WHO: new essential medicines list

Institute of Infection

WHO prioritizes access to diabetes and cancer treatments in new Essential Medicines Lists: High prices and low availability still a major barrier for patients’ access to new and old medicines. WHO has published the new edition of its Model Lists of Essential Medicines and Essential Medicines for Children, which include new treatments for various cancers, […]

Read More… from WHO: new essential medicines list

Merck and Ridgeback’s Antiviral Molnupiravir trial

COVID-19 drugs

News Release: Merck and Ridgeback’s Investigational Oral Antiviral Molnupiravir Reduced the Risk of Hospitalization or Death by Approximately 50 Percent Compared to Placebo for Patients with Mild or Moderate COVID-19 in Positive Interim Analysis of Phase 3 Study At the Interim Analysis, 7.3 Percent of Patients Who Received Molnupiravir Were Hospitalized Through Day 29, Compared […]

Read More… from Merck and Ridgeback’s Antiviral Molnupiravir trial

Monash University: Drug repurposing is no panacea in race to treat COVID-19

repurposing drugs

Drug repurposing is no quick fix for developing new treatments for disease, including COVID-19, and  there are inherent dangers and pitfalls with translating drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin and similar compounds to treat COVID-19, say a team of experts. The potential challenges and opportunities with drug repurposing are highlighted in a paper authored  by a cross-section […]

Read More… from Monash University: Drug repurposing is no panacea in race to treat COVID-19

Common antibiotic reduces low birth weight and prematurity

Common antibiotic reduces low birth weight and prematurity

A common antibiotic has been found to reduce low birth weight and premature births, if taken during pregnancy, in countries where malaria is endemic, according to a research review. The systematic review, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and published in The Lancet EClinicalMedicine, found that the antibiotic, azithromycin, reduced low birth weight and prematurity in Africa […]

Read More… from Common antibiotic reduces low birth weight and prematurity

Increase in use of opioids during pandemic

back pain

The use of opioids for pain relief in patients awaiting hip and knee replacement surgery increased dramatically during the pandemic according to new research from the University of Aberdeen. Published in the BMJ Quality & Safety, the study found that the numbers of patients using opioids while waiting for surgery increased by 40% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Opioids such as morphine and tramadol are […]

Read More… from Increase in use of opioids during pandemic

Childhood trauma can make people like morphine more

morphine

People who experienced childhood trauma get a more pleasurable ‘high’ from morphine, new research suggests. Dr Molly Carlyle from The University of Queensland’s School of Psychology said high rates of childhood trauma have been identified in people with addictions, but little research has explored the mechanisms that underlie this link. “Our findings show these sorts […]

Read More… from Childhood trauma can make people like morphine more

University wins huge grant to train pharmacists in the North

University wins huge grant to train pharmacists in the North: From September, the University of Bradford will begin training hundreds of pharmacy students across the north of England after winning a Health Education England (HEE) grant worth £400,000. The University won the money as part of a consortium with Buttercups Training and Imaan Healthcare to […]

Read More… from University wins huge grant to train pharmacists in the North

Vaccine supports immune response in immunosuppressed

immune system

Research from MedUni Vienna demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 vaccination supports immune response in immunosuppressed patients Patients under immunosuppressive therapy can still develop good immune responses to a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. A third dose of vaccine might be necessary for those patients who are unable to produce antibodies. This is indicated by a recent MedUni Vienna study. Patients […]

Read More… from Vaccine supports immune response in immunosuppressed

Nasal spray tech to deliver psychedelic and non-psychedelic drugs

A nasal spray technology that enables the delivery of psychedelic and non-psychedelic drugs to treat mental health disorders will enter development for clinical use following the signing of a licence agreement with startup company InnarisBio, an atai Life Sciences company. University of Queensland researcher Dr Harendra Parekh and his team developed the solution-to-gel intranasal drug delivery technology – […]

Read More… from Nasal spray tech to deliver psychedelic and non-psychedelic drugs

Palliative Medicine support for families

palliative

Palliative Medicine support for families: Families who are caring for a relative who is seriously ill and dying at home need more support from healthcare professionals in order to help manage their medication, according to a new study. The findings of the study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and led by Professor […]

Read More… from Palliative Medicine support for families