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As part of a continued effort to expand their global network of representatives, Hanningfield Process Systems are proud to announce two agreements with companies in North America. The Carl Anderson Agency (PA) will cover Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Meanwhile, Roth Equipment Consultants will be responsible for North Carolina and South Carolina.
Both bring a wealth of knowledge and are able to offer all the necessary expertise and assistance required of an agent, with a strong understanding of the needs of the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries.
If you are in the USA and would like more information on any of Hanningfield’s products, please contact:
The Carl Anderson Agency (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland)
5 Christopher Lee Drive
New Oxford, PA 17350 USA
Tel: 610.417.1483
Web: www.hanningfield.com
E-Mail: info@CarlAndersonAgency.com
Roth Equipment Consultants, Inc. (North Carolina, South Carolina)
14460 New Falls of Neuse Rd.
Suite 149-150
Raleigh, NC 27614 USA
Tel: 919.616.3036
E-Mail: jroth@rothequipmentinc.com
Hanningfield Announce New Representative for India and SAARC Region 11/01/2010
Hanningfield Process Systems are proud to announce the agreement with EquipNet India to act as the new representative for Hanningfield in the SAARC Region. EquipNet India are able to offer all the necessary expertise and know-how required of an agent, with a keen understanding of the needs of the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries. EquipNet India will act as the sole representative for Hanningfield in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Managing Director, Colin Ellis was extremely pleased at the prospect of partnering with EquipNet India, stating: “We are delighted to now be able to offer our world-class range of products to the SAARC region through our new partnership. We are excited about this new relationship, and look forward to a long and successful association with EquipNet India and the process industries in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.”
If you are in the SAARC Region, and would like more information on any of Hanningfield’s products, please contact:
Mahesh Karande
EquipNet (India) Pvt Ltd.
110, Blue Rose Indl. Estate
Off W.E. Highway, Borivali (E)
Mumbai 400 066, India
T: +91.22.66715078 | 40161847
D: +91.22.28480883
F: +91.22.67415433
C: +91.9967693939
E: India@EquipNet.com
W: www.equipnetindia.com
Happy New Year from Hanningfield 01/01/2010
Hanningfield Process Systems would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to the new decade.
2010 is a very exciting year for Hanningfield and we look forward to further building relationships with customers, suppliers, agents and anyone else whom we have the pleasure of working with.
We hope to hear from you regarding any new projects or requirements and look forward to the pleasure of working with you.
Best wishes, everyone at Hanningfield Process Systems
Hanningfield Christmas Closure 22/12/2009
Dear Customers, Associates and Suppliers,
Hanningfield Process Systems will be closed over the Christmas period from Wednesday 23rd December 2009 until Monday 4th January 2010. Please direct any enquiries or contact through our enquiry form or our e-mail address. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your cooperation and custom this year and hope that 2010 is both prosperous and enjoyable.
We wish everyone and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hanningfield Process Systems Join SHAPA 23/10/2009
Hanningfield Process Systems are proud to announce they have been accepted in to the exclusive Solids Handling and Processing Association (SHAPA). SHAPA was founded in 1981 and is recognised as the foremost specialist association for the solids handling and processing industry.
Managing Director, Colin Ellis, reflected the company’s excitement at the move stating “in a very important period for our company the time was right to seek to join SHAPA. This will give us access to a greater network of expertise and opportunities, whilst helping us to sustain our commitment to continuously improve production techniques by drawing upon the knowledge the association has to offer.“
For more information on any aspect of Hanningfield’s solids handling and processing expertise, please feel free to contact us.
Tory technology tsar calls for more support for scientists and engineers 15/10/2009
Source: The Guardian
Sir James Dyson insists on cultural changes to ensure Britain takes prominent role in hi-tech development
Vacuum cleaner entrepreneur Sir James Dyson today used his new position as Tory technology tsar to call for better support for scientists and engineers.
Dyson told the Conservative conference in Manchester that it was time for Britain to take a leading international role in the development of technology.
He hit out at banks that had created "illusory wealth" and warned that finances should be a "means to an end, not an end in themselves".
The inventor is set to head a Conservative taskforce exploring ways in which Britain can become the leading hi-tech exporter in Europe.
The taskforce will look at how the country can harness the resources of its university science and engineering departments and generate a significant expansion of hi-tech product development.
Dyson told the conference: "As someone passionate about engineering and solving problems, I have a question for you: can Britain now only make money from money?
"Or can it make money from making things too?"
