NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF
ON SWITCH BREAKTHROUGH FOR IMMUNE SYSTEM RESEARCH
A crucial ‘on switch’ that boosts the body’s defences against infections has been successfully identifi ed in new scientifi c research.
The breakthrough made by researchers at the University of Aberdeen and the University of Dundee could lead to the development of new drugs to enhance the body’s immune responses to attack, which could benefi t people suffering from cancer and other serious conditions.
“We have shown that the cells which turn on our immune responses to defend against infectious diseases, for example, require a particular protein to activate them in order to function properly,” explains Dr Martin-Granados formerly of the University of Aberdeen and now at Cambridge.
“This protein, or enzyme, (PTP1B) effectively acts as a kind of ‘on switch’ and if it is missing or dysfunctional in our body, we cannot mount effective immune responses to tumours or infections.”
The paper describes the fi ne tuning of cell signals which orchestrate our immune defences, for instance when we are vaccinated against infections.
Dr Alan Prescott from the University of Dundee adds, “The key switch molecule PTP1B allows the uninterrupted production of something called podosomes (which behave like feet for the cell). The cells that turn on our immune systems (dendritic cells) use these “mini-feet” to move though tissue and “home in” on a type of white blood cell called a T cell, which are essential for clearing viruses from our system. These are located at the “glands”, such as those in our neck, which become enlarged when patients get throat infections, for example.
PTP1B is increased in obesity and diabetics so new drugs that inhibit it are being designed as an anti- diabetic therapy.
12 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
Cost can’t be deciding factor on prescriptions
THE PUBLICATION OF NHS SCOTLAND’S PRESCRIPTION COST ANALYSIS HAS AGAIN GENERATED A FLURRY OF INTEREST AND COMMENT FROM A WIDE RANGE OF SOURCES
The drug budget is always under scrutiny but this appears to be amplifi ed in times of reduced government spending. The health service is often politicised and as the devolved administrations of the UK diverge on health policy, Scotland’s expenditure is increasingly subject to critical evaluation. We should recognise that spending on medicines is an investment in the wellbeing of Scotland’s population. This generates savings for health and social care services and the economy as a whole.
The community pharmacy network prides itself on delivering value for the NHS. One way this is achieved is via effective purchasing of drugs and increasingly effi cient ways of working. The cost of medicines to the NHS now stands at £1.19 billion. This is undoubtedly a signifi cant sum but community pharmacies are already generating effi ciencies for the public purse. In a year where the number of medicines dispensed rose 2.4 per cent to £101.1 million, the cost of remunerating contractors for the service only increased by 0.7 per cent (now £208.5m). The community pharmacy government contract for 2013-15 also involved a 2.55 per cent reduction in drugs with prices listed in the Scottish drug tariff.
The numbers only give part of the story.
Many of us in Scotland rely on medicines for our well-being. The most expensive item in term of
gross cost to the NHS is an inhaler called Seretide. This product is used by many of those with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thousands of people need this medication to allow them to live healthier lives and reduce their risk of being admitted to hospital. This obviously benefi ts the individual but it also allows them to be economically active while avoiding treatment in hospitals which often cost thousands of pounds.
Media reports also focused on the volume of paracetamol supplied free of charge. The drug is the fourth most popular prescribed product in NHS Scotland. This may appear strange when paracetamol is widely available in small boxes at costs of less than 20p.
Most of us use the drug for limited periods of time when we are unwell or have short-term pain but many rely on it as a regular medication. Paracetamol is an effective drug for the treatment of chronic pain recommended by the World Health Organisation as the fi rst step in treating the condition. For this indication, paracetamol is often used at doses requiring up to eight tablets a day or around 224 a month. Due to legal restrictions on its sale it is not possible to purchase the product in that quantity.
We all know Scotland’s citizens are living longer. Many will have one or more long-term conditions. With this
Written by Harry McQuillan, Chief Executive Offi cer, Community Pharmacy Scotland
there will likely be an increased need to treat more people with prescription medicines. Every budget should be subject to scrutiny but the focus should be the positive impact the drug spend is having.
My hope is next year, when the statistics are published, we may be able to celebrate the contribution that medicines are making to people in Scotland’s well-being. These treatments are just as important as a new hospital or state of the art diagnostic equipment. Prescription drugs continue to infl uence the well- being of many Scots. Seeing this as only a cost fails to recognise the positive infl uence they are having on millions of lives each year. I’m proud to play part Scotland healthcare system where access to drug treatment is based on need and not the ability to pay.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48