Influenza and Pneumonia

There are a lot of studies about influenza related to pneumonia. Days ago, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins sent me an email which included all the information about their study in pneumonia and influenza.

The study shown that influenza associated pneumonia in children hospitalized with laboratory confirm from 2003 to 2008.

"Influenza causes considerable morbidity among children and pneumonia is one of the most common complications in children hospitalized with influenza. Pneumonia has been reported in 10% to 26% of children hospitalized with influenza and in a recent study of influenza-associated pediatric mortality, 35% of children who died had pneumonia."

When I saw this data, I was really surprise then.

Here is the link where you can download the case study for free.

GSK's Flu Vaccine Launched in Cambodia Market

Days ago, GSK, a giant pharmaceutical company in the world had launch their new flu vaccine, Fluarix, in Cambodia.

On that day, there were about 100 doctors and vaccinators joined the symposium. The presentation spoke by 2 foreigner speakers: Dr.Ta Wan Yu and Dr.Arnel Gerald Q. Jiao.

The quality of symposium was acceptable, but the program started a little bit late due to the availability of the participants.

Now, the flu vaccine is available in Cambodia market and I encourage all of Cambodian people please contact your doctor near you for more information.

Influenza Virus Vaccine for the 2010-2011 Season

Cumulative 2010/2011 Season Lot Release Status (Updated 9/1/2010)
Flu vaccine lots that have been released by FDA and are available for distribution by the manufacturers.

Vaccine & Manufacturer Total number of Lots Released by FDA

AFLURIA
CSL Limited 22

Fluarix
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals 5

FluLaval
ID Biomedical Corp. of Quebec 27

FluMist
MedImmune, LLC 14

Fluvirin
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited 32

Fluzone
Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. 62

FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) met in Bethesda, Maryland, on February 22, 2010, to select the influenza viruses for the composition of the influenza vaccine for the 2010-2011 U.S. influenza season. During this meeting, the advisory committee reviewed and evaluated the surveillance data related to epidemiology and antigenic characteristics of recent influenza isolates, serological responses to 2009-2010 vaccines, and the availability of candidate strains and reagents.
The committee recommended that vaccines to be used in the 2010-2011 influenza season in the U.S. contain the following:
an A/California/7/09 (H1N1)-like virus; *
an A/Perth /16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus; **
a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.***
The influenza vaccine composition to be used in the 2010-2011 influenza season in the U.S. is identical to that recommended by the World Health Organization on February 18, 2010, for the Northern Hemisphere's 2010-2011 influenza season.

*A/California/7/09 (H1N1)-like virus is the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus. A monovalent vaccine containing this strain was made available to the United States in the fall of 2009.
**A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus is a change from the 2009-2010 influenza vaccine formulation.
***and B/Brisbane /60/2008-like virus is a current vaccine virus.

[Source: FDA]

Management of Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B

1. Goals of therapy and treatment endpoints for Chronic Hepatitis B:

* Goal of therapy: Long term viral suppression to prevent long term clinical outcomes such as death from liver disease and development of liver cancer.

* Treatment endpoint:

- Improve liver histology

- Normalize ALT

- Decrease HBV DNA

- HBeAg loss and seroconversion to Anti-HBe or to Anti-HBs (+)

2. APASL 2008 Guidelines for Hepatitis (1): Starting treatment

- HBV DNA> 100,000 copies/mL (20,000IU/mL) in HBeAg-positive patients

- Or HBV DNA> 10,000 copies/mL (2000 IU/mL) in HBeAg-negative patients

- ALT > 2 x upper limit of normal.

3. EASL 2009 Guidelines for Hepatitis (2): For both HBeAg+ve and HBeAg-ve Chronic Hepatitis B

- HBV DNA> 200IU/mL (approximately 10^4 copies/mL) and/or

- ALT > ULN and

- Live biopsy showing moderate to severe active necroinflammation and/or fibrosis using a standardized scoring system.

Reference:

1. Liaw FW et al. Hepatol Int 2008; 2: 263-83

2. EASL Practice Guidelines J Hepatol 2009; 50: 227-42

Classification of antibacterial drugs

Antibacterial drugs or antibiotic drugs are commonly use medicine for all kind of infections, hence we have to know about this drugs more clearer.

According to side of action, antibiotic divided into 3 main groups:

1. Inhibition of cell wall synthesis:

Beta-lactams, the structure of which contains a beta-lactam ring. The major subdivisions are:

• penicillins whose official names usually include or end in 'cillin'.
• cephalosporins and cephamycins which are recognised by the inclusion of 'cef' or 'ceph' in their official names.

Lesser categories of beta-lactams include:

• carbapenems (e.g. meropenem...)
• monobactams (e.g. aztreonam...)
• beta-lactamse inhibitors (e.g. clavulanic acid...)

Other inhibitors of cell wall synthesis include vancomycine and teicoplanin.

2. Inhibition of protein synthesis:

Aminiglycoside. The names of those that are derived from streptomyces end in 'mycin', e.g. tobramycin. Other include gentamicin and semisynthesis drugs, e.g.amikacin.

