This month in PharmaTimes we focus on one of the greatest health threats facing mankind. The newswires have been buzzing with stories about antimicrobial resistance since the publication of the final report of the O'Neill Review at the end of May, with Armageddon-style headlines presaging doom.
A bigger killer than cancer, one person killed every three seconds, 10 million deaths each year from drug-resistant infections by 2050... if nothing is done, of course. Fortunately for the world's vulnerable population, after a faltering few years, the pharmaceutical industry is now working full-speed ahead on the next generation of antibiotics, an effort spearheaded by small and medium-sized companies.
In Resistance is Futile, we delve into the threat of AMR and profile two SMEs that have taken innovative routes to new antibacterials. We also tackle the issues of AMR in this month's Patient Files, where twenty-three-year old mum, Emily Morris, speaks candidly about her experiences with a recurrent infection with drug-resistant strain of E coli.
Also in this issue, in Waste Not, Want Not we take a look at efforts to educate patients and healthcare professionals in a bid to cut waste and optimise medicine use in the NHS.
Last but not least, after much research, planning and jubilation we are proud to launch a new-and-improved Pharmatimes.com. In addition to a new-look layout, the updated website bolsters our ongoing and extensive daily news coverage with content from the magazine and web exclusive interviews, industry insight and much much more.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
This month, the UK government's review of antimicrobial resistance sent alarm bells ringing in Whitehall and issued a call for new medicines to kill antibiotic-resistant superbugs. With big pharma out of the game, small pharma is stepping up to the plate
In its bid to cut waste and optimise the use of medicines, the NHS must give patients and HCPs as much information as possible about their treatments
For more than 15 years NICE has punched above its weight internationally but as it comes under attack for its methodology, will its international clout suffer?
With consumers taking ever more interest in their own health, the demand for innovative health services is building. Collating the views of industry experts,Dr Eliot Forsterconsiders how disruptive 'Uber-thinking' could impact healthcare
UK pharma spent £238m on management consultants in 2015, but what are companies buying and is their money well spent? Edward Haigh investigates
When looking for partnerships, research-stage biotechs and other small/medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should consider all the options, not just look to big companies andbig disease indications, writes Robert Thong
One day a month, MSD's Paul Robinson helps to make decisions that affect tens of thousands of patients. He sits on one of NICE's Technology Appraisal Committees, a group of 15-20 healthcare professionals, NHS managers and patient representatives who decide which drugs the NHS in England will pay for and which it won't
After spending most of his career in the US, Takeda UK managing director Adam Zaeske arrived on our shores last year intent on transforming the company into an agile speciality business
Six years ago, Emily Morris contracted what should have been a simple-to-treat infection but the bacteria were resistant to antibiotics. Still suffering from recurring infections, she says more needs to be done to inform the public of the dangers
