Sunday, February 15, 2009

Fluid retention, a key factor in sleep apnea.

In people who do not suffer from overweight.

Some simple measures like raising a little the top of the bed and do some physical exercise such as walking for half an hour before bedtime, may help prevent the symptoms of sleep apnea

The diet also affects the water retention, so avoid foods with sodium is a preventive measure

In Spain they are diagnosed and treated about 200,000 patients of OSAHS, those figures represent only 10% of patients suffering from this disease in its severest form

Fluid retention in the legs and subsequent migration to the neck during sleep could explain the occurrence of sleep apnea (OSAHS) in non-obese patients, according to Dr. Douglas Bradley, director of the Center for Sleep Disorders Research cardiopulmonary Toronto General Hospital (Canada). Dr. Joaquín Duran, coordinator of the Sleep Apnea SEPAR, says that "people who suffer from sleep apnea show a major shift of fluid from the legs to the neck during sleep. The tank liquid level of the neck may facilitate the onset and worsening of sleep apnea "

While in Spain are diagnosed and treated about 200,000 patients of OSAHS, those figures represent only 10% of patients suffering from this disease in its severest form. July Ancochea President SEPAR (Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery) says that "for specialists in pulmonology, contribute to the training of specialists in sleep disordered breathing. It is precisely this challenge which has led to separate launch the Course II Respiratory Sleep Disorders has concluded that this Friday. "

The results of the study that has found a direct correlation between the edema of the legs and in OSAHS patients with overweight, show that this migration of liquid to the neck, is directly related to the time people remain seated. The mechanism is because, in this position, the force of gravity causes it to accumulate up to half a liter of water in the lower limbs, and at night, when the patient adopts a horizontal position, the fluid moving toward the upper body. When this happens, the neck swells up to 1.5 centimeters, pressing the airways. This represents up to five times more fluid with respect to persons who do not have OSAHS. Dr. Bradley noted that "the relationship between water retention and increase the size of the neck predicts 68% of sleep apnea so that this factor could be relevant to the screening of this disease and to detect persons who are particularly susceptible" .

New progress in the fight against obesity.

GlaxoSmithKline receives approval for alli ® (orlistat 60 mg) as a prescription medicine indicated for the aid to weight loss in Europe.


GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced today that alli (orlistat 60 mg) has received the nod as a drug without a prescription by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). After this step, the product will be proposed for final approval by the European Commission and could be granted marketing authorization in the coming months. If the authorization is granted, there would be the first treatment approved and clinically proven to aid weight loss available without prescription throughout Europe. The drug is indicated for adults older than 18 years with a BMI of 28 kg/m2 or higher.

Clinical trials show that there is used in combination with a hypocaloric diet and low in fat, can help people lose 50% more weight than just with diet 1. Therefore, if someone lost 2 kilograms through diet alone, alli can help you lose 3 kilograms. alli works in the digestive tract to prevent about 25% of the fats in food are absorbed and produce an increase in peso2. That is why there offers an added motivation to start a weight loss and low in fat and to change the lifestyle and thus help promote weight loss.

Manfred Scheske, president of GSK Consumer Healthcare said: "Receiving the nod for there is a significant milestone for medicine and for overweight people in Europe. This means we are one step closer to the first commercially available treatment to aid weight loss without a prescription approved in the EU. Approximately half of the adult population in Europe are overweight, of whom approximately one third is obese. It is a new clinically proven option that truly enhances the efforts to lose weight and that could mean a huge difference in the fight against obesity. "

there was launched in the U.S. in June 2007 as the only treatment to aid weight loss without prescription approved by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). In the USA, users have a comprehensive program of on-line assistance to help with their weight loss efforts and helps to acquire healthy eating patterns in the long term. alli works locally in the gastrointestinal tract by blocking the absorption of fat, so there is minimal absorption of the active ingredient into the torrent sanguíneo.2 alli does not suppress appetite and no effect on the heart or the cerebro.2

Manfred Scheske continued: "there is not a miracle pill, but it can help people lose more weight than lose it only with diet, feel better and have a better image of themselves. It is marketed in the U.S. for a year and has been tested by millions of people so far, helping to keep a balanced diet to achieve a sustainable weight loss. "

If authorization is granted marketing, GSK could circulate there in the 27 EU member countries.

alli is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Dust mites are the leading cause of allergy in the home.

- More than 600,000 have madrileños test positive allergic to dust mites.

- The vacuum is the Dyson DC23 vacuum cleaner sled that microscopic particles found in all soil types.


In recent years, the number of allergy suffering from any disease associated with mites in Madrid has risen significantly. According to Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Associate Chief of the Allergy Service of Hospital Ramón y Cajal de Madrid "the main cause of allergic disease in our community is allergic to dust mites are responsible for more than 10% of allergic respiratory processes" . While the prevalence of allergy to mites is not as important in Madrid and in other parts of Spain, due to lower rainfall, lower humidity, temperatures and more extreme, the prevalence of sensitization to this allergen is also relevant. The existence of almost all heating in homes contributes to this fact. Allergy is also relevant to the epithelium of domestic animals, which affects more than 7% of the population of Madrid, especially dogs and cats.

