Inhaled corticosteroids in COPD have neutral effect on mortality despite increased pneumonia risk Use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia but a neutral or even reduced risk of pneumonia-associated and overall mortality.…
Glaucoma: treatment of open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension Pharmacological treatment is essential for patients with glaucoma, although patient compliance can be a problem.…
Personalised medicines — creating ‘polypills’ in the local pharmacy Patients require different combinations of drugs at different doses. Gino Martini explains how ‘polypills’ may enable patients to take one tablet containing the medicines and doses appropriate for them.…
The BPSA’s policies for the political partiesThe British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (BPSA), as part of its commitment to represent its 14,500 undergraduate and pre-registration trainee members, wrote to the major political parties contesting the general election to advocate a number of policies voted for by members at the annua…
Placebo effect genes identifiedResearchers have identified at least 11 genes that influence individuals’ susceptibility to the placebo effect.…
PCSK9 inhibitors: the next cholesterol-lowering blockbusters? Statins have been a mainstay of heart attack and stroke prevention for the past 20 years, but the race is on to bring a new drug to market that targets an enzyme called PCSK9.…
Mixing medicines: how to ensure patient safety Incompatibility poses a constant risk when mixing medicines but it can be avoided by understanding the chemical reactions taking place.…
Indian government stands up to EMA over licence suspensionsThe Indian government has come to the defence of GVK Biosciences, the company at the centre of allegations of flawed data used to support the licensing of generic drugs.…
Using a mummy as a medicine Different types of mummy could be used to make tincture, treacle, elixir or balsam, which could, in turn, be used for treating different types of affliction.…
The troublesome truth about complementary and alternative medicines ‘A scientist in wonderland: a memoir of searching for truth and finding trouble’ by Edzard Ernst.…