Articles
59 entriesClinical reviews and commentary
- CDC Adopts Individual-Based Decision-Making for Hepatitis B Immunization for Infants Born to Women Who Test Negative for Hepatitis B VirusThis recommendation reflects the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices' rigorous review of the available evidence.→
- CDC Reports Nearly 24% Decline in U.S. Drug Overdose DeathU.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Drop 24%—Lowest in 4 Years, CDC Reports a Steep Decline in Fatalities!→
- CDC warns of a Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbersCDC Alert: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Mexican Cucumbers—68 Sick, 18 Hospitalized Across 19 States. Check Your Produce Now!→
- COVID-19 impact on blood donation and blood product use in Mangaung Metropolitan MunicipalityThis study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on blood donation and utilisation in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM), South Africa, between April 2018 and March 2022.→
- Calming the acid: Pharmacotherapeutic approaches to gastro-oesophageal reflux disorderGastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic disorder where gastric contents, including gastric acid, pepsin and food, enter the oesophagus, which leads to irritation and potential erosion.→
- Can Inflammatory Bowel Disease be Treated with Diet?Is food to blame for IBD? The gut-diet debate rages as patients seek answers and quick dietary fixes.→
- Can diet and waist-to-hip ratio predict brain health in older age?New study links lower waist-to-hip ratio and healthy diet in midlife to better brain and cognitive health later in life.→
- Can increasing the number and role of community pharmacists in South Africa help address rising antimicrobial resistance rates?Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global and South African issue, exacerbated by concerns about inappropriate antibiotic use in primary care.→
- Can they blame it on the final? How does medical final exam and other factors shape specialty choice?What Drives Young Doctors' Speciality Choices? Study Explores Key Factors & Exam Performance in Poland!→
- Cannabis and Related Substances Legislation and RegulationThe sale, supply and use of a medicine or scheduled substance is subject to Section 22A of the Medicines Act.→
- Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales colonisation in a tertiary PICU, Cape TownA South African study found that Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) colonisation is common in paediatric ICU patients. 8% were colonised on admission, 10.6% acquired it during their stay. Younger age and longer stays are linked to acquisition. This highlights the need for better screening and policy development.→
- Carboprost versus Oxytocin as the First-Line Treatment of Primary Postpartum Haemorrhage (COPE)Can carboprost beat oxytocin? New trial compares PPH treatments, side effects & cost-effectiveness.→
- Catheter Ablation vs Drug Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Nonmodifiable Recurrence Risk FactorsAre non-modifiable recurrence risk factors associated with differences in the benefit of catheter ablation compared with drug therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation?→
- Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) complicating post-cataract surgery: a case report and multifactorial analysisA 60-year-old woman with neovascular glaucoma and nuclear cataract developed central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) after phacoemulsification. This rare complication underscores the combined roles of vascular pathology, surgical stress (IOP fluctuations), and hypertriglyceridaemia. Close perioperative monitoring and targeted interventions could help mitigate risks in high-risk patients.→
- Characterizing the symptomatology and pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis using a nasal allergen challenge modelThe nasal allergen challenge (NAC) protocol has been used to investigate the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis (AR) with various allergens.→
- Cheaper drinks will see a rise in noncommunicable diseases and injuriesSugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are getting cheaper, due to consistently low tax rates in most countries, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries, especially in children and young adults.→
- Chickenpox (Frequently Asked Questions)Chickenpox is an infectious disease characterised by fever and a blister-like rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). A first infection with VZV causes chickenpox.→
- Chikungunya (Frequently Asked Questions)Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes sudden fever and severe joint pain.→
- Chikungunya virus disease outbreaks in the Indian Ocean region and globally (January 2026)A global resurgence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease was observed in 2025. Major outbreaks have been documented across multiple World Health Organization (WHO) regions, including the African, South-East Asia, and the Region of the Americas.→
- Childhood stress linked to higher risk of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes in adultsYoung adults who reported higher stress during their teenage years to adulthood were more likely to have high blood pressure, obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors than their peers who reported less stress, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.→
- Chile becomes the first country in the Americas to be verified by WHO for the elimination of leprosyIn a historic public health milestone, Chile has become the first country in the Americas to be officially verified by the WHO for eliminating leprosy.→