He added: "Britain's long-term need to develop and sell new technology has been neglected.
"Exports have dwindled and imports have risen sharply, while the debt grows and grows. That's why I'm here – not to make a party political comment or to blame any particular government but to call for a change in policy and attitude.
"More than ever, we need to value our scientists and engineers. Our future wealth depends on it."
Dyson said scientists needed better financial support, such as further tax incentives, but insisted "cultural changes" were vital.
Date: 05/10/2009
Source Location: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/oct/05/dyson-scientists-money
UK Bioscience Centre Planned for Stevenage 13/10/2009
Source: Builder and Engineer Online
Plans for a £37m Bioscience Campus in Stevenage, Hertfordshire were announced today by Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary, Lord Mandelson.
The project aims to create a world-leading hub for early-stage biotech companies, operating under a model of open-innovation and collaboration.
The Campus will offer each company access to specialist skills, equipment and expertise, to help stimulate innovation in drug development. By sharing knowledge each company will also increase its chance of success, while retaining its independence so entrepreneurship can flourish.
Speaking ahead of the announcement at the Technology Strategy Board’s Innovate09 Conference, Lord Mandelson said: "The Stevenage Campus represents a huge investment in the future of Britain’s bioscience industry and is a strong new platform for the work of our Office for Life Sciences."
It’s estimated that development of the campus could create up to 1,500 new jobs, most of which will be high-skilled. It will initially be home to around 25 companies, co-located with GlaxoSmithKline on its existing research site, with plans to increase capacity at the park fivefold over the next 10 years.
Location: http://www.builderandengineer.co.uk/news/environment/bioscience-centre-planned-for-stevenage-4532.html
Date: 13/10/2009
IMS Health: 2010 Global Pharma Sales To Rise 4%-6% 13/10/2009
Source: The Wall Street Journal (Online)
Global pharmaceutical sales are expected to increase 4% to 6% next year to more than $825 billion, though overall market growth likely will remain at historically low levels, according to research firm IMS Health (RX).
Executive Murray Aitken said, "While our outlook for the global market is more positive" than earlier this year, the industry still faces funding pressures, a potential gap between new drugs and expiring patents, potential health-care law changes and a weakened global economy.
Stronger-than-expected growth in the U.S. market contributed to the company raising its 5-year global-growth forecast by one percentage point to of 4% to 7%. It predicts the pharmaceutical market to expand to more than $975 billion by 2013. Pricing flexibility and inventory management contributed to the stronger-than-expected U.S. growth, said IMS, but it expects a significant gap between product introductions and patent losses over the next five year, limiting prospects.
Near-term U.S. pharmaceutical sales growth prospects have strengthened in recent months, aided by price increases and tight inventories. The U.S. market is expected to grow 4.5% to 5.5% this year and 3% to 5% in 2010.
IMS noted increases have slowed in countries where there is high out-of-pocket spending on drugs and steep economic downturns, particularly Russia, Mexico and South Korea. But strong growth is likely to hold up in some emerging markets, notably China, where pharmaceutical sales are seen rising more than 20% a year.
Author: Tess Stynes
Date: 13/10/2009
Location: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091008-706578.html
Enhance Your Powder Transfer System with Hanningfield 05/10/2009
Hanningfield 'Uni-Vac' Conveyors
Pneumatic conveying has long been recognised as a recognised solution for powder handling. Vacuum transfer offers various benefits from increased throughput to improved operator safety, and as such can significantly enhance the efficiency of a process.
Hanningfield Process Systems are able to draw upon over 20 years of expereince to help supply customers with a system that not only provides excellent and reliable results, but that is also easy to clean and maintain. All Uni-Vac systems are manufactured in-house allowing us to provide customers with bespoke and customised solutions, specific to each individual application.
For more information on our vacuum conveying systems, click here.
Or contact a member of our sales team here.
Full-Page Advert in Manufacturing Chemist 29/09/2009
To coincide with this year's PPMA exhibiton, Hanningfield are proud to have a full-page advert on display in the September issue of Manufacturing Chemist.
The advert can be found on Page 86 of the magazine, which will be distributed for free at the exhibition this week. Be sure to look out for our advert or for a sneak preview click here. Please let us know if you have any feedback (info@hanningfield.com)
Enjoy the exhibition everyone! The Team at Hanningfield Process Systems.
