Social Share

SEARCH FOR PHARMA JOBS HERE

Custom Search

Less Applied Popular Jobs

FDA Drug Safety : Withdrawal of Products that Contain Propoxyphene

On November 19, 2010 the Food and Drug Administration issued a drug safety communication about the withdrawal of products that contain propoxyphene.FDA has concluded that the safety risk of products that contain propoxyphene outweigh their limited benefits for pain relief at recommended doses. The Agency will ask companies to withdraw these products from the United States market.

Propoxyphene is an opioid pain medication used to relieve mild to moderate pain; it has been marketed in approved drugs since 1957. Propoxyphene is sold under various names as a single-ingredient product such as Darvon and as part of a combination product with acetaminophen, such as Darvocet.
FDA’s recommendation to withdraw propoxyphene is based on new data that shows when propoxyphene is taken at approved doses, there are significant changes to the electrical activity of the heart. These changes can increase the risk for serious abnormal heart rhythms.

FDA recommends that consumers taking products that contain propoxyphene should:

  • Talk to their healthcare professional about discontinuing propoxyphene and switching to alternative pain medicines.
  • Contact their healthcare professional right away if they experience an abnormal heart rate or rhythm or other symptoms including dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or heart palpitations.
  • Dispose of unused propoxyphene by following recommendations outlined in the Federal Drug Disposal Guidelines.

FDA recommends that healthcare professionals:

  • Stop prescribing and dispensing propoxyphene-containing products.
  • Contact patients currently taking propoxyphene-containing products and ask them to discontinue the drug.
  • Inform patients of the risks associated with propoxyphene.
  • Discuss alternative pain management strategies other than propoxyphene with patients.
  • Be aware of the possible risk of cardiac conduction abnormalities in patients taking propoxyphene and assess patients for these events if they show signs or symptoms of arrhythmia.

FDA urges healthcare providers and patients to report any adverse events or side effects that may be associated with the use of propoxyphene-containing products to FDA’s MedWatch adverse event reporting program by phone at 1-800-F-D-A-ten-88 or by the Internet at W-W-W dot F-D-A dot GOV slash M-E-D-W-A-T-C-H.

Updated information about drugs with emerging safety concerns is available 24 hours a day at Web site www.fda.govdrugs

More to Read:

Antibiotics Resistance and know about Antibiotic

Antibiotics are drugs used for treating infections caused by bacteria. Also known as antimicrobial drugs, antibiotics have saved countless lives.Misuse and overuse of these drugs, however, have contributed to a phenomenon known as antibiotic resistance. This resistance develops when potentially harmful bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotics.

ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE
Antibiotics Fight Bacteria, Not Viruses

Antibiotics are meant to be used against bacterial infections. For example, they are used to treat strep throat, which is caused by streptococcal bacteria, and skin infections caused by staphylococcal bacteria.

Although antibiotics kill bacteria, they are not effective against viruses. Therefore, they will not be effective against viral infections such as colds, most coughs, many types of sore throat, and influenza (flu).

Using antibiotics against viral infections

  • will not cure the infection
  • will not keep other individuals from catching the virus
  • will not help a person feel better
  • may cause unnecessary, harmful side effects
  • may contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Patients and health care professionals alike can play an important role in combating antibiotic resistance. Patients should not demand antibiotics when a health care professional says the drugs are not needed. Health care professionals should prescribe antibiotics only for infections they believe to be caused by bacteria.

As a patient, your best approach is to ask your health care professional whether an antibiotic is likely to be effective for your condition. Also, ask what else you can do to relieve your symptoms.

Follow Directions for Proper Use

When you are prescribed an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection, it's important to take the medication exactly as directed. Here are more tips to promote proper use of antibiotics.

  • Complete the full course of the drug. It's important to take all of the medication, even if you are feeling better. If treatment stops too soon, the drug may not kill all the bacteria. You may become sick again, and the remaining bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotic that you've taken.
  • Do not skip doses. Antibiotics are most effective when they are taken regularly.
  • Do not save antibiotics. You might think that you can save an antibiotic for the next time you get sick, but an antibiotic is meant for your particular infection at the time. Never take leftover medicine. Taking the wrong medicine can delay getting the appropriate treatment and may allow your condition to worsen.
  • Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. These may not be appropriate for your illness, may delay correct treatment, and may allow your condition to worsen.
  • Talk with your health care professional. Ask questions, especially if you are uncertain about when an antibiotic is appropriate or how to take it.

It's important that you let your health care professional know of any troublesome side effects. Consumers and health care professionals can also report adverse events to FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088 or online at MedWatch.

Source: FDA

More to Read:

TERMINATE GOVERNMENT STAFF GOING ABROAD ON LONG LEAVE–KERALA HIGHCOURT ORDERS

On Friday 12 November 2010, Kerala High Court Division bench comprising justice C N Ramachandran Nair and justice K Surendra Mohan issued the direction to stop practise by those in government service going on long leaves by asking the government to terminate their services and employ others. The order was issued by the bench while dismissing a writ appeal by Jainamma K Joseph, an Indian citizen of Kerala state, who was a nurse in government service and was employed in Saudi Arabia. When she applied for further leave after 10 years of long leave, the government rejected her plea following which she approached the high court. Honorable Court upheld the government action and filed appeal dismissed.

WorkThis post is an Off topic, guest post by an Indian Pharmacist working in Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia

imageKerala State Government asked Advocate Generals opinion in the matter, to analyze the Court Order and to suggest steps to implement the order.

