ADVERSE REACTIONS: One in every 20 admissions to hospital A&E units are due to people suffering from adverse reactions to prescribed medicines, according to an American professor.
The figure increases to one in 10 for those over 70 because older people are more susceptible to adverse effects of medication, according to Prof Hugh McGavock, visiting professor of prescribing science at the University of Ulster. Non-compliance by patients (not taking or taking medicines erratically), unnecessary prescribing by doctors and imprecise diagnosis by GPs are among the main reasons for adverse reactions. Prof McGavock suggested a minimum of one year full-time training in diagnosis for anyone prescribing medicines.
ANTI-OBESITY PILL: An estimated 200 drug combinations are being tested in the search for a magic pill to fight obesity. While some experts caution the variable of culture, environment, genetics and lifestyle that contributes to obesity may defy a mass-market solution, others forecast an effective weight-loss drug could surpass best-selling cholesterol-lowering medications.
One of the most closely watched clinical trials is Acomoplia, made by Sanofi-Aventis, based in Paris. The drug blocks the same pleasure receptor in the brain that responds to the effects of marijuana.
ADDICTION CONFERENCE: Trinity College Dublin's Addiction Research Centre's annual conference takes place on September 29th. Looking at strategies and family-based programmes for preventing substance misuse, the conference will hear from researchers including Dr Karol Kumpfer from the University of Utah, US. Tel: 01 6081000 for full programme details.
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