DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Agamree Receives Positive Recommendation in Scotland and NICE Guidance in the UK for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

4 months ago

• The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Agamree (vamorolone) for use within NHS Scotland for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients aged four and older. • NICE has issued positive final guidance recommending Agamree for use in the NHS in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for DMD patients aged four and older. • Agamree is the first medicinal product for DMD to receive full approval in the EU, US, and UK, offering clinically important tolerability benefits compared to standard corticosteroids. • The approvals and recommendations are based on studies like VISION-DMD, which demonstrated Agamree's efficacy and safety profile, marking a significant advancement in DMD treatment.

Ulster University Researchers Discover Novel Protein Markers for Early CKD Diagnosis and COVID-19 Severity Prediction

6 months ago

• Researchers at Ulster University have identified protein markers in senescent cells for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). • The novel method allows healthcare providers to quickly determine which CKD patients are likely to maintain stable kidney function versus those who may worsen. • Specific proteins and genetic markers associated with severe COVID-19 cases were identified, aiding in predicting patients at risk of serious symptoms or long-term effects. • Early detection of these markers could transform the management of CKD and COVID-19, potentially reducing hospital admissions and easing strain on healthcare services.

Hong Kong Approves Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

6 months ago

• Hong Kong has approved Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes in adults, to be available in December. • Tirzepatide, the active ingredient, targets two hormones to slow food digestion, differing from drugs like Ozempic that target only one. • Experts caution against using tirzepatide solely for cosmetic weight loss and emphasize the need for a doctor's prescription. • Mounjaro is intended for obese adults or those overweight with weight-related conditions like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.

Global Economic Pressures Force Pharmaceutical Industry to Confront Radical Transformation

15 years ago

• The pharmaceutical industry faces unprecedented challenges due to patent cliffs, pricing pressures, and a shift from blockbuster drugs to niche products, necessitating fundamental industry restructuring. • Healthcare systems, particularly in the UK and US, are implementing severe cost-cutting measures, with the NHS targeting £20bn in annual savings and US healthcare requiring $80bn reduction over 10 years. • Industry experts call for urgent reform of regulatory frameworks, including Good Clinical Practice guidelines and EU Clinical Trials directive, to maintain pharmaceutical innovation while managing rising development costs.