As we head into the new year, many people start to take an interest in their overall health which may cause increased anxiety. Holiday bills, back to school, and colder weather can all be stressors.
Anxiety is the number one reported symptom currently being complained about in the United States. Given that 90% of our feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin is produced in our gut, it’s no surprise that functional medicine research focuses on repairing gut health to treat anxiety and depression.
Think about the last time you had “butterflies” in your stomach, says Elizabeth Katzman, a Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist and Health Coach. “That’s a perfect example of how our thoughts affect our bodies, but also how our gut and brains are connected. We can actually feel our thoughts from our brains, in our stomachs.”
By increasing gut health, we increase serotonin production and therefor decrease anxiety and depression.
Things like Elizabeth recommends drinking bone broth, taking glutamine, aloe, slippery elm, and marshmallow extract supplements can all help gut health. There are also many useful supplements, and natural healing remedies, but every “body” is different.
Elizabeth Katzman is a former lawyer turned health coach the, eventually a functional diagnostic nutritionist (FDN) who can speak on a variety of holistic health issues. Through her affiliations, she is able to connect on the latest testing and analysis for gut health, toxin loads, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, food sensitivities, hormones and more. Elizabeth then develops an actionable plan involving nutritional suggestions and supplements to move clients toward their goals.
Elizabeth is available for any interviews – view her site for more information on helpful health tips! https://justathawt.com/
Avicanna Announces Agreement with Medical Cannabis by Shoppers, a Subsidiary of Shoppers Drug Mart Inc., to Distribute Avicanna's Advanced and Evidence-based Medical Cannabis and Derma-Cosmetic Products Across Canada
Rho Phyto medical cannabis products and Pura Earth derma-cosmetics to be available exclusively in Canada online through Medical Cannabis by Shoppers in early-2020
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS/
TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2020 /CNW/ - Avicanna Inc. ("Avicanna" or the "Company") (TSX: AVCN) (OTCQX: AVCNF) (FSE: 0NN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of plant-derived cannabinoid-based products, announced today that Medical Cannabis by Shoppers will be the exclusive Canadian distributor of the Rho PhytoTM medical cannabis and Pura EarthTM CBD derma-cosmetic product lines. Medical license holders in Canada will be able to purchase a consistent supply of Avicanna's advanced and evidence-based products starting in early-2020, including the Rho Phyto line, which includes sublingual sprays, oil drops, gels, creams, tablets and capsules.
"As a Canadian company, we are proud to be partnering with one of the country's largest and most trusted brands to bring our products to medical patients and consumers, who will benefit from our years of research and development in collaboration with some of Canada's leading scientific and clinical institutions," stated Aras Azadian, Chief Executive Officer of Avicanna. "We believe this partnership represents the future of the medical segment of the cannabis industry and what can be perceived as 'medical cannabis 2.0' due to its emphasis on the controlled dosing, data, quality, consistency and wide range of deliveries and cannabinoid ratios."
In an effort to support the patient community, Avicanna and Medical Cannabis by Shoppers plan to collaborate to provide the Canadian medical community and patients with education, training and on-going support.
About Rho PhytoTM
Rho Phyto is Avicanna's line of phyto-therapeutic medical cannabis products. The Rho Phyto products consist of cannabis plant extracts designed for medical use, but are not pharmaceuticals or drugs. There are a wide range of targeted delivery mechanisms for the Rho Phyto products, including tablets, sublingual sprays, oil drops, capsules, creams and gels, which will be supported by bioavailability and pharmacokinetic data.
About Pura EarthTM
Pura Earth is Avicanna's derma-cosmetic line which utilizes a combination of purified cannabidiol (CBD) and other synergistic botanical ingredients designed to naturally regulate and nourish the skin. The Pura Earth product line was designed by Avicanna and optimized in partnership with the University of Toronto using Avicanna's proprietary formulations.
About Avicanna
Avicanna is an Ontario corporation focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of plant-derived cannabinoid-based products through its two main business segments, cultivation and research and development.
Avicanna's two majority-owned subsidiaries, Sativa Nativa S.A.S. and Santa Marta Golden Hemp S.A.S., both located in Santa Marta, Colombia are the base for Avicanna's cultivation activities. These two companies are licensed to cultivate and process cannabis for the production of cannabis extracts and purified cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Avicanna's research and development business is primarily conducted out of Canada at its headquarters in the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre, JLABS @ Toronto. Avicanna's scientific team develops products, and Avicanna has also engaged the services of researchers at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto for the purpose of optimizing and improving upon its products.
