Category Archives: Drugs

Two boys, aged 15 and 16, arrested and later bailed 'My child has been victimised', said one mother By Nick Enoch PUBLISHED: 05:58 EST, 13 March 2012 | UPDATED: 08:31 EST, 13 March 2012 Police carried out strip searches on ten male students at a school in Derbyshire after receiving a tip-off that they were smuggling drugs in their underwear. The incident happened at John Port School, in Etwall - an academy judged as 'outstanding' by Ofsted. Officers said they found drugs hidden in the underpants of two pupils, aged 15 and 16. Ten male students were strip-searched by police at John Port School, in Etwall - an academy judged as 'outstanding' by Ofsted The teens were both arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and later bailed pending the results of forensic tests. The pair have also been suspended by the school, until the completion of the Derbyshire Police investigation as part of John Port's 'zero tolerance drugs policy'. It is the largest school in Derbyshire, with 2,000 pupils. Original post: 'Drugs found hidden in pupils' underwear' during strip search at 'outstanding' school … Continue reading →

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS The drug problem in Noordgesig has even infected schools. Drugs are causing havoc in Noordgesig where the problem has even infected schools. At Noordgesig Senior Secondary School, only four out of 30 pupils who were randomly selected for drug testing last month tested negative. The rest tested positive for substances like tik, heroin, crack cocaine and nyaope. Teachers blame the many drug peddlers operating in the township and the lack of decisive action by the police. The whole community is drug infested, said a senior teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity. He said that when police last conducted a raid at the school in November, two pupils were found with drugs. In the past two years we have witnessed a disturbing increase in drug abuse cases at the school. It was never like this before and we appeal to members of the community to join in the fight against drug abuse. What kind of community is this when children are allowed to dabble in drugs? Another teacher said it was imperative for residents to get involved. He said he was shocked when a group of parents protested at the school gates last year when police raided the school. … Continue reading →

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's move to strip German drugmaker Bayer of its exclusive rights to a cancer drug has set a precedent that could extend to other treatments, including modern HIV/AIDS drugs, in a major blow to global pharmaceutical firms, experts say. On Monday, the Indian Patent Office effectively ended Bayer's monopoly for its Nexavar drug and issued its first-ever compulsory license allowing local generic maker Natco Pharma to make and sell the drug cheaply in India. It is only the second time a nation has issued a compulsory license for a cancer drug after Thailand did so on four drugs between 2006 and 2008, also on affordability grounds. Thailand also issued licenses for HIV/AIDS and heart disease treatments. "This could well be the first of many compulsory rulings here," said Gopakumar G. Nair, head of patent law firm Gopakumar Nair Associates and former president of the Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association. "Global pharmaceutical manufacturers are likely to be worried as a result ... given that the wording in India's Patent Act that had been amended from 'reasonably priced' to 'reasonably affordable priced' has come into play now." The new wording is seen as a lower threshold for compulsory licenses, which … Continue reading →

Taking statins may lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, particularly among people younger than 60, a new study suggests. Overall, people who took cholesterol-lowering statins had a 26 percent decreased risk of developing Parkinson's disease over a 12-year period. For those under 60, the risk was reduced by 69 percent. The results held even after the researchers took into account other factors that may heighten the risk of Parkinson's disease, such as smoking. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, the researchers said. For starters, the calculations they made to determine whether their findings could be due to chance, instead of a real risk-reducing effect, showed that the results met this criteria, but just barely. In addition, about 30 percent of people categorized as taking statins were likely taking another type of cholesterol-lowering drug. In addition, statins have been found to lower blood levels of coenzyme Q, a substance that may protect against Parkinson's disease and is actually being tested as a treatment for the condition. Because of this, and other potentially adverse effects of statins, more studies are needed to clarify the effect of these drugs on Parkinson's disease, including whether only certain types of statins have … Continue reading →

By Jennifer Corbett Dooren, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- A federal advisory panel unanimously said a class of experimental arthritis-pain drugs from Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and other companies should continue to be developed, although some panel members suggested limiting study to patients who failed other therapies. The bulk of clinical studies involving the drugs, known as antinerve growth factors, were put on hold in 2010 following reports that some patients' osteoarthritis had rapidly worsened to the point of requiring joint replacement surgeries. At least one study looking at use of an anti-NGF drug for cancer- related pain was allowed to proceed. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are three companies that have conducted studies involving anti-NGF agents with Pfizer the furthest along in development with its drug called tanezumab. A unit of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (REGN) each have similar drugs in development. The drugs, designed to be given by injection work by blocking a protein called nerve growth factor, which is believed to contribute to pain. In 2010, the FDA asked Pfizer to temporarily suspend testing of tanezumab after data from clinical studies of the drug in osteoarthritis patients showed … Continue reading →

