Latest News — Page 88

Medicines and medical supplies are crucial in maintaining human health, particularly during disasters when their availability can be significantly impacted. This is especially true in developing countries, where the provision of these supplies is a critical priority. Disruptions in the medication supply chain can lead to serious consequences, from loss of revenue for companies to endangering lives. This article explores the causes, strategies, and consequences of such disruptions, using the Kermanshah, Iran earthquake in 2018 as a case study. The […]

The ENABLE research consortium has been awarded a generous €4 million grant from Horizon Europe to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ethiopia. The ENABLE consortium, a collaboration between the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), will kick off its mission in 2024 for a period of 4 years. The project aims to establish a program, using evidence-based interventions, to promote healthy eating habits, increase physical activity, and reduce exposure to pollution within urban […]

In a landmark decision, the Pretoria High Court has given the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) the judicial green light to implement its Pharmacy-Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Treatment (PIMART) initiative. This allows specially trained pharmacists to manage and prescribe medicine to patients with HIV and tuberculosis. Judge Elmarie van der Schyff dismissed an application by a doctors’ organisation, the IPA Foundation, to set aside the programme, stating the need for wider access to first-line ART and TPT therapy on a […]

Exciting insights from ISPOR’s latest article, “The Impact of Digital Health Technologies on Health Equity: Designing Research to Capture Patient-Reported Outcomes”. The article explores the potential of ePROs/ePROMs in capturing crucial health data, especially from underserved populations. It highlights the need for future research to understand health equity-related data needs and the design of these digital tools. This could be a game-changer in identifying and addressing social determinants of health, reducing disparities in healthcare delivery, and understanding diseases from a […]

NICE has recommended further evidence generation for the Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID Kit, a technology developed to detect a genetic variant that guides antibiotic use and prevents hearing loss in babies. This plan outlines the gaps in evidence for the technology and the real-world data that needs to be collected for a future NICE review. The responsibility for data collection and analysis lies with the technology developer. Support for evidence generation will be facilitated by the Office for Life Sciences, pending […]

The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) has recently published a report highlighting the gaps and challenges in the value assessment of biosimilars. The report brings to light the ongoing debate on how to accurately assess the value of biosimilars, especially when they request reimbursement for the same indication as the reference biologic. The report also touches upon the different regulatory requirements for biosimilars across various jurisdictions. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of […]

We’ve just released a brand-new video where we delve into the fascinating world of ‘Decoding Research Integrity’ and the nuances of medical research! From understanding the critical hierarchy of evidence to unraveling RCTs – this video is for anyone keen on elevating their grasp of scientific papers. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just curious about the mechanics behind the studies we read, there’s something in it for everyone! Stay curious and remain critical in your quest for knowledge.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has made a significant move in global health by releasing new editions of the Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc). These lists include new medicines for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, cancer, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular conditions among others. The aim? To increase access to innovative medicines that show clear clinical benefits, without stretching the health budgets of low- and middle-income countries. With a record 85 applications considered, the […]

A recent analysis by The Moran Company has shed light on an alarming trend in the healthcare industry. On average, hospitals are charging a staggering 500% of what they paid for medicines. This practice is not only driving up costs for patients, but it’s also padding the profits of hospitals, insurers, and PBMs at the patient’s expense. The study analysed 20 medicines and found that hospitals charged between two to seven times more than what they paid for them. This […]

Buprenorphine, the most frequently prescribed medication for opioid use disorder (OUD), is used to treat an estimated 1 to 2 million individuals annually. It’s a first-line treatment for OUD, highly effective at reducing opioid use, overdose, and all-cause mortality, and improving quality of life. However, routine urine drug screening (UDS) to test for adherence to treatment and illicit substance use is inconsistent, despite its commonality in addiction treatment settings. There is a lack of consensus about testing schedules and how […]

The healthcare landscape in Europe is undergoing a significant transformation. Several nations have identified a gap between inpatient and outpatient care as a potential barrier to ensuring equitable and affordable access to medicines. With an aim to bridge this gap, countries are optimising reimbursement and procurement policies for a more integrated and coordinated approach. However, there is a dearth of evidence on the impact of these policies at the interface of inpatient and outpatient sectors on access to medicines. Over […]

Are you navigating the sea of scientific research and feeling overwhelmed? In this video, I dive deep into the world of scientific papers. Together, we’ll uncover how to distinguish credible research from the rest. It’s all about equipping YOU with the tools to separate the wheat from the chaff. Check out the video!

A recent study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of hospital pharmacists in the UAE regarding Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting and the barriers to implementing a Pharmacovigilance (PV) system. Although pharmacists generally display a positive attitude towards ADR reporting, the level of reporting remains low, which may be due to a lack of knowledge about PV and ADRs, including what, where, and when to report. Interestingly, findings showed that gender does not affect awareness of PV […]

In the last two decades, the world has seen significant strides in global health, particularly in combating HIV, TB, and malaria. This Oxford study shows that these efforts have not only saved lives but also reduced health inequality and inequity, especially in countries furthest behind. The article discusses the use of summary indicators of health inequality and inequity to assess improvements in global health outcomes, focusing on HIV, TB, and malaria in fifteen countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The study aims […]

HIQA continues to lead the charge in understanding and managing Long COVID. Their latest systematic review explores potential interventions aimed at improving the varied and often debilitating symptoms of this complex condition. While no definitive treatments have been identified yet, their research continue. The review included 57 randomised controlled trials of interventions for adults with Long COVID symptoms, typically in people with less than a year’s duration and no pre-existing chronic illnesses. The studies varied in intervention type and were […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching implications, with recent reports indicating a surge in the incidence of pediatric diabetes. To gain a clearer understanding of this association, a systematic review and meta-analysis of various studies published in English was conducted.  The analysis included 42 studies, covering 102,984 incident diabetes cases. The results revealed a significant increase in the incidence rate of type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children and adolescents during the first two years of the pandemic […]