Pharmaceutical International

Chromatography Pipette Tips

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:21:53 GMT

Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces Chromatography Pipette Tips: New Thermo Scientific Aspire Protein A, Protein G and IMAC Cobalt Tips offer fast and effective sample preparation for proteomic research.

IVF Consumables: Centrifuge / Cryopreservation Tubes

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:57:01 GMT

Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces New High-quality IVF Consumables

eLearning: Rheological Oscillatory Tests

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:31:42 GMT

Rheometry Knowledge that Stays with You - eLearning by Anton Paar on Rheological Oscillatory Tests

Pre-Cleaned Chromatography Vials

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:27:43 GMT

Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces Industries First Pre-cleaned Chromatography Vials.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Treatment: Pharma News

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:29:36 GMT

A pharmaceutical drug provided to patients with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis seems to be effective in treating a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, too.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/ CRPS is progressive and those that develop it experience intense pain and swelling. How it begins is not known, but the possible root causes include surgery side effects and injuries experienced while playing sports. CRPS is capable of affecting people of all ages, but typically strikes people in early middle-age, and women are especially susceptible.

The introduction of IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin), though, lowered pain levels in close to 50 per cent of CRPS patients - according to a report in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

CRPS Treatment

The report published the results of a study carried out by researchers at the University of Liverpool (UK), and future trials of the drug as a CRPS treatment are set to take place in its wake. 13 patients were assessed overall - all of them CRPS sufferers for half-a-year or more.

While Intravenous Immunoglobulin was ineffective in some instances, for a significant number, it acted to reduce their pain for over a month, on average.

A similar trial has been taking place in Germany. "We have seen the same in our patients in more acute stages of the disease", University of Giesseu researcher Professor Franz Blaes stated. "Some of the patients really do benefit - probably between thirty and fifty per cent of them."

He added that, so far, the trials had not indicated, pre-hand, the patients that could be expected to benefit from Intravenous Immunoglobulin, but said this was being looked into.

CRPS: Intravenous Immunoglobulin

According to Doctor Andreas Goebel, who headed the Liverpool CRPS treatment research, even better results might be able to be produced when Intravenous Immunoglobulin is prescribed at a higher dose, or when it accumulates in the body.

"IVIG is normally repeated every four weeks and we are working to develop ways which would allow patients to administer the treatment in their own home", Dr Goebel explained.

"The discovery is expected to have a real impact on the treatment of other unexplained chronic pain conditions; if one pain condition can be effectively treated with an immune drug, then it is possible that other types will also respond."

X-ray Scattering System for Nanostructure Analysis

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:47:20 GMT

SAXSess mc2 small-angle X-ray scattering system for nanostructure analysis – Genius Meets Sample

Chromatography Columns and Consumables Catalog

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:29:24 GMT

Thermo Fisher Scientific Releases New Chromatography Columns and Consumables Catalog

Imaging for Fluorescent Colonies and Plaques

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:39:08 GMT

New ProtoCOL 2 UV Imaging Accessory For Fast Counting of Fluorescent Colonies and Plaques.

Capit-All IS Automated Capper/Decapper

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:28:32 GMT

Thermo Fisher Scientific Offers Rapid System for High-throughput Sample Processing: Capit-All IS Automated Capper/Decapper for Integration with Automated Liquid Handling Equipment.

Streamlining China’s Clinical Supply Process

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:42:00 GMT

World Courier offers supply chain solutions for expediting China’s rigorous “per shipment permit” importation process.

Fully Automated Filling with OCS Checkweighers

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:57:00 GMT

Precision weighing devices for the pharmaceutical sector: Measuring accuracy to the milligram - Enestia trusts OCS

BioTek Instruments at LabAutomation2010

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:56:31 GMT

BioTek Instruments and Global Cell Solutions Collaborate at LabAutomation2010

Pharmaceutical Film Tablets: Siebler StripTabs™

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:19:34 GMT

Romaco delivers first Siebler StripTabs™ line to ANKUR Drugs and Pharma Ltd.

Suspension for Anti-Obesity Drug Reductil: Pharma News

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:36:32 GMT

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has called for anti-obesity drug Reductil - the brand name for sibutramine - to be made unavailable to patients based on concerns over the side effects it could produce. Appetite suppression medication sibutramine has been linked both to strokes and to heart attacks and, so, should neither be prescribed by GPs nor issued out by pharmacists, the medical body said in a report.

Those prescribed this drug are advised to make contact with their GP to discuss other anti-obesity options, but are reassured that ceasing their intake of it in the interim is harmless.