The mites are 0.2 mm micro-organisms, parasites that are found in household dust. Although they are harmless, their feces contain protein allergy that can lead to asthma and other allergic reactions such as rhinitis and conjunctivitis. In all the homes are thousands of these organisms that grow mostly in the fall because in this time of year the conditions of optimum temperature and humidity for their development in about 25 degrees and a relative humidity of 75 %. The places where most abundant are those where there is more moisture, such as mattresses and carpets, which can be 1000 mites per square meter. Dyson, in a bid to continue to innovate technologically, made from crops and mites are studied closely, to develop vacuums that can fight efficiently and quickly.

How to combat the mites?

Among the possible interventions to eliminate or reduce exposure to mite allergen, Dr. Hinojosa says that something as simple as "ventilate the room to cause a drop in humidity helps prevent the development of dust mites."

Dr. Hinojosa also recommends "suck dust throughout the house every week." The ideal is to use to fight a vacuum that is holding all the dust sucking like Allergy bagless vacuum cleaners from Dyson, thanks to its patented technology, retaining 99.9% of dust particles, while their HEPA filters, trap the remaining 0.01%, driving this way, an air containing 150 times less mold and bacteria than the air we breathe normally. In fact, the latest model of Dyson, the DC23 is the vacuum sled over microscopic particles of dust collected, as small as smoke snuff.

Dyson recommendations for combating allergies in the home

Dyson's bet because health experts in the home is palpable. Thus, with a laboratory of microbiology in 2001 from cultures where they eat the mites and low care and natural conditions, allowing thus to study their behavior. In this way, scientists can develop products to fight in an efficient manner. Among his research has found that there are several tricks to combat allergies and effective manner in a very simple

- Vacuuming the mattress to remove dead skin cells, the main food of the mites. It is advisable to seek hard on both sides two or three times a month.

- Reduce the number of surfaces and decorative items that could attract dust.

- Maintain an atmosphere as bright sunlight kills mites.

- Draw the drapes because they can harbor pollen.

- Ventilate the house by opening windows every day for half an hour.

- Wash usually blankets, sheets and duvets at a temperature of about 60 º.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Conclusions of scientific experts at the World AIDS Day.

CHRONICLE OF SCIENTIFIC ACT WORLD AIDS DAY
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Ethics, law, HIV and hepatitis, a situation in Africa and therapeutic developments have been the main themes of the event with scientific reason for World AIDS Day, celebrated on December 1 at the Palacio de Congresos de Madrid.

The event, organized by the Foundation on AIDS Research and Education, was moderated by Dr. Juan González-Lahoz, president of the Foundation. During the presentation, Dr. González Lahoz highlighted the work of basic and clinical research in the field of HIV and viral hepatitis that is making this Foundation, as well as social and educational programs developed in recent years.

Below and to a very interested audience, the speakers discussed the current issues brought by the scientific community over the past year.

"Ethical issues surrounding HIV / AIDS: It should regulate the practice of clinical trials in developing countries.
First, it gave a speech entitled "Ethical issues surrounding HIV / AIDS," by Dr. Jose Jara Rascón, President of the Association of Bioethics at the Autonomous Community of Madrid, and Department of Urology, Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid.

The research being conducted in developing countries on AIDS treatment do not always make available in the first world, for these patients. A review of studies on measures to prevent mother-to-subsidiary of the virus during pregnancy, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, found that while the tests conducted in the United States comparing strategies versus medication with known efficacy ( zidovudine), most of these studies conducted in African countries were studying the same measures against type substances inactive placebo. Ie, it was assumed not to give any medication to pregnant women with AIDS to obtain results of these studies in a shorter time and much cheaper. Would it be acceptable that scientifically correct decision in the countries sponsoring the study?

"AIDS and the clinical setting: Ethical and legal": If the time and place of work is contracted the disease by contagion, this will be a happy accident.

"AIDS and the clinical setting: ethical and legal aspects" was the topic presented by Dr. Javier Sanchez-Caro, Director of Bioethics and Health Guidance. Department of Health and Consumption in the Autonomous Community of Madrid.

Dr. Sanchez-Caro said that considerations of labor standards and social security are applied in the case of AIDS without any exception: if at the time and place of work is contracted the disease by contagion, we will without any doubt an accident, considering the unique hypothesis that workers have to undergo a compulsory medical examination, since it is a scenario that could arise only for certain health care workers carrying out of surgical risk.

