Merck's New Anti-Platelet Drug Produce Mixed Result

A new antiplatelet drug has shown significant ability to prevent blood clots. However, the drug also caused abnormal bleeding in clinical trial. Merck & Co is testing the drug in a trial which is believed to be largest drug trial conducted for any heart medicine so far.

The manufacturer company is seeking approval for Vorapaxar drug since last year. But the approval is denied because of bleeding caused by the drug in patients with history of stroke. Submitted data of the study included 26,449 participants.

Merck has been asked to stop the trial on patients who had stroke in recent past and, allowed to continue trial on heart attack patients who are in stable condition at present. Vorapaxar is currently being tested on patients who have recently been diagnosed with clogged leg arteries.

Latest trial data published by drug maker last month showed significant reduction in forming of blood clots, while on the other hand, it caused excessive bleeding. Experts are inconclusive whether the company would apply for approval. A trial named TRACER for same drug had failed too. It is also not clear whether Merck would conduct another trial on heart attack patients only.

Despite drug maker is quite happy with trial result, experts see very less possibility for approval. Drug usage will be limited to small group even if Vorapaxar succeeds to get approval.

BEST FOR HEART ATTACK PATIENTS

Researchers involved in trial claimed that after 30 months administered Vorapaxar met goal when it's effects were compared with other popular antiplatelet drug such as Plavix and Aspirin. In fact Vorapaxar reduced the risk of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular diseases by 13% when compared with its other counterparts in market.


In past several decades Vorapaxar is first new antiplatelet drug which provides long time protection for to patients with history of heart attack, says Dr. David Morrow - lead researcher of the trial.

Simple Way To Prevent Unintended Pregnancy

World Contraception day was on 22nd March. Many women in US is concerned on access to birth control contraception pills. Scientists have found feasible way to address the issue. They have found trivial change which would bring drastic change in unwanted pregnancy in USA.

Most of the health coverage in USA allow 3 months supply of contraceptive pills. Supply for more than 3 months won't be included in health coverage insurance plan. A study published on Obstetrics & Gynecology demonstrated that prescription of birth control pill for more than 3 months would significantly bring consistency in women to continue their birth control plan.

A research study conducted at New York family planning clinic proved that women are more likely to continue to take birth control pills if they are given long lasting supply of contraceptive pills. The research included 661 women of different ages. All the women were given option to go for 3 months supply or 7 months supply. 51% of women who opted 7 months supply had continued the pills after 6 months. And only 35% women of 3 months supply continued. This is not startling fact, in fact it is common sense. However, statistical data that back the claim is necessary to bring changes in insurance policy.

The reason of 3 months supply limit is that a pregnant women take visit to physician and that physician can know any sort of developing complications or side effects of the pill. However, the limit is seem to be problem as women stop taking pills when they run out of the pills.

Effective Generic Drug To Slow Down Bleeding, Used by UK USA Armies

A general generic version of drug has been saving lives of American soldiers. The generic drug is being given to severely injured soldiers to slow excess bleeding.

The drug is tranexamic acid. Cost of tranexamic acid is very low so much so that physicians were wary to use it. That why this drug took long time to fully recognized it’s potential in emergency units. Every year four thousand american people get into emergency care unit for the treatment of hemorrhage caused by various reasons such as vehicle accidents, shoot out and stabbings.

Because of its extremely low cost, manufacturer companies could not afford to market or advertise the drug.

Usefulness of the drug has sparked discussions amongst experts of many hospitals across the US on whether the drug should be included in pharmacies. The drug is OTC in UK to stop excess bleeding during menstrual cycle. A study, on more than twenty thousand patients who suffered bleeding for various reason, proved the drug as life saving drug treatment when it is about stop bleeding. Taking result of the study into consideration, UK and US military started to use the drug for their soldiers.

Along with military the drug is now being used in ambulances in UK. Around 400,000 patients die every year because of unstoppable bleeding. A research on usefulness of drug demonstrated that tranexamic acid can save 128,000 patients a year. The research has been available on March 1 publication of BMC Emergency Medicine.

Experts held pharmaceutical companies responsible as the companies did not marketed the drug despite its great potential in hemorrhage treatment.