Avicanna's research and development and cultivation activities are focused on the development of its key products, including plant-derived cannabinoid pharmaceuticals, phyto-therapeutics, derma-cosmetics and Extracts (defined as plant-derived cannabinoid extracts and purified cannabinoids, including distillates and isolates), with a goal of eventually having these products manufactured and distributed through various markets.
Stay Connected
For more information about Avicanna, visit www.avicanna.com, call 1-647-243-5283, or contact Setu Purohit, President by email info@avicanna.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: the ability of medical license holders to obtain a consistent supply of product, Medical Cannabis by Shoppers maintaining its exclusivity with respect to Canadian distribution, the timing related to the expected availability of the products and the intention to collaborate on medical education, training and support.
Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information include: the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory approvals; the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions of the agreement; the ability of the Company to agree to terms with an acceptable manufacturer; changes to rules related to sale and distribution of cannabis products; and such other risks contained in the Company's long-form prospectus dated July 8, 2019 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.
In respect of the forward-looking statements and information concerning the anticipated benefits of the transaction and the anticipated timing for completion of the transaction, the Company has provided such statements and information in reliance on certain assumptions that they believe are reasonable at this time. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks.
SOURCE Avicanna Inc.
4 Post-Workout Meal Ideas for Recovery and Energy
After finishing a workout, our body naturally craves energy. While protein bars and post-workout supplements are great workout recovery ideas, there's nothing like a good post-workout meal to fill that energy void. Here are four excellent post-workout meal ideas for recovery and energy. We're going to keep each meal simple. You can add things like sides and salads to meet your unique taste preferences.
Eating foods with the right combination of nutrients after your workout is critical. Our meal list targets proteins for muscle repair and carbohydrates to revitalize your energy. This post-workout meal will help improve muscle protein synthesis and revitalize your glycogen reserves. Burnt up glycogen during a workout is what makes you feel drained.
A lack of sufficient protein can contribute to your feeling stiff. Fat is not a bad thing if eaten in moderation. The meals we've chosen will boost your protein supplies for smoother recovery, plus help to restore your body's glycogen balance and therefore your energy.
Salmon and Sweet Potato
Fish is a staple of good nutrition for any healthy diet. It's also a great post-workout meal. This combination of salmon and sweet potato will get your body the protein it needs for recovery, plus tasty source of energy.
Turkey Burger and Cauliflower
Turkey is another meat high in muscle building protein. You also avoid some of the fat content inherent in red meat and pork. Building this meal around ground turkey will give your protein levels an excellent post-workout boost.
You add a nice touch to any burger meal, especially a turkey burger, by eating it on adelicious Kaiser roll. The best way to incorporate the cauliflower in this meal is to steam it lightly. Raw cauliflower is also an option, and one that's even healthier.
Lentil Burger with Salad
Our third meal will satisfy your needs if you adhere to a vegan diet. The lentil burger will boost your protein reserves and the salad will supply a host of nutrients to revitalize your energy. A nice supplement to this meal is a portion of chopped nuts and berries as a healthy dessert.
Chicken Sandwich Wrap with Fruit
The last meal on our post-workout meal ideas for recovery and energy is a simple sandwich wrap. Chicken is another meat source of protein that doesn't add empty fat calories. You can include lettuce and tomato to spice up your wrap.
Whole wheat wraps are also full of good carbohydrates to boost your energy. A serving of fruit, berries, peaches, or an orange will help reinvigorate your energy levels after your workout.
These are four excellentpost-workout meal ideasto enhance recovery time and revitalize your energy. You can add a healthy side dish of your choice for a little variety. There are hundreds ofhealthy post-workout mealsyou can eat. The focus should be on rebuilding your protein reserves and using a healthy source of carbohydrates to revitalize your energy.
