Pharmacist and Drugs

12/08/2024

Did you know this about Finesteride for hair growth?

The video explores the effectiveness of finasteride, a medication commonly used to treat male pattern baldness. It discusses how finasteride functions by inh...

28/07/2024

Cannabis (Gaja); an interesting herb. Do you know why it makes you happy? Watch this to know...
https://youtube.com/shorts/JLjuA0tJrEI?feature=share

22/02/2024

Unveiling Zika: A Must-Watch for Everyone! This eye-opening video delves into the impact of Zika virus, from its mosquito-borne transmission to its link with birth defects. Learn about prevention, symptoms, and the latest research. Stay informed, stay protected. Watch now to safeguard yourself and your loved ones against this global health concern. Watch more such videos on our YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxmssoT0VFpdY7Sc1EFJqWQ

14/02/2024

Is melatonin good or bad for your baby's sleep?

14/02/2024

Casgevy and Lyfgenia: Gene Therapies for Sickle Cell

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved two groundbreaking gene therapies, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) in patients 12 years and older. These therapies represent the first cell-based gene treatments for SCD, a group of inherited blood disorders affecting around 100,000 people in the U.S., particularly African and Hispanic Americans. Casgevy is a cell-based gene therapy that utilizes CRISPR/Cas9, a novel genome editing technology, to modify patients' hematopoietic stem cells. This modification increases the levels of HbF, which prevents the sickling of red blood cells.

https://youtu.be/oqaZRUv7WSE?si=wUiDZrXDkCzJk3kG
On the other hand, Lyfgenia is a cell-based gene therapy that uses a lentiviral vector to genetically modify patients' blood stem cells to produce HbAT87Q, a type of hemoglobin that reduces the sickling of red blood cells. The approval of these gene therapies marks a significant advancement in the treatment of SCD, offering a potential one-time fix for the disease. Both therapies were granted Priority Review, Orphan Drug, Fast Track, and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designations by the FDA. The safety and effectiveness of Casgevy and Lyfgenia were evaluated in rigorous clinical trials, with both therapies demonstrating promising results in reducing vaso-occlusive events (VOEs) and improving patients' quality of life.
The gene therapies are not without risks, as some patients experienced side effects such as mouth sores, low blood cell levels, and febrile neutropenia. Additionally, a black box warning is included in the label for Lyfgenia due to the risk of hematologic malignancy, and patients receiving this therapy require lifelong monitoring for these malignancies.
The process to receive either of these gene therapies involves multiple hospital visits and chemotherapy. Patients who received Casgevy or Lyfgenia will be followed in long-term studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of each treatment.
The approval of Casgevy and Lyfgenia offers new hope for individuals with SCD, providing potentially curative options that were previously limited. While the gene therapies represent a significant medical advance, their uptake is expected to be gradual, with initial availability at a limited number of treatment centers across the country. The FDA's approval of these gene therapies reflects a commitment to facilitating the development of safe and effective treatments for conditions with severe unmet medical needs.

In summary, the approval of Casgevy and Lyfgenia represents a major milestone in the treatment of SCD, offering potential one-time gene-based treatments for patients 12 years and older. These therapies have shown promising results in reducing VOEs and improving patients' quality of life, although they are not without associated risks. The availability of these gene therapies at treatment centers is expected to expand over time, providing new hope for individuals affected by SCD.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two milestone treatments, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, representing the first cell-based gene therapies for the treat...

13/02/2024

Monkeypox outbreak!!!!!
Monkeypox, a zoonotic viral infection endemic to West and Central Africa, has caused global public health concerns due to occasional outbreaks. The outbreak highlighted the need for vigilance, surveillance, and effective communication to guide diagnostic laboratories, healthcare workers, and communities. Understanding the virology, epidemiology, and clinical characteristics of monkeypox is crucial for implementing appropriate measures, including diagnosis, treatment, and potential vaccines.

11/02/2024

Filaria Medicine: India's Fight Against Elephantiasis

The government of India provides filaria medicine free of charge through its National Filaria Control Programme (NFCP) as part of its efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF), a mosquito-borne parasitic disease also known as elephantiasis.

https://youtu.be/W0edNo8qjGk

30/06/2023

FDA approved Sebelipase (Evrydi) for Hemophilia A.

Seblipase alfa is a gene therapy that is delivered directly into the body's cells. The gene therapy contains a functional copy of the factor VIII gene, which...

21/06/2023

Bipolar disease: a manic depression. Interesting video explanation. https://youtu.be/aRoDq-P3Igw

28/01/2023

Is Flu Vaccine Safe? Is it Good or Bad?

This video provides an overview of the potential side effects of a flu shot. The video explains that most people who get a flu shot have no side effects and ...

18/12/2022

An x-ray image can be analyzed using Artificial Intelligence to identify an early indication of osteoarthritis

Scientists created an AI-controlled neural system to spot early knee osteoarthritis from X-ray pictures. The AI was able to agree with a doctor's analysis in 87% of incidents. This result is essential since X-rays are the primary testing tool for early knee osteoarthritis. An early detection can help to save the patient from needing excessive assessments, therapies, and even knee joint substitution surgery.

Journal Reference:
Anri Patron, Leevi Annala, Olli Lainiala, Juha Paloneva, Sami Äyrämö. An Automatic Method for Assessing Spiking of Tibial Tubercles Associated with Knee Osteoarthritis. Diagnostics, 2022; 12 (11): 2603 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112603

13/12/2022

When it comes to understanding what to read on your medicine label, it can be overwhelming. However, it is important to read the information so that you can understand how to take the medicine correctly and safely. Here are some of the key pieces of information to look for on the label:

1. Active Ingredients: This section will list the active ingredients in the medicine, which are the substances that make the medicine work.

2. Directions for Use: This section will provide instructions on how to take the medicine, such as how much to take and when to take it.

3. Warnings: This section will list any important warnings associated with taking the medicine, such as potential side effects or interactions with other medications.

4. Storage Information: This section will provide instructions on how to store the medicine, such as how to keep it at the right temperature and away from sunlight.

5. Expiration Date: This section will provide the expiration date for the medicine, which is important to pay attention to as expired medicine can be dangerous to take.

By reading the medicine label, you can ensure that you are taking the medicine correctly and safely. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, ask your pharmacist.