Pfizer, a pharmaceutical giant, funded a study trial named as Crash-2. The trial was conducted by Dr. Ian Roberts in 2010. Dr Roberts is acting as director of clinical trial department of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Electroshock To Treat Depression Found Effective in Study

Experts demonstrated with the help of a study that electroshock therapy is so far effective and underestimated therapy for depression.

Brain images (MRI) of 9 adults who were suffering from chronic depression were examined by scientists. Scientists learned that that electroconvulsive therapy affected several connections between the parts of the brain in depressive people.

The study has confirmed presence of hyperconnectivity in brain of depressed people. And MRI scan showed that the hyperconnectivity can be eliminated by electroshock therapy. The study was conducted at University of Aberdeen in Scotland by Dr Christian Schwarzbauer and team.

It is widely believed that activities in brain of depression patient are too high to respond stimulation given from outside. But this therapy and its result has proved that even a overdriven brain can be treated from external therapy.

The study has opened the door for more improvment to increase efficacy of the treatment.

Electroshock treatment is usually preferred when patient with severe depression symptoms fails to respond antidepressants drug treatment and other available therapy.

The study has been published on Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Scan image of brain was taken for total nine patients of chronic depression. They then received therapy two times in a week. The therapy was continued till patients showed improvment such as decrease in sorrowness. Scan image of their brain was taken after therapy.

The scientists focused on prefrontal cortex. It is a part of brain located on left side. Brain images of the patients showed that the connections of prefrontal cortex with other part had become less intense after receiving shock therapy.

Studies in past has indicated link between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and depression. That part of the brain is associated with emotions such as anger, mood such as sadness. Electroshock therapy stopped communication between prefrontal cortex and other part which studies showed association with depression.

New Drug Approval Option To Encourage New Antibiotics Development

The Congress and FDA are contemplating to new pathway for drug approval of antibiotics which are lifesaving and needed critically. The proposed new pathway has been suggested by IDSA. FDA is also in favor as the new approval option would make more drug accessible and control prescription drug abuse.
Purpose of this is to have another feasible approval option for antibiotics which treat serious infections. The need is being felt by FDA to treat infections for which no effective treatment is available in market. Current approval process is lengthy, expensive and time consuming which discourages pharma companies to develop drug which is required by few thousands patients. The new pathway will be based on Special Population Limited Medical Use (SPLMU) mechanism.

IDSA proposed this amendment during a hearing session held for reauthorization of USA FDA's Prescription Drug User Fee Act. PDUFA bill was enacted in 1992 and it requires reauthorization every 5 years from House of Senate. PDUFA has helped a lot in fast approval of drug, which made access to the drug for which no alternative is available in market. The senators are due to discuss the integration of the proposed amendment within another pending bill named as Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN). The proposed provision of GAIN bill is to offer incentives to encourage development of new antibiotics for the treatment of diseases which are resistant to current antibiotics.

Antibiotics resistant infections are epidemic for countries across the world. Antimicrobial resistance is a condition where bacteria develop resistance to respond a drug. This means the drugs which were effective to treat infection are now not effective because of bacteria's resistance capability. The proposed mechanism would help to resolve the issue before the current condition worsens and pose serious threat to public health.
SPLMU mechanism would help improve feasibility of approval for the drug which are targeted to be used in few hundred patients.

Approved Rx Shampoo Treatment for Head Lice

A prescription only shampoo indicated to treat head lice has got approval from USA FDA. Shampoo named as Sklice has been developed by Sanofi. The lotion is approved to be used in people of age six months and greater.

Sanofi has received approval from FDA to be marketed in USA market. The shampoo has ivermectin as its active ingredient.

The approval come after evaluating clinical trial of the lotion submitted to FDA. Trial included 780 people who were infected with lice. Most of the participants of the trial did not need to comb hair to remove lice eggs.

Tablets of ivermectin are already being used to treat roundworm parasitic infections. Ivermectin belongs to anthelmintics drugs class. Ivermectin has successful history of preventing life threatening infection caused by worms in infested patients with weak immune system. Ivermectin lotion is prescription only. Lotion has some common side effects such as irritation in eyes, dry scalp or dandruff.

