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A damning new report believes that, if unchecked, antimicrobial resistance could lead to ten million deaths every year. The author recommends that no one be allowed to take antibiotics without first taking an eligibility test, but what would this test look like and does the technology even exist? We speak to scientists to find out more.

Also in this issue, we look at the impact of French President Francois Hollande’s commitment to establishing international drug price regulation, ask whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, could be used to treat depression, and investigate the growing problem of counterfeit lifestyle drugs such as Viagra being sold online.

Plus, we speak to Novartis about its project to improve long-term care for refugees with chronic diseases in Lebanon, discover more about the latest technologies in temperature controlled packaging and ask how the UK is bridging the skills gap in the biopharmaceutical industry.

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In this issue

The Case for Global Regulation
French President Francois Hollande is hoping to encourage the adoption of an international drug price regulation. The move could bring transparency and affordability so medicines can be accessed more widely. Chris Lo asks, is the world ready?
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The Antibiotics Test
Rapid diagnostic tests could go a long way to reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics, a problem contributing to the spread of superbugs. Elly Earls finds out more from Dr Ann Van den Bruel and Dr Philip Turner.
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Psilocybin vs. Depression
Researchers have conducted a small-scale clinical trial to test the effect of psilocybin, the active component in ‘magic mushrooms’, on patients with depression. Abi Millar asks whether the obstacles to its development are insuperable.
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A Costly Decision
Is the FDA right in delaying the approval of Esperion Therapeutics’ novel lipid-lowering therapy? GlobalData analyst for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders Elizabeth Hamson, PhD, discusses the decision.
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Faking It
Lifestyle drugs like Viagra are particularly susceptible to online counterfeiting. Elly Earls meets Haydn Simpson, commercial director of brand protection specialist NetNames, to find out how it can be tackled.
Read the article.

Refugee Relief
Disease accounts for half of the total deaths in refugee-overrun Lebanon, an issue that Novartis and the International Committee of the Red Cross are tackling head on. Elly Earls finds out more.
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Keep Your Cool
Innovations in temperature-controlled packaging are increasingly vital within cold chain logistics when transporting biologics and pharmaceuticals. Kevin Lawler of Pelican BioThermal tells us about the latest developments.
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Plugging the Skills Gap
A recent report stresses that to remain central to the UK economy, more investment is needed to make sure relevant R&D skills are being created. Abi Millar finds out how training in the pharma industry can keep pace.
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Next issue preview

A team of researchers has devised a method to maximise investment and reduce risk in cancer megafunds through identifying ‘toxic assets’ that threaten the fund. We investigate the optimal financial strategy to increase the likelihood that an investment is paying off scientifically.

We also take a look at AstraZeneca’s new treatment for lupus, find out how copper could be used to treat illnesses such as obesity, and review research by Washington State University that suggests there may be benefits to timing chemotherapy in cancer patients to align with the body’s inner clock.

Plus, we find out about a device that can be used to soak up excess harmful drugs, explore a new path of drug development in the battle against colorectal cancers, learn how researchers who have made ethical errors can be rehabilitated, and hear from a roundtable of experts about how pharma companies can benefit from outsourcing regulatory and pharmacovigilance activities.

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