Technological innovation has touched our lives in immeasurable ways, from city infrastructure to personal entertainment and beyond. Even our health and
conditions have been improved by the right tech innovations; contact lenses were one such innovation, having been safely pioneered as recently as the 19th century.
But there are more recent developments which could change the lives of contact lens users forever; what are they?
Smart Touch Contact Lenses
While Smart Touch lenses are a relatively simple innovation, it is often the simple innovations that have the most fundamental impact on contact lens users. Smart
Touch lenses are a new type of contact lens produced with a breathable material to promote eye health throughout the day.
The key innovation lies in the packaging; Smart Touch contact lenses are provided in a bespoke blister packaging solution that delivers the lenses face-up. This
ensures that the user never needs to touch the inner surface of the lens, keeping it hygienic and allowing for quick, unobtrusive application. These contact lenses
provide innovative solutions for lens-wearers, and represent the power of slight technological improvements to existing products.
Johnson & Johnson has made it to the list of top 10 most innovative companies in the world released by FOREX.com.
The US-based pharmaceutical company is the fourth most innovative company, scoring 8.23/10 in the innovation index.
Johnson & Johnson is the only pharmaceutical company making it to top 10 list, which makes it the world's most innovative pharmaceutical company in 2023.
The ranking is based on many factors such as the number of US-registered patents in 2022, the number of R&D expenses over the last 12 consecutive months and
their last reported intangible assets.
The health giant spent £37.16 billion on intangible assets (the second highest after Apple), £11.87 billion on R&D last year and registered 1,377 patents last year.
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.
"If we stand still, we will die. We have to keep moving, and we have to keep changing" said Patrick Gompels, co-owner of Gompels Limited, while emphasising
the need for innovation in community pharmacy services, during the recent Pharmacy Business Conference 2024.
Centered on the theme 'Pharmacy of Tomorrow,' the conference, held at the Hilton Wembley on April 28, focused on adopting and adapting innovative technology as
well as new ways of working and thinking to enhance patient services.
Patrick was joined by Mayank Patel of Pearl Chemist Group and Michael Lennox, CEO of Community Pharmacy Somerset (LPC), during the panel discussion on innovation
in community pharmacy services, moderated by Reena Barai, pharmacist and owner of S G Barai Pharmacy.
On the changes he made at Gompels, Patrick said: "The first thing we did was a complete overhaul of all of our systems. Pretty much everything was stripped down."
He shared that Gompels has embraced innovation by partnering with forward-thinking companies like Titan PMR, Drug Comparison, and Real World Analytics to enhance
their processes and data analysis capabilities.
Omnicell Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Omnicell - an American healthcare technology company, has signed an agreement with the shareholders of Hub and Spoke Innovations Limited to acquire Hub and Spoke Innovations.
Hub and Spoke Innovations Limited is distributor of the Pharmaself24 prescription collection kiosk in Great Britain.
The move will complement Omnicell's total solution technology portfolio for retail pharmacy in the UK, including a pack-pick dispensing robot, automated MDS filling
machine and eMAR solution, thereby helping pharmacies to improve workflows and offer a 24/7 access to medications and patient care.
It will also help community pharmacies achieve their goals, as they increasingly look at ways to make their businesses more efficient and free up staff to offer more pharmaceutical care and services to patients.
In short, the deal would enable Omnicell to offer a wider range of digital technologies to streamline retail pharmacy operations, allowing pharmacists to spend more time with patients and focus on value-added, revenue-generating healthcare services, such as vaccinations.
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.
The NHS Confederation and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has published a report that demonstrated the importance of the
collaboration between industry and the NHS to improve patient outcomes across the UK.
Analysis from the report has shown a significant variation in access to innovative medicines for patients across the UK and showed that uptake of new treatments
in these areas continues to be below the average of similar countries in Europe.
The report, 'Transforming Lives, Improving Health Outcomes', has highlighted four initiatives where effective partnerships between the NHS, patient organisations
and industry have helped to tackle unwarranted variation in the uptake of innovative medicines.
Transforming Lives, Improving Health Outcomes also called for a systemwide secondary prevention strategy covering all parts of the health system creating a barrier
to wider and consistent uptake of innovative medicine. It also noted that newly created Integrated Care Systems have the potential to improve preventative treatment.
The report data also showed a 51% variation of uptake of three types of medicines related to diabetes between NHS Trusts in England.
The 'Life and Health Sciences Launchpad' has been introduced to focus on the precision medicine sector.
It would help businesses and researchers to level up their impact on economic growth within the region.
