The cost of developing biosimilars

Unlike the development of generic medicines, biosimilar manufacturers are expected to need to invest in clinical trials, manufacturing and post-approval safety monitoring programs similar to that of the original innovator companies. According to Sandoz, the cost of developing a generic small molecule is around $2-3 million, whereas biosimilars have been estimated to cost around $75-250 million to reach approval, largely due to the the expected number of clinical studies and analyses.

Because of this investment, cost savings achievable with biosimilars may not be as great as can be experienced with small molecule generics.

Ref: Amgen Inc

Radiopharmaceuticals vs Traditional Drugs

Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that contain radioactive materials called radioisotopes. They may be given to the patient in several different ways. For example, they may be given by mouth, given by injection, or placed into the eye or into the bladder. Depending on the drug and how it’s given, these materials travel to various parts of the body to treat cancer or relieve its symptoms. They put out radiation, mostly in the form of alpha and beta particles, that target the affected areas.

Systemic administration of radiopharmaceuticals for site-specific use allows the physician to treat widely disseminated diseases. Optimally, therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are designed for site specificity and based solely upon physiological function of the target organ even if the actual location of the cancerous tumor is unknown.

How Do You Diagnose Diabetes Mellitus Type 1?

The onset of type 1 diabetes is typically during childhood or puberty, and symptoms develop suddenly. Patients with type 1 diabetes can usually be recognized by the abrupt appearance of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger), often triggered by stress or an illness. These symptoms are usually accompanied by fatigue, weight loss, and weakness. The diagnosis is confirmed by a fasting blood glucose (FBG) greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl, commonly accompanied by ketoacidosis. Fasting is defined as no caloric intake for at least 8 hours. When the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is uncertain by clinical presentation, testing for circulating islet-cell antibodies is recommended.

Note: The oral glucose tolerance test is not routinely used as a diagnostic tool for diabetes because it is difficult to perform in practice and the results are highly variable; however, it is used to screen pregnant women for gestational diabetes.

 

Diabetes Symptoms

• Frequent urination
• Sudden weight loss
• Wounds that won’t heal
• Always hungry
• Sexual problems
• Blurry vision
• Vaginal infections
• Numb or tingling hands or feet
• Always thirsty

Diabetes and Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that inhibit the destructive effects of oxidation. Some of the  general antioxidants that are known are glutathione effects, glutathione peroxidase,  vitamins A,C,E, catalase and SOD. The decreased efficiency of antioxidant defenses (both  enzymatic and non-enzymatic) seems to correlate with the severity of pathological tissue changes in type 1 diabetes.

Administration of the antioxidants, for example, the vitamin C and free amino acids, get a better reaction to insulin and can supply extra benefit to the proposed reduction of oxidative stress in tissues. Experimental study on diabetic rats suggested that nutritional vitamin E supplementation helps fatty acids metabolism and lower lipid peroxidation in rat tissues. Oral vitamin C and vitamin E has the ability to lower the oxidative stress in eye and the vascular endothelia function get better in type1 and not type 2 diabetes. Vitamin C and Vitamin E, probably have an important role in reducing the oxidative damage produced by nitric oxide and other free radicals. The estimation of vitamin levels and other antioxidants in saliva could provide a good insight about the body function against oxidative stress and it can be used to monitor therapy.

Learn more: Source of Antioxidants in Natural Foods & Its Health Benefits

Reference: Natheer H. Al-Rawi (2012). Diabetes, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants and Saliva: A Review, Oxidative Stress and Diseases, Intechopen publishers.

Are all fats bad only for health?

Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature depending on their structure and composition.

There are two types of fat:

Saturated Fats

It has no double bonds and is solids at room temperature. Butter, ghee etc are saturated fats. High intake of saturated fats increases blood cholesterol level that can lead to coronary disorders and high blood pressure. Thus people who have a sedentary lifestyle such as old people should reduce the intake of saturated fats. However, people who involved in heavy labour fat intake should be more, as their energy requirement is high.

Unsaturated fats

It has one or more double bonds and is liquid at room temperature. Oils are unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats may be monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, trans fats, cis fats, omega fatty acids etc.

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