"HIV and Hepatitis: infection by the virus of viral hepatitis are the second leading cause of death in HIV-infected patients after AIDS in developed countries
Next, was "HIV and Hepatitis", delivered by Dr. Vincent Soriano. Service of Infectious Diseases Hospital Carlos III of Madrid, which reported the complications of infections with viruses of viral hepatitis, which are the second leading cause of death in HIV-infected patients after AIDS in developed countries . "This is because the virus coinfection is common and because the progression to cirrhosis is faster in this population. In addition, coinfected patients respond less to treatment. "

"HIV and Africa: The Foundation AIDS Research and Education in 4 years has kept an important economic cooperation for the maintenance of a hospital for AIDS patients in Boma (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

"HIV and Africa," was the theme outlined by Dr. Dolores Herrero, Infectious Diseases Service, Hospital Carlos III of Madrid.
Dr. Herrero, commented that the region of Bas-Congo, one of the major cities is Boma, near the mouth of the River Congo on the Atlantic coast, the Foundation on AIDS Research and Education four years ago established an important collaboration several clinics. The result of this collaboration has been the development of devices for the diagnosis of HIV, training of African personnel with stays in Madrid and the establishment of partnerships with WHO support for the diagnosis of subtypes of HIV resistance to antiretroviral drugs and measure of viral load from blood samples of patients in Boma DBS (dried blood spots), which are periodically sent to Madrid from Congo.


"New developments in antiretroviral therapy: The therapeutic revolution in the last year has been the development of drugs belonging to new classes of drugs for HIV treatment: the maraviroc and raltegravir.
Finally, Dr. Pablo Tebas, University of Philadelphia, USA, said information about "New developments in antiretroviral therapy."

"Since 1987, zidovudine was approved for the treatment of HIV infection have been adopted over 20 new antiretrovirals. Although new drugs have opened new expectations and started a new era in treating HIV-infected patients, it is important to use them properly, because it will be several years before returning to live with a situation like this, with many new agents therapy available. "

Bamberg Foundation and Microsoft signed a cooperation agreement to promote privacy, data protection in health in Latin America.

On November 24, in the presence of the chairman of Microsoft Ibérica, María Graña, was signed between the Foundation and Microsoft Bamberg a collaboration agreement for the promotion of privacy, data protection in health in Latin America. The agreement was signed by Salvador Arribas, Secretary General of the Foundation, and Jose Miguel Calderon, Director of Microsoft Corporation Government and Health for Latin America.

Microsoft is committed to improving health in the world through innovation in software. In recent years Microsoft has steadily increased its investment in health, focusing on meeting the challenges of health providers, organizations of Health and Social Services, funders, consumers and companies in the fields of biotechnology, pharmacology, biomedicine ( life science companies) worldwide. Microsoft closely collaborates with a broad ecosystem of partners and develops its own solutions for Health, innovating solutions and eHealth mSalud (mobile Health) to help improve the quality of life and health care, making them more accessible to all .

Bamberg The Foundation is organized by a board and three advisory bodies such as the Scientific Council, the Advisory Council and the Institutional Council, the latter formed by representatives of institutions and organizations devoted to study, research, development and use of products and technology services of health related to any area of the Foundation, including the Council for Scientific Research, the Basque Foundation for Health Research and Innovation / R & B + O Eusko Foundation, National Cancer Center, the Center of minimally invasive surgery to Cáceres, the National Center for Cardiovascular Research Carlos III, the Foundation for Public Education and Training in Cancer, Technology and Health Foundation, the Foundation TicSalut, the Organization of Ibero-American Social Security, the Spanish Society Health Informatics, the Foundation for Research Development in Genomics and Proteomics and the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition among others.

Microsoft is a company whose mission is to help people and businesses around the world reach their potential through the use of information technologies and communication technologies (ICTs). To do this one of their policies is to support government initiatives in countries that will lead to the strengthening of the local technology sector, promote the adoption and use of ICT in the state and society, and promote the access of people to society information and knowledge, while deeply committed to working with businesses, communities and governments to achieve greater social and economic welfare.

Bamberg Foundation The Foundation is a private character that seeks the promotion of health technologies, through actions to enhance its research and development, knowledge and innovative use, taking action in areas involving technology information and communication technologies as the pharmacological and biotechnology, food and health technology, government, science, health centers, associations of patients and healthcare organizations, aimed at improving health and the effective and efficient health system.

Among the major areas of focus of the Foundation are information technology, communications and healthcare software solutions, technology-oriented clinical decision support through artificial intelligence.
Both organizations have established a strategic alliance for joint development of programs and projects that will move to Latin America experiences in health technology, telemedicine and health as the health card, health history and electronic prescriptions, or systems hospital management (paperless hospital) and Radiological Information Systems network developed with Microsoft technologies and, specifically, solutions for privacy, data protection in health in Latin America.

The platform claims that HPN patients 13 patients expect health counseling authorize their access to the only treatment that can restore life expectan

• Basque Country, Catalonia, Murcia and Canary deny treatment to patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (HPN), a rare disease of blood that deteriorates progressively as the patients and is a vital threat.

• Unequal access to the only medicine available for this disease has led to several patients to move their home to the Autonomous Communities that are guaranteed treatment, vital for those involved.

• To report this situation, patients and relatives from all over Spain are mobilized and the foundation of the Association of HPN patients.


The platform claims that HPN patients 13 patients Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (HPN) are expecting their Ministries of Health to authorize access to the only drug capable of halting the progress of their disease and reduce the risk of thromboembolic events, the main cause of mortality of those affected.