INTERNIST WARNS OF THE HIDDEN DANGERS LURKING IN SOME DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS AND HOW TO CHOOSE WISELY
In our society of ever-increasing health consciousness, many people are exercising more, going vegan, drinking less, quitting smoking, and shying away from pharmaceutical drugs. Instead of taking prescription meds to sleep, to treat problems with menopause, infertility, weight loss, erectile dysfunction, etc., they are turning to "natural supplements" sold in vitamin shops, drug stores, and online. Their labels say they are safe and all-natural. But are they? Dr. Niket Sonpal, an internist and gastroenterologist at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, in New York weighs in on this timely topic. Researchers found that from 2007 to 2016, 776 products marketed as dietary supplements contained hidden active ingredients that are unsafe or unstudied. (credit: nbcnews.com) How does one choose safe supplements? Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate dietary supplements.
Speak with your doctor
If you are taking medication, pregnant, or breastfeeding. Many supplements can interfere with prescription drugs. Ensure that the supplement can be safely incorporated with your current medications. Consult with your doctor even if you are not pregnant before beginning any new supplement, especially if it is not something basic like Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, or Fish Oil.
Buy supplements from a reputable source.
Since supplements aren't regulated, many companies do not go through the process of quality control to ensure the label matches the product and that the ingredients in the bottle are pure. Large national brands are more reliable than mom and pop companies because they can afford quality control measures.
Look for third-party verification online.
Some third-party websites provide analysis of supplements, like Labdoor.com and Consumerlabs.com. These websites publish lists of the highest quality supplements.
Choose single-ingredient supplements.
Supplements that contain a single ingredient are more likely to contain the amount of the ingredient advertised on the label and less likely to have high levels of contamination. Companies selling "proprietary blends" do not have to report any ingredient amounts on their labels and should be avoided.
Be wary of certain types of pills
Exercise, weight-loss, and sexual-enhancement supplements. The products analyzed in a JAMA study fell into these three categories. Several of the weight-loss supplements actually contained an amphetamine-like drug called sibutramine, which is banned in the U.S., Asia, and Europe.
Be careful where you purchase your supplements
Big-chain drugstores, pharmacies, and supplement stores like GNC or the Vitamin Shoppe may act faster to pull recalled items.
If claims sound too good to be true, they probably are.
Be mindful of product claims such as "works better than [a prescription drug]," "totally safe," or has "no side effects."
Some can have fatal consequences.
Dr. Sonpal sees numerous patients who present with liver damage from using supplements that may alone be harmful or interact with other medications/substances.Taking the wrong supplement in the wrong circumstances could, in rare cases, even be fatal. There are multiple documented cases of patients with fulminant liver failure after taking dietary supplements. Just this month, a healthy 23-year-old Texas woman went into acute liver failure after taking four pills daily of a women's herbal supplement designed to help support hormonal balance, weight management, complexion, and fertility. Her doctor said that "while acute liver failure is rare, about 30% to 40% of cases are linked to herbal or dietary supplements." According to the National Institutes of Health, liver injury from medications, herbals, or dietary supplements has emerged as an increasingly important health problem in the United States."
Seek medical attention if you experience sudden symptoms after taking supplements such as:
Dizziness
Nausea
Shaking
Vomiting
Stomach Pain
Shortness of Breath
Anxiety
Diarrhea
Insomnia
About Dr. Niket Sonpal:
Dr. Niket Sonpal is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical instructor at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn who specializes in Gastroenterology. He is a graduate of the Medical University of Silesia – Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the 2013‐2014 Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. Dr. Sonpal has completed his Fellowship in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and continues his work in the field of medical student and resident test preparation. He now serves as the associate program director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Brookdale University medical center.
He is the co‐author for the best-selling Master the Boards: USMLE Step 2 CK, Master the Boards Step 3, And Master the Boards: Internal Medicine. He is also the Chief Operating Officer for Medquest Test Prep, Director of Medical Education for Picmonic Test Prep, and a recognized expert on medical test prep.
Six Ways to Be a Healthier, Sexier Valentine
The sexiest, most romantic day of the year is here again—are you in peak sexual condition? Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day with a longtime partner or someone new, take steps to be a healthy valentine this year. Sex is a fantastic way to combat stress, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance emotional well-being, so both your body and your partner will thank you.
Dr. Dudley Seth Danoff, a urologist and author of The Ultimate Guide to Male Sexual Health, has an abundance of expert tips for staying in good condition so you can be your best in the bedroom. His advice is so essential because according to the Cleveland Clinic, 61 percent of men don’t regularly see a doctor—many are too embarrassed to ask their doctors about subjects like erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer, but failing to address these issues only makes them worse in the long run. Dr. Danoff’s advice has also helped men from all walks of life improve their sexual performance and confidence—when guys make healthy choices, they look better and feel better, and their increased self-esteem usually boosts their prowess in the bedroom. Many happy couples have reaped the benefits of Dr. Danoff’s expertise.
