Counterfeit medications are a major problem for those working in drug safety. These professionals play a vital role in ensuring that the pharmaceutical products consumers use are safe, reliable, and effective. Counterfeit drugs can undermine the trust the public has in this system. The opioid crisis is compounding issues associated with counterfeit drugs. There is an increasing infiltration of the market by counterfeit prescription painkillers containing the opiate fentanyl. Counterfeit oxycodone tablets were found to contain fentanyl 89% of the time. This substance is several times more potent than oxycodone and can increase consumers’ risk of accidental overdose. Fentanyl is.. READ MORE »
For many years, drugs were the only way to treat or mitigate the symptoms of a disease. But scientists around the world are working on a new approach that could eventually cure people with incurable diseases and even eradicate some diseases altogether. How do they plan to do this? Researchers are attempting to alter human beings at the most basic level using gene therapy. By introducing specific genes into a patient’s DNA, scientists believe they can drastically change medical care as we know it. Read on to learn more about gene therapy. Students in Drug Safety Courses May Know How.. READ MORE »
There are many openly available drugs on the market that, despite their health benefits, are known to sometimes have adverse effects on humans. Codeine, which is commonly found in both over the counter and prescription medications, is one of them. New research has shown that children are actually becoming more susceptible to the adverse effects of codeine. After several recent deaths due to codeine intoxication, pharmaceutical experts are now advising doctors and parents to stop providing children with medication that contains this seemingly harmless drug. If you’re planning to take a pharmaceutical drug safety course, or have already in enrolled,.. READ MORE »
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a system that safely monitors the creation of pharmaceutical products is only part of the challenge a Clinical Research associate faces. Each country around the world encounters unique medical problems and chooses to respond to their health care needs in respective ways. Consideration of international health systems and cultural differences are required in the Global Studies of Pharmacovigilance. Last week, AAPS’ Global Clinical Research for Pharmacovigilance class discussed the ethical and scientific implications of Global Clinical Research. Students took the opportunity to discuss their professional experience working in a variety of international settings. The students engaged in a discussion about.. READ MORE »
If we think of a vigilante as someone doing good for the general public, it is easy to understand the need for vigilance in pharmaceuticals. Pharmacovigilance is both a job and a duty within the healthcare sector to monitor, assess and prevent the adverse long and short term effects of medicine. If you have an interest in scientific work and have received a drug safety and pharmacovigilance certificate, there are several careers involved in this field. As an employee in pharmacovigilance, you will use scientific techniques to monitor, research and evaluate data from healthcare providers on the effects of medication.. READ MORE »