According to the platform, despite the serious health condition of patients, if a drug approved in March 2007 by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EMEA (European Medicines Agency) and to have funding approved, there governments that deny strictly economic grounds. In fact, he explains, this treatment has a relatively high cost, but given the low incidence of this disease (as "ultra-orphan" to affect nearly 5 out of 1,000,000 Spanish) only creates an impact of around 0 , 01% of the total budget of each Ministry of Health.

"It is unacceptable that the authorities continue contradicting the medical criteria and denying vital treatment solely on economic grounds," says Jordi Cruz, spokesman for the platform of HPN patients. It added that by saying that "of 20 million euros that the state devoted to research for Rare Disorders (EERR) last year, little has been done in support of access to treatment and improving their quality of life .

Inequality between the Autonomous Communities
According to the platform, although Spanish law recognizes the right of health protection and territorial equity in access to medical advances, some governments deny these drugs now due to budgetary issues, not based on medical and scientific criteria. In fact, the difference between regions in this area is alarming. As confirmed by Cruz, as well as patients from Andalucia, Comunidad Valenciana, Castilla León, Madrid, etc. have access to treatment, the affected communities and other Canary Islands, Catalonia, the Basque Country and Murcia are denied access after long struggles and applications, or simply relegated to eternal waiting processes. "Every day that these patients go without treatment is vital," says Jordi Cruz, "35% of patients die within a period of 5 years after diagnosis and without treatment, are at high risk of thrombosis, which is the cause of between 40% and 67% of deaths in patients with HPN.

Specifically, they target members of the platform, in the Community are currently Canaria 3 patients who are being denied access to treatment by a purely economic consideration. A Catalina dark circles, canaria patient of 44 years, was diagnosed with the disease 17 years ago HPN. Since then, "I have applied only transfusions and cortisone to ease the symptoms." "With new orphan drugs markedly improved," adds dark circles, "but are very expensive to me and the administration denies it. They say the reason but I am sure that this is a question of money. "

The hematologist Fernando Fernández, Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, and the doctor responsible for patient Catalina dark circles, corroborates the "silence" that currently exists in relation to the HPN and criticizing his patient. "Since last May we have asked three times to help pay for the treatment of dark circles and patient we have not received any response. We are in a position of absolute ignorance. Basically, the health authorities do not inform us of the Canary Islands. We know nothing, "said Dr. Fernandez.

In Catalonia, there are 5 patients who were awaiting a form that will allow medical staff to the application of the drug. In any case, it is still uncertain when they will be served. At the moment, must remain on hold for more than six months while the disease runs its course.

In the Basque Country, 4 patients were forced for over 8 months to assume that their disease continues to evolve because of Osakidetza that has not made a decision. In contrast, patients from other communities such as Madrid, are benefiting from the treatment for almost a year.

The blockade also persists in Murcia, where a patient with HPN at the Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca that is not given response to be treated.

Other CCAA maintain policies more responsive to their patients with NPH, which also require urgent treatment, explained from the platform.

"The postal code of the patient just determining the quality of life and medical treatment of the patient," criticizes Jordi Cruz. "We should follow the example of other countries, like France, have a specific model of care for rare diseases, according to its merit as problems and needs, so different to other pathologies," he adds.

Cruz says in this connection that in some cases, health authorities, regional and / or addresses of the hospitals are contradicting criteria prescribed emergency medical treatment for patients with HPN "," not only because of the risks of life disease, but because this medicine allows perform their daily activities to some normality, which is very important when we consider who are mostly young people of working age. "

Involving patients
Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (HPN) have joined to form a partnership to help patients get needed care and access to treatment when the clinician to consider it.
In addition, the platform seeks to promote scientific research on the causes, development and therapies for disease of the HPN. Another of the future missions of this association is to advise, support and inform patients and families affected, and promoting public events, science scholarships and other initiatives to foster the exchange of knowledge and its dissemination to the medical, scientific and patient .

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
The paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (HPN) is an Ultra-Rare disease that affects approximately 240 patients in Spain. It is a genetic disorder in which normal natural proteins do not adhere adequately to red blood cells and, consequently, they are vulnerable to the immune system and are destroyed prematurely and intermittently. Impact of a disease that gradually deteriorating minority of patients and is a true life-threatening.

First described in 1882, adopted the name because it was observed that intravascular hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) occurred in crisis situations and at night during sleep, after stressful situations, infections, physical exertion, or vaccination ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid.

NPH often occurs without being recognized initially, usually between 30 and 40 years, and the delay in diagnosis may take from 1 to more than 10 years. The value of the median survival of patients with HPN between 10 and 15 years from the time of diagnosis. NPH develops without warning and affects both sexes. Is estimated to affect between 8,000 and 10,000 people in Europe and North America.

Until now, there is no specific therapy for the treatment of NPH. The treatment of this disease was limited to symptom management through periodic blood transfusions, a non-specific immunosuppressive therapy and, rarely, bone marrow transplants, a procedure that carries considerable mortality risk.

Despite the 4876 crisis COCEMFE get jobs for people with disabilities.

● COCEMFE has obtained from the Education Integration Services (SIL) in this year
4876 jobs for people with disabilities.

● The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 40% higher than that of people without disabilities.

