Medication
Pharmacy asked to consider ending long-term antibiotic aid after death – NZ Herald
This is despite the risk being highlighted in at least two updates published by MedSafe in the last decade.
A recommendation will now be made for Pharmaceuena to consider suspending drug subsidies for more than six months to «special control» authorizations only, as a way to prevent its availability.
After his death in 2019, the man’s wife complained to the HDC, mainly to help prevent «another avoidable death due to the lack of professional knowledge about the adverse effects of the drug».
He was initially prescribed medication by a specialist in the spine department of the district health board.
It had successfully treated his symptoms, so his GP and a urologist at another community hospital continued to prescribe it, without making sure the man understood the risks of long-term use. The pharmacy also dispensed the medication without advising the man of the risks, Cooper found.
He had been taking the drug for about 28 months between 2017 and 2019 and was never informed of the known risk of lung disease from its long-term use.
About six to eight months after starting the medication the man developed a mild and dry cough, but neither he nor his wife knew that this could be related and nitrofurantoin, did not raise any concerns about this at the time.
The opinion of the research experts was that when the use of nitrofurantoin exceeds six months, he should be told about the possible risks in order to make an informed decision about whether the benefits of continuing with it outweigh the risks.
Cooper said it was «significant» that none of the health care providers treating the man, identified in the ruling as Mr A, had confirmed he understood the risks, so he assumed no one person or service is primarily responsible.
«Clearly several providers failed Mr A.»
Cooper said the complaint highlighted that some doctors who prescribed and administered nitrofurantoin, including those who treated the man, were unaware of the potential for serious lung damage from long-term use. more than six months.
«It shed light on a very important issue and encouraged the necessary reforms and education to reduce the chances of a similar situation in the future,» he said.
The providers involved have made significant changes and improvements.
The pharmacy that issued the medicine asked the Pharmacy Safety Association to provide the correct information to all public entrepreneurs. The owner said that before the incident they were not aware of any danger.
«When we first discussed this as a group, I found out that some of our pharmacists are aware of an unusual side effect associated with long-term use of nitrofurantoin… Some pharmacists they did not know this … .”
The spine center at Health NZ is creating an information document that will be shared with the College of General Practitioners and the medical center has conducted a review of all patients prescribed this medication to monitor and ensure that side effects are replicated. .
The man’s GP has since made «dramatic changes» to prescribing practices including providing written information from the New Zealand Formulary for all long-term medicines for patients and consulting with see about the side effects involved.
In addition to the changes already made, Cooper listed the following recommendations including that the RCollege of General Practitioners and Te Tāhū Hauora|Health Quality and Safety Commission consider the best way to highlight awareness of the risks of medicines. .
With a recommendation to Medsafe and the Medical Safety Association, Cooper believed that a more direct approach to the urology community was better with the publication of standard information about the risks of long-term use of nitrofurantoin.
Cooper said when he concluded the investigation he believed and supported the wishes of the man’s wife when she made the complaint.
Tracy Neal is the Nelson-based Open Justice reporter for NZME. He was previously RNZ’s regional reporter in Nelson-Marlborough and covered general news, including council and local government for the Nelson Mail.
#Pharmacy #asked #longterm #antibiotic #aid #death #Herald
Strengthening Capacity to Support Growing Demand in the Functional Food Sector
NEW YORK, December 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — 5WPR, one of America’s leading and largest independent PR firms, is proud to announce the expansion of its Health & Wellness division to include focusing on Functional Nutrition. This strategic move reflects 5W’s commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and evolving its services to meet the needs of this rapidly changing market.
With increasing consumer interest in functional foods, brands are seeking expert guidance to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. In response, 5WPR has expanded its services to cover key areas within the nutrition industry, including gut health, supplements and functional drinks, performance and sports nutrition, protein powder, probiotics, weight management, collagen peptides, dietary powder, functional mushrooms. , nutrition, and pet health.
Functional nutrition has become an influence in the field of health and wellness, fueled by increased consumer awareness and demand for products that provide more than basic nutritional benefits. According to the latest data from Open PR, gut health products alone are estimated to grow by approximately 8% annually between 2024 and 2031. Additionally, the Food Institute is report that e-commerce has emerged as the fastest growing channel for supplements in 2023, an increase of 9.5%, highlighting the importance of a strong online presence. Performance nutrition has also seen significant growth, with categories such as hydration and electrolytes increasing by 52.2%, and creatine sales increasing by an impressive 114.4%, according to the New Hope Network.
«The functional nutrition market is not only growing; it is defining the health and wellness industry,» he said. Ilisa WirginManaging Partner and EVP of 5WPR’s Health & Wellness and Beauty division. «Consumers are looking for products that improve their overall well-being, improve performance, and support recovery, which makes it an exciting and exciting segment. Our expanded focus will help us helping customers in this area to grow their product profiles, align with their target audience, and deliver meaningful results.»
5WPR’s track record in health and wellness includes working with some of the most recognized brands in fitness, nutrition, and personal care. The agency’s expertise in media relations, influencer partnerships, thought leadership, digital strategy, and affiliate marketing ensures that clients in the nutrition space receive structured, comprehensive, and measurable support.
#5WPR #Expands #Health #Wellness #Divide #Focus #Functional #Nutrition
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Lady Gabriella Kingston’s husband took his own life after taking anti-depressants prescribed by his doctor, a coroner has said.
Thomas Kingston, who married Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s daughter at Windsor Castle in 2019, died of a head injury and a gun was found next to his body on March 25 at his parents’ home in the Cotswolds.
