Latest news with #antibiotics
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- Health
- UAE Moments
What To Do With Unused Medicines in the UAE
What To Do With Unused or Expired Medicines in the UAE It's a familiar scene in many UAE households—half-used bottles of cough syrup, unopened boxes of antibiotics, and blister packs of expired painkillers gathering dust in a drawer. We often forget they exist until it's time to move, spring clean, or restock. But what should you actually do with unneeded or expired medicines? Can you donate them? Is it legal? Where do they go if you throw them out? Let's break it down. First Things First: Why You Shouldn't Just Toss Them Tossing medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet might seem like the easiest option, but it's one of the worst. Medicines contain active ingredients that can harm the environment if not disposed of properly. Flushed pills can end up in water systems, while landfilled drugs can contaminate soil. Worse, improperly discarded medications might be retrieved and misused. Yes, it happens. So, what's the right thing to do? 1. Many people believe that expired medicine is just 'less effective.' That's not always true. After expiration, some medicines can break down into harmful compounds. Especially antibiotics, insulin, eye drops, and liquid formulations—they're sensitive to time and temperature. 2. In the UAE, donating medicines isn't just about kindness—it has to be done the right way. Here's a quick breakdown: 3. Is It Legal to Donate Medicines in the UAE? The UAE takes pharmaceutical safety seriously. It's illegal to sell or donate medicines privately without the approval of the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP) or a licensed charity. But don't worry—there are official channels you can go through: Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and MOHAP occasionally run medication return and donation drives. Registered charities such as Emirates Red Crescent may accept unopened, unexpired medications for distribution under medical supervision. Hospitals and clinics do not accept direct public donations—but may guide you to the right outlet. Important: Never give medicine directly to another person, especially prescription drugs. It's not just unsafe—it's illegal. 4. Where to Take Unwanted Medicines in the UAE Here's what you can do depending on your situation: 🧴 Expired or Opened Medicine: Return to your nearest pharmacy. Many large chains such as Aster, Life, and Medicina offer medicine take-back programs. Alternatively, take them to a municipal hazardous waste center in your emirate. 📦 Unexpired & Unopened Medicine: Contact MOHAP-approved charitable organizations, especially during donation drives. Check with local mosques or community centers, as they may be affiliated with licensed medical charity programs. Watch out for 'Medicine Donation Boxes' in some malls and hospitals during Ramadan or health awareness campaigns. 5. Pro Tips Before You Donate or Dispose Keep medicine in original packaging —do not transfer it into plastic bags or boxes. Don't mix different medicines together—it confuses pharmacists and creates disposal risks. Keep a record of the expiry date and batch number, in case the donation requires it. The Bottom Line: One Person's Leftover, Another's Lifeline In a country as health-conscious and generous as the UAE, managing medical waste properly is not only about cleanliness—it's about compassion and compliance. Every box of unused medicine is either a potential hazard or a potential gift—depending on how we handle it. So next time you open that forgotten drawer and find a stash of unused tablets, pause before you toss. You just might be holding someone's lifeline—or at the very least, doing your part to protect the environment and uphold the law.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Acurx Pharmaceuticals to Discuss Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results on August 12, 2025 Conference Call and Provide Business Update
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACXP) ("Acurx" or the "Company"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, announced today that the Company will discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 8:00 am ET before the U.S. financial markets open. David P. Luci, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Robert G. Shawah, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss the results and provide a business update as follows: Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Time: 8:00 a.m. ET Toll free (U.S.): 1-877-790-1503; Conference ID: 13755161 International: Click here for participant international Toll-Free access numbers About Ibezapolstat Ibezapolstat is the Company's lead antibiotic candidate preparing for international Phase 3 clinical trials to treat patients with C. difficile Infection (CDI). Ibezapolstat is a novel, orally administered antibiotic being developed as a Gram-Positive Selective Spectrum (GPSS®™) antibacterial. It is the first of a new class of DNA polymerase IIIC inhibitors under development by Acurx to treat bacterial infections. Ibezapolstat's unique spectrum of activity, which includes C. difficile but spares other Firmicutes and the important Actinobacteria phyla, appears to contribute to the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome. Acurx previously announced that it had received positive regulatory guidance from the EMA during its Scientific Advice Procedure which confirmed that the clinical, non-clinical and CMC (Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls) information package submitted to EMA supports advancement of the ibezapolstat Phase 3 program and if the Phase 3 program is successful, supports the submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for regulatory approval in Europe. The information package submitted to EMA by the Company to which agreement has been reached with EMA included details on Acurx's two planned international Phase 3 clinical trials, 1:1 randomized (designed as non-inferiority vs vancomycin), primary and secondary endpoints, sample size, statistical analysis plan and the overall registration safety database. With mutually consistent feedback from both EMA and FDA, Acurx is well positioned to commence our international Phase 3 registration program In June 2018, ibezapolstat was designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) for the treatment of patients with CDI and will be eligible to benefit from the incentives for the development of new antibiotics established under the Generating New Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act. In January 2019, FDA granted "Fast Track" designation to ibezapolstat for the treatment of patients with CDI. The CDC has designated C. difficile as an urgent threat highlighting the need for new antibiotics to treat CDI. About Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Acurx Pharmaceuticals is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of small molecule antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. The