Pharmaceutical Review (Associate Editor) In medical research, the issue of how to live a long, healthy life is taking center stage more frequently. Scientists now argue that gaining longevity may depend on consuming the proper foods, developing healthy behaviors, and maintaining social engagement. While centuries ago individuals may have turned to finding mythical immortality-granting things like the Holy Grail, they now say that this may not be the case. You join a “special club” of centenarians when you reach your 100th birthday. Verified Source. Despite the fact that many more people today are able to live to be 100 years old, researchers estimate that the number of centenarians was quite low before 1900.
Pharmaceutical Review (Associate editor) In illnesses referred to as autoimmune diseases, immune systems attack healthy tissues. Immune system checkpoints involving B cells are being studied by researchers as potential novel therapeutic targets. A few studies have also connected vitamin D to autoimmune diseases. The immune system stops antibodies from being created that target and damage the body’s healthy tissues. Autoimmune diseases obstruct this process.The potential of a B cell-based therapy to treat these disorders is now being examined by research teams.Eric Meffre, a professor of rheumatology and immunology at Stanford University in California and a co-author of the study, believes the results offer enormous potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
According to Meffre, who spoke to Medical News Today, “B cells are a type of white blood cell that aids in the defense against infections by producing antibodies, which can recognize foreign molecules and antigens, produced by pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses.” “The body’s cells produce self-antigens, which are certain antigens. This results in the immune system identifying them as foreign invaders, which causes the B cells to attack healthy tissue in an effort to eliminate the antigens, which causes autoimmune disorders. Self-reactive B cells are those that exhibit such behavior. The central tolerance mechanism of the immune system, which prevents this, involves exposing the B cells to self-antigens while they grow in the bone marrow. “A [DNA-sensing] receptor known as TLR9 is essential for central tolerance.”
Pharmaceutical Review (Associate Editor) Synfini, a biosciences platform that speeds up the process by which pharmaceutical and other companies may design, synthesis, and commercialize compounds for medication development, has been spun out, according to a recent announcement from SRI International. The technology integrates a variety of software and hardware technologies created by SRI over the course of a substantial, multi-year development effort. A computational synthetic planning tool, a high-throughput automated chemistry system, a flow chemistry hardware platform, and a neuro-symbolic AI molecular designer are all included in the suite. It also contains a hardware platform that can do multi-step synthesis with reliability.
Together, Chief Executive Officer Doug Donzelli and Vice President of Finance Elizabeth Miyagi co-founded the new company, Synfini Inc., with the goal of advancing the fields of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals by developing scalable operations for the quick synthesis and testing of specific molecules or molecular classes. It also includes Nathan Collins, Ph.D., and Peter Madrid, Ph.D., who, as chief strategy officer and head of the Applied Research group, respectively, of SRI’s Biosciences division and division of SRI, respectively, played key roles in the development of the Synfini suite at SRI.
When AI technology is paired with the Synfini platform, we have a huge possibility to significantly improve the pharmaceutical development process, which is just beginning to be seen as having an influence across so many industries.
According to new research, a balanced lifestyle that limits smoking and excessive sedentary behavior while promoting moderate alcohol use, a good diet, regular physical activity, healthy sleep, and frequent social connections lowers the risk of depression.
An international team of researchers, including those from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University, examined a variety of factors, including lifestyle choices, genetics, brain structure, and our immune and metabolic systems, in order to identify the underlying mechanisms that may explain this connection.
The World Health Organization estimates that one in 20 persons globally suffers from depression, which has a considerable negative impact on public health. There are a variety of complex elements that can contribute to the development of depression.
The researchers were able to pinpoint seven healthy lifestyle characteristics associated with a lower risk of depression by analyzing data from nearly 290,000 individuals, 13,000 of whom had depression, over the course of a nine-year period. As follows:
usage of alcohol in moderation
exercising frequently
balanced diet
adequate slumber
not smoking
Sleeping well — between seven and nine hours every night — made the biggest difference of all these variables, lowering the risk of depression, including single depressive episodes and treatment-resistant depression, by 22%.
The best defense against recurring depressive disorder was frequent social interaction, which decreased the incidence of depression by 18% overall.
Pharmaceutical Review (Associate Editor) The accuracy, effectiveness, and accessibility of medical diagnostic technologies and data are improved by connected diagnostics, which are diagnostic systems that have been digitalized to adapt and integrate with the larger health care ecosystem.
A few examples of connected diagnostics are mobile-based health applications, laboratory surveillance networks, handheld diagnostic devices with internet access, and more.
Connected diagnostics opportunities A number of significant benefits that connected diagnostics can provide can enhance patient outcomes and fortify healthcare systems. In order to engage and empower patients as active participants in their own treatment, connected diagnostics, for instance, can be made available at both the community and facility level. They achieve this by providing patients with access to health information and data, regardless of their location in relation to a medical facility or a healthcare professional.