HEALDSBURG, CA--(Marketwire -03/12/12)- In recognition of Brain Awareness Week, AdverseEvents, Inc., the leading resource for information on drug side effects, has released a report identifying FDA approved medications that are most associated with causing brain-related side effects. Brain Awareness Week is March 12-18, 2012. AdverseEvents, Inc. conducted a survey of marketed drugs suspected of causing brain-related side effects in recognition of Brain Awareness Week, March 12-18, 2012. AdverseEvents used RxFilter, its proprietary data aggregation and refinement process, to gather data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) database. The Company found over fifty thousand (50,000) individual adverse event case reports linked to common brain-related side effect categories: memory loss (amnesia), inhibition of libido, and compulsive behaviors (such as uncontrolled gambling, compulsive hoarding, binge eating, hair pulling or nail biting). The top drug linked to memory loss (amnesia) side effects was Ambien CR (an insomnia medication). Others in the top 25 included Neurontin, Lyrica, and Topomax (medicines used for epilepsy, pain and bipolar disorder), Xyrem (narcolepsy medicine), Tysabri and Avonex (multiple sclerosis treatments), Lipitor (a cholesterol medicine), Xanax and Klonopin (anxiolytics), Chantix (smoking cessation) and Detrol (incontinence medicine). Among the statins, Lipitor, Mevacor, Zocor, and Pravachol all had elevated signals … Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Reuters) - Florida lawmakers on Friday approved a measure allowing state agency heads to randomly test employees for illegal drugs, sending the bill to Governor Rick Scott, who is expected to sign it. By a 26-14 vote, the Senate approved a measure, House Bill 1205, that allows up to 10 percent of a department's employees to be randomly tested for alcohol and other substance abuse. This is the 21st Century and drug abuse is rampant," said Senator Alan Hays, a Republican from Umatilla and Senate sponsor of the bill. The bill would allow tests to be conducted every 90 days. It would prohibit department heads from firing employees who initially test positive for drugs but could require such employees to participate in rehabilitation programs. Backers of the measure said the voluntary program mirrors efforts that have long been in place in private industry. I've had a drug-free workplace for more than 20 years," said Senator Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who is chief executive of a printing company. I believe that it has contributed to higher quality employees." Critics, a coalition of Democrats and at least one conservative Republican, said the measure was an intrusive and unnecessary procedure. … Continue reading →

NEW YORK, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: World Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 8th Edition (Antiacne, Antiaging, Dermatitis, Hair Loss, Psoriasis, Skin Cancer, Melasma and Seborrhea Treatments) http://www.reportlinker.com/p0790441/World-Market-for-Prescription-Dermatological-Drugs-8th-Edition-Antiacne-Antiaging-Dermatitis-Hair-Loss-Psoriasis-Skin-Cancer-Melasma-and-Seborrhea-Treatments.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Drug_and_Medication This Kalorama Information report, The Worldwide Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs represents the eighth time that Kalorama has detailed the various categories of prescription dermatological drugs, describes the global market and identifies major market factors that may help to shape the market for treatments in the future. It is a time of change for this market sector, with OTC product launches, rising skin cancer incidence and acquisitions in the industry, and this report takes those updated details into account in its comprehensive analysis. Full Coverage of Key Prescription Dermatological Drug Segments The global market for prescription dermatology drugs includes products in the following categories: CHAPTER ONE: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction Scope and Methodology Size and Growth of the Market See more here: World Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 8th Edition (Antiacne, Antiaging, Dermatitis, Hair Loss, Psoriasis ... … Continue reading →

12 March 2012 Last updated at 16:05 ET A mother says she is outraged after her son and nine other boys were strip-searched at school on suspicion of carrying drugs in their underwear. Police arrested two pupils, aged 15 and 16, after searching the group of year 11 boys at John Port School in Etwall, Derbyshire, on 9 March. Officers had received a tip-off the pupils were sneaking the drugs into the school in their underwear. The mother, whose son was not arrested, said parents were not told in advance. She said: "He's just very distraught by it all - very embarrassed. I feel my child has been victimised. "For police to actively go into the school and physically strip-search your child without your permission or knowledge, I'm outraged as I'm sure any parent would be." Police said the operation was carried out using powers provided by the Misuse of Drugs Act. Insp Paul Cannon said: "We had very specific intelligence about how the drugs were being brought into the school and the fact they were being brought in in the children's underwear. "We have a duty to investigate criminality and, particularly with drugs, protect vulnerable people from coming into … Continue reading →

An advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration will weigh in today (March 12) on whether drug companies can resume trials of pain drugs for osteoarthritis. Testing of the drugs, known as anti-nerve growth factor (anti-NGF) drugs, was halted by the FDA in 2010 and early 2011 after some patients taking them experienced bone tissue death in the joints, and required joint replacements. No cases of joint tissue death were seen in patients in the studies who took a placebo. Three drugs companies Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals were testing anti-NGF drugs before the trials were stopped. Pfizer's drug, tanezumab, was the farthest along in trials. Today's meeting is unusual in that the panel will be discussing drugs that are not already approved by the FDA or under review for approval, Bob Rappaport, director of the FDA's division of anesthesia, analgesia, and addiction products, said in a memo to the meeting's attendees. Anti-NGF drugs block nerve growth factor, a protein that is important for the development and survival of certain nerve cells also thought to cause sensitivity to pain in certain conditions. A 2010 study of 450 patients with knee osteoarthritis found tanezumab reduced pain by 45 … Continue reading →