A small dose
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CHARITY LAUNCHES PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS SCHEME
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ancreatic Cancer Action (PCA) has launched an awareness initiative to help improve the general public’s understanding of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates in the UK as it can only be cured if it is diagnosed in time for surgery. Through its initiative, PCA will provide pharmacies with free resource packs to aid healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and management of patients with pancreatic cancer. The resource packs also include access to PCA's NPA accredited e-learning module which aim to educate and refresh professionals knowledge on the disease. The initiative is designed to utilise pharmacists’ knowledge of the disease and through customer interactions and medicines prescribed, they can potentially help diagnose pancreatic cancer early.
Ade Williams, pharmacist and PCA ambassador said: “I am so pleased to see the significant increases in the uptake of the pharmacy e-learning module across the UK. Now with more community pharmacy teams engaging, we are set to play a vital role in the fight against pancreatic cancer. “There are 1.6 million visits to a community pharmacy every day. That adds up to 14 visits per person per year. I like to view that as 14 opportunities to make a contact that counts in improving their health and wellbeing, alleviating concerns or referring them on for more urgent treatment.” Ali Stunt, founder and CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Action added: “As someone who has had the fortune to be diagnosed early, we need to make sure other people can have the same outcome. “By ensuring that more people are aware of the disease, the symptoms and their risk, we can help change the story
for pancreatic cancer. It is not ‘the silent killer’, as it has been dubbed, and going to the GP with symptoms early can help more patients to be diagnosed in time for surgery and potentially save their lives.”
Life science groups join forces to become industry biometrics leader
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nalytical software provider Cytel and biostatistics company Axio Research have merged to create the largest global biometrics organisation for the life sciences industry. Operating under the Cytel brand, the merged company will focus on advancing clinical development and support its portfolio of pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and medical device customers. Axio will continue to provide its data monitoring committee services for clinical trials but will operate under the brand ‘Axio, a Cytel company.’ Joshua Schultz, chief executive officer of Cytel said: “We believe that better use of data will ultimately
revolutionise drug development. Our vision is to unite the combined expertise of our two companies to deliver powerful analytical solutions that address trial sponsors’ toughest drug development challenges and maximise the opportunities offered by emerging data sources.”