scholarly journals Repurposing of Medicines in the EU: Launch of a Pilot Framework

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Asker-Hagelberg ◽  
Tomas Boran ◽  
Christelle Bouygues ◽  
Sini Marika Eskola ◽  
Laszlo Helmle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Access To Medicines ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Early Access ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Set Up

Repurposing of authorised medicines has been under discussion for a long time. Drug repurposing is the process of identifying a new use for an existing medicine in an indication outside the scope of the original approved indication. Indeed, the COVID-19 health crisis has brought the concept to the frontline by proving the usefulness of this practise in favour of patients for an early access to treatment. Under the umbrella of the Pharmaceutical Committee and as a result of the discussions at the European Commission Expert Group on Safe and Timely Access to Medicines for Patients (STAMP) a virtual Repurposing Observatory Group (RepOG) was set up in 2019 to define and test the practical aspects of a pilot project thought to provide support to “not-for-profit” stakeholders generating or gathering data for a new therapeutic use for an authorised medicine. The group's initial plan was impacted by the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the launch of the pilot needed to be postponed. This article describes the progress and the activities conducted by the group during this past and yet extraordinary 2020–2021 to keep the project alive and explores on the background of this topic together with the obvious opportunities this health crisis has brought up in terms of repurposing of medicines.

Australian pharmacy perspectives on increasing access to medicines through reclassification

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amary Mey ◽  
Michelle King ◽  
Fiona Kelly ◽  
Gary Grant ◽  
James Townshend ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Access To Medicines ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Minor Ailments ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Long Term Therapy

Objectives Availability of medicines without prescription can increase consumers’ timely access to treatment and promote self-management of minor ailments and adherence to long-term medications. Globally, access to relevant medicines has improved through increased reclassification of medicines from prescription to non-prescription availability. However, Australian reclassification lags behind countries with comparable health systems, and the factors influencing this are poorly understood. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted during May 2015 to explore the perspectives of Australian pharmacists and support staff on future reclassification. Interview responses were transcribed verbatim, and the data were analysed thematically, primarily informed by the general inductive approach. Results Participants identified a broad range of medicines as candidates for future reclassification by applying risk versus benefit judgements, assessing any medicines with potential for misuse and hazardous medicines as unsuitable. Key drivers for change in classification were underpinned by participants’ desire to support consumers’ management of minor ailments and adherence for those on long-term therapy. Barriers to reclassification were identified by pharmacy staff as internal, negatively impacting pharmacists’ readiness for reclassification and external, negatively impacting the overall progress of change. Conclusions While the research provided valuable insights to inform the ongoing discussion on future reclassification, a larger, more representative sample is needed to confirm these findings.

Decoding Protein-protein Interactions: An Overview

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 855-882
Author(s):  
Olivia Slater ◽  
Bethany Miller ◽  
Maria Kontoyianni
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Protein Docking ◽  
Target Space ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Interaction Sites ◽  
Long Time

Drug discovery has focused on the paradigm “one drug, one target” for a long time. However, small molecules can act at multiple macromolecular targets, which serves as the basis for drug repurposing. In an effort to expand the target space, and given advances in X-ray crystallography, protein-protein interactions have become an emerging focus area of drug discovery enterprises. Proteins interact with other biomolecules and it is this intricate network of interactions that determines the behavior of the system and its biological processes. In this review, we briefly discuss networks in disease, followed by computational methods for protein-protein complex prediction. Computational methodologies and techniques employed towards objectives such as protein-protein docking, protein-protein interactions, and interface predictions are described extensively. Docking aims at producing a complex between proteins, while interface predictions identify a subset of residues on one protein that could interact with a partner, and protein-protein interaction sites address whether two proteins interact. In addition, approaches to predict hot spots and binding sites are presented along with a representative example of our internal project on the chemokine CXC receptor 3 B-isoform and predictive modeling with IP10 and PF4.

741 Manipulation and Reduction of Paediatric Forearm Fractures in The Emergency Department Using Intranasal Diamorphine and Entonox

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kapoor ◽  
A Valand ◽  
J Dartnell
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Patient Discharge ◽  
General Anaesthetic ◽  
Forearm Fractures ◽  
Distal Radial Fractures ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Early Access ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Salter Harris