Lice are tiny insects found on scalp. They servive by sucking blood, blood is food for them. The saliva of these insects blocks blood clotting which helps them to keep sucking blood for long time. Saliva produced by lice also cause severe itching.

Hope for Female Infertility, Unlimited eggs Can be Produced with Stem Cells

A study conducted by scientists at Harvard Uni concluded that women with fertility issues might be able to produce countless eggs. Not only that but study also suggested that older women could also have baby.
Scientists have claimed to derive stem cells from female ovaries. This development would enable a woman to conceive even after menopause.

It is generally believed that women lose their capability of getting pregnant as they grow older. An arrangement could be made where eggs of a young girl could be store in an account (sort of bank account) and be used later when respective girl becomes woman.

Dr. Jonathan Tilly, Massachusetts General Hospital, has led the study. Dr Tilly has demonstrated his study on Nature Medicine. This can be a major breakthrough for female infertility problems.

At present there is no promising treatment for female infertility. But based on this finding, more research and development can lead to permanent solution of infertility. It is noticed that the stem cells which were kept outside the body could produce eggs on their own.

Most of the couples are confused about time of pregnancy as women have been found reluctant to have kid because of several reasons such as career ambitions and financial instability.

Research Highlights

Dr Tilly and his teammates extracted stem cells from woman ovaries and injected them into germ cells i.e. female eggs (medically known oocytes).
Scientists churned out these stem cells with the help of antibodies which are located on proteins found on peripheral of these cells. The cells were given different color (fluorescent green) for easy monitoring of process which involved those cells.
The cells, combined with ovarian tissues, were grafted below mice skin. After fourteen days the stem cells produced eggs. Some eggs were with fluorescent green color which showed that the eggs were produced by stem cells which were extracted from female ovaries.

Researches in future may reverse biological process.

Prescribed Cannabis World’s first Drug to Hit US Market

Imitated medicines are motivated by the cannabis plant himself finds ways to American Pharmacy’s mantelshelves to conduct landmark for such trails, said a British company.

The firm GW Pharma is seeking approval by the US government that the clinical trails regarding 1st pharmaceutical based raw marijuana than synthetic equivalents- a mouth spray it faithful in market by US as a possibility of positive sign in cancer patients.

The Food and Drug Administration sanctioned the prescribed drug according the main psychoactive ingredient in arijuana.

Delta 9-THC and Cannabidiol are the two very main elements of Sativex, and got approved by Canada, New Zealand and eight European countries for releasing muscle contraction associated with variety of sclerosis.

Vital and Innovative bond with marijuana was uneasy to represent by FDA for approval. Where as many nations like Washington DC already allowed in use legally prescribed recommendation with doctors.

As the organic substance parallel with prescribed drug, it could raise the burden on government returning its status and potential that, other drug industries will follow GW Pharma. The US Drug Enforcement Administration categorises tub as a warning without medical consequences.

A founder of the company GW Pharma’s Dr. Geoffrey Guy got the permit for the growth and development of prescribed drug as marijuana is yet banned in UK.

Dr Guy bring in the idea at a scientific meetings which brought unreliable proof that tub heals to various sclerosis patients, British government allowed it as a conceivable path for drawing straight line in recreational and medicinal usage, urged Mark Rogerson Industries spokesperson.

A study from University of California, Davis the neurologist influenced on how smoking marijuana links to Marinol in noticing dangerous muscle pains. Marijuana is not sponsored by The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The biggest doubt is whether they are visibly constructive.

Company is experimenting more with different Cannabis Formulations.

More deep study is required, where as the believer dread that the government would bring into use any new prescribed product in explaining marijuana’s use limit.

Research on Pancreatic Cells Offer New Hope Diabetes Treatment

Researchers were glad to know that stem cells might be able to perform the functions of pancreatic cells in certain instances. This can be highly beneficial in lowering the risk of diabetes in one. After studying about pancreatic agenesis in detail, experts are of the opinion that the gene GATA 6 has a key role to play here.

It is a rare disorder to be born without a pancreas known as pancreatic agenesis. Pancreas has a chief role to play in one’s body from supporting the digestion process to the hormonal functions. The exocrine and the endocrine process are the two significant roles of the pancreas.

