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ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
MDR bacteria in China
A gene that makes bacteria resistant to colistin, an antibiotic of last resort, and that is transferrable between bacteria, has been found in a wide variety of strains of Escherichia coli in China following widespread use of colistin in agriculture. As China prepares to introduce the drug in human medicine, two new studies published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases provide evidence of how widely the mcr-1 gene has spread to bacteria in clinical settings, including to a minority already resistant to the carbapenem class of antibiotics, and highlight the need for caution and careful prescribing when the country introduces colistin. Infections that are resistant to carbapenems are already common in many countries, and in these cases, only a small number of antibiotics are effective, including colistin.
DRUG DANGERS
UK action week
The United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched a ‘Week of Action’ up to February 5 aimed at improving awareness of unlicenced medicines containing the potentially dangerous ingredient DMAA. The week of action aims to improve public awareness and encourages consumers of sports supplements to check to see if their products contain DMAA or any alternative names of the potentially dangerous ingredient. It includes an animated social media campaign, health and fitness bloggers sharing their stories and a video with Dr Chris Jones and weightlifters.
SMOKING IT OUT
Canada breaks it off
Tobacco use and smoking rates in Canada are some of the lowest they have ever been; however, studies show that youth continue to smoke. To help more Canadians, especially young adults, give up smoking, Health Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society has launched the fourth tour of the Break It Off tobacco cessation campaign, the regulatory agency said. The campaign encourages young adult smokers to “break off” their bad relationship with smoking and stay smoke-free. The Break It Off website has tools and resources that will help young adults work through the various stages of breaking up with smoking. This year’s campaign builds on successes from the last three years, and aims to get young adults involved through a series of interactive activities and events at Canadian university and college campuses.
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