Dr. Danoff is known for his candid and good-natured style that makes it easier for men (and their partners) to talk about and handle a myriad of medical situations. With humor and anecdotal stories, the colorful doctor offers all men and women the knowledge and confidence to achieve the pleasure they deserve.
An author and requested guest on national radio and television shows, Dr. Danoff is a graduate of Princeton University and Yale University Medical School. He has taught on the clinical faculty of the UCLA School of Medicine for more than twenty-five years and is the founder and president of the prestigious Cedars-Sinai Tower Urology Medical Group in Los Angeles. Urologist to many Hollywood stars and the recipient of national and international honors, Dr. Danoff is also senior attending urologist at the Saban Los Angeles Free Clinic.
If you need an expert on men’s health issues or tips for having a healthy, active sex life at any age (and on any day of the year), Dr. Danoff is available for radio and television interviews and has numerous articles available for your immediate use on a variety of topics:
1. Invigorate Your Sex Life with Superfoods We all know poor food choices can negatively impact our health and our sex life. But men don’t necessarily need to overhaul their diet to significantly improve these areas of their life. Simple changes go a long way in boosting overall health and sexual stamina—and it’s never too late to start. Dr. Danoff discusses which foods to incorporate and which to avoid to feel and perform your best on Valentine’s Day.
2. The Best Aphrodisiac Might Not Be What You Expect High expectations for sex and romance accompany Valentine’s Day, and the pressure often drives men to try various substances touted as performance boosters. Dr. Danoff shares his expert advice on what men should know about their health before taking any “magic pills” or other so-called performance enhancers. And he also reveals the secret of the best aphrodisiac of all—love.
3. How Men Can Stay Safe in Today’s Sexual Environment Nothing kills the mood more effectively than the possibility of catching or spreading a sexually transmitted infection or disease. STDs are neither sexy nor romantic, but they’ve been increasing in recent years. The time to worry about STDs is not during sex—you need a game plan before you get into bed with your valentine. Dr. Danoff discusses some common STDs and how to prevent their spread so you can enjoy Valentine’s Day without worry.
4. How to Have a Healthy Valentine’s Day: Have Sex! Sex not only is one of life’s great pleasures—and a way to express your love—but also provides excellent health benefits. Sex is good for your cardiovascular health, your mood, and your psychological well-being. It is a natural tranquilizer with no bad side effects, and it benefits circulation, stimulates the nervous system and the prostate gland, and clears up mental cobwebs by invigorating the whole body.
5. Five Healthy Sex Habits for Men in 2020 Staying healthy is a year-long commitment, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for men to renew their wellness resolutions. As Dr. Danoff says, “To make sure those resolutions stick, it’s important to understand why we set them in the first place.” Whether you’re looking to combat lower testosterone levels or head off prostate cancer, with Dr. Danoff’s sexual health tips, you can have your healthiest and sexiest year yet.
6. Valentine’s Day Is Not Just for the Young: 7 Ways to Stay Sexy as You Age An ageless love life begins with a confident approach toward sex. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by exploring the possibilities—don’t let your age stop you. Adjust your sexual activities as your body changes, just as you adjust other activities, and as you age, learn to use your imagination to make up for any lack of physical strength with creativity.
Why Lifting Weights Increases Your Testosterone and Sex Drive
Exercise is good for your body on so many different levels. Increasing your testosterone levels works to enhance your sex drive as a whole. Here are some of the reasons that exercise and weight lifting are good for your hormonal balance.
Core Building Benefits
The more muscle mass that you have tends to correlate to you having a higher testosterone level. Weight lifting has been shown to benefit your fitness level and is good for developing your core muscles. Strong core muscles are what’s going to help you to burn any excess body fat. Another benefit of well-developed core muscles is that you don’t tend to put on extra weight in those troublesome areas that could be contributing to your decreasing testosterone levels.
Increased Energy
Exercise in general is good for helping to increase your energy levels. It can be disappointing to come home from work and just not feel like doing anything else. Weight lifting has been shown to increase your testosterone levels at least for a brief period of time immediately following the activity. This could be the boost that you need to get you through the end of the day. As you lift weights more often, you may find that you have more energy all of the time.
