Nwicker60
28-Mar-12, 09:25
Patient volunteer study into widely used medicines recruits 6,000 patient volunteer
A SCOTLAND led large-scale safety study into some of the most widely-used medicines has reached a significant milestone by recruiting its 6,000th patient volunteer.
The SCOT study is comparing the safety of commonly prescribed, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen (BrufenŽ) and diclofenac (VoltarolŽ). The study has now managed to recruit 6,000 patients and 685 GP practices, across Scotland, England, Denmark and The Netherlands.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the SCOT project showed the country’s capability to host and co-ordinate large-scale, multi-national, medical studies.
She continued: “The success of the SCOT study highlights Scotland's ability to generate and host major clinical trials, which will deliver considerable benefits to patients of major diseases,” said Ms Sturgeon.
It is hoped the findings of the study could benefit millions of arthritis sufferers around the world.
“This is a major achievement and marks a milestone in the success of the project,” said Professor Tom MacDonald, chief investigator on the study and Director of the Medicines Monitoring Unit at the University of Dundee.
NSAIDS are the group of drugs most commonly prescribed to relieve the joint pains associated with arthritis. Often they do that job well, which is why they are so popular, with millions of prescriptions written across the UK every year for NSAIDs, not counting all those sold 'over-the-counter' in pharmacies and shops. However, like all drugs, NSAIDs can have side effects. These include irritation of the digestive system and effects on blood pressure and the heart.
A more recent group of NSAIDs called `Cox-2 inhibitors’ was developed, which have been shown to be less harsh on the digestive system than the most popular existing NSAIDs, leading to fewer stomach ulcers and bleeding.
The question to be answered by the SCOT study is whether the effects that one of these new drugs - Celecoxib (Celebrex) - has on the cardiovascular system are similar or dissimilar to those caused by the older drugs. The study formally tests the hypothesis that Celecoxib is no different from the older NSAIDs.
Local principal investigator, Dr John Harvie, a Consultant Rheumatologist at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, is running the SCOT study across the Highland Council area. He is keen to continue recruitment to the SCOT study locally, having already recruited over 60 patients and 10 GP practices.
Dr Harvie said: “I am pleased with the number of patients we have managed to recruit across Highland for the study, but we are still looking to recruit more, as well as add to our list of GP practices.
“The results will help GPs make decisions about which drugs to prescribe for patients. It's about allowing doctors and those with arthritis to make the best choice for them. The results of this study will allow a greater understanding and enable those involved to make an informed choice.”
The current patent for Celecoxib expires in 2014, allowing the drug to be produced generically and sold at a significantly lower price, slashing the price the NHS has to pay. This is about the time that the SCOT study is due to publish its results.
Professor MacDonald said: “This information will be of great value to everyone who needs to take these drugs on a regular basis, which is millions of people around the world. The findings will allow doctors and people with arthritis to make the best choice, not just for their joint pains but also for their general health.
“The fact that we can run a study of this size and complexity from Scotland reflects the world class scientists and research facilities that Scotland, England, Denmark and The Netherlands have to offer, and the collaborative effort of all involved is something that we should all be immensely proud of.”
The University of Dundee, which leads the study, is looking to secure continued funding to finish it and publish the findings, allowing doctors and people with arthritis to make the best choice, not just for their joint pains but also for their general health.
The SCOT study is supported by nine other universities across Scotland, England, Denmark and The Netherlands, having recently expanded to include The University of Oxford, and Kings College London, making it one of the biggest ever studies run by a Scottish university.
Professor MacDonald and the SCOT study steering committee, which is made up of leading international experts, hope further funding may be granted to the project to extend recruitment into 2014, allowing the generation of significant extra data.
Patients and GP practices are still welcome to join the SCOT study. Anyone interested in taking part can telephone 01463 255820, check the website for details (www.scottrial.co.uk (http://www.scottrial.co.uk) or info@scottrial.co.uk) or speak to their GP directly to ask if they can take part.