Aesica is licensed to manufacture controlled substances in UK 28/09/2009
Source: Manufacturing Chemist
Aesica Pharmaceuticals, a global supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), finished dosage forms and custom synthesis solutions, has been licensed to manufacture controlled substances at its site at Cramlington in the UK.
The Home Office licence allows Aesica to manufacture and supply substances listed in Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Granting of the licence follows a programme of investment to enhance the security of the site and its buildings, and the implementation of special procedures for handling of controlled substances.
The site is now able to offer facilities for contract manufacture of controlled APIs in quantities from a few kg at its GMP pilot plant to tonnes at one of its bulk API plants. The first contract-manufactured controlled drug for one of Aesica’s customers is already in production.
‘This is a significant step forward for Aesica in terms of broadening our capabilities in line with our customers’ demand,’ said Adam Sims, commercial director of Aesica.
Aesica can now offer controlled drug manufacturing at Queenborough and Cramlington in the UK, covering active ingredient synthesis and manufacture and packaging of finished dosage pharmaceutical forms.
Date: 28/09/2009
Source Location: http://www.manufacturingchemist.com/story.asp?sectioncode=109&storycode=56400&c=1
Abbott, Solvay $7.1 Billion Unit Deal Said to Be Near 27/09/2009
Source: Bloomberg Online
Abbott Laboratories is close to an agreement to buy Solvay SA’s pharmaceutical unit for about 4.8 billion euros ($7.1 billion) to get full control of the TriCor cholesterol pill, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
An agreement may be announced as soon as tomorrow, said the people, who declined to comment publicly because the talks are private. Nycomed A/S, of Switzerland, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., of Japan, also contended to buy the unit, the people said.
Buying Solvay’s drug business would be a change of course for Abbott Chief Executive Officer Miles White, who has been acquiring medical devices and eye products to reduce reliance on medicines. Abbott is battling generic competition to its anti- seizure treatment Depakote and risks losing sales of the arthritis drug Humira -- the company’s biggest product with $4.5 billion in revenue last year -- as consumers cut spending.
The purchase price includes 4.5 billion euros in cash, with up to 300 million euros in contingent payments between 2011 and 2013, said a person with knowledge of the situation. The milestones relate to whether products perform well, the person said. The deal also may include other costs, this person said.
TriCor Co-Promotion
Abbott, of Abbott Park, Illinois, and Brussels-based Solvay co-promote TriCor, which generated $1.34 billion in revenue last year for Abbott and 511 million euros for Solvay. The companies also work jointly on TriLipix, a cholesterol treatment introduced this year. The Brussels-based maker of pharmaceuticals, chemicals and plastics has been weighing an initial public offering or sale of its drug unit since April.
Erik De Leye, a spokesman for Solvay, and Melissa Brotz, an Abbott spokeswoman, declined to comment in telephone interviews today.
Solvay, which introduced one of the first modern antidepressants in 1983, ranks as the world’s biggest producer of soda ash, used to make glass and modify the acidity of shampoos. The company gets much of its annual revenue from the automotive and construction industries, among the hardest hit by the recession.
The drug business produced revenue of 2.7 billion euros last year, or 28 percent of Solvay’s total sales. The company focuses on two therapeutic areas -- cardiometabolics, which includes its best-selling product Tricor, and neuroscience, including the Duodopa treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
Top-Selling Products
TriCor, known chemically as fenofibrate, is used to reduce triglycerides and adjust cholesterol levels. Solvay’s other top- selling products are Androgel, a testosterone gel, and Creon, a pancreatic enzyme to treat cystic fibrosis.
Solvay, founded by the Belgian family of the same name, said in April it was considering options for the drug unit amid a wave of acquisitions in the industry. The possibilities included selling it to another company, forming a partnership, keeping the operation or selling shares in an initial public offering.
Abbott rose 39 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $47.33 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading on Sept. 25. Solvay fell 1.17 euros, or 1.5 percent, to 74.73 euros in Brussels trading.
Nycomed, whose owners include Nordic Capital and a buyout unit of Credit Suisse Group AG, offered 4 billion euros to 4.5 billion euros for the Solvay unit, people familiar with the situation said on Sept. 25. Nycomed wanted to buy the business to expand in preparation for an initial public offering in 2011, a person with knowledge of the matter said on Sept. 11.
Authors: Albertina Torsoli and Jacqueline Simmons
Date: 27-09-2009
Source Location: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a0FL48DrJ_fM
Pharma and chemical leaders believe UK manufacturing sector is undervalued 25/09/2009
Source: Plastics and Rubber Weekly
Steve Elliott, chief executive of the Chemical Industries Association (CIA), has called for greater support for the country’s manufacturing sector.