The launchpad has been funded by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Kerry Curran, Director of GB & EU Trade in the Department for the Economy hailed the decision to support NI's "trailblazing" sector.
She said: "Life and Health Science, including our highly innovative precision medicine cluster, is an area the Department is also prioritising through its
10X Economy Vision, and this Launchpad represents a further endorsement of the world-leading growth potential of precision medicine, and indeed life and
health science, in Northern Ireland.
The new 'How to Involve and Engage Patients on Digital Health Tech Innovation' learning module has been created specifically to support the development and
delivery of patient-centric technologies, at a time of critical digital transformation in the NHS.
The foundation level module will be freely available at www.orcha-digitalhealthacademy.com and on the Health Education England NHS Learning Hub (learninghub.nhs.uk).
No training previously exists on conducting effective patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), leading to wasted resource on unsuitable technologies
at a time when the healthcare system simply cannot afford it. The module aims to educate innovators who are creating new technology, and the clinicians who are
prescribing these solutions. Crucially, the module also provides valuable support to the 500 NHS clinicians who are on the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme.
The module is an introduction to the first evidence-based framework for PPIE, launched by the University of Plymouth, the AHSN Network (the national voice of the
15 academic health science networks in England) and Boehringer Ingelheim UK & Ireland. It helps to fast-track learning for the EnACT principles described in the
framework, outlining how to involve patients in product innovation and critical issues such as data privacy, intellectual property, inclusivity, reimbursement,
useability, and recruitment of patients.
As we take look back over the past year and reflect on what we have achieved, it's also important that we look ahead to new challenges and opportunities that
may arise in 2023. We have seen remarkable innovation across the industry in 2022, from big break throughs in treatment and improvements to patient outcomes, to how
the industry is working with big data and technology. But it's fair to say that these achievements came paired with just as many challenges including a continued
talent shortage, hangovers from the pandemic, increasing pressures to innovate and ongoing macroeconomic challenges.
As we head into 2023, I expect these existing challenges to continue alongside new ones, but I also anticipate more opportunities to present themselves. At
Pharamanovia, we predict that the key trends set to catalyse the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries in 2023 include break through innovations, technology,
big data, sustainability, ongoing policy changes and a shift in investment due to inflation.
Utilising big data and tech
Technology has been recognised as one of the industry's biggest tools for many years, and I don't expect to see the pace of how we use technology in healthcare and
pharma to slow down any time soon. In 2023, I expect that we will see further automation in the way we work, with an increase in digital engagement and healthcare
providers leveraging remote access further.
Face masks can be quite discomforting to wear and there are a lot of reasons not to like them. You have to fiddle with the loops to wear them and after extended wear, they hurt. They also irritate your skin and fog up your glasses and make communication a little difficult.
To foster mask adoption, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in collaboration with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, has launched a $500,000 "Mask Innovation Challenge" inviting Americans to submit ideas to make masks more comfortable to wear.
The content is open until April 21 and participants have until then to submit innovative ideas that eliminate concerns with wearing masks while ensuring they are protecting themselves against coronavirus.
In a press statement announcing the contest, Nikki Bratcher-Bowman, the acting assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said "with this mask challenge, we want to get people across the country involved in developing new masks that are both effective and comfortable. This will help us control COVID-19 and be better prepared for future public health emergencies."
Contest Requirements and Prizes
Anyone with a unique idea that follows CDC safety guidelines can submit their idea on or before 5 p.m ET on April 21. There are other requirements to enter and win this contest:
1. To receive a price, you must be a US citizen or a legal resident
2. For the first phase of the challenge, up to 10 winners will be chosen who will split a $100,000 prize, with each person taking $10,000 home.
3. Several parameters such as filtration efficiency, inhalation airflow resistance, fit, and other test methods will be used to judge the best design.
According to HHS, sprays or drugs that can be inhaled or absorbed through the nose, mouth, or skin are not permitted to be used in mask design. NIOSH-approved respirators or FDA-approved surgical masks m
Healthcare has a strong relationship with technology. The modern structure of hospitals and medical facilities cannot function without the progress of
technology. It is important to acknowledge the impact of technology to ensure that priority is given to the constant maintenance of innovation. Here are a few
ways to understand how healthcare and technology operate together.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS KEEPING UP WITH MEDICAL DEMANDS
Healthcare has become increasingly dependent upon technology throughout the years. There is an almost infinite amount of equipment and machinery that is used on a
day-to-day basis to help facilitate the care of patients. One aspect that needs to be acknowledged is the prevalence of smart technology within the hospital and
healthcare spaces. Technology is being innovated, and it is only a matter of time until hospitals see such advancements be applied more often, as funding increases
alongside the development of new machinery and equipment. These include the inclusion of artificial intelligence in order to assist and supplement healthcare
professionals to do a better and more efficient job, providing better care for patients. Of course, such technology will need to follow trends of other industries
first to ensure its safe use and application when dealing with patients.
