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Jan172019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
UCI To Outlaw Painkiller Tramadol From March

UCI To Outlaw Painkiller Tramadol From March

NEWS
World cycling’s governing body, the UCI, is to ban painkiller tramadol from March 1 and will punish offenders with penalties ranging from a fine to a nine-month suspension. While the synthetic opinoid is widely available on the Internet and is not currently on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list, the tramadol ban was a campaign pledge of UCI president David Lappartient. The UCI said a first offence would mean an event disqualification and fine, a second offence a five-month suspension going up to nine months for a third infraction. “The ban is aimed at preserving the rider’s health and safety in light of the side-effects of tramadol, across all disciplines and categories,” the UCI said. “The use of tramadol can have two types of side-effect: nausea,
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Jan172019 by PharmaTimes2 Comments
Researchers Urged to Develop Lassa fever Vaccine

Researchers Urged to Develop Lassa fever Vaccine

NEWS
Scientist and researchers have been tasked to intensify their researches towards developing a vaccine that could prevent the spread of Lassa fever across the continent in the nearest possible future. This plea was made at the ongoing maiden Lassa fever international conference which held in Abuja on Wednesday. Though some researches on Lassa fever vaccines are in the pipe line, none has been certified for use. All are still in clinical stages. This is one of reasons for the organisation of the Lassa fever international conference. The conference was to create an avenue where researchers, scientists, health workers and people with interest in the disease from across the world, come together to reflect on what is known and available and prioritise research agenda...
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Jan172019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
Man Goes Blind After Taking Erectile Dysfunction Drug Overdose

Man Goes Blind After Taking Erectile Dysfunction Drug Overdose

NEWS
A man in his 50s who reportedly drank an entire 30-milliliter bottle liquid sildenafil used to treat erectile dysfunction, is currently experiencing vision issues that include “debilitating night blindness”. According to a medical case study recently published in the journal, JAMA Ophthalmology, the man, was not identified but was said to have drank 10 times more than the recommended dose of the drug. IFLScience reported that the man later saw doctors at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, U.S., where he claimed he was experiencing night blindness, sensitivity to light and was seeing “doughnut-shaped” spots, IFLScience reported, citing the study. Doctors said in the study all of his symptoms — except for the doughnut-shaped spots — improved days af
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Jan172019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
Consultant Identifies Causes of High Cancer Mortality in Nigeria

Consultant Identifies Causes of High Cancer Mortality in Nigeria

NEWS
Dr Wellington Ohikhokhai, Senior Consultant Radiologist, Zenith Radiological Services Limited and Laboratory, has attributed the high mortality from cancer in the country to inadequate funding of the health sector and lack of equipment. Ohikhokhai, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, defined cancer as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body which develop when the normal control mechanism stops working. He decried the dearth of a simple mammogram used in screening and detecting breast cancer in most health facilities across the country. “Mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer but they can save lives by detecting breast cancer as early as possible. “Detecting breast cancers early with mammography also means
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Jan172019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
FG to Prevent Resurgence of Lassa fever – Minister

FG to Prevent Resurgence of Lassa fever – Minister

NEWS
The Federal Government on Wednesday said it was working hard to prevent resurgence of Lassa fever in the country. The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said this at the maiden Lassa Fever International Conference in Abuja. Ehanire said that in 2018, Nigeria experienced the largest occurrence of confirmed Lassa fever cases. “We have developed a Lassa fever research plan that is aligned with the global research agenda. “We shall invest more in training staff, acquiring necessary equipment, developing best protocols and embracing best practices that will help us achieve results. “I hope all global efforts come to fruition in the near future, so that we have more tools at our disposal for swift prevention, detection and response to such disease outbreaks,
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Jan162019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
Govt, WHO Declare Ends Of Cholera Outbreak In Yobe, Borno

Govt, WHO Declare Ends Of Cholera Outbreak In Yobe, Borno

NEWS
Yobe and Borno state governments in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners have officially declared an end of cholera outbreak in the two states. The declaration was made public in separate press conferences held by the state commissioners of Health, Dr. Muhammad Bello Kawuwa and Dr. Kwaya Bura, on Tuesday in Yobe and Borno. The commissioners said that both states were declared cholera-free when suspected cases in the epidemic areas significantly declines and all samples from suspected cholera cases were tested negative by the Rapid Diagnostic Test or culture for a minimum period of two weeks. In Yobe, the health commissioner, who was represented by Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Lawan Gana said, the first cas...
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Jan162019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
Gaidam Directs State Hospital to offer Free Kidney Dialysis for Yobe Indigenes

Gaidam Directs State Hospital to offer Free Kidney Dialysis for Yobe Indigenes

NEWS
Yobe state governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, has directed the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu to offer free kidney dialysis services for patients who are indigenes of the state. The state commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Mala Musti, disclosed this on Tuesday shortly after the State Executive Council meeting presided over the governor in Damaturu. Our correspondent reported that cases of kidney failure have been very serious in Gashua and Nguru axis, a situation that prompted the governor to give the directive. He said the council has also took a far-reaching decision with the approval of over N4 billion for the execution of various projects in the state. Some of the projects, according to the commissioner, include; the supply of 20 Nos. of ...
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Jan152019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
Malnourishment Can Cause Malaria, Measles, Pneumonia in Children- Paediatrician