He revealed the results of a survey, which showed that politicians, the banks and the education system are failing the manufacturing sector. The CIA survey found that 87% of business leaders in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry feel that politicians of all parties do not understand the significance of manufacturing and do not have the right policies to support it.
Manufacturing is also being let down by the education sector and banks according to 78% of those surveyed.
Elliott said: “The UK has good industrial infrastructure and we could be well placed to lead the transition to a low carbon economy but the failure of politicians to understand industries that actually make things puts those strengths at risk.
“Politicians speak about rebalancing the economy and of new green jobs in manufacturing but we lack a convincing strategy for making the UK an attractive place to manufacture.
“The government must start today with measures, such as support for short-term working, and in the long-term benchmark the UK against its competitors on tax, support for R&D, investment in infrastructure and being welcoming to business.”
Author: Anthony Clark
Date: 24 September 2009
Location: http://www.prw.com/subscriber/headlines2.html?cat=1&id=1253792881
Improving tablet production and handling with pneumatic conveying 23/09/2009
Article from Healthcare Packaging Online
Vacuum technologies can streamline production, reduce costs, and provide sustainability benefits.
Compressed tablets are still the most popular dosage form for pharmaceuticals. More than 75% of pharmaceutical products are sold in solid dosage form. Strong growth is predicted for compressed tablets due to the explosion of the nutraceuticals market, especially in the United States.
The potential for growth in tablet manufacturing is high. However, several challenges and trends are threatening the profit potential. Today, pharmaceutical manufacturers are challenged to evolve their production processes in order to survive and excel in an increasingly competitive industry. While product quality has always been of paramount importance, strenuous economic times and continually inflating drug prices are heightening consumer demand for lower-priced prescriptions. Tablet manufacturers are more than ever seeking new ways to automate their lines to speed and streamline production.
By automating the conveying process, vacuum technologies can improve productivity and enhance quality. In addition, selecting a vacuum technology that is maintenance-free and energy efficient can allow tablet manufacturers to cut costs and meet challenging consumer demands for quality pharmaceuticals and lower prices.
Offering a safer environment
In general, reducing manual labor through automated vacuum conveying can improve working conditions by reducing heavy lifting. In addition, American manufacturers must abide by Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) regulations enforced by the U.S. Dept. of Occupational Safety & Health Administration. In Europe, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working conditions (Eurofounda) oversees the improvement of industrial working conditions.
Heat, dust, and noise are all pollutants in the working environment that detract from worker safety and the stringent sanitation demands for pharmaceutical and chemical production. Tablet manufacturers can greatly reduce manual labor and diminish exposure to environmental irritants with the installation of vacuum conveying equipment that moves dry powder products through dedicated pipe systems. These systems fully contain the powders to minimize dust and also generate less heat. To ensure the highest standard of worker safety, the conveyors should also have few moving parts, and be easily assembled and disassembled to reduce worker strain.
Increasing uptime
Given the 24/7 production runs in pharmaceutical manufacturing, automation technologies must be reliable. There is no time for line stoppages or ongoing maintenance. Additionally, changeovers can add costs and downtime. A vacuum conveyor must facilitate changeover or risk negating the gains realized through automation.
Simple solutions can effectively combat the erosion of productivity caused by line stoppages, maintenance, or changeover. Vacuum technologies with few moving parts are not only safer; they are maintenance-free and can reduce downtime. Conveyors that are easily handled by workers are more quickly assembled and disassembled, reducing the time it takes for equipment adjustments between batches and during cleanings. Machines containing fewer components also help minimize part mix-ups and help to prevent line stoppages.
Other vacuum conveyor benefits include the following:
• Cost-effective, easy cleaning. In addition to aiming to reduce changeover time, tablet manufacturers must also prevent cross-contamination of the product. A vacuum conveyor that is easily disassembled for quick cleanup is a cost-efficient way of averting cross-contamination.
• Reduced energy consumption. As energy costs soar, the reduction of energy usage is a strategic step to trim expenses from pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. In addition, reducing energy consumption is good for sustainability efforts. Conveying systems powered by decentralized vacuum technologies are more energy-efficient than their centralized counterparts. While a centralized vacuum system puts more distance between the source of the power and the point of use, a decentralized vacuum system uses multistage ejector technology to apply the vacuum where needed. This way, no additional energy is expended to compensate for the extra distance.
