| Cutting edge |  Friday's newsletter carried a story that suggests that a well-known and best selling drug that reduces lipid levels may have been inappropriately advertised by the manufacturer. The problem, according to the two professors who authored the study, is that the advertising highlighted the drug's ability to lower the risk of heart attack - but did not say anything about the fact that this risk reduction was not found in women, only in men. If you look carefully at the original publication in which the drug's effect on heart disease was published they are indeed correct. In fact there is a suggestion that the drug may be potentially problematic in women.
This study, in my view, only serves to highlight a major problem with a lot of medical research - particularly that done by drug companies to develop new products. Most research is done on a specific group of people - and these people are usually already quite sick - often with multiple pathology. If the research were done on many different groups of people and included fit, active younger people of both genders, then it would cost a significant amount more to carry out and results would take a lot longer to achieve.
But, while I can see the financial and logistical rational behind carrying out research on drugs for chronic diseases on sick, elderly men - the problem is that doctors then - quite reasonably - extrapolate these results to everyone who comes to their consulting rooms. And, in many cases, this may not be appropriate.
An excellent example was the studies on hormone replacement therapy that were published a few years ago - and which effectively stopped many women from using HRT and doctors from prescribing it. The studies that said that HRT increases the risk of breast cancer, stroke and various other pathology were carried out on elderly women with multiple pathology. Since then, studies on fit women in their early 50s who start HRT immediately they have symptoms do not show the same increase in risk and in fact there is a suggestion that this early use of HRT in fit women may reduce the risk of heart disease. No wonder women are now totally confused about whether or not they should take HRT to control the often very distressing symptoms of menopause - and so are their doctors in many cases.
We are at the mercy of the drug companies when it comes to research into new drugs - often new formulations of tried and tested medications - that are not even necessarily needed. There are massive studies going on in the West - huge longitudinal studies in both men and women - and the drugs that are going to be developed around these studies are drugs that we already have - antihypertensives, lipid-lowering agents, various formulations for heart disease. Drugs for all the chronic diseases of lifestyle in fact. And those who have access to Western style medicine will continue to be prescribed these drugs with very little truly critical appraisal of their necessity for a specific individual.
Bridget Farham Editor
https://www.bizcommunity.com
| | Headlines
MedicalEnhanced ICT portal for disabled persons boasts improved usability - CSIR CommunicationThe release in October 2008 of the latest version of the National
Accessibility Portal (NAP) presents a significant step forward in the
drive to integrate persons with disabilities into the mainstream economy
and society through the use of information and communications technology
(ICT).
Chronic diseasesEating fast until full doubles the risk of obesityThis Japanese study suggests that behaviour plays a big role in the aetiology of obesity.
Corporate Social ResponsibilityPower-Child Campus opens in Mfuleni German foundation, Power-Child e.V. (section 21) has extended its outreach to South Africa with the opening of the Power-Child Campus in Mfuleni. Pfizer again recognised as leader in climate change intiatives - Magna CartaPfizer Inc announced today that for the second consecutive year it was recognized for its approach to improving the environment by being named to the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The CDP is a not-for-profit coalition of 385 global investors with $57 trillion in assets under management.
Ethical MedicinesMarking and coding system tracks pharmaceuticals' journey to customers Dutch pharmaceutical packager Tjoapack implements a marking and coding system that exceeds existing global requirements for track and trace. Surface analysis exposes counterfeit medicinesCERAM Surface and Materials Analysis has published a white paper highlighting how surface analysis can expose counterfeit medicines. It describes how technologies such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (ToFSIMS) are being used in novel ways to not only analyse the composition of various pharmaceuticals, but also to determine differences in the manufacturing processes involved.
Food crisisCote d'Ivoire: “Alarming” malnutrition in northIn Côte d'Ivoire government health officials and aid agencies are launching emergency feeding and special nutritional training in the north to respond to what nutrition experts call “alarming” malnutrition levels.