● Among the areas where work is offered mainly the services sector (Hospitality Industry and Trade) and a lesser proportion in the areas of Construction and Industry.


The Spanish Confederation of Persons with Physical Disability and Organic (COCEMFE) has succeeded this year in the employment of about 5,000 people in the group despite the economic crisis affecting Spanish society.

Through the Integration of Workforce Services (Sil) from COCEMFE, entrepreneurs have a large database of workers from different professions, as well as adequate training, business support in the process of incorporation of workers and information and advice on grants and support to employment or job creation.

At this time, according to the report of the labor market for people with disabilities, in March 2008, almost 2 / 3 of job applicants with disabilities (62.3%) are unemployed. Another very telling is that while the activity rate in the world without disabilities is 59.95% in the case of disability is 33.7%. On the difficulties of the labor of disabled people in Spain, we can illustrate that:
- While in Europe, 24% of people with severe disabilities are active, we are in Spain at 13%.
- Of this figure 20.5% in Europe are women, while in Spain are only 9%.
- In Europe are active in 46% of people with moderate disability and Spain are only 28.7%.
Therefore, from COCEMFE is tackling this problem from two aspects. On the one hand, promoting the training of people in the group and the other to inform employers of the advantages of hiring workers with disabilities.

In this sense, Julian Palomo, head of the Department of Training and Employment COCEMFE notes that "the crisis at the moment all European countries, in Spain (according to the latest data from the EPA) is especially acute in the employment is concerned. In the past year unemployment has grown by 806,900 people. These figures have an impact especially in the group with which we work, particularly a group excluded from the working world, which makes it even more difficult job.
Without going into the coldness of the figures and talking on the daily experience of our developers work, we find that the difficulties of the companies makes it generally retracted its offer of employment and most of those responsible for HR before visits our technicians will respond with a "wait for better times."
One of the problems the group and which is actively working COCEMFE is the training of workers. That is why COCEMFE has handled so far this year nearly 14,000 job vacancies in the services sector (80%), Construction and Industry (both sectors at rates close to 8%), among others, but has not been achieved the insertion of workers due to lack of training.

According to the latest report of the Group Sifu, over 60% of Spanish companies breached the Act on Integration of Disabled People (LISMI) despite being aware of it. It therefore believes that "to enhance the employability of disabled people should act in the line is already in the Global Employment Plan submitted by the CERMI and recent approval by the Government, with emphasis on:

A) ensure compliance with the Act with greater monitoring of its implementation in large companies.
b) Give greater support to SMEs (which are the companies that hire people with disabilities) to strengthen and enhance the work already being done.
c) Increase training for jobseekers with skills commensurate with labor market demand.
d) Support initiatives of the entrepreneurs before the crisis to avoid that line of job creation is destroyed. "

COCEMFE, Spanish Confederation of People with Disabilities and Physical Organic, is a non-governmental non-profit was formed in 1980. Its aim is unite, strengthen, train and coordinate the efforts and activities of the organizations working on behalf of people with physical and functional to defend their rights and improve their quality of life.
The body brings together more than 1,500 organizations are divided into autonomous confederations, national and provincial federations, which in turn, bring together the various local associations.

Pfizer announced an agreement with Sigma-Tau to market a potential new treatment for malaria in Africa.

● therapy, innovative, would also prevent reinfection.

● help to treat this serious disease which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

● In the world, 2,500 million people are at risk of contracting this infection.


Pfizer Inc. and Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite SpA, an Italian pharmaceutical company, today announced a license and supply agreement under which, following the procedures and regulatory approvals, both companies traded in Africa dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine (Eurartesim ®), a new artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT for short) in fixed doses for malaria.

The combination of dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine, a product candidate in Phase III, attempts to address malaria not complicated by Plasmodium falciparum in adults and children and reduce the potential for reinfection. It is expected that the candidate product, developed jointly by the Medicines for Malaria Venture and Sigma-Tau, is sent for approval to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA, for its initials in Spanish) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) of the U.S. in 2009. Both the European and U.S. authorities have already secured the status of 'orphan drug' to this medication.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all non-complicated malaria is treated with Acts. This policy is designed to reduce drug resistance that has become useless to the more widely used monotherapies such as chloroquine, which has no effect on several parts of the world.

Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by a parasite that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is an endemic disease in sub-Saharan Africa and constitute a major cause of infant mortality. WHO estimates that in 2006 there were 881,000 deaths worldwide from this disease, of which over 92% occurred in Africa.

"Pfizer is excited about the collaboration with Sigma-Tau," said JeanMichel Halfon, President and CEO of Emerging Markets at Pfizer Inc. "An effective treatment for malaria, a preventable and treatable disease, is essential for patients of various African countries and elsewhere. This agreement to dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine available endorses Pfizer's vision: to serve the needs of patients in developing countries, and improve global access to essential medicines. "

Under the agreement, Pfizer and Sigma-Tau will ensure access to this innovative medicine in Africa in collaboration with a number of local landholders. After the formalities and obtaining regulatory approvals for, Pfizer will market the drug in public and private sectors in Africa, and Sigma-Tau will intervene in the institutional sector. No extended details on the financial terms of the agreement.