Tetracyclines as the name suggests are four-ringed structures and their names end in '-cycline'

Macrolides, e.g.erythromycin. Clindamicin, structurally a lincosamide, has a similar action and overlapping antibacterial activity.

Other drugs that act by inhibiting protein synthesis include quinapristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, chloraphenicol and sodium fursidate.

3. Inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis:

Sulphonamides, usually their names contain 'sulpha' or 'sulfa'. These drugs, and trimethophrim, with which they may be combined, inhibit synthesis of nucleic acid precursors.

Quinolones, are structurally related to nalidixic acid; the names of the most recently introduced members of the group end in '-oxacin', e.g. ciprofloxacin. They act by preventing DNA replication.

Azoles, all contain an azole ring and the names end in '-azole', e.g. metronidazole. They act by the prodcution of short-lived intermediat compounds which are toxic to DNA of sensitive organisms. Rifapicin inhibits bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

[To be continued... ]

Source: Clinical Pharmacology, 9th edition, P.N.Bennett and M.J.Brown, 2003

GlaxoSmithKline gets amended license for Cervarix

UK pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK; L) says that the European Commission has granted Marketing Authorisation to amend the licence for its cervical cancer vaccine, Cervarix. The approval is important, the company says, as it recognises the extent of cervical cancer protection demonstrated by Cervarix, which was not highlighted by the previous indication.

UK pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK; L) says that the European Commission has granted Marketing Authorisation to amend the licence for its cervical cancer vaccine, Cervarix. The approval is important, the company says, as it recognises the extent of cervical cancer protection demonstrated by Cervarix, which was not highlighted by the previous indication.

Cervical Cancer In Cambodia

If you search the word CANCER on the internet, you'll see many many topic/informations. This mean, cancer become one of the most popular search on the internet, last but not least, cancerhas became one of the most popular topic for all the Cambodian people.

There are too many kind of cancer, but one of the most cancer that cause Cambodian women death every year is CERVICAL CANCER [មហារីកមាត់ស្បូន]. If you look at the past, many decades ago, cervical cancer was the most death cause for all the women around the world. But since papsmear test had been introduced, squamous cell cervical cancer has been reduced but unfortunately, adenocarcinoma cervical cancer's increasing without any reasons.

In Cambodia, cervical cancer is still the most dangerous cause for all the women. This mean, acknowledge of Cambodian people is still limit. Most of them didn't know they're the host of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), and this is the main cause for Cervical cancer speed up itself constantly.

By the way, cervical cancer need more than 10 years to develop itself, hence when the host knew that they've cervical cancer, it'd be the last chance for them and maybe had no chance at all.

Fortunately, nowadays, HPV-vaccines are now available. GSK is one of the leading pharmaceutical company in the world has imported the HPV-vaccine and made it available in Cambodia market. So, PLEASE ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION WITH YOUR DOCTORS.

TimeOut Capsules: Undeclared Drug Ingredient

ISSUE: FDA analyzed TimeOut and determined that it contains hydroxythiohomosildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Like sildenafil, this chemical may interact with prescription drugs such as nitrates, including nitroglycerin, and cause dangerously low blood pressure. When blood pressure drops suddenly, the brain is deprived of an adequate blood supply which can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness.

BACKGROUND: The product is marketed as a dietary supplement for sexual enhancement. TimeOut is labeled as “100% natural” and consumers may mistakenly assume the product is harmless and poses no health risk. TimeOut is distributed on Internet sites and online marketplaces as 2,500 mg capsules.

RECOMMENDATION: Consumers who have TimeOut Capsules should stop using them immediately.

Read more: http://www.drugs.com/fda/timeout-capsules-undeclared-ingredient-12792.html#ixzz0xgJEEw3d

Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak in Shell Eggs

FDA and CDC organization, located in USA, are now alert to the American people about the new outbreak of Salmonella into shell eggs. This breaking news could be another disaster for nationwide because eggs, one of the most popular food, had shown that effected by Salmonella.

[Source: FDA]

Alcohol and Cancer

Alcohol is never good for our health, even if those kind of expensive alcohol, whatever, it's bad for our health. Cancer society of America has shown that alcohol related to many kind of cancer.

Research shows that men who have two alcoholic drinks a day and women who have one alcoholic drink a day have an increased chance of developing certain cancers. The more alcohol a person consumes, the higher his or her risk of developing some kinds of cancer.

Do you believe that about 70% to 80% of all patients with oral cancer consume alcohol frequently. This is such a very imaging incident rate, right?

[Source: American Cancer Society]

Preface

Hello everyone, this is the blog for all pharmacist, especially Khmer pharmacist, to search all the information about medicine and method to develop drugs, and information about the medicine and drug around the world.

Nowadays this website is under construction and it'll in public soon.

I promise that I'm going to share you the latest and the best information which it'll be very important for all Cambodian pharmacist to support their research.

I'll give you some of my experiences which I experienced myself in new drugs research.

Hope everyone will correct me from wrong and help me to improve this website become the best place for all of Cambodian pharmacists.

Any concerns or issues, please feel free to contact me by this e-mail: sophea_kg@hotmail.com

Regards,

Sophea, Ph. of Hanoi University of Pharmacy.