal products including Oestrogel.
Currently, the site which is being used as one of two manufacturing sites for their gel products [the other site being in France], is a strategic purchase to allow
Besins Healthcare to increase production of its own products, offering greater efficiencies and greater integration into the company's supply line.
"In the past year, demand for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatment in the United Kingdom and Ireland has dramatically increased, resulting in regrettable
disruption to supply of Oestrogel. We are looking at a range of options for increasing supplies of this product in the short, medium and longer term," said Alexandre
Besins, joint CEO for Besins Healthcare.
"Besins strongly believes that by re-integrating our manufacturing capabilities we will have better control over our ability to meet demand and live up to the trust
that HCPs and patients have put in us."
