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NEW
TREATMENT HAILED AS 'A POTENTIAL BREAKTHROUGH IN THE BATTLE
AGAINST
HEART DISEASE AND STROKES'
SYNEXUS, the world's
largest multinational company dedicated to the successful
recruitment and running of clinical studies with a Dedicated
Clinical Research Centre in Merseyside, is currently recruiting
patients for a study which is assessing a new treatment which may
help reduce the incidence of further heart attacks or strokes in
people who suffer with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The new medication, which has received high profile coverage in the
national media including the Daily Mail and Daily Express, is a 'cholesterol
busting' injection which has already been tested in the US and
produced promising results. Doctors have hailed it as 'a
potential breakthrough in the battle against heart disease and
strokes'. High cholesterol levels in the blood, especially high LDL-C levels (known as bad cholesterol) is one of the main risk
factors for CVD and strokes. Current treatments for lowering
cholesterol levels include taking 'statins' and although statin treatment is effective in lowering LDL-C, it does not reduce
it to desirable levels in all cases.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for a disease of the
heart or blood vessels. Blood flow to the heart, brain or body is
reduced because of a blood clot or a build-up of fatty deposits
inside an artery, leading to hardening and narrowing of the artery.
The three main types of CVD are coronary heart disease, stroke and
peripheral arterial disease. Cardiovascular Disease is responsible
for nearly half of all deaths in Europe each year with 191,000
deaths in the UK alone. Currently there are nearly 2.7 million
people in the UK living with CVD[2].
The study that Synexus is currently running to assess this new
medication may be suitable for those who:-
► Are over 30 years old
► Have been identified as already having cardiovascular disease
► Those at risk of developing cardiovascular disease
► Are currently being treated with cholesterol lowering medications
such as Simvastatin (Zocor), Atorvastatin (Lipitor) or Rosuvastatin
(Crestor)
The study will involve patients taking medication on top of their
usual cholesterol lowering medication. Synexus is currently
recruiting patients for this study at its Dedicated Clinical
Research Centres in Merseyside. Those who would like to find
out more or are interested in participating in this study should
contact their nearest centre and quote the relevant reference
number Merseyside:- 0151 550 9951. Ref:- 8090
There is no obligation for people to participate and if they do
decide to take part, their GP will be kept fully informed of their
involvement. Patients who are accepted onto the study will receive
financial compensation and will be reimbursed for all reasonable out
of pocket expenses if they are accepted onto the study.
Synexus has many years experience in conducting a wide range of
clinical studies. The purpose of a clinical research study is to
answer important questions about a new treatment, for example; does
it improve a person's health and which dose of the medicine works
best?
Each year, thousands of patients take part in clinical studies at
Synexus' Dedicated Clinical Research Centres. There are many
different studies running at each of the Centres including
treatments for conditions such as osteoporosis, smoking cessation,
insomnia, asthma and childhood eczema.
Participating in a Synexus clinical study means patients receive
increased medical attention and may benefit from medications that
aren't yet available to other sufferers of their condition, while
making a positive contribution to the health of future generations.
For more information about Synexus and the other studies that it is
currently conducting visit:-
improvinghealth.com. |
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White Paper Weak
on Metering
"LACKING ambition and
urgency", the Chartered Institution of Water and
Environmental Management (CIWEM) welcomes the conclusions of the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report on the Water
White Paper.
CIWEM is pleased to see the Committee agreeing with CIWEM's position
that the Government has been weak on water metering. The Water White
Paper, published in December 2011, lacks any target to increase
levels of metering; but the Committee has recommended that the
Government take on board the level of ambition suggested in the
Walker Review; of achieving 80% metering coverage by 2020.
CIWEM was particularly alarmed by the White Paper's proclamation:-
"water is relatively cheap compared to many other household
bills, and we want it to stay that way". The document
contains a clear contradiction: how can we value water and not take
it for granted, but yet not pay a price for water that properly
recognises its true value? CIWEM believes the fairest way to ensure
this is to establish widespread metering allied to flexible and
social tariffs.
Paying for what we use is not only the fairest way to pay for water,
it is also the only way to build the clear picture of patterns of
water consumption which will be needed to move forward sustainably
and to ensure that water is affordable for all in the long term.
Politically, metering may be seen as difficult but recent research*
has shown that the public are prepared to support water metering
measures, but only if the Government takes the lead and if the
measures that are introduced are seen to affect everyone equally, or
in a way that rewards those who avoid wasting water and penalises
those whose use is excessive.
CIWEM is also pleased to see the Committee calling for more urgency
in the reform of the abstraction regime and the encouragement of
sustainable drainage systems (SUDS). We look forward to seeing the
Government addressing the Committee's recommendations in their draft
Water Bill.
CIWEM Executive Director, Nick Reeves OBE, says:- "The Water
White Paper misses an opportunity to promote the retention of
affordable water for all who use water wisely and to charge those
who use high quantities higher prices than they now face. It is
naïve to assume that people who use excessive amounts of water will
change their behaviour to the degree needed through anything but
higher prices."
*Research by the Fabian Society, December 2011, Water Use in
Southern England.
WANTED - ANTHONY DUFFY
MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for
information to trace the whereabouts of a man from north Liverpool
who is wanted for recall to prison. Antony Duffy, aged 34, of no
fixed abode, was released on license on 28 March 2012, from HMP
Buckley where he was serving a 2 year sentence for a stabbing in
January 2011. Duffy has failed to comply with the conditions of his
license by not residing at the approved address and is now wanted
for recall to prison. Officers are searching for Duffy and urge
anyone with any information regarding his whereabouts to call
Merseyside Police on:- 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800
555 111. |