Company's approach is to develop antibiotic candidates with a Gram-positive selective spectrum (GPSS®) that blocks the active site of the Gram+ specific bacterial enzyme DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC), inhibiting DNA replication and leading to Gram-positive bacterial cell death. Its R&D pipeline includes antibiotic product candidates that target Gram-positive bacteria, including Clostridioides difficile, methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE), drug- resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) and B. anthracis (anthrax; a Bioterrorism Category A Threat-Level pathogen). Acurx's lead product candidate, ibezapolstat, for the treatment of C. difficile Infection is Phase 3 ready with plans in progress to begin international clinical trials next year subject to obtaining appropriate financing. The Company's preclinical pipeline includes development of an oral product candidate for treatment of ABSSSI (Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections), upon which a development program for treatment of inhaled anthrax is being planned in parallel. To learn more about Acurx Pharmaceuticals and its product pipeline, please visit Forward-Looking Statements Any statements in this press release about our future expectations, plans and prospects, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives, and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: whether ibezapolstat will benefit from the QIDP designation; whether ibezapolstat will advance through the clinical trial process on a timely basis; whether the results of the clinical trials of ibezapolstat will warrant the submission of applications for marketing approval, and if so, whether ibezapolstat will receive approval from the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies where approval is sought; whether, if ibezapolstat obtains approval, it will be successfully distributed and marketed; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward- looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Acurx disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except as may be required by law. Investor Contact:Acurx Pharmaceuticals, P. Luci, President & CEOTel: 917-533-1469Email: davidluci@ View original content: SOURCE Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Urgent care clinics are inappropriately prescribing pills, research shows
Urgent care clinics in the US are reportedly overprescribing antibiotics, glucocorticoids, and opioids for conditions they are not meant to treat, potentially causing harm. A study analyzing over 22 million urgent care visits between 2018 and 2022 found millions of prescriptions for these drugs, with a substantial number deemed inappropriate for the patients' diagnoses. Specific instances of inappropriate prescribing included 46 percent of patients with urinary symptoms receiving unnecessary antibiotics and 41 percent of bronchitis patients getting inappropriate glucocorticoids. Researchers suggest that factors contributing to this issue include clinicians' knowledge gaps, patient demand, and a lack of comprehensive information systems to support prescribing decisions. Proposed solutions to mitigate inappropriate prescribing involve implementing drug stewardship programs, utilizing electronic health records more effectively, and providing further medication education for healthcare providers.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Urgent care clinics are pushing pain pills that do little to treat conditions, new study finds
Urgent care clinics are reportedly pushing pills that do little to treat patients' medical conditions. Researchers said Tuesday that a substantial number of antibiotic, glucocorticoid, and opioid prescriptions were filled despite being deemed inappropriate given the patients' diagnoses — potentially resulting in harm. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat infections, glucocorticoids are steroids that can treat arthritis and asthma, and opioids are prescribed to treat pain. America's opioid epidemic, which has led to thousands of deaths, has been tied to an increase in painkiller prescriptions. "Previous studies had shown that patients continue to receive antibiotics for diagnoses where they may not be indicated, such as for a viral respiratory infection, especially in urgent care settings,' Dr. Shirley Cohen-Mekelburg, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, said in a statement. 'Our findings reveal that this trend of inappropriate prescribing includes other classes of drugs — including glucocorticoids — and a variety of conditions.' The reason for these findings, they suggest, is tied to the knowledge of clinic doctors, demand from patients, and a lack of an information system to support the clinicians' decisions. "I think that opioids are generally overprescribed when the medical staff under appreciates the risks," Dr. Andrew Kolodny, medical director of the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University, told MedPage Today. "If the clinicians understood that their prescriptions were more likely to harm patients than help them, I think they'd prescribe more cautiously." Kolodny, who was not involved in the study, said that while opioid prescribing in general has been improving, data shows that 'we've got a long way to go when it comes to urgent care settings.' There are currently more than 14,000 urgent care centers located across the U.S.. They exist to bridge the gap between primary and emergency care, the Urgent Care Association notes. Many of these clinics have their own pharmacies and accept most insurance plans, according to the The American Journal of Managed Care. Using data from more than 22 million urgent care visits between 2018 to 2022, the researchers found that the visits resulted in nearly 2.8 million antibiotic prescriptions, more than 2 million prescriptions of glucocorticoids, and 299,210 opioid prescriptions. Of those, the fractions of the cases were categorized as 'never appropriate' or 'generally inappropriate,' with drugs handed out for health conditions the drugs were not meant to treat. Some 46 percent of patients with urinary symptoms received inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics and 41 percent of patients with bronchitis received inappropriate prescriptions of glucocorticoids. The cases were also related to middle-ear infections, sinus infections, non-back musculoskeletal pain, abdominal pain, digestive symptoms, and sprains and strains. It was not immediately clear what the effects of these prescriptions were, or if they had resulted in any harm. The researchers suggest that drug stewardship programs to optimize use of the drugs, using electronic health records, and further medication education could have an effect. 'Reducing inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics, glucocorticoids and opioids will require a multifaceted approach,' Cohen-Mekelburg said. 'Providers at urgent centers would benefit from greater support and feedback in making these decisions.'