• Optimized automation. Automating the tablet-handling process affords many advantages and conveniences to pharmaceutical manufacturers, including increased productivity and reduced staff injury. However, poorly designed automated conveying systems can cause segregation and tablet breakage. Simple precautions can be taken to avoid incurring the costs of product waste as a result of either event.
• Prevent segregation. Particle separation prior to tablet compression, known as segregation, can threaten the integrity of drug dosages and jeopardize the uniformity of a batch. Segregation can occur during tablet production as a result of gravity and particle characteristics, and due to external factors such as airflow and vibration. When implementing vacuum conveying, segregation risk can be reduced by handling the material at a controlled speed to ensure that the materials stay blended.
• Prevent tablet breakage. Tablets can also break due to exposure to friction and shock during or after the manufacturing process. A broken tablet is susceptible to contamination, rendering it useless. As a result, product waste can accumulate and cause production delays. To prevent breakage, tablet manufacturers can employ an accommodating vacuum conveying system. To start, the conveying system should have an adaptable feed rate to enable the system to be sped up or slowed depending on the size or volume of the tablets being handled. Also, the vacuum conveyor’s tubing and piping specifications along with couplings can be designed to reduce speed and avoid product damage. The tubing and piping should have soft curves to avoid tablet breakage.
In conclusion, vacuum automation technologies can play a key roll in streamlining tablet production. By taking the right precautions in installing a reliable, efficient vacuum conveying system, manufacturers can increase their productivity, reduce energy usage, and improve their work environments. As companies harness vacuum technology to advance tablet production, more efficient conveying systems will translate into cost savings, helping tablet manufacturers stay competitive by enabling them to produce more affordable prescriptions.
Author: Häla El Sheemy
Source: http://www.healthcare-packaging.com/archives/2009/04/improving_tablet_production_an.php
Date: 24/04/2009
Students help Pfizer improve their process 19/09/2009
(Source: http://www.reliableplant.com/Article.aspx?articleid=12078)
Product Rental 15/09/2009
Are you looking to hire pharmaceutical processing equipment?
Our process equipment is available for monthly rental; this can help customers by allowing them to lease the equipment on a ‘when needed’ basis, covering for existing broken-down machines or in periods of peak demand.
Alternatively, clients may wish to rent on a ‘try before you buy’ basis; this will enable a customer to evaluate the product and guarantee they are satisfied with the results. Often a 3-month trial period can help provide peace of mind before committing to the purchase of a permanent solution.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza update 14/08/2009
Source: WebWire
Date: 14-08-2009
London UK - GSK today issued an update on its progress to develop a vaccine against the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus, and announced that it has commenced the clinical development programme for its adjuvanted pandemic vaccine. Enrolment into this first study has been completed.
Dr.Thomas Breuer, Head of Global Clinical R&D and Chief Medical Officer of GSK Biologicals, said “GSK is making good progress with the development of its pandemic vaccine. Enrolment into the first study has been completed and in total, GSK will conduct 16 clinical trials of its pandemic vaccine in over 9000 individuals across Europe, Canada and the US. We continue to work closely with regulators and governments to assess and develop this vaccine.”
The first clinical trial, being conducted in Germany, will assess the use of the vaccine in healthy adults. Initial data is expected to be available for sharing with regulatory authorities in September.
Further trials of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 adjuvanted vaccine covering 
All the final data on the clinical development programme will be submitted to the regulators as soon as they are available and will be posted on GSK’s Clinical Study Register.
About the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccine
The vaccine will comprise antigen of the recently isolated Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza strain and also contain GSK’s proprietary adjuvant system AS03. In clinical studies using the bird flu influenza strain (H5N1), the adjuvanted formulation has been shown to stimulate a higher immune response while using a smaller amount of antigen as compared to a formulation without adjuvant. The vaccine containing the adjuvant system therefore helps to substantially increase the number of vaccine doses that can be provided for mass vaccination.1 In addition, in clinical studies with the bird flu programme, the adjuvanted vaccine demonstrated the potential to provide protection even if the influenza strain drifts (changes slightly).2,3 Both the antigen sparing approach as well as the potential for additional protection against drifting strains are features for an impactful vaccine for use in a pandemic setting.
GSK has received regulatory approvals in the European Union and some Asian countries for its pre-pandemic and pandemic H5N1 vaccines, both of which contain the AS03 adjuvant. Currently, clinical trials in over 39,000 people have demonstrated that the AS03 adjuvant system used with an influenza vaccine has an acceptable safety and reactogenicity profile.
