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Londra Gazete, 09 June 2022 LondraGazete.com/English 9

Innovative Medicines Fund

launched to fast-track drugs

PATIENTS in England can get
early access to more cutting-edge
medicines through a new fund.
The Innovative Medicines Fund
(IMF) works like the existing Can-
cer Drugs Fund (CDF), fast-trac-
king promising treatments, even
if they are expensive and have not
yet been approved for routine NHS
use.
It will cover potentially life-sa-
More than 300 monkeypox cases ving drugs for rare and genetic di-
now found in UK seases.
The government has allocated up
to £680m a year to be shared by the
MORE cases of the rare monkey- have been found in recent weeks
pox virus, normally found in Afri- in countries where the virus is not funds.
The IMF, like the CDF, will mean
ca, have been confirmed in the UK, usually present, outside of west a newly approved medicine could
bringing the total to 302. and central Africa.
Twenty-six other countries have Spain, Portugal, France, Canada, be prescribed immediately, before ctive enough to offer more widely. successfully negotiated deals for a
also had cases, including many in Australia and Mexico are just some final recommendations on it are A similar fund for innovative tre- range of new treatments, including
Europe. of the countries to have been af- drawn up by the advisory body that atments already exists in Scotland drugs which may allow toddlers
Health officials say anyone can fected. weighs the cost versus benefit of and Wales. with spinal muscular atrophy the
get monkeypox, particularly if The risk to the general popula- drugs used by the NHS - an orga- The IMF offers a potential soluti- chance to walk.
they've had close contact with tion is low and the symptoms usu- nisation called NICE (the National on to this problem, giving patients The one-off gene therapy treat-
someone with symptoms. Institute for Health and Care Ex- the opportunity to have promi- ment Zolgensma, which has been
They advise contacting NHS 111 ally clear up within a few weeks, cellence). sing treatments fast-tracked, and, described as the world's "most ex-
or a sexual health clinic if you have but the virus can be more severe in Patients would be able to access in turn, increasing the amount of pensive" drug, with a list price of
a rash with blisters on any part of those who are particularly vulner- the treatment while data is collec- data available to NICE for future £1.79m, has been successfully gi-
the body. able. ted for NICE to determine whether decisions. ven to a few young children throu-
The UK Health Security Agency Monkeypox is not spread easily the medicine is affordable and effe- In the last year, NHS England has gh managed access agreements.
says there are currently 287 con- between people but it can be passed
firmed cases of monkeypox in Eng- on through close contact with skin,
land, 10 in Scotland, three in Wales clothes, bedding and towels. So far, `
and two in Northern Ireland. no one factor linking the cases in
In total, 780 cases of monkeypox the UK has been identified. Half of people with allergies have not
tried to medicate them, poll claims
UK long Covid cases hit record

MORE than half of Britons with their symptoms and ges limited what they felt
high of 2 million experience allergies – and had not explored ways to they could confidently do in
two in five of these say the- keep them at bay. everyday life. In fact, near-
four weeks following their infecti- ir seasonal flare-ups started Of those who did expe- ly two-thirds (63 per cent)
on with Covid-19. earlier than usual this year. rience seasonal allergies, had actively avoided doing
Around 376,000 people who first
caught Covid-19 around the start But many add they have gi- the warmer months from something because they are
ven up trying to combat the May to August were when concerned about the impact
of the pandemic have reported sy- irritating reactions. they were worst hit, and one of an allergy.
mptoms lasting at least two years. A poll of 2,000 UK adults in four (26 per cent) of the- More than one in three (36
And 826,000 people have been
experiencing symptoms for at least found tree pollen, grass, and se often experienced severe per cent) had avoided going
dust mites to be the most reactions.
outside at certain times of
a year. common components cau- It emerged more than half the day – and 25 per cent
Around 1.4 million have had
lingering symptoms at least three sing symptoms to flare up. (54 per cent) of those with had ducked out of picnics.
More unusual causes of allergies had learnt to live Some 13 per cent admitted
months after their initial infection. things like dry eyes and sne- with their symptoms and having declined a date be-
Fatigue, shortness of breath, cou-
ghing and muscle aches are among ezing came from wearing had not explored ways to cause they were self-consci-
ous.
jewellery, getting a tattoo – keep them at bay.
the most common symptoms. and even wine. Pollsters found itchiness, Three in five (61 per cent)
One in five (20%) of those who
a runny nose and watering Brits who have seasonal al-
Of those who did expe-
have long Covid reported that the- rience seasonal allergies, eyes were the most severe lergies have consulted a pro-
ir ability to undertake their day-to- the warmer months from and common impacts of se- fessional about their prob-
day activities had been “limited a May to August were when asonal allergies. Nearly one lems because they have been
lot” by ongoing symptoms.
ACCORDING to the Office for The ONS said that the rates of they were worst hit, and one in four (23 per cent) of tho- so bad.
National Statistics (ONS), a re- long Covid were highest among in four (26 per cent) of the- se who experienced allergies Of these, nearly half visi-
se often experienced severe said they could make them ted their GP (46 per cent),
cord two million people in the UK women, those aged 35 to 69 ye- reactions. struggle for breath. a 26 per cent sought advice
are estimated to be suffering from ars, people living in more deprived It emerged more than half Twenty per cent of aller- from a specialist, and 20 per
long Covid. areas, those working in social care, (54 per cent) of those with gic respondents said their cent paid a visit to a local
Around 3.1% of the British popu- teaching and education or health
lation are suffering with symptoms care, and those with other health allergies had learnt to live reactions to seasonal chan- pharmacist.
that are persisting for more than conditions or disabilities.