Reductil Suspension

"The [sibutramine/Reductil] suspension will remain in place until the company [Abbott Laboratories] can provide data...sufficient to allow the identification of a group of patients for whom sibutramine's benefits clearly outweigh its risks", EMA said.

Reductil was the subject of a six-year-long trial in which 10,000 patients participated. While no data has yet emerged in terms of specific results, the European Medicines Agency stressed that strokes and heart attacks were more frequent where Reductil patients were concerned, than in the case of patients taking a placebo. What's more, the decrease in weight produced by the drug didn't measure up to the mock-drug.

Anti-Obesity Treatment

More than one billion people around the world are considered obese or overweight. Of the anti-obesity prescriptions issued by UK doctors in 2009, in excess of 300,000 were for Reductil. The anti-obesity treatment drug is usually issued in 10mg strength and taken once a day by patients. In some instances where 10mg has been insufficient, the dose has been boosted to 15mg.

When taken, Reductil intercepts and adjusts messages sent to the brain relating to food consumption desires.

"Evidence suggests that there is an increased risk of non-fatal heart attacks and strokes with this medicine that outweigh the benefits of weight loss, which is modest and may not be sustained in the long term after stopping treatment", Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Doctor June Raine said. "Prescribers are advised not to issue any new prescriptions and to review the treatment of patients taking the drug."

"We believe there are many patients who benefit from sibutramine and respectfully disagree with the... recommendation to suspend the medicine", Abbott Laboratories representative Eugene Sun commented, adding: "However, we will act promptly to comply with the committee's recommendation."

BioTek Instruments Record Sales Growth

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:50:19 GMT

BioTek Instruments Achieves Record Sales Growth, Community Awards in 2009

Pharmacy in Practice / Science in Pharmacy Conferences

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:09:03 GMT

Management Forum Announces Pharmacy in Practice Conference Chair and Science in Pharmacy Conference Chair.

Multiple Sclerosis Drug Treatments

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:38:51 GMT

Positive trial results could lead to a new breed of oral multiple sclerosis drug treatments becoming available to patients within 12 or so months, it has emerged. Approximately 100,000 thousand UK residents are thought to have this disabling neurological condition (out of two-and-a-half million worldwide MS patients) and - at present - treatments for it come in the form of either infusions or injections.

However, recent international MS drug tests have been taking place featuring the participation of 1,000 MS sufferers, representing close to 20 nations, and the promising results gleaned from them mean that applications have now been submitted for the drugs to be licensed for use.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

A pair of drugs was trialled: fingolimod and cladribine. In comparison with placebo treatments, both were found to reduce rates of relapse by up to sixty per cent, and in the case of fingolimod, it was discovered to offer twice the performance of one common Multiple Sclerosis treatment.

"This is great news for people with MS and signifies a shifting tide in the treatment of the condition", the MS Society's Biomedical Research Manager, Doctor Doug Brown, enthused.

"Availability of oral therapies will give people greater choice and being able to take a tablet instead of unpleasant injections will come as welcome relief. The evidence is now there and we will be working with the relevant authorities to make sure those who will benefit can get access."

Multiple Sclerosis Drug

The advent of a Multiple Sclerosis drug to replace present treatments has long been anticipated, with pharmaceutical firms battling to be the first to bring one to the marketplace.

The MS Society is now pressing these firms to ensure that prices are fair. "The evidence is now here and we hope to see the pharmaceutical companies price these drugs responsibly so they can be made available to people with MS", it said.

Compact and Intelligent Conveyors

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:46:15 GMT

The new X45 and X45e conveyor platforms are easy to integrate and offers sophisticated yet simple controls design.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Small Capacity Incubators

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:15:05 GMT

Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces New Small Capacity Incubators

Optima Group Pharma at Achema 2009

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:33:06 GMT

Optima introduce line competence, freeze-drying and disposables products showcased at Achema 2009.

Adult ADHD Drug Treatment Shortfall: Pharma News

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:58:12 GMT

According to a new study, drug treatments for certain patients in the UK with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) do not always seem to be available. Statistics showed a drop in ADHD prescriptions for patients aged between 15 and 21 (compared to those for earlier ages), and this intimated that there was some degree of drug prescription shortfall.

The study - funded by the National Health Service -was carried out by a team of researchers headed by the University of London's Professor Ian Wong. While acknowledging that ADHD drug treatment beyond childhood remained a grey area, the report pointed to mounting evidence to support ideas that ADHD extended beyond infant years into later life.

ADHD is traditionally linked to impulsiveness, lack of attention and concentration, and apparent randomness. Medically-speaking, it sits within the autistic spectrum of conditions and one-in-20 children are thought to have it.

