Levitra orodispersible approved for Scotlands NHS

A convenient new drug to help men overcome erectile dysfunction has been approved by Scotland’s medical watchdog.

An estimated 2.3 million men are believed to suffer from erectile dysfunction in the UK, however market research suggests that only one in 10 receive treatment for the condition.

Levitra orodispersible, which is said to be the first and only orodispersible tablet for impotence, dissolves on the tongue without the need for a glass of water.

The research showed that 40% of sufferers regard existing therapies as “inconvenient”.

The “melt-in-the-mouth” drug was approved by the European Commission in September 2010 and launched in the UK in March this year. It was approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) last week and will now be made available for use through NHS Scotland.

It is said to be more convenient than existing pills as it can be taken anywhere and the slim credit-card pack is more discreet than a usual pill-packet.

Manufacturers Bayer, who hope the drug will revolutionise treatment for men too embarrassed to seek help, say the formulation “de-medicalises” and helps to remove the stigma attached to impotence.

Each 10mg pack of Levitra orodispersible have anti-counterfeiting safety measures to prevent illegal internet websites selling fake versions.

Ian Russell, specialist practitioner in Andrology and Urology at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, said: “This is really good news for Scottish men. We have been waiting for Levitra orodispersible to be licensed for a while and are relieved that it has finally been approved.

“We feel that it will be particularly advantageous for the younger patients with diabetes and other medical conditions causing erectile dysfunction who will appreciate its advantages the most.”

Tennis star Serena Williams spotted with bald patch on dinner date

The tennis ace is widely known for her extravagant fashion preferences, famously donning a black lycra cat suit during the 2002 US Open, and often alters her hair through the use of hair extensions. Unfortunately for Serena, it appears this regular use of extensions has damaged her natural hair and it seems she may be suffering from “traction alopecia”. This type of hair loss is caused primarily by force being applied to the hair, either through hair extensions, braiding, weaving, or even as the result of frequently having your hair in ponytails or pigtails. If caught and treated early, this type of hair loss is reversible. Other celebrities who are rumoured to have suffered hair loss as a result of hair extensions include Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Naomi Campbell.

The former world number 1 women’s tennis star Serena Williams has sparked speculation that she may be going bald. The 30 year old and current world number 14, was on a late night dinner date in Hollywood with her socialite friend Brittny Gastineau.  She was making her way to her car when she went to move her curly locks away from her face, however in doing so exposed a large bald patch.
When asked, leading Trichologist (hair specialist) David Bailey said, “The hair loss seen on Serena Williams appears to the fronto-vertex region and is indicative of damage caused by traction from hair extensions. It may be that she is also or either suffering from Female Pattern Alopecia, which is due to a hormone imbalance. She should also get her Serum Ferritin levels checked also, as low levels of this can also cause hair loss in women.
For women who are experiencing problems with hair loss, at Medical Specialists we can help you. We offer a numerous array of options best suited to your needs.  Available without a prescription, from our Chemist Shop, you can now purchase Regaine for Women. This is specially formulated containing a 20mg/ml of the active ingredient Minoxidil – a clinically proven treatment and is applied direct to the scalp to treat women’s thinning hair.
In addition, with a prescription or via a consultation with one of our Doctors, you can buy Dianette now at even lower prices. Studies have shown that Dianette used for 6-9 months clearly decreases hair loss and hair thinning. Dianette has an ability to block androgen activity at the pilosebaceous unit. Because of this ability, Dianette can successfully be used to treat Androgenetic Alopecia or scalp hair loss in women caused by androgen activity. Dianette has been shown to stop further female pattern hair loss and increase hair thickness within about a year of regular use.

CDC survey shows more teenagers use condoms

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have recently published a survey which indicates that a higher number of sexually active teenagers are now using condoms, either on it’s own or in conjunction with their partner’s hormonal contraceptive.

After a slight increase in the teen birth rate between 2005-2007, the numbers are once again on the down. Researcher Gladys Martinez, PhD, of the CDC’s division of vital statistics, commented “The slight increase from 2005 to 2007 generated concern that progress over the past two decades in reducing teen pregnancies could have stalled. However, date for 2008 and 2009 show that the teen birth rate again declined from the rate in 2007”. The US based study proved that improvements have been made over the last 20 years. In 1991 (its peak), the teen birth rate for girls aged 15-19 was 61.8 births per every 1000. However by 2009 this had dropped to 39.1 births per every 1000.