Medical Aids
Science is still trying to figure out why more men are experiencing low testosterone levels that are leading to you experiencing a low sex drive. Visiting an ED cliniccould give you the answers that you’re looking for to improve your sex life. ED doesn’t need to be the end of your ability to share intimacy with another person. There are medical treatments that can help you to overcome this obstacle without having to worry about the side effects of taking medications.
Balanced Workouts
As with anything in your life, having a balanced approach to your workout regimen is a good rule of thumb. For example, pairing weight lifting with strength training will work to increase your testosterone levels faster than just weight lifting alone. Making sure to eat a healthy diet may also work to your benefit. All of these little changes can help you to develop your muscle mass which will lead to you increasing your testosterone levels in a more natural manner.
Weight lifting is just one avenue that you can take in order to increase your testosterone levels and your sex drive. Use these tips so that you can improve the quality of your sex life.
Movati Athletic Brings Unique Fitness Club Experience to Mississauga
An Upscale, Spacious Facility with a Boutique-Like Sense of Community, at an Unprecedented Value
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Movati Athletic, one of Canada's fastest growing fitness clubs, is celebrating its grand opening in Mississauga with its latest prototype facility.
Movati Athletic's unique fitness club concept offers the most current boutique classes and a premium fitness experience at an unprecedented value for residents of Mississauga and south Brampton. This marks the 16th location for Movati Athletic and the third in the GTA for the 23-year old, Canadian-born fitness chain.
The sprawling 70,000-square-foot Mississauga club delivers an upscale, lifestyle-oriented fitness experience. All of the GTA's hottest fitness trends – yoga, cycling, boxing, high intensity training (HIIT) and more – are incorporated under one roof. In addition, the club offers world-class functional, cardio and strength training facilities. Encompassing three levels, and featuring two pools, including a women's-only pool and fitness area, Movati Athletic offers something for everyone. Membership includes an unparalleled number and range of studio classes – more than 150 professionally instructed, regularly scheduled activities every week.
"We are proud to expand our countless options of fitness and classes in the Toronto area," said Joseph Lo, president of Movati Athletic. "Movati Athletic is committed to putting its members first and ensuring that they feel welcome, comfortable and healthy, from our obsession with cleanliness to the best fitness instructors, personal trainers and member experience team in the business. Joining Movati is like having memberships to six different boutique studios and a premium fitness club – all under one roof and in one membership."
"In our research, our members have referred to us as 'an affordable luxury'," said Lo. "Our goal across the Movati network is to improve the health and wellness of our members every day, and we look forward to delivering on our promise in Mississauga and surrounding communities."
While the club is airy and spacious, members often remark how they feel a close connection and mutual support among fellow Movati Athletic members, studio instructors, personal trainers and staff.
"For me, Movati is about community," said Raina, a member at the Burlington club and one of Movati Athletic's 100,000+ members across Ontario. "It is also an escape, an opportunity to empower myself. And everything is under one roof."
The new Mississauga club features six dedicated fitness studios, including the open-air Sky Studio, Hot Yoga, Anti-Gravity Fitness, Movati Cycle, FUEL Functional Training and Small Group Training. Studio fitness classes include 15 kinds of yoga, six varieties of Pilates, four styles of dance and boxing, bodyART, Movati Drums Alive and Personal Training, all led by certified instructors and trainers. Movati is also the first fitness club in the GTA to offer the Bungee Fitness™ workout.
Among Movati Athletic's signature offerings:
Movati Training – a unique, small group training program that combines the benefits of personal training, the camaraderie of a more intimate group and the science of high intensity interval training in one program
Movati FUEL – the largest and most complete dedicated cross-training functional training space in the Greater Toronto Area, a true playground for the fitness enthusiast
Movati Cycle – featuring Movati's signature Rhythm and Beats ("party on a bike!") and Speed and Power (performance-focused) classes
Other features include a family pool, men's and women's Eucalyptus steam rooms and infra-red saunas, and additional amenities like Kids' Club Playroom, Café and several relaxing lounges.
The new club is also a boost to the Mississauga and area economies. Movati Athletic invested nearly $20 million in development and construction, created more than 150 construction jobs, and will create almost 150 permanent team positions.