"Sigma-Tau is pleased to announce this alliance with Pfizer. By combining our respective resources and expertise, we are confident that we will face a major public health threats of all time, "said Ugo Di Francesco, VP and CEO of Sigma-Tau. "Our company is strongly committed to providing its contribution to the eradication of malaria. Throughout the last century until 1964, when the last reported case of malaria in Italy, our country fought and finally won in the battle against malaria ( "malaria" is, after all, an Italian word ). Through the development of new treatments and effective as dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine hope to achieve the same results in countries where malaria remains a endérmica disease, especially in Africa. "

"At present, the Acts of quality hardly exist in the African private market, where many people get their medicines for malaria," said Chris Hentschel, president and CEO of Medicines for Malaria Venture. "The partnership between Pfizer and Sigma - Tau has the potential to achieve a powerful impact in bringing this drug to save lives, to those who need them. As this co-medication, we are very pleased with this alliance as the measure of our success will manage to save many lives. "

About Pfizer
Pfizer discovers and develops innovative medicines to treat and help prevent disease in people and in animals. We also partner with healthcare providers, governments and local communities around the world to expand access to our medicines and provide better quality healthcare and health systems.
About the philanthropic programs in Pfizer Malaria
"Mobilize Against Malaria" is the latest initiative by Pfizer to help close critical gaps in malaria treatment and education in Senegal, Ghana and Kenya. Clinton Global Initiative in 2006, Pfizer announced a program of five years (20072012) to prevent infection and transmission of malaria by improving the recognition of symptoms, treatment and referral through basic training to local staff, education and prevention. The partners of this initiative included Family Health International and the Foundation for Social Marketing of Ghana in Ghana, Population Services International to IntraHealth in Kenya and Senegal. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine worked as an evaluator global assessment working with local organizations.

To learn more about Pfizer's philanthropic programs, visit http://www.pfizer.com/responsibility/.

About Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau is an international pharmaceutical group of Italian capital that invests in research, development and commercialization of innovative and effective treatments to improve patient wellbeing and quality of life. The headquarters of Sigma-Tau Group is based in Pomezia (Rome, Italy), with subsidiaries in France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, UK and USA, as well as in Spain and in Sudan, where the group operates two production plants. It has over 2,500 employees and an extensive network of licenses in the world.
Sigma-Tau was founded in Italy in 1957 and achieved a total return of € 665 million in 2007.
Sigma-Tau SpA invests 16% of its annual profit in research and development (R & D). The staff of R & D Sigma-Tau's (400) is working on 43 projects. A total of 14 new chemical entities and 12 known molecular entities in 30 different indications are in various stages of development.
The therapeutic areas in which R & D focus of the company include metabolic, neurological, cardiovascular, oncology and immunology.
To learn more about Sigma-Tau, please visit: www.Sigma-Tau.it


Programs for Malaria Sigma-Tau
For several years, Sigma-Tau has focused on an area with great social impact and health, research and development of drugs to treat rare diseases and malaria. In the case of malaria, the company's commitment was made in association with the Medicines for Malaria Venture.

About Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)
Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) is a nonprofit organization created to discover, develop and distribute effective and affordable drugs against malaria, through public and private partners. Its vision is a world in which innovative drugs to treat and protect millions of people against the risk of malaria, and finally, to help eradicate this terrible disease.

At present, MMV manages the largest portfolio of anti-malaria drugs, with 50 projects in collaboration with over 100 pharmaceutical partners, and academic areas endemic in 38 countries. The portfolio includes 19 completely new classes of components. Solutions are urgently needed new and improved for 2400 million people at risk of malaria. MMV is working to ensure that such products have the greatest impact on public health, and most importantly, save lives.
For more information, please visit www.mmv.org

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Pharmaceutical industry in crisis will cure unemployment

Contraction in many sectors because of the crisis experienced by the drug at 30-thousand people to increase employment to 20 percent. Health sector brain the only hunter Peopleplus'ın Managing Partner of the Naval Daver, "firms in the industry market share very close to each other. Therefore, among firms intense competition exists. Krizin out the work to the company brain trust to the hunter. Therefore, staff recruitment is in progress" was made to explain .
Daver, most clinical research professionals in the sector in future years and an expert in health economics will be popular said doctors, pharmacists, molecular biology-genetics, chemistry graduates was pointed out that the career paths are open.

Transfer of increased
The pharmaceutical sector has continued to grow last year reached 6.1 billion euro, that indicates a single volume Daver, said increasing competition in the sector. "Very tough competition. Each company brings a new product groups. Talented employees need is growing as the indirect" Daver said, in the sector in 1997 employed 15 thousand volumes, which in 2007 reached 25 thousand announced. That describe the focus of transfer in the sector Daver, employees of firms to handle the attention was being generous. Daver, şöyle devam etti: "Talented employees are also groups of companies is very valuable. Therefore, from the current position difficult to leave. Salaries also went up. 10 years ago, which limited the possibilities has expanded. The company expanded the package and then insurance companies, such as tool offer opportunities."
In the sector in line with demands from Daver company employees, by reaching at least 90 percent of firms find internal sources said staff can not meet.