A crucial goal of the World Health Organization’s World Alliance for Patient Safety is to increase follow-up on test results, and healthcare professionals can play the role of data detectives in this regard. Additionally, connected diagnostics can boost the adherence to recommendations, simplify the job of healthcare professionals, and enhance the security, timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of data.
Prof. Dr. Humayun Riaz Principal Rashid Latif College of Pharmacy hosted “World Pharmacists Day 2023”
Pharmaceutical Review (Staff Reporter). Rashid Latif College of Pharmacy Celebrated World Pharmacist Day on 25th Sep 2023. The Principal College of Pharmacy Prof. Dr. Humayun Riaz and Faculty Welcome all Health Care Professionals and Pharmacists community invited from different field of Pharmacy. The day celebrated and dedicated the pharmacists to advocates for their rights, duties and challenges. The host of the event was thankful of his all-honorable guests who grace the event with their precious words and time.
Pharmaceutical Review (Staff Reporter). Federation of International Pharmacist (FIP) marks the anniversary of the inception in 1912 and FIP’s Council initiate the “World Pharmacist Day” in 2009. Afterward, the pharmacy professional around the world led campaign to organize this day every year with the theme chosen by the FIP Bureau. World Pharmacy Week was also declared and celebrated in 2020 by FIP. That extends the entire pharmacy profession and obviously covering all sectors of this life saving profession.
Thus, all Pakistani pharmacists working around the world should organize, participate and celebrate the “World Pharmacists Day” and/ or “World Pharmacy Week” at any possible level and capacity.
As a service to the profession, Pakistan Pharmacist Association (PPA) offers a range of ideas to make this event/ week fruitfully conclusive. Members of PPA should use the available resources and material to celebrate World Pharmacists Day/ World Pharmacy Week 2023.
Lastly, I wish all the best to pharmacists around the world.
ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of World Pharmacist Day, the Young Pharmacists of Pakistan have unveiled an ambitious vision to bolster the nation’s healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry. Facing numerous challenges, including environmental issues, agricultural crises, and the scarcity of food and medicine, Pakistan is at a pivotal juncture. Rising imports, dwindling exports, and soaring prices have intensified the need for collective action.
The Young Pharmacists have risen to the occasion, expressing unwavering commitment to strengthen Pakistan. Their mission extends beyond the enhancement of healthcare facilities; they aim to become a cornerstone of the local and global pharmaceutical sector by producing high-quality medicines at affordable prices within Pakistan.
One of Pakistan’s most pressing issues is unemployment, and the Young Pharmacists propose a novel solution: entrepreneurship. Drawing inspiration from India’s success in nurturing small pharmaceutical manufacturing units, many of which have grown into substantial enterprises, Pakistan aims to take a similar path. However, the country has been slow to embrace healthy competition, resulting in a lack of direction within the pharmaceutical industry.
The Young Pharmacists advocate for granting licenses to experienced pharmacists, akin to doctors with one year of experience, to establish pharmaceutical manufacturing units. These units should start small, focusing on mineral and compound extraction and the production of medicinal raw materials. Over time, they can expand into medium and large-scale factories, with the goal of obtaining FDA and EU approvals within five years.
The Young Pharmacists have set ambitious targets. Within five years, they aspire to manufacture 95% of medicine raw materials of the highest quality at competitive prices. Their plan includes halting the import of finished medicines in Pakistan and exporting medicines globally, with an expected revenue of $25 billion. They also intend to revitalize surgical goods manufacturing and export surgical products worth $25 billion within a decade.
Youth passion is at the heart of this industrial transformation. Pakistan has a wealth of talented pharmacists, but many seek opportunities abroad. By developing half a million small pharmaceutical manufacturing units, the Young Pharmacists aim to create jobs for ten million people in manufacturing and the vendor industry, in addition to 20 million jobs in sales and marketing. The retail pharmacy sector is expected to undergo a significant overhaul, with every pharmacy supervised by a pharmacist and a full-time assistant-pharmacist.
This bold initiative not only promises to improve pharmacist employment but also offers opportunities to highly skilled professionals from various fields, potentially eradicating unemployment in Pakistan for the next 50 years. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every Pakistani has access to affordable, high-quality medicine.
The Pakistan Young Pharmacist Association is taking the lead in fostering collaboration with all sectors of the nation, from the government to academia, to pave the way for a healthier and more prosperous Pakistan, both today and in the future.
In today’s digital age, access to medical information is at our fingertips like never before. The internet has become a vast repository of health-related knowledge, offering insights on symptoms, treatments, and wellness tips. While this accessibility can empower individuals to take control of their health, it also comes with a caveat – the need for discernment. Not all online sources are equal, and the reliability of medical information can vary widely. It’s crucial to approach online medical information with a critical eye, relying on reputable sources, cross-referencing information, and consulting healthcare professionals when needed. By doing so, individuals can harness the potential of medical information to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, fostering a proactive and empowered approach to healthcare.