This order, may create huge impact in the Government Sector of Kerala State. Approximately, 30000 Government employees are working abroad in different countries. Terminating all of them will create a huge vacancies especially in healthcare sector. This will be a blessing for all those who are still remaining unemployed.Government also will get benefitted by denial of Pension money upon termination.

If Kerala Government show such a bold step, then other State Government may also follow this. After several salary revisions, the most of the State Governments salaries are  now almost half of the pay in Gulf Countries.

A recent survey have shown that  many Indians who are already Indian Government staff but working in Gulf countries have same salary scale in India also. Most of such staff keeping their Indian Government just for the sake of getting Pension. Many posts in Kerala Government are now vacant due to this situation. Staff enter into long leave and Government is not able to fill the post because of the uncertainty whether the staff will join back or not.

Terminating staff on long leave is not a final solution for this. Instead of that, Government may consider temporary filling of those vacant posts and partial pension system for those on long leave.

MASTER IN CLINICAL PHARMACY –ONLINE STUDY AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, IRELAND

UCC was established in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges at Cork, Galway and Belfast.  The site chosen for the college is particularly appropriate given its connection with the patron saint of Cork, St Finbarr.  It is believed his monastery and school stood on the bank of the river Lee, which runs through the lower grounds of the university.  The University’s motto is  ‘Where Finbarr Taught, let Munster Learn.’ If you are interested in applying to University College Cork as a postgraduate international student, we advise that you initially determine your status, as either a non-EU applicant or an EU applicant.  You can do this by clicking on the following link: Am I an EU or a Non-EU Student?.

To apply as a Non-EU applicant please follow the following links:

How Do I Apply to Taught Programmes?

How Do I Apply to Masters by Research and PhD's?

View of UCC Main Gates' BridgeCollege of Medicine and Health
PAC Course Code: CKX03
Qualification: MSc
Duration:  2 years part-time by Distance Learning   
EU Fees: The 1 year part-time EU fee for this programme in 2010/2011 is €3,850.00. A similar fee will be payable in the second year of the programme in 2011/2012.

Entry Requirements (Pathway I)

  • Students must hold a primary pharmacy degree from a School of Pharmacy that is approved by the Programme Committee.
  • They must be registered with the professional accreditation authority in the country in which they are practising.
  • Ideally candidates should have practical experience in their area of qualifications of at least two years post-registration.
  • All students will be required to have full access to computer and internet facilities and to be computer literate.
  • Students must be employed by an approved hospital and must have a letter of consent from the hospital of employment before registration.
  • In some exceptional circumstances candidates, who by virtue of their training and experience, may, at the discretion of the Programme Director and the Head of School, be deemed suitable for entry to the degree.

Entry Requirements (Pathway II)
In addition to the above:

  • The Programme Management Committee may permit graduates holding a Postgraduate Diploma (equivalent to Level 9 award) in Clinical Pharmacy from an appropriately accredited School of Pharmacy to enter a one-year programme. To be considered for entry to this programme, candidates must have completed their Clinical Pharmacy Diploma no more than five years prior to the date of registration for this programme.
English Language Requirements:

IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL equivalent

Programme  (Pathway I)

Year I
Students take 30 credits as follows:
PF6001 Biostatistics/Critical Appraisal (5 credits)
PF6009 Pharmacotherapy I (15 credits)
PF6010 Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Rational Use of Drugs (10 credits)

Year II
Students take 30 credits as follows:
PF6005 Pharmacoeconomics (5 credits)
PF6006 Pharmacotherapy II (15 credits)
PF6007 Pharmacotherapy III (10 credits)

Upon completion of the above 60 credits students may opt to be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy, or may complete a research project/thesis (PF6008 Thesis 30 credits) to be conferred with the MSc in Clinical Pharmacy.

Programme Requirements (Pathway II - one year only)
Students take 45 credits as follows:
PF6001 Biostatistics/Critical Appraisal (5 credits)
PF6007 Pharmacotherapy III (10 credits)
PF6008 Dissertation (30 credits)

 

Further Information:

School of Pharmacy
University College Cork
Cork.
Ireland.
Tel: (021) 4901662
E-mail: pharmacy@ucc.ie

ROYAL GRANT FOR OMANI GOVERNMENT STAFF ON THE EVE OF 40TH NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS

Our blog also, pays much hearty thankfulness to His Majesty for all the support and kindness offering to the civilians. As we have seen in  Omanet.om, Royal Grant has been announced. As in the source website,

Two basic salaries for grade 4 and below, one for grade 3 and above - MUSCAT — On the occasion of the 40th glorious National Day, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has awarded a Royal grant for employees at the state administrative apparatus and pensioners among government employees. This came in a statement issued by the Diwan of the Royal Court.
The Royal grant is as follows:
One basic salary for Omani civilians who are occupants of the third financial grade and above — at the Civil Service schedule of grades and its equivalent at the other service systems — and military personnel from the rank of 1st lieutenant and above. Two basic salaries for Omani civilians who are occupants of the fourth financial grade and below — at the Civil Service schedule of grades and its equivalent at the other service systems — and military personnel from the rank of 2nd lieutenant and below.
Financial grants equivalent to 40 per cent of the pension salary for pensioners among government civil and military employees. The Diwan of the Royal Court took the opportunity to express best wishes for His Majesty the Sultan on the occasion.

Source of the above news.

http://www.omanet.om/english/0news/headviewdetails.asp?id=19527

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...