SCOTTISH HOSPITAL NEWS Oncology and Haematology Research


Pharmacy Research UK (PRUK) and the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) have announced a new funding partnership for 2016 to allow pharmacists in oncology and haematology pharmacy to undertake research.


The BOPA-PRUK Research Awards will support projects in translational and health service research related to oncology and haematology pharmacy with a focus on patient benefit and provide a platform for novice researchers to engage in research. Through these awards PRUK and BOPA aim to build the capacity for research within oncology and haematology pharmacy, provide evidence to inform healthcare policy and to highlight the vital role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the wider healthcare community.


Dr Rachel Joynes, Head of Research and Evaluation at PRUK said, “We are delighted to be announcing this new partnership with BOPA which we hope will not only allow both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to undertake research but also presents an opportunity for those new to research to lead their first project.”


Successful applicants will be invited to present their work at the BOPA annual symposium in 2017. Applications for awards of up to £5,000 over 12 months will be considered from pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.


The scheme opened for application on February 1st 2016, with further information available on the PRUK website: www.pharmacyresearchuk.org


For further information please email: Practice.Research@rpharms.com Breast cancer drug to reduce obesity and diabetes?


A drug initially designed to fight breast cancer could be a safe treatment for obesity and diabetes, according to researchers at the University of Aberdeen.


The team have been studying the complex connections between obesity and type-2 diabetes which is an increasingly important area of bio-medical research.


Tests using a drug called Fenretinide, which has been used in breast cancer trials for a number of years, revealed it can reduce obesity and type-2 diabetes in mice that eat a high-fat diet.


In a new paper, published in Biochemical Pharmacology, the team led by Dr Nimesh Mody, a lecturer at the University of Aberdeen’s Institute of Medical Sciences have discovered more about how Fenretinide works and have deemed it a potentially safe, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic treatment.


Obesity and type-2 diabetes present a major public health challenge. Researchers are attempting to further understand the complex connections between the two conditions.


Vitamin A and vitamin A-like molecules (called retinoids) have been shown to have major effects on body fat and blood sugar levels and thought to have a role in obesity.


Fenretinide is a retinoid and the Aberdeen team have previously shown that it can prevent or reduce obesity and type-2 diabetes in mice that eat a high-fat diet.


Dr Nimesh Mody said, “In this new publication we have discovered more about how Fenretinide works in fat cells, called adipocytes, and in mice. “Fenretinide has beneficial effects that are similar to vitamin A but also have the effect of reducing the production of a harmful type of molecule called ceramide. “We think that the combination of these unrelated effects is what makes Fenretinide a potential safe, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic treatment.


“Going forward we aim to chemically modify Fenretinide to produce two different versions; one that will retain retinoid-like properties, whilst the other will be lacking them. We will compare the properties, characteristics and effects of these two compounds to see how similar they are to the original Fenretinide. Through these experiments, we aim to find out whether the beneficial effects of Fenretinide in safely reducing obesity and type-2 diabetes is due to retinoid-like properties.


“This information will help us further our understanding of the complex connections between obesity and the development of type-2 diabetes and may help us to develop new drugs that are better at treating these medical conditions.”


HOSPITAL MORTALITY RATES DECLINE


Figures recently published by ISD Scotland, the body responsible for health statistics, show that between July to September 2015 there was a 16.5% decrease in Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR) compared to the October to December period in 2007 when recording began.


Health Secretary Shona Robison commented, “It is encouraging to see that our commitment to patient safety across the health service is delivering such strong results, especially at a time when our NHS is treating more people, with more complex needs, than ever before.


“The 16.5% drop in mortality rates shows the high standards in Scotland’s NHS and is one of the reasons Scotland is emerging as a world-leader in delivering effective and safe care for patients.


“We know the NHS is facing additional demands, especially over the winter period. However, staffing across the NHS is also now at a record high, with 8.4 per cent more employees since 2006, allowing us to give people the high quality health care they deserve. We are also investing more than ever before in health and social care, with a record budget of almost £13 billion.”


Professor Jason Leitch, Clinical Director for NHS Scotland added, “The vast majority of the thousands of patients who come through Scotland’s NHS every day are cared for safely and successfully by our hard working frontline staff. Across our NHS, these staff have put patient safety at the heart of everything they do. And this culture is helping the NHS to be open and honest where care falls short of what we expect, and ensure we learn the right lessons.


“However, there is always more we can do. Patient safety will always remain a top priority for NHS Scotland and we will continue to deliver safe, person- centred care to thousands of people across Scotland every day of the year.”


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