Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Thursday, 19 June 2014
New Diabetes Drug Approved by FDA
A new pill to treat adults with type 2 diabetes has been approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Farxiga
(dapaglifozin) tablets were approved to improve patients' blood sugar control,
in combination with diet and exercise. The approval is based on findings
from 16 clinical trials that included more than 9,400 people with type 2
diabetes.
An
increased number of bladder cancers were diagnosed among patients who took the
drug, so it is not recommended for patients with bladder cance, the FDA
said. The most common side effects among patients who took Farxiga were genital
fungal infections and urinary tract infections.
The FDA
ordered six post-approval studies for the drug. The studies will examine things
such as cardiovascular and bladder cancer risk, liver problems, and pregnancy
outcomes among patients taking the drug. Two studies will assess the use of the
drug in children.
Farxiga
is marketed by Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Monday, 16 June 2014
Periodic
fasting 'may protect against diabetes in at-risk groups'
Insulin resistance is when insulin production becomes so
high that the pancreas can no longer produce the body's required levels of
insulin, which causes blood sugar to rise. The researchers believe fasting may
prevent this.
"The fat cells themselves are a major contributor to
insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes.” Because fasting may help to
eliminate and break down fat cells, insulin resistance may be frustrated by
fasting."
After 10-12 hours of fasting, the body begins to scavenge
other sources of energy throughout the body in order to sustain itself. The
benefit to prediabetics, is that because the body feasts on the LDL (or
"bad") cholesterol in fat cells, it negates the effect of insulin
resistance.
Thursday, 12 June 2014
Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research and Clinical Database Management
The Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research and Clinical Database Management program conducted by ACRI in affiliation with Mysore University, invites BSc., MSc. in Life Sciences, M.Sc.in Health Sciences and B.Pharma and M.Pharma graduates to join the course and enjoy different opportunities offered by the Pharma and Clinical Research Sector.
The course starts in July 2014 and along with 7 months theory classes, there will be a 3 months compulsory internship program with reputed companies in the Industry.
As the Indian population grows at the rate of 1.5 % every year, the requirement for jobs will drastically increase. As a result of this, government spending will increase in various sectors and very significantly in the Healthcare sector.
As per the McKinsey report, government spending in healthcare will increase significantly. It has been growing at 18 per cent annually since 2005 to 2006, and is translating into a higher level of access in Tier-II and rural markets.
Secondly, there would be a demand for new therapies and innovative drugs due to aggressive players in market.
Sl NO
|
THERAPIES
|
GROWTH
|
1
|
OTC/Self-medicate
|
Grow over 14% annually
|
2
|
Biologics
|
3 billion segment by 2020
|
3
|
Vaccines
|
20 per cent over the next decade
|
In the base case scenario, all the important growth drivers will observe vigorous progress. The market will grow more than four times to reach USD 55 billion by 2020.
As the Indian population grows, the prevalence of diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart disease will also show drastic increase.
Insurance coverage would grow to cover the entire Indian population below the poverty line.
Moreover, the Pharma sector will influence the patient funnel by increasing awareness and treatment, thereby increasing the patient pool by 15 per cent.
Skill requirements for the Pharma and Clinical Research industries will increase manifold in the years to come.
Skill requirements for the Pharma and Clinical Research industries will increase manifold in the years to come.
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Tomato extract 'improves blood vessel function'
in CVD patients
Results of a study revealed that CVD patients
who received lycopene supplementation showed improved blood vessel response to
acetylcholine, compared with healthy volunteers, which indicated normalized
endothelial function.
Tomatoes and tomato products, including ketchup
and tomato puree, have the highest concentrations of lycopene. Lycopene improves
blood vessel response to acetylcholine by 53% in CVD patients. It works by
simulating the release of nitric oxide - a hormone that helps the blood vessels
to dilate, improves the function of
blood vessels in cardiovascular disease patients. It reinforces the need for a
healthy diet in people at risk from heart disease and stroke.
A daily 'tomato pill' is not a substitute for other treatments,
but may provide added benefits when taken alongside other medication.
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