The statistics from the survey conducted by the CDC, were acquired via face-to-face interviews with 4,662 teenagers between 2006 and 2010. The most popular and widely used contraceptive amongst teens still remains the condom. 80% of teenage boys claimed to have used a condom when they first had sex and 16% said they had used a condom together with their partner’s hormonal method. From 2002, this represents an increase of 9% and 6% respectively.

For girls, contraceptive methods such as injectables, emergency contraception, and the crontraceptive patch and ring were also now being used more often.  The number of teenage girls who said they had tried these non-pill hormonal contraceptives stood at just 2% in 2002, however had risen to 6% in 2006 – 2010.

At Medical Specialists we have vastly expanded our product range and now offer our customers a variety of different condoms that suit you and your partner’s needs. Head to our Chemist Shop today and discover low prices on the popular Durex brand of condoms such as Performax Intense, Fetherlite Ultra, Reel Feel, and more. In addition we offer the Skins brand of commons which are thinner than most condoms and offer a little more lubrication. Just some of the options here include the Assorted pack, Ultra-Thin, Dots and Ribs, etc. Browse the condoms section in our Chemist Shop to discover many more choices!

Two men from Brighton arrested after fake Viagra stash found

Two men have been arrested after 90,000 illegal counterfeit Viagra tablets were discovered in a flat.

They were detained after police and health officials from the MHRA raided the home and a lock-up in central Brighton as part of an international crack down on illegal and fake dangerous drugs.

Investigators revealed they had discovered the fake tablets along with 4,800 Valium pills in the raids. Two men, both middle-aged and from Brighton, were arrested on suspicion of selling the fake erectile dysfunction tablets via an unlicensed website.

The fake Viagra tablets which were found were called Kamagra which are an Indian counterfeit of the original licensed Pfizer brand, which sale of them in the UK is illegal.

The Interpol-led operation saw officers from the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), supported by Sussex Police, raided the Brighton locations after receiving intelligence.

A spokeswoman from the MHRA said the two men who had been arrested were not related.

MHRA cracks down on counterfeit and unlicensed drugs

The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) has seized fake and counterfeit medicine worth millions of pounds, as part of their crackdown on multi-million pound trade in fake and unlicensed medicines amid fears that the counterfeit and unlicensed drugs are causing potential health risks.
Investigators have been monitoring websites advertising Kamagra, an Indian version of Viagra, not licensed for sale in Britain.  Senior enforcement investigator Danny Lee-Frost says: “No-one involved in those websites is medically qualified. None of the products are licensed or tested. “

MHRA ceizes fake drugs

The operation is the largest internet-targeting enforcement action of its kind, with 80 countries participating in this year’s event, the MHRA said. Across the world, 55 people were arrested or placed under investigation. In conjunction with UKBA, the MHRA seized illegal medicine worth about £2 million, including 52,000 doses of counterfeit pills.

About 1.2 million suspect doses were discovered in or en route to the UK during a seven-day crackdown on rogue websites selling treatments for an array of conditions including erectile dysfunction, weight loss, hair loss, epilepsy and cancer. More than £5 million-worth of these unlicensed pharmaceuticals was found all over the world in the largest operation of its kind.

Nearly 13,000 websites selling fake drugs have been taken down by investigators from the MHRA. The Interpol-led operation, which concluded on Tuesday, came after two English schoolgirls were admitted to hospital with heart problems caused by weight loss pills bought online.

There has been a rise in the number of people purchasing drugs from these sites, as cash-strapped Britons try to save money. A growing number of people are diagnosing their own medical problems and buying medication online, which has led to a surge in trade in fake and illegitimate drugs that are being supplied without a prescription.

Bogus treatments for epilepsy, asthma, acne, narcolepsy, breast cancer, erectile dysfunction, weight loss, pain relief and human growth hormone drugs were found in raids at a number of locations including Brighton, Wembley, in north west London, and Ebbw Vale, near Cardiff.

Many of the drugs are made in China, Russia or India with the fake pharmacy websites being run by Chinese or Russian criminal organisations but the MHRA has discovered a pharmaceutical drugs factory in London.
The MHRA points to a recent survey of GPs suggesting a quarter had treated patients made ill by drugs bought online.

Its advice is not to buy anything off the internet without a prescription. Legal internet pharmacies should always ask for one, or have an online consultation service with a qualified GMC doctor.
Always make sure the pharmacy shows its registered logo and registered pharmacy number with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).