A SCOTLAND led large-scale safety study into some of the most widely-used medicines has reached a significant milestone by recruiting its 6,000th patient volunteer.
The SCOT study is comparing the safety of commonly prescribed, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen (BrufenŽ) and diclofenac (VoltarolŽ). The study has now managed to recruit 6,000 patients and 685 GP practices, across Scotland, England, Denmark and The Netherlands.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the SCOT project showed the country’s capability to host and co-ordinate large-scale, multi-national, medical studies.
She continued: “The success of the SCOT study highlights Scotland's ability to generate and host major clinical trials, which will deliver considerable benefits to patients of major diseases,” said Ms Sturgeon.
It is hoped the findings of the study could benefit millions of arthritis sufferers around the world.
“This is a major achievement and marks a milestone in the success of the project,” said Professor Tom MacDonald, chief investigator on the study and Director of the Medicines Monitoring Unit at the University of Dundee.
NSAIDS are the group of drugs most commonly prescribed to relieve the joint pains associated with arthritis. Often they do that job well, which is why they are so popular, with millions of prescriptions written across the UK every year for NSAIDs, not counting all those sold 'over-the-counter' in pharmacies and shops. However, like all drugs, NSAIDs can have side effects. These include irritation of the digestive system and effects on blood pressure and the heart.
A more recent group of NSAIDs called `Cox-2 inhibitors’ was developed, which have been shown to be less harsh on the digestive system than the most popular existing NSAIDs, leading to fewer stomach ulcers and bleeding.
The question to be answered by the SCOT study is whether the effects that one of these new drugs - Celecoxib (Celebrex) - has on the cardiovascular system are similar or dissimilar to those caused by the older drugs. The study formally tests the hypothesis that Celecoxib is no different from the older NSAIDs.
Local principal investigator, Dr John Harvie, a Consultant Rheumatologist at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, is running the SCOT study across the Highland Council area. He is keen to continue recruitment to the SCOT study locally, having already recruited over 60 patients and 10 GP practices.
Dr Harvie said: “I am pleased with the number of patients we have managed to recruit across Highland for the study, but we are still looking to recruit more, as well as add to our list of GP practices.
“The results will help GPs make decisions about which drugs to prescribe for patients. It's about allowing doctors and those with arthritis to make the best choice for them. The results of this study will allow a greater understanding and enable those involved to make an informed choice.”
The current patent for Celecoxib expires in 2014, allowing the drug to be produced generically and sold at a significantly lower price, slashing the price the NHS has to pay. This is about the time that the SCOT study is due to publish its results.
Professor MacDonald said: “This information will be of great value to everyone who needs to take these drugs on a regular basis, which is millions of people around the world. The findings will allow doctors and people with arthritis to make the best choice, not just for their joint pains but also for their general health.
“The fact that we can run a study of this size and complexity from Scotland reflects the world class scientists and research facilities that Scotland, England, Denmark and The Netherlands have to offer, and the collaborative effort of all involved is something that we should all be immensely proud of.”
The University of Dundee, which leads the study, is looking to secure continued funding to finish it and publish the findings, allowing doctors and people with arthritis to make the best choice, not just for their joint pains but also for their general health.
The SCOT study is supported by nine other universities across Scotland, England, Denmark and The Netherlands, having recently expanded to include The University of Oxford, and Kings College London, making it one of the biggest ever studies run by a Scottish university.
Professor MacDonald and the SCOT study steering committee, which is made up of leading international experts, hope further funding may be granted to the project to extend recruitment into 2014, allowing the generation of significant extra data.
Patients and GP practices are still welcome to join the SCOT study. Anyone interested in taking part can telephone 01463 255820, check the website for details (www.scottrial.co.uk (http://www.scottrial.co.uk) or info@scottrial.co.uk) or speak to their GP directly to ask if they can take part.