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Woman, 101, details gruesome way doctors treated ear infections when she was young
A 101-year-old woman has shared the shocking ways that doctors treated ear infections when she was young - long before the introduction of antibiotics. These days, if someone gets sick they head to the doctor, get a prescription for some medicine, and usually feel better within a few days. But back in the 1920s, treatment for common ailments was very different. Anita Astor, who was born in 1924, from the UK, recently opened up about the horrific ordeal that she was put through after she developed an ear infection as a toddler. She explained in a recent TikTok video shared by her grandson, James Marsh, 42, that she had to get a procedure known as a mastoid operation that involved doctors drilling a hole into her skull to stop it from spreading to her brain. She explained in the now-viral clip, which was viewed over three million times, that she underwent the surgery, which is done to remove infected tissues from the mastoid bone located behind your ear, once at age two and again at age five. 'In those days, the infection would go into your brain and you'd be finished in a few weeks,' she said in the TikTok. 'So if they wanted to save your life, they had to make a hole - I've got a hole literally in my head.' While speaking exclusively with the Daily Mail about it, James explained that his grandmother told him that to make matters worse, the anesthetic used during surgery wasn't as strong then as it is now. 'The anesthetic was terrible, it wasn't like you went to sleep and you woke up after you had been operated on,' he shared. 'My grandma said there were lots of whizzing and banging sounds - you were part conscious during operations. 'It was a terrible thing and highly traumatic for her. But this was the norm back then.' While she was recovering in the hospital James told the Daily Mail that his grandmother said she was treated 'like dirt' because her family was poor. She recalled her parents being 'interrogated' about 'how much they earned and if they owned a house or a car' to determine how much they've have to pay. 'The pressures on poor people at the time was really intense. Her mother and father were refugees from Russia,' he continued. 'It wasn't just seeing their child sick, it was also the financial stress. If you didn't have money you couldn't get access to medical services. 'She said they treated like dirt, she wasn't treated like a human being at all, but more like a thing.' Anita told him that during her recovery, the nurses would come in every morning and change the dressing on her surgery site, and she said it was extremely painful. 'The nurses would just rip off the bandage, most didn't care and weren't very kind,' he dished to the Daily Mail. 'They'd give her their fist to bite on [to stop her from screaming] because I imagine there were no painkillers either.' Despite getting two surgeries, Anita said she spent years struggling with the effects from the ear infection. But finally, in her 20s, antibiotics became readily available, which she described as a 'miracle.' 'Antibiotics were reserved for soldiers at first, they weren't given out to the general public until the war finished,' James explained. 'Her ear was still giving her trouble in her 20s - she was two and a half when it started and in her 20s she was still having problems from her infected ear.' But when her doctor finally gave her antibiotics it 'cleared up' within days, and she 'never had any problem again.' In more TikToks, Anita spoke in detail about other things that differed during her child compared to life now. She explained that there weren't any diapers back then so they had to use cloth diapers on babies, which had to then be washed by hand every day. She said laundry machines were extremely different, and involved placing the dirty clothes into a hot boiler. The boilers left 'soot' over everything in the house, which meant they were forced to clean relentlessly. 'You had to work for everything,' she reflected. She joked that she 'couldn't get over it' when they released the first dishwasher, branding it as a true 'treasure' and 'one of the most wonderful things' on Earth. 'But I'm always worried something's going to get cracked in there,' she joked.