In case of one suffering from pancreatic agenesis, it has been observed that fifteen among twenty- seven people experience a mutation in this gene GATA 6. By comprehending with this relationship, the researchers seem to be assertive about treating diabetes 1 in one by producing beta cells in them.

The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry has been happy to know and understand this relationship as it might support their treatment towards the treatment of diabetes.

Diabetes has been one of the most common and detrimental disorder that mankind is suffering from these days. Many diabetes medicines are there in market. Unlike diabetes 2, diabetes 1 is an auto- immune disorder that kills the beta cells of the pancreas in one impeding many crucial functions in the body. This makes it increasingly necessary for one to treat this disorder as soon as possible.

Sumagen Canada Inc. awarded $728,000 for their HIV/AIDS

National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)

awarded Sumagen Canada Inc. a financial contribution of up to $728,000 to support their

human clinical trials for the preventative HIV/AIDS vaccine on Friday (Jan.12).

The tests are based on genetically modified ‘killed whole virus’, called SAV001.United States

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last December gave approval to Sumagen Canada to

start the first of three phases of clinical trials.

The preliminary studies showed no adverse effects or safety risks, during test it was also

found that the HIV vaccine stimulate strong immune responses, the tests was undertaken at

University of Western Ontario. Canada is one of few countries were the development of such

kind in HIV vaccine has been undertaken.

Sumagen Canada is getting a huge assistance from NRC-IRAP under The Canadian HIV

Technology Development (CHTD) Program and Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to test the

safety of the clinical trail of first of three phases which is going to start in this month.

Canadian HIV Initiative (CHVI) initiates CHTD Program which is a partnership between

Melianda Gates foundation and Government of Canada.

28 million people have been killed due HIV/AIDS virus worldwide, and at present 35 million

people are living with the virus. Pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions all

over the world have made numerous trials since 1983 when the virus was first typified. Till

now no commercialized vaccine has been made.

Till now the vaccines that have been developed focuses on recombinant viruses carrying the

HIV genes or it concentrates on specific elements of HIV.

Tax on Sugar Beverages will Help Check Diabetes and Obesity

Nowadays not only Obesity but many other risks like diabetes, stroke, and numerous heart ailments are due to sugar based drinks. A study conducted at University California, San Francisco (UCSF) has brought statics to fore. The study proposes a penny-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages.

A study on American residents showed that around 13.8 billion gallons of such sugar beverages is consumed every year, and a rapid increase in the number of diabetes and obesity cases. Control in heart disease occurrences and stokes will be balanced by penny-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks over the decade. It will also help prevent diabetes.

It would not only save $17 billion but help public expenses over such health problems in coming decade.

An article published in January issue of Health Affairs highlighted, being a part of chief Obesity Prevention strategies in 2009, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had already recommended to lower the intake of sugar beverages. California and New York are currently working on this strategy of tax. That will bring down the consumption value of such beverages.

Damage Of Lungs Due To Blood Pressure Drugs To Smokers

A research from Johns Hopkins says that blood pressure drugs, which is commonly consumed by the patients, can cause lung damages to smokers, with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which ranks third in the cause of death, in our nation.

The researchers first tried on mice, next is human. Clinical trails which includes C.O.P.D , chronic emphysema and bronchitis.

The Drug called  Losartan which is also known as Cozaar , has saved lungs from damaged, since two months of damage due to cigarette smoke. It highlights lungs tissue breakdown, airway wall thickening , inflammation and lung over expansion which cause in breathe.

          12 million Americans are suffering from C.O.P.D and there is no cure for lung damage. Only few medical attention has provided to shortness of breath, coughing, and mucus production and surgery.

           Senior investigator Dr. Enid Neptune, a Hopkins pulmonologist and an associate Professor who did research with said " Because these drugs are already approved for use in the United States as safe and effective treatments for hypertension, incorporating them into our treatment regime for C.O.P.D would be quote rapid".

           Treatment for lung damage in smokers will be the achievement, said the study of researchers in Journal of Clinical Investigation. When Hopkins research found out that same drug benefits Marfan Syndrome which cause a genetic mutation and weakness arteries, the investigation started.