ADHD Treatment

ADHD treatment often takes place with stimulant drugs which help to restore the brain's balance back up to 'normal' levels. These include methylphenidates like Ritalin and Concerta, dextroamphetamines such as Dexedrine, and the combination amphetamine/dextroamphetamine Adderall.

In the study, Professor Wong stressed that it was not clear what was fuelling the apparent drop-off in ADHD medication levels in late teenage and early adult years, but what was apparent was that symptoms still persisted, in many instances. In other words - the suggestion was that not everybody that needed appropriate medicating was receiving treatment - and this idea was supported by further research.

ADHD Drugs

Through speaking to doctors and patients alike, the researchers found a number of patients that were keen to still take ADHD drugs like Ritalin, but had experienced complications getting hold of it as adults.

"The results of our study suggest there is a possibility that treatment is prematurely discontinued in some young adults", Professor Wong asserted. "For some, they are still having symptoms but they can't get hold of treatments. It was quite clear when we interviewed clinicians that it's a real problem."

According to two-year-old guidelines, ADHD drug provision should be restricted to children and teenagers with extreme ADHD, and these medications should supplement therapy-like treatments.
"The transition from child and adolescent mental health services to adult services is a critical point for young people with complex mental health needs including those with ADHD", a spokesman for the Department of Health told the BBC. "The government is developing support to help young people's and adult services improve these transitions to ensure that both the processes and the models of care meet the needs of young people and their families."

Balance Risk Check

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:21:53 GMT

New Balance Risk Check – quality results every time with Mettler Toledo's online tool.

Obesity Drug Prescription Guidelines Call: Pharma News

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:12:45 GMT

According to a published piece produced by a team of doctors, rising obesity levels could lead to a need for prescription drugs being issued at higher doses in instances where standard issues are not sufficient to fight infection and, thus, there is a chance of eventual drug resistance developing. Their study appears in the Lancet medical journal and, alongside it, an editorial which stresses that additional research is required to ensure doctors are aware of drug dose variance needs.

In terms of the UK population, obesity - defined as an accumulation of body fat to the extent that human health might be compromised - affects around 25 per cent of adults - 10 per cent up on 1993 statistics. The situation is more marked in the US, where the percentage of obese or overweight adults within the overall population is approximately 35 per cent.

Drug Prescriptions: Obesity

On this basis - the American and Greek doctors behind the new study contest - the idea of standardised drug prescriptions for all patients - obese or not - is archaic. Both size and body fat levels are factors that can impact on how the body responds to antibiotics, they add. On the flipside, thin patients might end up in situations where they are taking antibiotics at a higher dosage than is needed and, therefore, experience unnecessary side-effects.

"We believe that tailoring the dosing of antimicrobial agents in adults to the physical characteristics of individual patients could be an important way to achieve maximum effectiveness and safety of antimicrobial therapy", the doctors say. "Patients who are obese can no longer be regarded as a small group, and merit special consideration with respect to the appropriate dosing of antimicrobial agents."

Prescription Guidelines

They add that, since bodyweight calculations are already used when antibiotics are prescribed to children, transposing this kind of scheme into adult prescription guideline terms shouldn't be too challenging.

"Patients are getting taller and larger and it does seem right that patients are given the appropriate strength of drug", Royal College of GPS Chair, Professor Steve Field, told the BBC. "However, this might cost a lot of money because pharmaceutical companies would have to provide different doses of medication."

RAININ Pipet-Lite™ with Magnetic Assist™

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:37:38 GMT

Equip Yourself with a Better Pipette: New RAININ Pipet-Lite™ with Magnetic Assist™ Gives You a Helping Hand

Anachem Now Part of Mettler Toledo

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:20:27 GMT

Anachem celebrates new ownership in 40th anniversary year, strengthening their lead in the liquid handling market.

New Options with Package Inserts and Mini Brochures

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:15:42 GMT

A recent customer project imposed very specific requirements on us. In response to the challenge, Euker further extended the range of options for processing secondary packaging.

Read, Wash, Dispense & Automate with BioTek Instruments at LabAutomation 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:05:22 GMT

BioTek Instruments will be showcasing their range of microplate technology solutions at LabAutomation 2010.

BioTek Instruments Expands into Switzerland

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:56:50 GMT

BioTek have expanded by establishing a new direct sales and and service organization, BioTek Instruments (Switzerland) GmbH.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces Gas Chromatography Flow-rate Probe

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:17:34 GMT

This article discusses the introduction of a new gas chromatography flow-rate probe from Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Information On Pharmacy Regulatory Body

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:08:57 GMT

Management Forum Responds To The Need To Provide Pharmacists with Guidance and Information On Their New Regulatory Body.