Vaccines are one of the most useful medical creations of all time. They involve introducing antigens—a substance that the immune system will attack, like dead or weakened viruses—into the body, typically via injection. This can allow people to develop immunities to a range of illnesses, and also to do a better job of fighting against illnesses they have. Many illnesses—like measles, mumps, polio, and more—were once incredibly deadly and affected many people. By preventing the spread of deadly diseases and helping people manage illnesses they already have, vaccines have saved millions of lives over the past centuries. Today, there are.. READ MORE »
Many pharmaceutical companies will develop, test, trial, and manufacture their own drugs and products. However, performing all of these duties is extremely time consuming and requires a lot of resources. Researchers, laboratory equipment, manufacturing equipment, and quality assurance personnel all come at a premium. Because of these costs, many pharmaceutical and biopharm companies are now outsourcing their manufacturing processes. Companies that provide this outsourcing service are called contract manufacturing organizations. As a future quality control and assurance professional, here’s what you need to know about contract manufacturing organizations. Contract Manufacturing Organizations Are Hired to Fulfill Many Duties Contract manufacturing organizations.. READ MORE »
Without proper quality control practices, laboratory procedures can run off the rails, potentially leading to disastrous consequences. For example, in the 1970s a product safety testing institution called Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories found itself at the centre of a serious scandal. The company was found to be actively involved in scientific misconduct and fraud by providing false testing results to the companies they were testing products for. Over one third of all of the United State’s toxicology testing was performed in their labs, making the impact of their errors catastrophic and leaving the industry forever changed. Because of this, in 1978.. READ MORE »
It is estimated by the Alzheimer Society of Canada that about 564,000 Canadians will suffer from dementia in 2016. Medical professionals will diagnose an additional 25,000 cases every single year, and by 2031 it is believed the number of patients suffering from dementia will rise to 937,000. Dementia is a huge problem not only in Canada, but across the globe. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any significant scientific breakthroughs that could slow the progress of the disease—until now. If you’re a student enrolled in a pharmaceutical program, you may understand the groundbreaking impact this scientific breakthrough could bring to dementia patients… READ MORE »
New drugs are developed, tested, processed, marketed, and then eventually released to the public every year. During their rigorous testing process, side effects arise in clinical trial patients and are noted by doctors. It is common for drugs to enter the market with a list of side effects, some being beneficial, but most being negative. These negative side effects are known as adverse effects. After a drug has been released to the market, there are systems in place so that healthcare professionals can report any new issues or serious reactions to drug. These are known as adverse drug reactions (ADRs)… READ MORE »
In 2009, the swine flu pandemic swept across the world. Everybody panicked and once vaccines became available, people jumped at the opportunity to take them to inoculate themselves from contracting the virus. However, in the seven years since, it has come to light that declaring the swine flu a ‘pandemic’ was questionable at best. What was once considered a legitimate health threat, backed up by increasing death tolls that incited panic, is now considered a relatively ‘mild’ strain of the flu. Given how much the scare was amplified by the reactions of governing bodies as well as the population in.. READ MORE »
Regulatory affairs is a relatively new and demanding career. It requires extensive knowledge of the business, legal, and pharmaceutical aspects of products in development, so that projects can be operated smoothly from inception to market. A regulatory affairs specialist is responsible for keeping up-to-date with all of the rules and regulations that govern the production process for new drugs, cosmetics, and other medical products. And while it is an incredibly rewarding career both emotionally and financially, there are some specific skills that can help you succeed in this profession. If you’re interested in a career that encompasses the specifics of.. READ MORE »
The medical landscape has undergone a dramatic shift recently, due in large part to massive technological advances that have improved the levels of precision and treatment that were previously being used. This constant growth in technological capabilities has allowed pharmaceutical companies to constantly innovate, test new products, and market better treatments for their patients. What this means is that there are always new products that need to undergo extensive quality control and assurance in order to be marketed and sold to the masses. This steady stream of work makes doing pharmaceutical quality assurance an attractive career option. If you’re interested.. READ MORE »
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most regulated industries on the planet—and with good reason. Whether a pharmaceutical product is providing much-needed pain-relief to a patient or helping to rid them of a tough bacterial infection, pharmaceutical products need to work properly and predictably each time they are taken. That’s why drug manufacturers need to employ dedicated professionals with a top education in order to ensure that pharmaceutical products are always of the highest quality. If you’re interested in this in-demand career path, then completing your diploma in quality assurance and quality control is crucial. Throughout your training, you’ll.. READ MORE »
Many pharmaceutical products developed and manufactured in Canada are exported to the United States. As a result, while Canadian regulatory affairs professionals answer primarily to Health Canada, they must also pay special attention to the department’s U.S. equivalent, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA officially came into being in 1906, after the Food and Drug Act was signed into law, with the aim of overseeing products and ensuring a high standard of “strength, quality and purity.” Over the years, the department’s powers have expanded significantly, and today the FDA regulates everything from food and drug products to potentially.. READ MORE »