Malnourishment Can Cause Malaria, Measles, Pneumonia in Children- Paediatrician

Children's Health, NEWS
A Paediatrician, Dr Uche Anene-Nzelu, says malnourishment can cause severe issues for children including malaria, measles and pneumonia. Anene-Nzelu, who works at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos. According to her, malnutrition occurs when a child does not take adequate nutrition required by the body.She said that malnourishment could create an additional problem and burden for the child already suffering from malnutrition. The paediatrician also told NAN that malnutrition in children could start from when the mother was pregnant, saying that when this occurs, some organs of the child’s body could be at risk of not developing properly. “The impact is more from when the mother is
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Jan152019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
Hong Kong Scientists Report Breakthrough Antidote for Viral Diseases

Hong Kong Scientists Report Breakthrough Antidote for Viral Diseases

NEWS
Hong Kong scientists claim they have made a potential breakthrough discovery in the fight against infectious diseases — a chemical that could slow the spread of deadly viral illnesses. A team from the University of Hong Kong described the newly discovered chemical as “highly potent in interrupting the life cycle of diverse viruses” in a study published this month in the journal Nature Communications. The scientists said the antidote could one day be used as a broad-spectrum antiviral for a host of infectious diseases — and even for viruses that have yet to emerge — if it passes clinical trials. The spread in recent decades of sometimes deadly bird flu strains, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) have underscored th
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Jan152019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
What Catarrh or Nasal Discharge Means To You

What Catarrh or Nasal Discharge Means To You

NEWS
The nose, ear and throat are much related. What affects the nose may affect the other two organs and vice versa. Nasal discharge is a common symptom of an underlying disease state in both adults and children. Nasal discharge or “catarrh” is excessive discharge or build-up of mucus in the nose or throat, associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the surfaces of these structures of nose and throat. What causes catarrh? Just as in the case of ear discharge, nasal discharge could be due and is often due to infection. Most of the infection is of viral origin. Being of viral origin has significant implications on the type of intervention that a physician may provide for the sufferer. We shall discuss the treatment later on. Nasal infection causing nasal dis
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Jan152019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
Labour Unions Hail Buhari for Not Privatising Health

Labour Unions Hail Buhari for Not Privatising Health

NEWS
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for not privatising the health sector. They condemned privatisation of the sector, saying it would lead to masses’ exploitation. The leaderships of the two Unions, Ayuba Wabba and Biobelemoye Josiah, who expressed their concern at the recent 45th session of the MHWUN’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, urged health workers to unite for a common interest to resist the idea, described as anti-masses. According to Wabba, anyone who says health care privatisation will better the sector is telling lies. ”Anybody that tells me that privatising the health care will make it better, it is false. What has become
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Jan152019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
Persistent Back Pain Associated With High Risk of Mortality

Persistent Back Pain Associated With High Risk of Mortality

NEWS
A prospective analysis of back pain and rates of disability may help explain the association between back pain and mortality. Back pain is very common, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is also a major cause of disability and missed work days. Risk factors such as posture, sedentary lifestyle, weight gain, obesity, and age can all contribute to the development of this condition. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke suggest that around 80 percent of adults experience back pain at least once in their life. A United States telephone survey showed that the prevalence of chronic back pain more than doubled in the 14-year interval between 1992 and 2006, and that it was greater in women. Back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute back pa...
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Jan152019 by PharmaTimes1 Comment
Clean Environment, General Hygiene Help in Prevention of Lassa fever

Clean Environment, General Hygiene Help in Prevention of Lassa fever

NEWS
Recently, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), confirmed seven Persons dead and 14 affected by the lassa fever virus in five states, which include Ondo, Edo, Delta, Plateau, Bauchi and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. In the face of this, health experts have advised that families, communities and individuals protect themselves by avoiding foods contaminated by rats and keeping their environment clean. People should not allow bushes to grow in their environment to deter rodents carrying the virus. Dr. Modupe Akinyinka, Senior lecturer and Consultant Public Health Physician at Department of Community Health and Primary Health Care Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos, said Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and bot...
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Jan152019 by PharmaTimes1 Comment
Nigeria Hosts Maiden Lassa fever Int’l Conference

Nigeria Hosts Maiden Lassa fever Int’l Conference

NEWS
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it is ready to host the maiden Lassa fever international conference in the country. The Chief Executive Officer, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja. He said that the conference, to be organised in partnership with other stakeholders, would hold between Jan. 16 and Jan. 17, in Abuja. According to him, the opportunity created by the ‘anniversary’ of the discovery of the virus is being used to bring researchers and practitioners from across the world. He said that the researchers and practitioners would share and appraise global efforts towards the control of the Lassa fever virus disease. Ihekweazu said that the conference would also be an opportunity to increase globa
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Jan152019 by PharmaTimesNo Comments
Patronise Made In Nigeria Medicines, Pharmacists Urge FG

Patronise Made In Nigeria Medicines, Pharmacists Urge FG

NEWS
Say dependence on imported medicines is security risk THE Federal government has been called upon to patronise the local pharmaceutical industry by purchasing made in Nigeria pharmaceutical products even as pharmacists have warned that overdependence on imported medicines is a health security risk to the country. Newly elected president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, who made the call in Lagos last week,said government should believe in the locally manufactutured products. “Government should practice what it preaches and patronise Nigerian pharmaceutical companies, and show in word and in action that it supports the local manufacturing industry especially the pharmaceutical industry.” Ohuabunwa, who was one time Presiden
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