Articles tagged with Pharmaceutical Industry
A new computational technique developed by researchers at the University of Kansas allows industry regulators and consumers to predict whether a given compound will be toxic even at low doses. The method combines QSAR principles with statistical analysis, achieving higher prediction accuracy than previous approaches.
Researchers have discovered a bacterium in South America that produces poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable compound used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The strain, Bacillus megaterium Uyuni S29, produces large amounts of PHB, making it a promising natural substitute for petroleum-based plastics.
The lack of transparency in clinical trials has been criticized by Ben Goldacre, who calls for the sharing of Clinical Study Reports to ensure informed decisions about medicines. The problem of missing trials is one of the greatest ethical challenges facing medicine today.
The NIH is funding collaborations between academia and industry to explore new uses for existing compounds in eight disease areas, including Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of new treatments by leveraging existing research and development.
A new report suggests that breaking up the relationship between physicians and drug companies could lead to improved healthcare and cost savings. Researchers from Oregon State University found that avoiding conflicts of interest and replacing industry-funded information with peer-reviewed sources can help physicians make more informed ...
A recent Lund University study analyzed antidepressant ads in the Swedish Medical Journal between 1994 and 2003, finding that 34% were deemed misleading by industry self-regulation. The review process was criticized for being ineffective, with only 0.009% of sales revenue fined for unethical marketing.
Scientists have developed a new method for chemical reduction using a biomimetic catalyst that mimics naturally occurring enzymes. The catalyst-based approach uses cheap, replenishable reagents and works well at room temperature and in air, even allowing for safe use in a teacup. With high efficiency rates, the research has wide applic...
Despite declining marketing efforts, pharmaceutical promotion remains prevalent, with free samples and physician detailing accounting for over 70% of expenditures. The study found no significant change in the proportion of marketing to primary care physicians or specialists, highlighting ongoing conflicts of interest.
A national survey of medical students found that many continue to receive industry-sponsored gifts, even as institutions restrict access to pharmaceutical sales representatives. The study suggests a need for further measures to reduce bias in medical education.
A national survey found that over a third of US physicians fulfill patient requests for brand-name drugs, which are up to 80% more expensive than generics. Industry marketing relationships and personal connections with pharmaceutical companies also contribute to this practice.
Major pharmaceutical companies are losing patents on best-selling drugs, leading to a focus on pairing low costs with high quality and exploring new research partnerships. This shift is raising hopes for new drugs and profits in the industry as it seeks innovative solutions to revitalize sales.
Scientists have studied a milling reaction in real time using highly penetrating X-rays, observing the transformation of simple ingredients into complex products. This breakthrough enables optimization of industrial processes, reducing solvent use and energy consumption.
The Access to Medicine Index ranks pharmaceutical companies on their efforts to improve access to medicine in developing countries. This year's report finds that 17 out of 20 companies have improved their performance since 2010, with GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson emerging as leaders. The industry is becoming more organized in i...
Cyanobacteria produce a previously unknown molecule called AEG, which is thought to be the first genetic material. This discovery challenges our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth and has potential applications in gene silencing.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new computational method to identify promising refrigerant fluids with low global warming potential. The new method identified over 1,200 candidates from 56,000 compounds, including fluorinated olefins that react rapidly with atmospheric compounds.
Nek9 protein is required for chromosomes to separate into two identical groups during cell division. Its inhibition has been identified as a promising strategy against cancer.
A new study by a University of Illinois expert reveals that operational routines tend to move towards higher entropy due to complacency and lack of checks and balances. The research also found that mergers can cause decay in adherence to routines, while acquisitions by healthier firms can serve as a renewal.
Industry experts agree on ten recommendations to improve reporting of clinical research studies, including addressing clinically important questions and transparent disclosure of results. The consensus paper aims to enhance the credibility of medical research publications by promoting standardization and transparency.
A decline in industry-sponsored funding of accredited continuing medical education (CME) is seen as an opportunity to make CME more relevant, cost-effective, and less biased. Interactive forms of medical education, such as online learning and practice improvement activities, are gaining traction.
A study published in PLOS Medicine finds that the revised DSM-5 has been influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, despite a policy to disclose financial conflicts of interest. The authors argue that transparency alone cannot mitigate bias and recommend stricter safeguards to protect the revision process.