Abstract Background Paediatric forearm fractures are commonly encountered in Trauma and Orthopaedics. Currently most forearm fractures are manipulated in theatre the following day, increasing resource burden and delays in management. The aim of this project was to introduce guidelines to reduce fractures in the Emergency Department (ED) using intranasal Diamorphine and Entonox. Method 197 cases were identified over a 6-month period in 2018 and 2019. 74 distal radial fractures and 123 mid shaft forearm fractures were analysed. Fractures with an intact periosteal hinge or a Salter Harris type 2 were reduced in ED. The pre manipulation and post manipulation radiographs were compared with particular attention to the post reduction angles. Results 67% of fractures were reduced in the correct setting. A number of fractures reduced in ED required re-manipulation or internal fixation. Overall, there was a 56% reduction in patients undergoing general anaesthetic. There was a reduction in the mean length of stay from 36 hours to 3.5 hours. Conclusions Intranasal Diamorphine and Entonox offer a safe method for managing paediatric forearm fractures in ED. Implementation of this method facilitates early access to treatment and early patient discharge. Manipulation in ED offers significant financial savings and reduces demands on the Trauma Theatres.

scholarly journals Acceptance of a Symptom-Based Approach for COVID-19 rtRT-PCR Testing to Conserve Resources in a Lower Middle-Income Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272098771
Author(s):  
S. M. Rashed Ul Islam ◽  
Tahmina Akther ◽  
Md. Abdullah Omar Nasif ◽  
Sharmin Sultana ◽  
Saif Ullah Munshi
Keyword(s):  
Primary Method ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Clinical Recovery ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Secretion ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Set Up

SARS-CoV-2 initially emerged in Wuhan, China in late 2019. It has since been recognized as a pandemic and has led to great social and economic disruption globally. The Reverse Transcriptase Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtRT-PCR) has become the primary method for COVID-19 testing worldwide. The method requires a specialized laboratory set up. Long-term persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal secretion after full clinical recovery of the patient is regularly observed nowadays. This forces the patients to spend a longer period in isolation and test repeatedly to obtain evidence of viral clearance. Repeated COVID-19 testing in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases often leads to extra workload for laboratories that are already struggling with a high specimen turnover. Here, we present 5 purposively selected cases with different patterns of clinical presentations in which nasopharyngeal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed in patients for a long time. From these case studies, we emphasized the adoption of a symptom-based approach for discontinuing transmission-based precautions over a test-based strategy to reduce the time spent by asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients in isolation. A symptom-based approach will also help reduce laboratory burden for COVID-19 testing as well as conserve valuable resources and supplies utilized for rtRT-PCR testing in an emerging lower-middle-income setting. Most importantly, it will also make room for critically ill COVID-19 patients to visit or avail COVID-19 testing at their convenience.

Risk Factors for Typhoid Fever Occurrence and Recurrence in Gombe Metropolis, Gombe State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 381-401
Author(s):  
Umar Abdullahi Tawfiq ◽  
◽  
Shohaimi Shamarina ◽  
Syafinaz Amin Nordin ◽  
Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Nadzir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The Government ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
At Home

Typhoid is a life-threatening disease that has remained endemic in parts of Africa and Asia where its burden is elevated by the inefficiency of control efforts which have been hampered by lack of epidemiological data, among others. In Nigeria, such data is absent in most of the States like Gombe where the disease has been rife for a long time, hence, to bridge that knowledge gap, this study was set up to determine the host-associated risk factors for typhoid occurrence and recurrence in Gombe. A questionnaire that was designed and validated for this location was used to obtain data from 663 respondents using simple random sampling and analyzed using the Chi-square test for association and binomial logistic regression to obtain risk factors for typhoid occurrence and recurrence, respectively. The study revealed that occurrences were statistically significantly associated with the variables for vaccination (χ2 = 39.729, p < 0.01), having houseboy/girl (χ2 = 16.909, p < 0.01), typhoid patient at home (χ2 = 13.393, p < 0.01), hand washing before handling food (χ2 = 22.856, p < 0.01), consuming iced/frozen items (χ2 = 16.805, p < 0.01), boiling drinking water (χ2 = 49.633, p < 0.01), and eating commercially available foods/drinks (χ2 = 27.864, p < 0.01), while recurrences were statistically significantly predicted by „not sure of been vaccinated‟ (OR = 2.962, CI = 1.290 to 6.802, p < 0.01), „not having another typhoid patient at home‟ (OR = 1.799, CI = 0.998 to 3.244, p < 0.01), and „drinking unboiled water sometimes‟ (OR = 2.130, CI = 1.023 to 4.434, p < 0.01). It is believed that these findings will guide efforts by the Government for health interventions against typhoid in the study area, thus improving the quality of life for the population.

scholarly journals Guidelines for the public on how to provide mental health first aid: narrative review

BJPsych Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 427-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony F. Jorm ◽  
Anna M. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Public ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Wide Range

