Federal Health Minister announces Feb 1 PBS listing of psoriasis biologic, ILUMYA
A targeted biologic for the estimated 19,000 Australian adults living with severe chronic plaque psoriasis will be listed on the PBS from February 1, 2019. Federal Health Minister, The Hon. Greg Hunt, MP, announced the PBS listing of Sun Pharma’s ILUMYA (tildrakizumab) today, for those who meet the reimbursement criteria. ILUMYA belongs to a new class…
Research team finds chaotic proteins hold the key to understanding cancer cell growth
New research has revealed chaotic swings of protein concentrations keep the immune system functional and thus allow it to stave off chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Modern research has attributed the development of cancer cells to faulty mechanisms at play in the immune system, or breakdowns in what medical experts call “signalling pathways”.…
Brain training app “significantly” improving attention skills
A brain stimulating phone app developed to improve concentration has been found to enhance attention skills so significantly its effects have been compared to prescription medication. The brain training app, called Decoder, was developed by a research team from the Department of Psychiatry at the prestigious University of Cambridge in the UK. In testing its…
EpiPen supplies returning to normal after year-long shortage
Widespread shortages of EpiPen, an epinephrine autoinjector for the treatment of anaphylaxis, have been resolved. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) confirmed this week the supply had returned to normal following a worldwide shortage that lasted almost a year. Issues with overseas manufacturers of the Mylan product in April 2018 had international ramifications, forcing those with…
Battling the heat on Australia Day
Many Australians will be spending the day outdoors, but with temperatures set to surge into the 30s, the thousands heading to the beach or public pool will need to be extra careful to avoid heat-related illnesses. Australia Day celebrations normally go hand-in-hand with drinking, playing cricket and picnicking by the beach – sounds fun, but…
Landmark study offering new hope for the treatment of people living with peanut allergies
Allergies are commonly believed to have no cure. Given a large percentage of the population experiences various allergies, with peanut allergy the number one cause of allergy-induced fatalities, it was only a matter of time before scientists chose to explore ways to treat the serious health problem. Aimmune Therapeutics-funded study (PALISADE) involved almost 500 participants…
Five take home lessons from the immune system
There are many lessons we can learn from the many efficient and well-orchestrated systems of the human body. Cell differentiation occurs very early on in the development of the human embryo, allowing for cells to perform highly specialised functions. The immune system serves as a wonderful analogy of how cell specialisation, collaboration, team work, diversity…
VIVA! Communications external planning workshop 2019
Team VIVA! set off early Thursday, January 17, for our annual workshop at Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa, positioned at the edge of Echo Point, in the picturesque town of Katoomba. We arrived ready to begin what would prove an intensive two-day learning experience, capped off with fantastic food, a touch of wine and…
Stop asking the wrong questions about lung cancer
“Were you a smoker?” Did you know that 40 per cent of Australians admit to asking this question to someone who has been diagnosed with lung cancer, before expressing concern? Each hour, an Australian watches a loved one die from lung cancer. According to the Cancer Council, it’s Australia’s biggest cancer killer – yet it…
Tips for beating the heat
In the heat of summer, it’s important to make sure you’re taking extra good care of your health, especially on the scorching hot days. Too much sun can not only be detrimental to your skin, but can cause heatstroke and in the worst instance, death. These are crucial steps all Australians can take to lower…