Optical biosensor rapidly detects virus that causes mpox Researchers from University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Boston University, and their colleagues have developed an optical biosensor that can rapidly detect the virus that causes mpox. The technology could allow clinicians to diagnose the disease at the point of care rather than wait for lab results. Polymerase chain reaction…
Ben KempNovember 20, 2024
Anthony Harnden has been appointed as the new chair of the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Anthony is a Professor of Primary Care at the University of Oxford, and until the end of December 2024, a registrant Council member of the General Medical Council and Chair of the Renumeration Committee. He worked for the NHS for 40 years…
Ben KempNovember 20, 2024
Beth Loudon, Head of Market Access for BIVDA, attended the Health Care Suppliers Association conference at the Telford International Conference Centre last week. Keynote speakers included Jacqui Rock, Commercial Director for NHSE, who confirmed she would be leaving the role at the end of December. Jacqui was unable to advise where she would be moving to but confirmed would be…
Ben KempNovember 19, 2024
Chancellor Rachel Reeves used last week's Mansion House speech to announce the creation of pension 'mega funds' in the biggest shake-up of the pensions market in decades. Modelling Canadian and Australian pension schemes, the reforms will group together local government pension pots, meaning fewer but larger funds. The Government has stated that this will unlock £80 billion of investment as…
Ben KempNovember 19, 2024
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced publication of the final results from the HPValidate study, commissioned and funded by Public Health England to evaluate the accuracy and acceptability of self-sampling for HPV in comparison with standard clinician-taken cervical screening tests. The study was commissioned in response to a 2019 UK National Screening Committee recommendation that more evidence should be…
Ben KempNovember 19, 2024
After a an extremely busy but enjoyable four days at MEDICA in Dusseldorf last week, we hope everyone is suitably rested yet energised by the opportunities the event presented. We would like to thank everyone who visited our stand and welcomed us to theirs. We greatly enjoyed meeting so many of our members, whose brilliant stands and innovations showcased the…
Ben KempNovember 19, 2024
National surveillance data published by the UK Health Security Agency has shown that antibiotic resistant infections in 2023 surpassed pre-pandemic levels. There were an estimated 66,730 serious antibiotic resistant infections in 2023, compared to 62,314 in 2019. The English Surveillance of Antibiotic Prescribing and Utilisation Report (ESPAUR) shows that the majority of antibiotic resistant bloodstream infections in the last 5 years (65%)…
Ben KempNovember 19, 2024
The MHRA last week opened their consultation on Medical Devices Regulations for routes to market and in vitro diagnostic devices. This relates to the proposed pre-market Statutory Instrument which is planned to be laid before parliament next year. The MHRA are seeking views as a number of changes have occurred since they previously consulted last year. Areas are: - International…
Ben KempNovember 19, 2024