An open house, including guided tours and demonstrations, will take place throughout the day January 11 at Movati Athletic, 6685 Century Avenue, Mississauga. A formal opening ceremony featuring local political and business leaders takes place at 2 p.m.
About Movati Athletic Movati Athletic is a privately held company with 16 locations across Ontario. Established in 1997, Movati Athletic is a pioneer in fitness industry offering an experience that goes beyond just working out. It offers a full range of the latest fitness services and amenities tailored to its members' needs. With nearly 2,000 full- and part-time team members, its caring and exceptional people ensure that members feel welcome, feel comfortable and feel healthy. Driven by a vision to empower people's lives through fitness and health, making the communities it serves healthier and happier, Movati Athletic is poised for growth nationally and internationally. Visit movati.ca for more information.
SOURCE Movati Athletic
Postcode drug lottery for patients at risk of HIV
The efficacy of HIV-prevention drug PrEP is long-established, but access to the drug in England is restricted to participants on the NHS Impact Trial. At least 15 men who were waiting for trial places have acquired the lifelong disease – so how is limiting trial places for a crucial drug already proven to work justified?
GlobalData’s pharmaceutical writer Chloe Kent says: “England lags far behind the rest of the UK when it comes to PrEP. The drug is only accessible through the NHS Impact Trial, which launched at the end of 2017 and currently has the capacity for 26,000 total participants. NHS England supplies the drug to various participating local authorities, which ultimately control how the drug is distributed. Outside of England, PrEP is freely available for patients in Scotland and Wales.
“The drug’s efficacy is long established and the Impact Trial is taking place under the guise of assessing various logistical queries surrounding the distribution of the drug in England.
“These include finding out how many people who attend sexual health clinics are at high risk of HIV, and thus eligible for PrEP, how likely people offered the drug are to accept it, and how long they tend to use the medication for, as well as the impact of HIV and other STIs on the population. But for patients at risk of HIV, a postcode lottery that makes the drug available through certain NHS jurisdictions and not others can be incredibly frustrating.
“So, why is the Impact Trial even taking place when PrEP’s efficacy is already established?”
British HIV Association (BHIVA) chair Dr Laura Waters says: “PrEP is indeed very efficacious at preventing HIV, but at the time that was established Truvada, the branded version of the drug used for PrEP, was very expensive. By undertaking a trial we were able to use the much less expensive generic version of the drug.
“Sexual health clinics have faced significant funding cuts so the trial is also about the feasibility of offering PrEP in real-life via the already over-stretched services.”
The local authority public health budget in the UK has been cut by £700m in real terms between 2014/15 and 2019/20, which has led to sexual health service budgets being cut slashed 25%. Meanwhile, demand for sexual health services rose by 15% between 2014 and 2018 and rates of STIs such as syphilis and gonorrhoea are skyrocketing. Alongside a patent law hangover, the trial exists to assess whether supplying PrEP to patients who need it is financially feasible under austerity.
In October 2019, the government announced that the local authority public health grant would increase by 1% in real terms in 2020-2021, but this is unlikely to make a substantial difference to the funding of sexual health services.
UK government using Twitter to improve public health
Over the past few years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and medicine has generated much excitement in both the public and private sector. GlobalData’s technology writer Ellen Daniel looks at how AI and big data can help improve public health.
Daniel says: “As well as being beneficial in the diagnosis, and potentially the prediction, of individual conditions, big data, and the AI used to analyse it, also has the potential to address public health concerns for the population as a whole.
“However, data does not only need to come from conventional sources, with social media having potential applications in identifying potential public health issues, and informing the best way to educate the public about particular issues.
“Professor Peter Bradley, director for Health Intelligence at Public Health England explains how text analysis has been used to identify the best way to combat misinformation surrounding vaccinations.”
Bradley says: “What we’re able to do is look at the Twitter feed. In this case we looked at every Twitter feed that had [vaccine related tweets] and we can begin to understand the sentiment behind these feeds, the types of people who are showing concern. That allows us to target messaging so that the appropriate scientific advice is given to groups to counteract this myth that has persisted in in the society around vaccinations.
“We’re now moving towards a possibility of having a much more personalised approach where we can improve health by using the data that’s coming through, big data potentially, and making sure that we are using all those possibilities that we have in terms of using data from smart phones and citizen generated data in all its forms.