HIV/AIDSSMS used to combat HIVThe popularity of cell phones in South Africa is helping to tackle HIV and AIDS in the nation. Zimbabwe: Possibility of Global Fund money lifts moodExcitement is mounting in Zimbabwe with the news that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has found the country's Round 8 application for funding "technically sound", and has recommended that the grant be approved. Call for greater private sector response to HIV and AIDS - RedlineA unique collaborative ‘road show,' featuring several cutting edge South African HIV/AIDS business planners began a country-wide tour in Cape Town today in a clarion call for an accelerated, more unified response from the private sector to the epidemic.
Infectious diseasesNo room for complacency about bird flu - experts Some success has been achieved in reducing avian influenza outbreaks in poultry and humans, but the world must still be prepared to tackle an influenza pandemic, experts at an international conference in Egypt have said. It may pay to be the early bird that catches the germNew evidence just released in the United States appears to show that getting the flu early may protect you against catching a worse one later.
Medical AidWhat should you be looking for in your medical aid? - Chillibush inroads communicationsThe Medical Aid industry in South Africa is changing. With more competition and less monopolisation providers are being forced to offer customers more choice in product and easier access to private health care. SPECTRAMED Medical Scheme to “launch” 2009 products by speaking directly to members - The Write AgencyA first for South Africa, Spectramed will be talking directly to members.
Medical ResearchExposure to low doses of mercury changes the way the arteries work An international team of researchers has shown that mercury is another important factor in cardiovascular disease as it changes the way arteries work. One of the possible sources of exposure of humans to mercury is by eating contaminated fish. New obesity drug may have huge potentialAccording to trials, a new obesity drug, Tesofensine, which may be launched on the world market in a few years, can produce weight loss twice that of currently approved obesity drugs. The Danish company Neurosearch and a number of researchers at the Faculty of Life Sciences at University of Copenhagen are behind the promising findings. Brain uses lactate, not glucose, during exerciseDuring exercise, the brain shifts into a higher gear, according to new research.
Medical TechnologySensitive ultrasound to spot early-stage cancerEuropean researchers have developed highly sensitive ultrasound equipment that can detect tiny quantities of reflective microbubbles engineered to stick to specific tumour cells. The technique should pick up tumours early and improve patients' chances of survival.
NutritionRisk of heart attack 30% higher with a Western dietThe typical Western diet leaves people at high risk of heart attack. Seven 'rules of the road' to success for better-for-you kid food products[George Carey] "Better for You" or healthier kid food products are the hottest battleground for food marketers nationwide. Yet, as in most battlegrounds, the field is overwhelmed with "dead soldiers", or "BFY" products that seemed great in the lab, on the PowerPoint, or in research exercises.
OncologyOne dose chemo treatment the best for testicular cancerNew research from the UK has found that one dose of chemotherapy is the best way to cure testicular cancer in many patients.
PaediatricsParents don't know if their child is overweight40% of parents underestimate their child's weight, according to an Australian study.
Pharmaceutical companiesNew biotechnology company formed - SIMONSAYS communicationsAstraZeneca and Nomura Phase4 Ventures announce creation
of new company “Albireo”
PharmaceuticalsRisk of mental health problems with anti-obesity drugEuropean authorities have recommended that the anti-obesity drug, rimonabant, is not prescribed.
Public healthThe rush to the cities... Africa at a glanceThis report, published by courtesy of UN-HABITAT, summarises the influx of rural dwellers into the cities of Africa. The influx promises dramatic urban growth that will not only present challenges, but also opportunities for business. Advertising of the world's best selling drug was misleading to womenAtorvastatin advertising misled over benefits for women, study claims. A male's key to a longer, better life...Men who never smoke are far more likely to live longer and have better lives than heavy smokers.
Women's healthBreastfeeding and breast sagging, some questions, some answersFindings from a study published in the September/October 2008 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal show that, contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding is not a likely cause of post-pregnancy drooping of the breasts. Understanding menopause in the workplaceSome women sail through it, others find it a challenge but few women like to talk openly about the menopause. |
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