Is what’s good for the countertop good for the cold-cuts? One might argue that eliminating bacteria present on food preparation or processing surfaces is of little value when the food itself is already contaminated with salmonella or E. coli. That very reasoning prompted PURE Sciences Inc. to develop a new, direct-to-food application for its liquid disinfectant called SDC (silver dihydrogen citrate). Swift Acting, Long Lasting For years, SDC has been used to wipe down contact surfaces in restaurants and factories – part of a well-established food safety certification protocol. CEO of PURE Sciences, Hank Lambert says they’ve produced new concentrations.. READ MORE »
Canadians are plagued by skyrocketing drug prices, and in many cases are unable to afford life-saving treatments. Big Pharma defends its position, maintaining that an influx of cheap generics has forced it to inflate name brand pricing.
FDA investigators expose India-based Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries for tampering with test data and a complete failure to maintain sanitary conditions in its laboratories. Inspectors encounter human waste, rodent traps, and manufacturing refuse at the plant, prompting a ban on US exports.
Despite promises to clean up its suspect drug promotion practices, GlaxoSmithKline sales reps have been charged with bribing Polish doctors to boost prescriptions of company products.
Within recent years, there’s been an explosion of pet-related products and vigorous marketing campaigns to promote them – gourmet foods, designer outerwear, luxurious accessories. Mainstream media has aggressively promoted pets as valued family members, and most of us know a dog or two who is pampered and protected on par with a newborn baby! The status gap between domestic animals and their owners is quickly diminishing. So, it’s no wonder that clinical research and pharmaceutical drug discovery is devoting increased resources to pet meds – drugs that address conditions we would normally associate with humans, but that afflict that increasingly.. READ MORE »
Western medicine loves its pharmaceuticals. There are pills, injections, inhalers and patches for every conceivable ailment. It seems that each month brings a new drug delivery system to pharmacy shelves and medicine cabinets, promising to relieve or cure whatever ails us. Unfortunately, our dependence on chemical compounds has brought with it a slew of unwanted side-effects, the problem of antibiotic resistance, and in many cases has moved us no closer to preventing devastating disease. Looking instead to nature for answers, scientists from the universities of Bonn and Lille have presented groundbreaking clinical research on the cognitive benefits of caffeine. With.. READ MORE »
It’s like owning the world’s first spaceship; an incredibly powerful and cutting-edge device capable of speeding across the universe. But there’s no guidance system. So, you end up either flying in circles, or colliding disastrously with an interstellar object. Many of the most innovative compounds that enter clinical trials suffer a similar fate.
Most of us, even those who wouldn’t call themselves pet-friendly, would love to see an end to animal lab testing. But the truth is, the practice remains central to our discovery of essential new medicines. Every new therapy from cancer treatments to neurological therapies is first tested for safety on animals before being administered to humans. With few viable alternatives, clinical research and drug discovery has continued to rely on animal testing as an unavoidable evil. That is, until now. Focused on finding more humane solutions, scientists around the world are coming up with some astonishingly innovative animal-free testing options… READ MORE »
The safety debate over food colouring is nothing new. Most of us recall the recent Kraft dinner debacle that resulted in a widespread crusade against the retailer’s use of yellow dye #5 – the chemical that puts the neon in the noodles. Clinical research has linked the dye, otherwise known as tartrazine to numerous health problems, including migraines, anxiety, blurred vision, and hyperactivity in children. Tartrazine is considered to be the most allergenic of the dyes – and consumers have learned to avoid its telltale yellow glow. But now, recent tests have focused scrutiny on a new potentially dangerous colourant… READ MORE »
From applications in agriculture to forensics and pharmaceutical testing, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is an essential analytic tool across several market sectors. This year’s HPLC Conference will attract an interdisciplinary gathering of scientists dedicated to sharing experiences, exploring new techniques, and brainstorming solutions to challenges in the field of liquid-phase separation. From May 11-15, the New Orleans Hilton will host intensive HPLC courses, poster competitions and cutting-edge product demonstrations. HPLC 2014 presents an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest instrumentation and software while networking with industry experts and enthusiasts. Honouring the legacy of achievement While the conference focuses.. READ MORE »
