Tag: pharmaceutical companies

What to Know About Lassa Fever

According to the CDC, “Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa. The illness was discovered in 1969 when two missionary nurses died in Nigeria, West Africa. The cause of the illness was found to be Lassa virus, named after the town in Nigeria where the first cases originated.” (Source : CDC Lassa Fever Fact Sheet)

Lassa fever has become a source of morbidity and mortality to the residents in the regions of West Africa where the virus is prevalent. The fever itself does not display significant symptoms and may be mild in majority of the cases. 20% of the individuals affected by this disease have more complex reactions.

Lately in Nigeria, there has been an outbreak of the Lassa fever that is worthy of media coverage because it is spreading at a disturbingly rapid rate. The current death rate of Lassa Fever in Nigeria is at 43.2 percent which is considered an alarming rate by any standard. The Lassa virus is known to be present in significant amounts in rodents and is transferred to humans through several points of contact.

How is Lassa Fever Contracted?

When the infected rodents pass their urine or droppings, the virus is present on the surfaces they defecate on. When humans touch these surfaces, they are very likely to contract the virus. In some parts of Nigeria, where rodents are a delicacy, they can also contract it from consumption of these infected animals. This virus can also be contracted from the air. When humans inhale tiny particles from the rodents excretion, they are also infected. Contaminated equipments used on persons with the virus can be spread to the next person. Exchange of body fluids will also result in contamination.

Symptoms of Lassa Fever

Although the symptoms are mild for most cases, there are still some symptoms to watch out for. This usually occurs in the first three weeks of being in contact with the virus:

  • Slight fever
  • Weakness
  • Headache

It could also progress into more severe symptoms such as:

  • Hemorrhaging
  • Respiratory challenges
  • Vomiting
  • Chest pain
  • Facial swelling
  • Hearing loss
  • Tremors

Treatment of Lassa Fever

The antiviral drug that has been used to treat this disease in it’s early stages is called Ribavirin. In addition to the anti-viral drug, patients are required to receive additional support in maintaining their fluid levels, blood pressure and general follow-up healthcare.

Prevention of Lassa Fever

There are several ways to prevent Lassa fever in your home, but here are a few tips;

  • Keep your home clean and free of rodents.
  • For the time being, avoid rodent consumption especially if it is a delicacy in your region.
  • Properly cover your food to prevent contact with rodents.
  • Use protective clothing like gloves and masks to handle areas where you believe rodents have contacted.
  • Fumigate your surroundings.
  • Sterilize all your equipments to prevent transmission from person to person.

Armed with the above information, you are better equipped to treat and prevent the spread of the disease.

If you’re a pharmaceutical company, keep in mind that counterfeiters take advantage of these situations by offering false hope to desperate consumers. To prevent the illegal duplication of your products, threat to your patients, and damage of your brand’s reputation, protect your Ribavirin medications with the Sproxil Defender product.

Is the Lassa fever prevalent in your region? How are you dealing with it?

Medication Adherence – The $564 Billion Dollar Problem

We live in a time where chronic diseases or illnesses do not necessarily have to lead to constant, crippling pain or ill fates. Through groundbreaking advancements in medical technology, we now have the option to manage our own wellbeing through properly prescribed health regimens.
The problem is that when we don’t follow the doctor’s orders (like forgetting to take the medication or taking incorrect doses), we get in the way of good health. This non-compliance – coined medication non-adherence – is costly: the global pharmaceutical industry is estimated to lose $564 billion a year because of it.

While some may feel that the pharmaceutical industry’s loss is not their own, the truth is that the massive figure implies there are millions of people who are not taking care of their own health. It speaks to a greater negative impact on overall societal health and happiness.

WHEN WE DO NOT ADHERE TO OUR MEDICATION:

  • We don’t receive the full benefits of treatment and can even exacerbate our condition
  • We can be burdened further by increased health care costs and other unnecessary financial costs
  • In emerging markets where hospitals already have limited resources, incoming patients can further strain the health care provider’s ability to provide quality care to everyone
  • Medical researchers who study the value of the medication lose important data points that can lead to other patients’ positive health outcomes

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WHO ARE THE PEOPLE THAT DO NOT ADHERE?

It may be easy to believe that medical non-adherence is caused by stubborn people who refuse to take their medicine. But it’s not that simple. Many patients who fail to properly take their medication are older, may be unable to care for themselves independently, do not understand how to comply, or are unable to pay for the cost of treatment. There are a myriad of reasons and increasingly complex cultural or economical circumstances that can exacerbate the issue.

REASONS PATIENTS DO NOT ADHERE?

In emerging markets, lack of data and limited access to quality health care providers also contribute to increasing non-adherence problems.

To address this issue, we identified a solution for pharmaceutical companies to help patients stick to their regimen while still ensuring patient privacy (you can email us at team@sproxil.com for more information). Through understanding purchasing trends on an individual level and being proactive, pharmaceutical companies can empower their patients and their loved ones to lead healthier and happier lives.

While medical non-adherence may not have a silver bullet solution or ever truly become solved, the health care industry must continue its mission and make strides to improve global heath.

Why do you think patients don’t adhere to their medicine?

What do you think stakeholders should do to help them?