e-Pharmalink is an electronic newsletter of the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN), an independent, non-profit Christian organization whose mission is to increase access to medicines and health services through facilitating the development of compassionate, just, and sustainable quality pharmaceutical care through the church health care system.
This newsletter aims at equipping pharmacists and other health professionals with information about international trends relevant to their work and opportunities that could support them in their efforts to provide effective and efficient services, particularly in poor countries. It is a summary of news reported by a wide range of publications or organizations and includes web links to the original sources. Anyone can receive this e-mail.
This edition includes:
News
HIV and Aids
Tuberculosis
Malaria
Drug Development
Resources
Publications
Workshops
News
HIV and Aids
Study on monkey strengthens the case for a microbicides combining several anti-HIV drugs
A study using a microbicide gel containing the antiretroviral drugs in the combination pill Truvada – tenofovir and FTC (emtricitabine) – completely protected six pigtail macaque monkeys from infection with a type of HIV designed to be infectious to monkeys.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/B24C79EE-D458-4417-BEBA-3564BA02B2E2.asp
Hepatitis C confection may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with HIV
Coinfection with hepatitis C virus may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. According to a study presented at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, people with hepatitis C are less likely to have abnormal blood lipid levels, but are more prone to metabolic complications such as insulin resistance and fat accumulation in the liver (steatosis).
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/EB478F92-FD9D-44A5-BC2C-32604D28D598.asp
Will male circumcision protect women?
Randomised controlled trials in high prevalence African settings have demonstrated that circumcision reduces female-to-male transmission of HIV by 50-60%, but does not reduce male-to-female transmission.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/53D24703-6284-4A8E-B702-9C4CB3F6B001.asp
HIV-associated dementia and other cognitive disorders
Scientists have found strong evidence that a component of the cell walls of intestinal bacteria which is a chemical present in high level in the blood of HIV-infected people helps HIV to penetrate the usually-impregnable blood brain barrier (BBB). The findings that were published in the Journal of Virology, could lead to development of strategies that would prevent HIV from entering the brain and causing serious complications.
http://www.aecom.yu.edu/home/news.asp?id=226
Urine biomarkers may predict cardiovascular disease in people taking antiretroviral therapy
Certain urine biomarkers related to inflammation and oxidant stress correlate with established predictors of cardiovascular disease and may help assess risk for heart problems among HIV-positive people on antiretroviral therapy. This is according to a pilot study presented at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/5A879218-2847-4530-9EFF-03FCA67E7117.asp
Health groups worldwide support call for compulsory license on Kaletra
An international coalition of over three-dozen patients' and public health advocacy groups have sent a letter to representatives of the Colombian government, endorsing Colombian civil society groups' recent request for an open compulsory license on AIDS medicine lopinavir/ritonavir (marketed by Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories under the trade name Kaletra). http://www.essentialaction.org/access/index.php?/archives/170-Health-Groups-Worldwide-Support-Colombian-Call-for-Compulsory-License-on-Kaletra.html
Tuberculosis
Certain HIV treatments are ineffective when used with anti-TB therapy
Patients receiving rifampicin-based anti-tuberculosis therapy are more likely to experience virological failure when starting nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804100516.htm
HIV programme in Western Kenya successfully delivers isoniazid preventive therapy
According to a report from USAID-AMPATH care programme in Western Kenya, presented at the AIDS 2008 in Mexico City, the programme put close to 10,000 people with HIV on Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) Between September 2004, and February 2007, achieving high rates of treatment completion with lower rates of TB in people who completed treatment.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/B5E8F5AA-1815-4552-82B4-307E953B64EF.asp
Malaria
Scientists discover causes of the development of cerebral malaria
Researchers have revealed that when red blood cells are infected with the malaria parasite, they activate platelets to secrete the PF4 protein, which triggers the immune system to inflame blood vessels and obstruct capillaries in the brain; which causes cerebral malaria.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-08/jhmi-jhs081808.php
Genetic mutation may increase HIV risk
A genetic mutation that originally protected Africans from a virulent form of malaria now renders them 40 percent more susceptible to HIV infections, according to a paper published on Cell Host & Microbe. The mutation however, has an unusual benefit because it also slows progression of HIV, giving patients an extra two years of life.
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808040340
Drug Development
Personalized immunotherapy to fight HIV/AIDS
Researchers have designed a personalized immunotherapy for HIV-infected patients. This immunotherapy is based on the properties of dendritic cells, whose role is to present specific proteins from infectious organisms at their surface, therefore alerting the rest of the immune system.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-08/muhc-pit081508.php
New method to overcome multiple drug resistant diseases developed
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a method to counter one of the most common forms of resistance, using a tip from nature. They figured out that a particular molecular sub unit within arginine, called a guanidinium group, was what nature actually exploits to get foreign substances through cell membranes. Working with Taxol(r), a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, they attached a series of arginines with their associated guanidinium groups and tried it out against Taxol-resistant ovarian cancer cells implanted in mice. It worked.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-08/su-nmt081508.php
Resources
Publications
Think TB in people with HIV: a new publication from NAM
This publication brings together articles published about TB treatment in people infected with HIV & AIDS in 2007 and 2008.
http://www.aidsmap.com/files/file1002936.pdf
WHO Operational package for assessing, monitoring and evaluating country pharmaceutical situations- Guide for coordinators and data collectors
The guide is aimed at assisting countries to improve access to and use of quality medicines.
http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/WHO_TCM_2007.2.pdf
WHO Medicines Strategy Consultation
The strategy presents major strategic directions and approaches but does not include operational details or workplans. WHO is calling for review or comments on the draft.
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/policy/medstrategy_consultation/en/index.html
Hesperian Books: A Community Guide to Environmental Health
The guide will help health promoters, development workers, environmental activists, and community leaders to take charge of their environmental health. The guide provides the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to begin transforming the crisis in environmental health.
http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php
Commission on Social Determinants publishes final report
The Commission on Social Determinants of Health has released its final report. The report is titled: Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health. The initiative is aimed achieving success in the struggle for access to health services for all.
http://www.who.int/social_determinants/final_report/en/index.html
Workshops
Rational Medicine management - a focus on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria
3 - 14 November 2008, Ifakara, Tanzania
http://www.who.int/medicines/events/rdp/en/index.html
13th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities
The 13th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA) will take place in Bern, Switzerland, from 16-19 September 2008.
http://www.idasolutions.org/file.php?nr=94&code=824116742055867735c8478f8195f3ed
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