BackgroundExpert-consensus guidelines have been developed for how members of the public should assist a person with a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.AimsThis review aimed to examine the range of guidelines that have been developed and how these have been implemented in practice.MethodA narrative review was carried out based on a systematic search for literature on the development or implementation of the guidelines.ResultsThe Delphi method has been used to develop a wide range of guidelines for English-speaking countries, Asian countries and a number of other cultural groups. The primary implementation has been through informing the content of training courses.ConclusionFurther work is needed on guidelines for low- and middle-income countries.Declaration of interestA.F.J. is an unpaid member of the Board of Mental Health First Aid International (trading as Mental Health First Aid Australia), which is a not-for-profit organisation.

scholarly journals Highland Hill tribe language - an extinct language system needed to be saved

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-7
Author(s):  
Tang Minh Chau
Keyword(s):  
Root Culture ◽  
Language System ◽  
Hill Tribe ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Hill Tribes ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Culture And Language

Highland is a typical area in Vietnam with a great deal of unique things for people to study and discover. Among them are culture and language, the two reciprocal elements to create communities called Hill tribes. Original Hill tribes came to the Highland long time ago and set up their life based on their root culture until now. When studying about Hill tribes, we realize that their culture is very interesting and worth tracing. Therefore, how to conserve Hill tribes’ culture is what we need to take into consideration as soon as possible.

scholarly journals A multi-center prospective cohort study to evaluate the effect of differential pricing and health systems strengthening on access to medicines and management of hypertension and diabetes in Ghana: A study protocol

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Meta Mobula ◽  
Stephen Sarfo ◽  
Lynda Arthur ◽  
Gilbert Burnham ◽  
Jacob Plange-Rhule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Systems ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Pragmatic Trial ◽  
Access To Medicines ◽  
Health Systems Strengthening ◽  
Health System Strengthening ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Differential Pricing

Background: There is evidence to suggest that the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in particular cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are being recognized as forming a substantial proportion of the burden of disease among populations in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).  Access to treatment is likely a key barrier to the control and prevention of NCD outcomes.  Differential pricing, an approach used to price drugs based on the purchasing power of patients in different socioeconomic segments, has been shown to be beneficial and leads to improved access and affordability. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study, with a pragmatic trial design, to be conducted over the course of three years. A mixed methods design will be used to evaluate the effects of health systems strengthening and differential pricing on the management of diabetes, hypertension and selected cancers in Ghana. A public private partnership was established between all sites that will receive multi-level interventions, including health systems strengthening  and access to medicines interventions. Study populations and sites: Study participants will include individuals with new or recently diagnosed hypertension and diabetes (n=3,300), who present to two major referral hospitals, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital, as well as three district hospitals, namely Kings Medical Centre, Agogo Presbyterian District Hospital, and Atua Government Hospital. Discussion: The objective of this study aims to test approaches intended to improve access to drugs for the treatment of hypertension and diabetes, and improve disease control. Patients with these conditions will benefit from health systems strengthening interventions (education, counseling, improved management of disease), and increased access to innovative medicines via differential pricing. Pilot programs also will facilitate health system strengthening at the participating institutions, which includes training of clinicians and updating of guidelines and production of protocols for the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

International education governance in the francophone microcosm

2021 ◽  
pp. 174549992110614
Author(s):  
Isabelle Le Mouillour
Keyword(s):  
International Education ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Mission Statements ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Private Actors ◽  
And Training

International cooperation is high on the agenda of policy makers in times of globalisation and shared challenges such as climate change, poverty, equity or digitalisation. The present paper investigates strategies and actors involved in international cooperation policy in the field of vocational education and training within the francophone area. Using a discursive institutionalism approach as an analysis frame, the article traces and identifies the development of ideas and discourses. It also examines the changes and tensions in the French public institutional set-up in that specific policy field. The analysis builds on analysis of policy documents, mission statements of actors involved (ministries, public and private actors, non-for-profit organisations, international and European actors).

Application and Impact of Social Network in Modern Society

2019 ◽  
pp. 30-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamata Rath
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Work Culture ◽  
Security Measures ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Set Up

Social network and its corresponding website permits a client to make a profile, set up an authorized account to create a digital representation of themselves, to select other members of the site as contacts, make connections with them, communicate and engage with these users in different social activities, etc. So, social network includes details of persons, group details, their friends list, contact list, business, affiliations, personal data, personal preferences, and historical information. In this age of smart communication and technology, most of the time people are connected with mobile smart telephones in their work culture, home, office, or any other related places. As they are constantly associated with social systems for long time, they get new posts, messages, and current refreshed news readily available in a flash. This is the constructive part of social networking that individuals consistently remain refreshed with most recent news and innovation. This chapter presents an overview of social network design, various issues, and emerging trends that are evolved simultaneously with modern age. It also presents a detail study on application and impact of social network in modern society as well as exhibits an exhaustive review of security measures in social sites.

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