/library/oar/handle/123456789/39202 2025-12-26T07:56:02Z 2025-12-26T07:56:02Z Fenech, Anthony G. Grech, Godfrey /library/oar/handle/123456789/14135 2019-10-31T08:33:04Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Pharmacogenetics : where do we stand? Authors: Fenech, Anthony G.; Grech, Godfrey Abstract: “Our drugs do not work on most patients.” Such did Allen Roses, then worldwide vice-president of genetics at GlaxoSmithKline, greet his audience, during a scientific meeting in London in 2003.1 Nearly a decade has passed since then, and significant strides towards the development of genotype-guided prescribing have been made. Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics are now an established area of pharmacology specialization, and they hold the promise of the key to personalized medicine, leading to safer and more effective patientfocussed therapeutic outcomes.

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z Gauci, Charmaine Delicata, Nadine /library/oar/handle/123456789/14133 2019-10-31T08:33:24Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Prevention of cancer through lifestyle change and screening Authors: Gauci, Charmaine; Delicata, Nadine Abstract: Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Evidence shows that about 40% of all cancers are preventable. This article looks at the evidence base for primary prevention measures focusing on lifestyle risk factors of tobacco exposure, overweight and obesity, dietary factors, alcohol and physical activity. Some basic principles of screening and screening programmes are discussed with emphasis on the importance of doing more benefits than harms, at a reasonable cost. We look at the evidence for effectiveness of cancer screening programmes, including randomized controlled trials and touch briefly on the ongoing debates for and against the effectiveness of organized screening programmes. Sufficient evidence exists to demonstrate the effectiveness of screening for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer. Ongoing studies in prostate screening will provide valuable evidence in due course.

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z Mifsud, Janet /library/oar/handle/123456789/14130 2017-07-19T08:05:45Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Abuse of OTC and prescribed drugs : popping pills for thrills? Authors: Mifsud, Janet Abstract: Several studies have shown that there is a high prevalence of prescription and over the counter (OTC) drug misuse among certain population groups. In this paper, an overview will be given as to which classes of groups are mostly abused or misused. An analysis will be given as to the various factors, including associated etiologic and social factors, which could lead to prescribed and OTC drug abuse. Warning signs of prescribed and OTC drug abuse misuse will be described. Best practices in the treatment of prescribed and OTC drug abuse will be given, together with a discussion on the role of pharmacists, health care professionals and regulatory authorities in the prevention and education of this key issue in health care. The benefits of easier access to medicines should be balanced against the potential harm from unsupervised or inappropriate use of prescribed medication.

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/14129 2018-04-05T07:13:57Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Towards the use of safer medicines : why is it important to support the national pharmacovigilance system? Abstract: All medicinal products carry an inevitable and unpredictable potential for harm that cannot always be detected at the pre-authorisation stage. Pharmacovigilance comprises the science and activities relating to the assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects of medicines The main underlying component of all pharmacovigilance activities is the reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions. With the new directive 2010/84/EC (amending 2001/83/EC) on the community code for medicinal products in the EU it is important that healthcare professionals are refreshed on the need to support pharmacovigilance systems in order to maximise efforts to maintain the safest and most effective medicines on the market.

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z