The future of the profession


10 firms to work in the last period Daver predominantly medical managers, licensing professionals, product managers, sales professionals and marketing professionals were putting pharmacology, he said. Daver future lucky profession groups are the following ranking: "In particular, physicians, pharmacists, chemists and biologists and molecular biology and genetics professionals are very advantageous. Besides reimbursement system with the need for health economics professionals are increasing." Daver's new advice to graduates was to do the internship: "Companies buying new graduates prefer making their own interns. In fact, many pharmaceutical companies as an intern through the process of recruitment is the recruitment."

DEVA: TURKEY'S DRUG SECTOR and DEVA of the DA FUTURE BRIGHT

Deva Holding, restructuring and two new plant to begin production in 2008 because of the total investment has reached to $ 200 million with operational costs announced. Deva, 2009 for 350 million dollars and 500 million TL sales turnover targets.

Deva Holding's investment and to provide information about the 2009 target with the General Director Serdar Sözer held a press conference the Chairman of the Board Philpp D. Haas "2008 In a sense we have re-established as an important future years and provide the basics in a way have again. 4 new pharmaceutical production facility is put into human resources in the sense that a comprehensive restructuring performed. 2009'un in the first quarter, all these studies will be completed "he said.

- "2009 look optimistic" --

Haas, 2008 for the construction of production facilities of 100 million dollars is the direct investment costs, implementation of other operational costs of the total investment figure is closer to 200 million dollars by specifying said:

"Moving and existing machines as well as re-plant some drugs on the market can not offer period due to surface 2008, is considered to be a very successful year zor.Ancak mean a bigger picture look at the Deva's now a big leap and is ready to perform the 2009 I can say with confidence that we have looked at large. 2009 We will collect all the fruits of investment. Business in 2009, despite challenging conditions look optimistic. "

- "We have consigned SALES DIRECT SALES DROP to have the" --

At the meeting questions of press members also answering Haas, 2008'deki investments provides information about, the "Factory of the next construction costs became serious. Moving and machines of the plant cost 30 million dollars was at the level. Market this move could not give the period of medication due to loss of sales from our 20 million dollar around are calculated. Moreover, the cost of construction delays as well, around 20 million dollars. So, in addition to construction costs, this number itself on a very serious emerging and operational expenditure can also have realized, "he spoke. Sales method, and now consigned to leave in 2008 to move to direct sales methods Haas recording "consigned sales in this channel to have stopped over 10 million dollars in total sales was around a negative impact," he said.

- "We have foreseen the crisis, but did not abandon INVESTMENT" --

Haas made an assessment on the crisis said:

"Crisis were envisaged, but a surprise to me that the crisis of development was so delayed. Pharmaceutical industry from this crisis, at least affected sector. So it has made investments would not have hesitated. We take a risk and we do it right now to see it. Turkey for the pharmaceutical sector and for Deva we see a bright future. Here, a predominantly equity investment saw the benefits. In essence, our low-rate debt structure. 2008 capital increase twice gittik.2009 'from the second half of our equity investment in a structure weight will go. "

About 2009 Philipp Hasse describes the expectations, the results of the January transfer well when the "2008 period ürünsüz period of stay had a negative impact. Now, in 2009 will not effect such a sale will be fine. Also because of the production capacity could not agree on some auctions. Now effectively to the 2009 auction will take place. This effect is also visible to the sales performance, "he said.

- "Not possible to invest without GROWTH" --

Without investing in growth opportunities that the recording Haas, "We plant in Levent, and by selling our land is very true we do a job and the right have undertaken a risk. Now quickly finish the plant production capacity of the market can meet the needs we have made. Step-by-step in this process would be more difficult now is We could be. Zorlu have come to the end of the day, "he said.

Deva's current product portfolio, as well as new drugs enter areas Haas said, "We fundamentally weighted antibiotics we were a company. But two years ago, we received a decision in other areas did. Now, the product portfolio of the central nervous system, cardiovascular, gastro, such as oncology Our efforts are also expanding in areas. Antibiyotik be major player in maintaining our role primarily as growth will take place in this new drug category, "opinions were expressed.

- "Our eyes ENVIRONMENT ON" --

Haas, Are dividends to distribute "the question as," We're not against Dividend of course to distribute. However, for our investors, our goal is actually much more valuable is a company distributes dividends yaratmak.Dolayısıyla also may be a small figure "was the answer.

Haas, the world of pharmaceutical merger to a question relating to Turkey, to reflect,''All the world in many sectors as the pharmaceutical industry mergers and greater structure in the process is experiencing the emergence of the environment. Purchase a large merger Pfizer'ın Wyeth'i, but Turkey will have an impact in a short time to market, we do not think. Everything going on around us as against our eyes open. However, a future merger-Deva visible to purchase no idea "gave money.

- "EMPLOYMENT decrease in the NO" --

According to the information provided by the General Director Serdar Sözer, Deva Holding, the Turkish pharmaceutical sector with a market share of 5.2 percent in the box 5 basis, with a market share of 3.6 per cent of turnover is the basis of 8 players are in the position. Sözeri currently the total number of employees is 1800, crisis conditions have been careful to grow and a decrease in employment not planned, but because of the new plant could create new jobs, he said.

