During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines have been at the heart of the conversation. However, we don't pay nearly enough attention to the impact on routine immunisation as we do to a vaccine against the coronavirus. In an exclusive interview, Dr Frans van den Boom - the director for Europe of the Human Vaccines Project - talks to Kerean Watts of … [Read more...] about Vaccines and COVID-19: Frans van den Boom speaks to Hyderus and Baird’s CMC
Our craft
PandemiCast XV, Part II: The view from Africa
The long-awaited second part of PandemiCast XV is finally here. This episode, you will know from the trailer, is an insight into the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. Edited by Iknoor Kaur and featuring Francois Baird, Simba Makoni, Sheriff Bojang Jr., and Tandeka Nikiwane. Moderated by Mark Chataway and Matshidiso Masire. You can watch it … [Read more...] about PandemiCast XV, Part II: The view from Africa
Disease epidemiology in the world’s newest megacities
Global populations are booming -- particularly within the world's ever expanding "megacities". This trend towards rapid population growth is most notable within developing nations. However, with rapid population expansion comes the potential for dramatic shifts in disease epidemiology, allowing infectious diseases the ability to spread to millions … [Read more...] about Disease epidemiology in the world’s newest megacities
Vaccine Hesitancy – One of the world’s top 10 global health threats
Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, 110,000 people died from measles in 2017, mostly children under the age of five, In the US, there were more measles outbreaks in 2019 than there had been in nearly three decades. Sadly, the trend is the same for other diseases, including Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) Why is this … [Read more...] about Vaccine Hesitancy – One of the world’s top 10 global health threats
Parkinson’s and the difficulty of treating neurological conditions
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease have long evaded satisfactory treatment. Despite the best efforts and the investment of billions by pharmaceutical companies, they continue to pose threats to public health - especially as life expectancies around the world increase and exposure to risk factors such as … [Read more...] about Parkinson’s and the difficulty of treating neurological conditions
New strains of TB threaten to bypass current diagnostics
The World Health Organization has set out plans to attempt to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, Countries such as India have set more ambitious goals, pledging to eliminate the disease by 2025. One major hurdle presents itself as a threat to this cause -- drug resistance. Drug resistance may not only frustrate elimination efforts, but … [Read more...] about New strains of TB threaten to bypass current diagnostics
Anti-vaccination movement show the damage conspiracy theories can do
Conspiracy theories - real and imagined - exert a virtually unparalleled grip on the public imagination. Many simply sell improbable books or over-hyped Netflix series. Anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, however, pose a threat to children and vulnerable adults around the world. Speculation about nefarious plots veer from the plausible to the … [Read more...] about Anti-vaccination movement show the damage conspiracy theories can do
Hyderus participates in study on whether EU funding has helped people with poverty related diseases
Poverty-related and neglected diseases (PRNDs) carry high burdens of morbidity and mortality across the developing world. Some of the most common diseases within this category are malaria, HIV and tuberculosis. These diseases are endemic in impoverished and lower middle-income nations and cause considerable loss of life. A large degree of the … [Read more...] about Hyderus participates in study on whether EU funding has helped people with poverty related diseases
Indian patent laws, no longer the pharmacy of the developing world?
India holds a unique position in the generic market. Commonly referred to as the “pharmacy of the developing world”, India exports huge volumes of generic medication. This forms a multi-billion dollar industry within India. This low cost generics market has improved access to lower price medications in India, as well as allowed for the export … [Read more...] about Indian patent laws, no longer the pharmacy of the developing world?
Drug resistant HIV and the potential to render current treatments inviable
Children in Africa have shown a prevalence of up to 54 percent of HIV strains which display a resistance to one or more commonly used antiretroviral (ARV) drugs according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Is this an indication that currently used medications may prove to be ineffective in years to come? Africa has seen a … [Read more...] about Drug resistant HIV and the potential to render current treatments inviable
The Three Commitments
Why Consultants end up not telling the truth
The worst kind of market research interviewing technique ever
Why bright people can’t explain themselves