At an inquest into her death held at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, Lady Gabriella, 43, asked people to be warned about the side effects of drugs used to treat mental health conditions or she feared people would many may die.
The inquest was told that the 45-year-old fundraiser had been given sertraline, a drug used to treat depression, and zopiclone, a sleeping pill, by a doctor at the Royal Mews Surgery, Buckingham Palace’s staff-run practice. of the palace. , after complaining of trouble sleeping after stress at work.
Mr Kingston went back to surgery saying they were not making him feel better, and his doctor switched him from sertraline to citalopram, a similar drug.
In the first days of his death, Mr. Kingston had stopped taking medication, and toxicology tests showed caffeine and a small amount of zopiclone in his system.
In a statement read out by Katy Skerrett, chief minister of Gloucestershire, Lady Gabriella, 43, said: «[Work] it has been a challenge for her over the years but I highly doubt it would have made her suicidal, and she seemed to have improved a lot.
If there was something that was bothering him, I’m sure he would have said that he was struggling a lot.
The fact that he committed suicide in the home of his beloved parents suggests that the decision was the result of a sudden impulse.
He said he believed her death «may have been precipitated» by an adverse reaction to medication she had started, and then stopped, taking in the weeks leading up to her death.
«In the absence of any evidence of propensity, it seems very likely to me that she had a bad reaction to the pills that made her take her own life,» Lady Gabriella said.
«I believe that anyone who takes pills like these should be warned about the side effects to prevent future deaths.
If this can happen to Tom, it can happen to anyone.
In his final weeks, Mrs Gabriella said, her husband «seemed normal», except for the morning after he first took zopiclone, which she said made him seem «he he’s a bit confused».
In his statement, he described their marriage as one of «deep love and trust» and said he never gave any suicidal thoughts to himself or others.
He also said he was deeply affected by his friend’s suicide and «the negative impact it had on other people’s loved ones».
Miss Gabriella, whose wedding to Mr Kingston included Queen Elizabeth II and the late Duke of Edinburgh among the guests, wept as she sat in the coroner’s court as her statement was read.
Wrapping up the story, Ms Skerrett said: «Mr Kingston took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
«The evidence of his wife, family and business partner all support the lack of intent to kill himself.
He was suffering from the side effects of the medicine he had just been given.»
He said he intends to make a report on the prevention of future deaths, which will be sent to medical societies.
Mr. Kingston’s father, William Martin Kingston, wept as he described finding his son in the locked bathroom of the annexe, having used a doorknob to break the door.
He told the court that his son has always had a strong, unstable character, as he previously suffered from pain that left him needing help to climb the stairs.
She told the coroner that before her son’s death there did not appear to be any evidence of suicide, and there was no will, describing the process as «reckless.» very» who was «out of shape».
Dr David Healy, a psychiatrist who gave evidence at the hearing, said zopiclone could also cause anxiety, while sertraline and citalopram were both serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and while exactly the same.
Dr Healy said Mr Kingston’s complaints that sertraline continued to cause him anxiety was a sign SSRIs «didn’t suit him», and he should not have been prescribed the same thing again.
He said the guidelines and labels for SSRIs were not clear enough about using the drug first, or what the effect would be when switching from one to another.
He said: «We need a clearer statement that these drugs can cause people to kill themselves who would otherwise not kill themselves.
Speaking to the doctor, Martin Porter, the family’s adviser, said: «The family is not to blame (her doctor) Dr Naunton Morgan, he worked like a good doctor.
But the question is whether there is enough advice to doctors about SSRIs.
#Lady #Gabriellas #husband #killed #antidepressants
AlayaCare’s Cloud-Based EHR Platform Onboards Home Care Benefits of the Home Care Center
NEW YORK, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AlayaCare, a global technology platform for home and community care, is pleased to announce today the successful implementation of Care Advantage, Inc.
Care Advantage, Inc. is the largest independent home health provider in the mid-Atlantic. The company provides personal services, home care and home health services throughout Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina and Washington DC.
Care Advantage’s leadership recognized AlayaCare’s ability to provide a risk-free, user-friendly solution that could grow with the company. The decision to collaborate with AlayaCare was made after an extensive selection process that considered the opinions of experts from its internal teams, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to choosing a technology partner.
«We were looking for a partner, not just a vendor, who could help us build and transform our system over time,» said Tim Hanold, CEO of Care Advantage. «AlayaCare’s commitment to working together and creating a true partnership were key factors in our final decision.»
Despite the challenges presented by the published timeline and coverage of more than 50 locations, both teams worked closely to customize the system to meet Care Advantage’s needs.
«Implementing a system of this size in such a short period of time was no small feat,» said Jaron Clay, VP of Integrations. «The speed of the rollout was only possible with good coordination and both groups are committed to having Care Advantage running smoothly and feeling the benefits of the new system as soon as possible.»
The move to AlayaCare underscores Care Advantage’s commitment to innovation and excellence in home care, ensuring clients and their families receive the best possible care and support. As a highly data-driven and growth-focused company, the flexibility of AlayaCare’s platform enables large operations to enter new markets while maintaining a high level of customer care. own and create new opportunities for its custodians.
«There is a shared understanding and vision between us and the AlayaCare team,» said Tim Hanold. «They support our unwavering commitment to excellence in the classroom and are part of the reason we chose them. We feel this is the platform to take us to that level. We are delighted to have AlayaCare as a partner our technology,» he concluded. «Together, we’re setting new standards for home care.»
#AlayaCares #CloudBased #EHR #Platform #Onboards #Home #Care #Benefits #Home #Care #Center
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