About the clinical trials
The first clinical trial, being conducted in Germany, has started this week and enrolment has been completed. The trial will assess the use of the vaccine given as 2 doses, 21 days apart in 128 healthy adults, aged between 18 and 60. Initial data is expected to be available for submission to regulatory authorities in September. Additional trials planned in the clinical development programme are expected to commence shortly and include 8 trials in healthy adults, 5 trials in children (including infants) and 2 trials in the elderly. Details of the clinical development programme will be posted to www.clinicaltrials.gov.
GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect GSK’ s operations are described under ’Risk Factors’ in the ’Business Review’ in the company’ s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2008
1. Leroux-Roels et al. Antigen sparing and cross-reactive immunity with an adjuvanted rH5N1 prototype pandemic influenza vaccine: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2007; 370 (9587): 580–89.
2. Leroux-Roels I et al, Broad Clade 2 Cross-Reactive Immunity Induced by an Adjuvant systemed Clade 1 rH5N1 Pandemic Influenza Vaccine PLoS ONE 3(2): e 1665. doi:10.1371/jounal.pone.0001665
3. Baras et al. Cross-protection against lethal H5N1 challenge in ferrets with an adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine. PLoS ONE 2008; 3 (1): e1401.
'Pharma companies aren't profiteering' 13/08/2009
Drug costs are regularly criticised as being too high - and the pharmaceutical industry attacked for not making them cheaper. But David Fisher, commercial director for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, says companies are unfairly attacked.
No one can fail to be moved by the experiences of cancer patients who are literally dying for the latest medicines.
BBC reports pandemic flu service to go live 23/07/2009
Source: BBC News
Date: 23/07/2009
The National Flu Service is expected to go live later, giving thousands of swine flu sufferers access to drugs without needing to consult a GP.
The phone and website service, which will only cover England, is the first of its kind in the world.
It has been designed to relieve pressure on the NHS and will use a checklist to diagnose cases.
Pregnant women, people with health conditions and the under-ones will still all be referred to GPs.
The Department of Health has accepted that the service could be abused by people giving the answers they believe will give them access to anti-flu drugs.
But Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson has said it is a price worth paying to help the NHS cope with its "biggest challenge in a generation".
He told the BBC this week that the flu service might just be the first step in how the health service responds to a pandemic which has already claimed more than 700 lives across the world.
The death toll in the UK stands at 31, but that is likely to climb when the Department of Health in England releases its weekly update on Thursday.
Under contingency plans, non-emergency operations can be cancelled, while doctors can be moved around the health service to help flu hotspots cope.
The flu service does have some security checks in place. Those who are diagnosed with swine flu are given a voucher number for a flu friend to collect their drugs from a collection point.
Each person has their own unique number so the service will know if an individual is trying to get more than one dose of an anti-viral drug.
The flu friend will also have to present ID for the patient when they collect the drug.
It will be staffed by 1,500 call handlers to start with, although there is already capacity for 2,000 people in the network of call centres.
Demand
The free-phone number will only be operational during the day, but officials stressed that it will expand to meet the requirements of the pandemic.
Details of the website address and helpline number have yet to be released.
The launch of the service was announced last week after GPs and NHS Direct reported a dramatic rise in calls and consultations.
Every region of England is now seeing "exceptional" levels of activity with the exception of Yorkshire and the Humber.
And a poll of 1,500 NHS staff by the Health Service Journal and Nursing Times showed 14% did not think their organisation was coping successfully with the pressure.
The flu service is not covering the rest of the UK as Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have all experienced much less demand. They will be able to plug into it if and when they need to.
Dr Richard Vautrey, of the British Medical Association, which has helped to design the checklist being used by the flu service, said: "What we have to remember is that this is a unique situation.
"Some GP practices are receiving hundreds of calls a day and we have to prioritise so we can see the most seriously ill.
"It has been designed by doctors to pick up problems that need to be seen by someone with a medical background.
"So as long as the call handlers get the correct training we can be confident in this service."
You can now find Hanningfield Process Systems on Facebook! 14/07/2009
You can now find Hanningfield Process Systems on Facebook!
Click here to become a fan and you will be able to get first hand, up to date information regarding all of Hanningfield's lastest products and events! Our profile also showcases pictures of all of our products and provides relevant information regarding our products and services.
In addition to this, you will be able to follow our status updates, allowing you to follow the goings on here at Hanningfield.
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