Expectations in the Pharmaceutical Sector

World's leading consulting firm Price
Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) 's on 13 June 2007
According to published reports, the world pharmaceutical industry, 2020
more than doubled in the pharmaceutical market growing 1.3
is estimated to reach trillions of dollars. Growth,
the increasingly aging population, obesity and welfare of
and all these factors the level of drug yukselmesi
with the request yolacmasi artisan gerceklesmesi
is expected.

Reports all over the world in 2020 in the pharmaceutical
one fifth of sales in Brazil, China,
India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia and Turkey
will be realized by being mentioned.
World in recent years a rapid growth of the pharmaceutical sector
has entered into this process. Reasons for growth
between the increasing elderly population, patent duration
to prolonged individual development of drugs, social security
enlargement of the scope of institutions and widespread use,
biological and biotechnology products and to increase
There are factors such as widespread use. This
Besides drug use, especially with developing
In countries that have rapidly spread worldwide
the pharmaceutical industry led the growth of the most important
One factor is.

In parallel with the growing world market,
Pharmaceutical sector in Turkey is growing. This
As a result of strategic partnerships in the sector and
mergers are increasing. Last purchase in the sector
purchase of the company Zentiva Czech origin
Pharmaceutical company's pharmaceutical operations Eczacıbaşı
75% of the purchase by paying 600 million dollars
olmuştur. In Sunday's next year
will grow this type of partnership is seen in front
is likely to increase.
One of the latest developments in the pharmaceutical sector, Turkey,
In the framework of Social Security reform, Social
Insurance Institution (SSK), Bağkur and Retirement Fund,
Control of the Ministry of Health under a single roof
is combined. This reform package in Parliament
then everyone will approve the same type of hospital
way was opened treated. Addition
as government, pharmaceutical companies prior to selection
application was put into effect a more happy.
Accordingly, previously requiring committee reports
Even now with only one doctor approval status and 2 years
without needing a prescription during the other patients
directly by the pharmacy can be taken as
is possible. Of bureaucratic obstacles
to remove this application because of drug sales
will inevitably make an impact to increase.

As a result, the pharmaceutical sector in Turkey and a fast
to develop and continue to attract foreign capital
etmektedir. Require much investment in the sector structure
foreign capital is also the obligation
makes inevitable. Caution should be the most
important point in all applications Turkey drugs
creates incentives to increase sales in the direction of
is. As envisaged in the report PWC'nin
2020 is the most widely sold drugs in Turkey 10th country
foreign pharmaceutical companies must rise to
will further appetite.

European Commission opens investigation into pharmaceutical sector

Name was announced last year to start investigations in the sector, explain the rules of competition in violation of the pharmaceutical industry was the reason. Investigation of the major reasons for companies to market cheaper generic drugs and attempt to delay the entry of competitors of these companies to try to prevent efforts to develop new drugs that are explained.

Pharmaceutical industry organized workplaces after two debates that causes raid a report was published. The format of a serious investigation by the environmental industry is being criticized for the Commission said input and the action of some pharmaceutical companies to abuse their market dominance, says restrictions are believed to go.

Investigation launched after the public consultation process with the final report will be released this year in the first results of the investigation was allowed to be discussed.

Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd yesterday that the domestic market in the consultation results will be shared with the public, he said.

"Consultation process came to an end Saturday night, and participation was more than 40. Recommendations within a few weeks of the competition committee will be published on the website. In practice, the Commission relating to the pharmaceutical sector and type of investigation will be published before the report will take into consideration when preparing the comments. "

Commission under any economic sector, expectations of functions in this sector to see or practices contrary to competition rules, if found to indicate the start of investigation

Pharmaceutical industry from unfair competition worried

Friday, 20.06.2008, 06:14 am (GMT)

Turkey's EU membership negotiations on the drop-down titles will create unfair competition with the pharmaceutical sector concerned, the implementation does not wish to become a member.

Intellectual Property Law on Tuesday we drop the additional protection under the certificate and that the data in the negotiation process into the future münhasiriyetinin (data exclusivity) 8 +2 +1 years to be removed, the reaction of the pharmaceutical industry has taken.

Equivalent European Medicines Association (EGA) performed by 4'üncüsü this year, "South East Europe Pharmaceutical Symposium" was held yesterday in Istanbul. Equivalent to the European integration process of the pharmaceutical industry be addressed in the symposium, particularly intellectual property rights was emphasized.

Symposium talk at the General Secretary of Turkey, Turgut Tokgöz Pharmaceuticals Employers' Unions, the EU harmonization process, the Turkish pharmaceutical industry as well as positive in terms of equivalent pharmaceutical industry will adversely affect the development, he said. Tokgöz, competition and intellectual property rights in a rational balance between the provision of a vital issue for the pharmaceutical industry is equivalent said.

EGA Director Greg Perry, the main concern in the region of the additional protection certificates, data exclusivity and patents are the bond issues, he said.