“We are going to have to think very closely about what the public really wants to share in terms of the data and what do they want to use it for. We already work very closely with the National Data Guardian and other groups that are concerned about information governance and this is a really big area for us.
“We can’t currently access a lot of our data because it’s not deemed appropriate, so the need for that debate is really crucial - artificial intelligence and related activities can introduce bias, so the way that we train our data is very important. We don’t want to be prejudicing people who we are most trying to help.”
4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make timelier and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.
Increased Mobility of Patients Opens New Opportunities: Plastic Surgery is not High-Class Privilege Anymore
Once the prerogative of the rich and famous, plastic surgery is now accessible to patients of all strata of society. Expert surgeons of Nordesthetics clinic explain the changing demographic features of their typical patient: a middle-class female. These patients typically have an increased mobility, which allows them to seek better deals undergoing plastic surgery abroad.
January 8, 2020. Plastic surgery has become much more accessible. In the last 10 years, the number of plastic surgery procedures almost doubled globally. 6,7 million procedures were carried out in 2010, while in 2018 this number rose to 10,6 million. The growing popularity of plastic surgery also indicates the change in patient demographics. For example, a recent study of Saudi Arabian plastic surgery patients indicates that 68% of them are employees and 47% receive an average salary.
“The stereotype of a rich and famous patient is no longer valid in plastic surgery,” commented Vilius Sketrys, the commercial director of Nordesthetics clinic - the leading international plastic surgery center based in Kaunas, Lithuania. “Most of our patients are neither rich nor famous. On the contrary, they are so-called ‘common people.’ Demographically, the typical patient in our clinic is a middle-class female.”
He pointed out the variety of lifestyles, backgrounds and professions among the patients of the clinic. Oil-pumping stations workers, medical nurses and social care workers, school teachers, photographers, graphic designers and artists, an opera student, a bus driver, a stewardess and a cruise ship employee, a fitness champion and a professional bodybuilder - the range is as wide as that. According to Mr Sketrys, for most of these people, plastic surgery has nothing to do with their social status or profession. On the contrary, the desire to have more aesthetically pleasing appearance cuts across all statuses and professions.
For this type of patient, the price of surgery is a very important factor. It raises the issue of plastic surgery financing which is solved differently in different parts of the world. In the USA, where the largest number of plastic surgeries take place annually, aesthetic plastic surgery is never financed by the state or the health insurance companies. Patients use their own income or loans to finance their surgeries.
The opposite example is Brazil- the second-leading country in the total number of plastic surgeries. Some of the Brazilian clinics started offering poor patients free plastic surgeries, which were carried out by trainees or beginner surgeons. Later on, the government recognized “the right to beauty” and started funding plastic surgery in public hospitals. This type of practice is still used as a training ground for plastic surgeons.
The UK represents a kind of middle ground. In some cases, aesthetic plastic surgeries may be financed by the NHS, usually when it is necessary for the psychological well-being of the patient. However, in most cases in the UK, as in other parts of Europe, patients are expected to finance their operations on their own.
The differing prices and conditions of financing makes plastic surgery one of the fastest-developing fields of medical tourism. Increased mobility of patients opens for them new opportunities thus adding to the accessibility of plastic surgery. It is especially true when clinics in certain regions succeed in maintaining high quality standards while charging significantly lower prices. Such medical centers are capable of attracting patients from countries in which plastic surgery is still a luxury commodity. Mr Sketrys says that such is the case of Nordesthetics clinic.
“Most of our patients are middle-class individuals who finance plastic surgeries using their own disposable income or loans. For them, the price is an important factor and we take that into account in our business strategy, although our main focus is the quality of our services. Our clinic offers European standards of high quality for substantially lower prices than in the UK or Scandinavia, where most of our patients come from,” he explained.
Plastic surgery prices at Nordesthetics clinic are up to 2-3 times lower than in Scandinavian countries, the UK or Ireland where most patients of the clinic come from. Apart from the qualified doctors and medical staff, the patients receive logistical support and personal assistance while they visit Kaunas, Lithuania, including transfers to and from the airport. 90% of patients of Nordesthetics clinic are medical tourists looking for affordable quality treatment abroad.
TRAIN IT RIGHT NEWSLETTER
Sign Up and get a free 7 day Train it Right HIIT Program!
