Group items tagged

The Swiss competition commission (COMCO) has opened an investigation of Novartis over possible unlawful use of a patent to reduce competitive pressure, the Swiss drugmaker confirmed on Thursday, September 15. COMCO conducted an early morning raid on the company on Sept. 13, it said in a statement that did not name Novartis, which subsequently said in its own statement that it was the group under investigation. "The company allegedly attempted to protect its drug for the treatment of skin diseases against competing products by using one of its patents to initiate litigation proceedings," COMCO said in a statement. Novartis said COMCO had started an investigation in collaboration with the European Commission into the assertion of a patent in the broader field of dermatology treatments. "In connection with this investigation, COMCO representatives visited the company headquarters in Basel," it said.

Whether it's the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and those suffering with long Covid, or the financial pressures of rising living costs, these hard times can affect absolutely anyone's mental health. Mental health problems have worsened across all age-groups in the last few years, from lack of social interaction, unexpected bereavements or the significant impact of a physical injury or long-term illness taking its toll on mental wellbeing - these challenging experiences and situations that we face throughout life leave a big strain on the population. Ultimately, there is an urgent need to reduce rising levels of mental ill-health in our society. As a pharmacist with 25 years' experience in healthcare, I feel I have an obligation to my patients to support them with their healthcare needs, and mental health should be treated just the same as physical health. Despite efforts to improve NHS mental health services, patients may still not be receiving the appropriate immediate care as they are often provided with online counselling or an App for long-term support (online support introduced since the pandemic). Community pharmacists are in a unique position to be advocates for patients with mental illness as they are the healthcare professionals' patients see most often. This is a good opportunity for pharmacists to speak to patients face-to-face and give them advice in a more practical way rather than potentially waiting weeks for an GP appointment.

A bout 15 to 30 per cent of the UK population suffers from hay fever and there has been a definite increase in the number of moderate to severe hay fever sufferers, with sufferers experiencing more frequent and longer seasons. And now that the government has announced its plans for the easing of lockdown, community pharmacists can expect to see many more of their patients presenting with more severe symptoms than usual, as there will be more opportunities to spend time outside and be exposed to higher levels of pollen. Symptoms Common symptoms include sneezing, a runny stuffed up nose, itchy, watery eyes, nasal congestion and a general stuffed up feeling in the nose and throat. Some experience itching around the face and mouth, with an itchy palette, and burning sensation in the throat. Headaches and wheezing can also occur, as well as an overall achy feeling, or build-up of pressure in the facial area. The sinus area can become painful and constant nose blowing can leave sufferers with skin irritation. This can lead to tiredness and affect sleep, which in turn reduces energy.

More than 5,000 vulnerable people have enrolled for the ground-breaking Platform Adaptive trial of NOvel antiviRals for eArly treatMent of Covid-19 In the Community (PANORAMIC) study on life-saving antivirals. With this the UK is now one step closer to rolling out the innovative medicines, which would help reduce the severity of symptoms and the risk of hospitalisation or death. Success of the study would eventually help to ease pressures on the NHS. Anyone over the age of 50 or between 18 to 49 with certain underlying health conditions can participate in the trial after receiving a positive PCR or lateral flow test result.

Personal injury law, being a set of legal provisions and procedures, can often be difficult to understand; however, knowing the fundamentals is an entirely different game and can greatly impact your claim. If you have a small wound or a car accident, understanding your rights as the victim as well as the best course of action to take is essential. This is what you should know if you want to protect yourself. Documentation About Injury The documentation process is very crucial in ensuring that you win a personal injury case. This consists of maintaining receipts for medical expenses, treatment receipts, and any communication made to do with your injury. You can also use photographs as proof, such as pictures of your injuries, the site of the accident, or the extent of the property damage. Additional information in the form of specifications on how the injury has impacted your daily life, employment, and even mental health enhances the application. This kind of evidence can go a long way in pressuring an insurance company or a judge to take your injuries seriously. Every piece of documentation related to the injury is important, but it is critical to have help on how to format it while filing for the claim. A personal injury attorney must be hired as soon as possible because they play a major role in determining the results of the case. It is always recommended to consult with an attorney who has extensive experience handling these types of claims, as it is critical to adhere to all legal guidelines and procedures. Not only can they explain the general legal proceedings to you but they can also do all the negotiations with insurance companies for you and even defend you in court if required to do so.