In partnership with the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) has recently established an innovative
cardiometabolic clinic.
The clinic focuses on reducing cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes who have recently been discharged from LTHT following a heart attack. It is delivered jointly by the cardiology department at Leeds General Infirmary and the diabetes services at the Trust.
This is a patient-centred approach to reducing that risk, with pharmacist-delivered clinics scheduled for six to eight weeks after the heart attack.
Stephen Wheatcroft, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine and Consultant Cardiologist at LTHT, said: "This is an exciting and innovative development, one of the
first in the country. Previously, Type 2 diabetic patients presenting with heart issues would have been treated by two separate specialty teams. This is the first time there has been a specific clinic combining the cardiac and diabetes team working together.
"We aim to reduce the risk for patients, with earlier multidisciplinary hospital care, to help discharged patients achieve better diabetes control, through improved medication support and optimisation, reducing the need for further treatment and future hospital stays. Overall, it will mean a better patient experience, with improved monitoring and information about treatment options, along with a reduction in waiting times for review in a specialist clinic."
The Galien Foundation recently announced the winners of the 2024 Prix Galien UK Awards, with the University of Oxford receiving accolades for its
groundbreaking contributions to public sector innovation through the PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC Trials.
These trials, spearheaded by Oxford's team of experts, have set a new standard for scientific innovation aimed at improving global health outcomes.
Led by University of Oxford, the PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC Trials epitomize a remarkable collaboration aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join us for a comprehensive look at the latest innovations in surgery which will feature expert speakers exploring new techniques, tools, and technologies transforming the field
The UK government has pledged £133m to healthcare innovation funding, which will help boost the country's innovations in medical imaging and artificial intelligence (AI), among other areas.
Solgar® is delighted to announce the launch of its newest innovation Solgar®Earth Source® Koji Iron 27mg. The new supplement is designed to support consumers'
everyday energy levels and uses an innovative koji fermentation process to transform mineral iron into an iron-rich fermented food which is high in bioavailability,easy to absorb and gentle on the stomach.
Available now in a 30-capsule bottle (Trade Price £6.50 - RRP £13.99/€14.50), each capsule will provide 27mg of naturally sourced koji food fermented iron. The
convenient one-a-day formulation offers a number of health benefits including:
Supporting energy and reducing tiredness and fatigue
Contributing to the formation of haemoglobin and red blood cells
Supporting cognition
Supporting immune defences
Minerals, including iron, support growth and development and ensure our bodies function optimally. Iron is present mostly in animal protein such as lean meats and
seafood, but also in nuts, tofu and white beans in smaller amounts. Iron supports the production of haemoglobin, the crimson pigment in red blood cells, that helps
carry oxygen around the body. It also helps energise the body, and athletes, for example, may need more iron to support oxygen transport to muscles so they can keep exercising.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has supported the Department of Health and Social Care's recommendation to 'aggressively expedite and roll out new medicines' that have gone through trials.
The ABPI welcomes government report on cancer services in England and the opportunity it provides to refocus how the pharmaceutical industry, NHS and government can improve the lives of cancer patients.
David Watson, executive director, Patient Access at the ABPI, said: "Despite progress, UK patients still have much worse five-year survival rates for many cancers than those in similar nations. Early diagnosis and fast and equal access to the latest treatments for all patients is key to reversing poor trends in NHS cancer care.
"We are pleased that the report reflects concerns about variable access to cancer medicines. We support the Committee's recommendations to 'aggressively expedite
and roll out new medicines' that have gone through trials and to ensure regulatory innovation results in swift uptake in the UK.
Jhoots Group, a West Midlands based independent community pharmacy chain, has unveiled plans to expand its digital services after securing a funding worth
£8.23m from HSBC bank.
The new money will allow the groups branches to offer a digital platform for customers to request prescriptions online, enabling the implementation of a hub and
spoke dispensing system to automate prescription deliveries.
The innovation aims to reduce the burden of manual processes on pharmacists, allowing staff to use their time efficiently and support the NHS by offering vaccines
and minor ailment medicine services.
San Jhooty, chief operating officer at Jhoots Group, said: "When faced with the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, primary and community services came
together to support the community and each other.