For all the money and effort that goes into developing drugs, they can be rendered ineffective if they are not taken properly.
Rates of non-adherence, which may involve skipping doses or taking them at the wrong time, can be around 50 per cent among patients prescribed medication for chronic illnesses.
It is a key reason why drugs underperform in the real world compared to when they are tested in carefully controlled trials, where adherence tends to be higher.
Aside from the wasted spending on medication, the effects of non-adherence are significant. A study published in May in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery reported that it results in the deaths of about 125,000 patients in the US alone each year.
“Poor adherence is also estimated to cause 10 per cent of all hospitalisations and underlies $100–300 billion of avoidable healthcare costs annually,” the study said.
This is why recent trial results indicating that a drug called Zilebesiran, effective at treating blood pressure, have sparked interest.
Zilebesiran only has to be administered once every six months as an injection, in contrast to most blood pressure medications, which should be taken daily as tablets.
“There’s a lot of evidence that if we have a drug-delivery regime which works and is given once and lasts for three months, six months or whatever, it’s much, much better because, one, there’s regularity in that dose and two, the dose is maintained at the correct level,” said Dr Bharat Pankhania, a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School in the UK.
“So long-term medications are a great advance in the scientific technology whereby it’s a case of take and forget.”
Drug holidays
Failing to take tablets properly can be a particular problem for conditions, such as high blood pressure, where patients typically do not have symptoms.
“If you are a chronic patient, the tendency is as you become asymptomatic if the treatment works, you think, ‘I’m feeling well, why should I take the drug?’ This is a very known effect with, for example, hypertension,” said Professor Oscar Della Pasqua, professor of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics at University College London.
“Hypertensive patients don’t have symptoms and you think ‘I will stop taking the drug,’ or you stop taking the drug as you should, or you have dose gaps – you don’t have your new prescription, you don’t go to the pharmacy – we call drug holidays.
“Altogether, this variable adherence pattern can lead to potential complications, recurrence of a condition and so on.”
Super food to lower blood pressure - in pictures
“With hypertension, the complications can include an increased risk of stroke, a potentially disastrous outcome for the patient and something that results in increased costs for the healthcare provider,” Prof Della Pasqua said.
Patients stop taking medicine
There are varied reasons why patients do not take their drugs as they are meant to.
A 2011 review paper in Mayo Clinic Proceedings noted that some causes relate to the patient, such as a lack of understanding about the medication or a lack of involvement in decision-making about treatment.
Unpleasant side effects may also cause patients to stop taking their medication.
Other reasons are linked to doctors, who may prescribe a complex treatment regimen or not explain adverse effects properly. Dealing with multiple doctors may also lower adherence.
“Believing that medication non-adherence is the 'fault' of the patient is an uninformed and destructive model that is best abandoned,” the study authors wrote.
Certain patients have conditions that may make them less likely to take their medication. Among those likely to not follow a course are those with Alzheimer’s disease, where rates of non-compliance have been estimated to be between 17 per cent and 100 per cent. Those with psychosis are also less likely to follow a course of medication.
“A lot of people with psychosis have erratic lifestyles or erratic behaviours. It’s not that they’re bad people, it’s the way their illness is,” Dr Pankhania said.
Longer-lasting
The answer, in some cases, is a medication given as a depot injection, which involves administering a liquid that releases the drug slowly. With antipsychotic medications, the patient may receive an injection once every several weeks or even less often.
Depot injections may be given for a wide variety of other purposes, such as birth control, in which case they may last around three months, and to combat prostate cancer, which lasts as long as six months.
As well as improving adherence, drugs administered less often by injection or IV infusion offer an opportunity for a healthcare professional to see the patient.
“That’s where you combine intervention with a follow-up of the patient’s condition,” Prof Della Pasqua said.
“That aligns the visit with the GP or the nurse, so you have a very regular interaction with your healthcare professional.”
Just as providing longer-lasting medication reduces the number of times people have to take a drug, combining vaccines can also cut the number of injections required.
This is often done with vaccines for children, such as the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. In some instances, a single injection may offer protection against as many as six diseases.
However, there may be downsides associated with medications that are given less frequently.
If an injection lasts for months, it becomes harder to adjust the dosage. With a hypertension drug, there could be the risk that patients experience episodes of low blood pressure.
Better adherence is often seen as a benefit of medications that need to be taken only infrequently, but Dr Andrew Freedman, a reader in infectious diseases at Cardiff University in the UK, highlighted a pitfall.
“If someone is not very good at taking their drugs if you miss a once-every-six-month dose, you are not getting it at all,” Dr Freedman said.
“If you miss the odd daily dose of a blood pressure medication, it’s going to be less problematic.”
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
Teams: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar
Friday fixtures: 9.30am (UAE time) - Kuwait v Maldives, Qatar v UAE; 3pm - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
Rajasthan Royals 153-5 (17.5 ov)
Delhi Daredevils 60-4 (6 ov)
Rajasthan won by 10 runs (D/L method)
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)
Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
Man City: Agüero (25', 35', 75'), Jesus (31'), Silva (48'), Kongolo (84' og)
Huddersfield: Stankovic (43')
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Biography
Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine
Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Favourite drink: Water
Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work
Favourite music: Classical music
Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Scores:
Day 4
England 290 & 346
Sri Lanka 336 & 226-7 (target 301)
Sri Lanka require another 75 runs with three wickets remaining
Mental%20health%20support%20in%20the%20UAE
%3Cp%3E%E2%97%8F%20Estijaba%20helpline%3A%208001717%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Ministry%20of%20Health%20and%20Prevention%20hotline%3A%20045192519%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Mental%20health%20support%20line%3A%20800%204673%20(Hope)%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20at%20hope.hw.gov.ae%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sri Lanka v England
First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
More from our neighbourhood series:
The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4
Price, base: Dh145,000
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
Scotland v Ireland:
Scotland (15-1): Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Sean Maitland; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); Josh Strauss, James Ritchie, Ryan Wilson; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Simon Berghan, Stuart McInally, Allan Dell
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, D'arcy Rae, Ben Toolis, Rob Harley, Ali Price, Pete Horne, Blair Kinghorn
Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)
Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour
Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20profile%20
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Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
The%20specs
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Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
WORLD CUP SQUAD
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
The past Palme d'Or winners
2018 Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-eda
2017 The Square, Ruben Ostlund
2016 I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach
2015 Dheepan, Jacques Audiard
2014 Winter Sleep (Kış Uykusu), Nuri Bilge Ceylan
2013 Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adèle: Chapitres 1 et 2), Abdellatif Kechiche, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux
2012 Amour, Michael Haneke
2011 The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick
2010 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat), Apichatpong Weerasethakul
2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke
2008 The Class (Entre les murs), Laurent Cantet
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
A Dog's Journey
Directed by: Gail Mancuso
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott
3 out of 5 stars
If%20you%20go
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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