Researchers Kari Tikkinen and Anssi Auvinen argue that 'overactive bladder' should be studied individually, rather than as an ambiguous constellation of symptoms. This approach could lead to better understanding of underlying causes and more effective treatments.
The chemical industry is expected to see a boost in sales due to growing demand for chemicals used in agriculture, electronics, cars, and airplanes. However, the industry faces challenges such as expiring patents and slowing growth in Asia, which will impact industries like paint and construction materials.
CrossJect's Zeneo needle-free injection device addresses real market need with precise and reliable technology. The company has received significant funding from venture capital firms and the Eurostars Programme to accelerate development and bring its product to market.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a new catalyst that transforms amides into desired chemical products efficiently and safely, producing no by-products or hazardous waste. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the chemical industry from an economic and green perspective.
A game-changing catalyst has been discovered by University of Alberta researchers, offering a potential solution to the chemical industry's environmental and economic challenges. The new catalyst produces minimal waste and can achieve multiple turnovers, reducing the industry's ecological footprint.
Researchers at LMU München have developed a facile route to versatile organozinc compounds by synthesizing them as salt-stabilized solids. This allows for easier storage and transportation compared to traditional liquid forms, making them more suitable for industrial applications.
Health Canada should make clinical trials registration mandatory to increase transparency and protect consumers. The lack of openness about trial designs and results puts patients at risk, according to recent analysis.
The pharmaceutical industry is accused of manipulating medical journal authorship rules to conceal its contributions. Alastair Matheson argues that the current International Committee of Medical Journal Editors guidelines allow for industry exaggeration and downplaying of commercial writers' roles.
Two UofToronto law professors argue that academics who receive credit for ghostwritten articles should be charged with professional misconduct and fraud. Guest authorship is seen as a violation of academic integrity standards, threatening the reliability of biomedical research and patient care.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that sugar decomposes rather than melts, offering new insights into food science and technology. This breakthrough enables food scientists to manipulate sugars for improved flavors and textures, as well as pharmaceutical companies to enhance excipients.
A landmark editorial in The Spine Journal denounces flawed clinical research in bone growth products and inadequate disclosure of industry relationships. Financial ties between physicians and medical device industries have led to biased and corrupted research, harming patients, according to the editors.
The University of Houston's Center for Life Sciences Technology has received a $300,000 state grant to continue and expand its research-based education programs in biotechnology. The grant will support the center's mission to provide innovative interdisciplinary training to aspiring professionals and industry workers.
A team of UW-Madison chemistry professors has devised a novel approach to synthesizing substituted aromatic molecules by utilizing a palladium catalyst. This method enables the efficient production of various aromatic compounds with specific substitution patterns, which will have practical applications in drug companies.
A new editorial in PLoS Medicine calls for greater scrutiny of the alcohol industry's impact on health research, government policy, and public perceptions. The authors highlight questionable behavior by the industry, including promoting health benefits while downplaying harms, and suggest stricter regulation to protect public health.
A study found that medical students in the US have substantial exposure to pharmaceutical industry marketing, even in preclinical years. The extent of their contact is associated with positive attitudes towards marketing and skepticism of negative implications. The authors recommend better education for medical students on the subject ...
Navindra Seeram has discovered 54 beneficial compounds in pure maple syrup, with 20 previously identified compounds playing a key role in human health. The research also reveals anti-inflammatory properties and potential uses in fighting cancer, diabetes, and bacterial illnesses.
A national survey of US family medicine residency programs found that most limit pharmaceutical and industry interactions with residents, while some exclude all interactions. This shift aims to reduce the influence of industry on prescribing patterns and promote evidence-based prescribing.
A recent study found that only 2% of meta-analyses reported funding sources, while 62.5% of included RCTs had pharmaceutical industry funding. Author financial disclosures were also underreported. The lack of transparency may compromise readers' understanding and appraisal of the evidence.
Researchers at Cardiff University have made a breakthrough in activating hydrocarbon feedstocks using a gold catalyst. The study achieved unprecedented yields of over 90% for the formation of reactive molecules.
Researchers investigated causes of software company success and failure, examining factors such as marketing, research and development, and operating capabilities. Higher operating capability has the greatest influence on survival, while firms with strong innovation-related competitive actions also have a greater likelihood of survival.
Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully developed a method using terahertz pulses to manipulate molecular networks in crystalline form. This technique softens crystals without raising temperatures, allowing for potential advances in chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical refinement.
A new survey finds that physician-industry relationships are still prevalent, with most physicians maintaining such relationships. The study suggests a significant association between these relationships and the use of more expensive drugs.
Confirmed speakers from top biopharma companies and regulatory experts will discuss dealmaking, commercial strategy, outsourcing, and regulatory risks in Asia. The summit will also explore China healthcare reform, U.S. FDA actions in China and India, and opportunities for pre-competitive collaboration.
The University of Liverpool will coordinate an international research network, led by Professor Munir Pirmohamed, to investigate the role of genetic variation in drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions. This collaboration aims to identify genetic predisposing factors that can help predict susceptible patients and reduce the patient and...
A historic conference at Uppsala University marked a turning point in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Global leaders agreed on joint action and shared data to monitor and limit unnecessary use of antibiotics, as well as improve access to affordable medicines in developing countries.
A new study by Lifeloc Technologies reveals popular consumer breathalyzers to be inaccurate and inconsistent in measuring breath alcohol content. The company's independent report confirms these devices' notorious inaccuracy, warning consumers against relying on them for accurate BAC measurement.
A comprehensive review of 546 clinical trials found industry-funded trials reporting positive outcomes 85% of the time, compared to 50% for government-funded and 72% for non-profit funded trials. The researchers call for greater transparency in study protocols to reduce bias and publication bias.
Despite increased scrutiny, many clinicians continue to hold positive attitudes towards gifts and marketing interactions with pharmaceutical and device companies. A survey found that surgeons and trainees tend to have more positive attitudes, while pediatricians generally hold less favorable views.
This Special Issue of Business Horizons addresses critical issues in US healthcare, including rising costs, quality, and accessibility. The issue features research on topics such as consumerism, information technology, lean-manufacturing concepts, and patient-centered medical homes to improve healthcare delivery and management.
A survey of 381 US internal medicine residency program directors found that 61.9% report accepting pharmaceutical industry support, despite expressing it as undesirable. Acceptance was associated with lower rates of program graduates passing the American Board of Internal Medicine exam.
A UT professor calls for coordinated oversight to monitor electronic health record systems, citing concerns over patient safety and quality of care. The proposed framework involves a five-stage approach to evaluate system design and implementation issues.
A study found that biomedical research funding in the US has decelerated and may have even fallen when adjusted for inflation. Funding growth was not accompanied by an increase in new drug and device approvals.
Fewer investigators report industry connections, but companies still seek out highly productive researchers. Industry-funded scientists were more likely to report trade secrets and delayed publications, yet patenting and trade secrecy rates doubled among those without corporate sponsorship.
NC State researchers investigate how engineered nanomaterials interact with biological systems, focusing on fullerenes' size and surface charge effects. The study aims to understand nanoparticles' absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) in the body.
A study found that Australian reporting standards do not require disclosure of the names of speakers, financial ties, and company roles in sponsored events. The analysis showed that medical specialists received high per-head expenditure on high-cost drugs at industry-sponsored events.
A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen has successfully produced an artificial enzyme that is tailor-made for any application. The new enzyme speeds up oxidizing processes using Hydrogen Peroxide and operates under humane conditions, making it a promising alternative to traditional oxidizers.
Rice University chemists have developed a polymer-coated platinum-gold nanorod catalyst that can be used in organic solvents favored by the chemical and drug industries. The coated particles exhibit nearly 100% catalytic selectivity, making them attractive to industry.
A team of South Korean scientists has successfully engineered the bacterium E. coli to produce putrescine, an industrial chemical traditionally created using fossil fuels. The production process relies on renewable materials and reduces environmental harm associated with chemical synthesis.
Researchers are searching for new enzymes in marine microbes that can convert waste products into desired compounds, increasing efficiency and sustainability. The goal is to develop more efficient and sustainable manufacturing solutions for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.
Experts debate whether financial ties between doctors and drug companies can be a corrupting influence. Emma D'Arcy argues for 'authentic alliances' with transparent interactions, while Ray Moynihan calls for complete disentanglement to prevent pharmaceutical industry distortion of medical practice.