- Chloroquine-primaquine therapeutic response and safety in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malariaColombia’s Fight Against Malaria: Study Compares Chloroquine-Primaquine Regimens for P. vivax Treatment and Safety!→
- Circular Anastrozole Availability and Therapeutic AlternativeAromatase Inhibitors Recommended for Breast Cancer: Tertiary & Quaternary EML Endorses Anastrozole, Letrozole & Exemestane!→
- Circular Publication of the NEMLC approved updates to the PHC STGs and EMLLatest PHC STGs Updates: New Reports & Guidelines from 2020-2024 Review Cycle Now Available!→
- Circular: Analogue insulin - EML status and AnnexuresTemporary EML Update: Insulin Analogue Pens Added to Ensure Access Amid Human Insulin Shortages—Valid Until 2027!→
- Circular: Biperiden 5mg per ml Injection Stock Supply Shortage and the Proposed Therapeutic AlternativeNOTICE: BIPERIDEN; 5MG/ML; INJECTION; 1 ML STOCK SUPPLY SHORTAGE AND THE PROPOSED THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVE.→
- Circular: Essential Drugs Programme Communication Platform on WhatsAppStay Updated with the Essential Drugs Programme! Join the New WhatsApp Community for Medicine Updates, Webinars & More!→
- Circular: Morphine for injection containing preservative - caution regarding routes of administrationImportant Update: Differences in Morphine Injection Formulations—Healthcare Professionals Advised to Review Guidelines!→
- Circular: Non-availability of Ethambutol 400mg TabletsNOTICE: NON-AVAILABILITY OF ETHAMBUTOL 400MG TABLETS.→
- Circular: Supply Constraints with Rifampicin-based combinations for TB treatment - interim therapeutic alternativesTB Treatment Alert: National RH Supply Shortage—Rifapentine & Isoniazid Recommended as Alternative to Prevent Disruptions!→
- Clearing the air: methods and challenges of smoking and vaping cessationVaping or quitting? SA’s smoking crisis persists—8 million smokers at risk, especially with TB and HIV rates.→
- Clinical Pearl of the Week: Strategic Dosing for Therapeutic SuccessUnderstanding different dosing strategies is fundamental to optimising patient outcomes.→
- Clinical Pearl of the Week: Teratogenic Medications in PregnancyA teratogen is any agent that can cause a congenital abnormality following foetal exposure during pregnancy.→
- Clinical Pearl: The "Pick Your Poison" of South African SerpentsIn South Africa, we do not identify the snake to treat the patient; we identify the syndrome.→
- Clinical Pearl: The "Technicolour" Side Effects of PharmacologyRecognising them prevents unnecessary workups and allows for proactive patient counselling.→
- Clinical Trial Insurance for New Clinical Trial ApplicationsThis communication aims to emphasise to various stakeholders conducting Clinical Trials the requirements for new clinical trial applications regarding liability insurance for clinical trials.→
- Clinical test may predict best rheumatoid arthritis biologic for each individualResearchers at Queen Mary, University of London, have developed a machine-learning test that predicts the optimal biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis patients with 79-85% accuracy. This innovation could revolutionise treatment by directly targeting specific disease mechanisms, potentially reducing patient suffering and avoiding ineffective treatments that compromise the immune system.→
- Clinicians’ perspectives on integrating smartphone application data into routine alcohol dependency treatmentThis study aimed to explore clinicians’ experiences of using smartphone-derived data in alcohol dependency treatment.→
- Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (Frequently Asked Questions)The C. difficile bacteria and their spores are shed through the faeces of infected people into the environment.→
- Closure of mesenteric defects for prevention of internal hernia after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass in bariatric surgeryExperts debate defect closure during Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: does it prevent internal hernias or cause more blockages?→
- Coal Mining as a Rsk Factor for Tuberculosis – Commodity or Circumstance?Despite unclear causality, a targeted intervention in South African coal mines drastically cut TB incidence by over 70%, proving effective.→
- Colorectal Cancer and Central ObesityIs the proportion of colorectal cancer cases attributable to obesity, defined by high body mass index, underestimated?→
- Combined effect of cognitive dysfunction and sleep disturbance on mortality riskBoth cognitive dysfunction and sleep disturbances are individually linked to heightened risks of chronic illnesses and mortality.→
- Common Sugar Substitute May Affect Brain and Blood Vessel HealthNew research links erythritol to increased vascular risks (clotting, heart disease, stroke), even from small amounts, prompting experts to advise limiting or avoiding it.→
- Communicable diseases to look out for in the event of a floodNICD experts shed light on diseases to look out for after flooding and how you can protect yourself and loved ones.→
- Computed tomography value ascites and mesenteric fluid predict intestinal necrosis in strangulated small bowel obstructionA retrospective study of 75 patients undergoing surgery for strangulated small-bowel obstruction (SBO) identified key CT scan predictors of preoperative intestinal necrosis. Strangulated SBO itself, massive ascites, and mesenteric fluid with CT attenuation values ≥20 HU were significant, independent predictors. These findings are crucial for earlier diagnosis and improved management of SBO to potentially avoid severe complications like bowel resection.→
- Concussion in children: What to know and doConcussions in Kids: 2 Million Cases Annually—How Even Minor Blows Can Lead to Serious Brain Injuries!→
- Conditioned Open-Label Placebos to Facilitate Opioid Reduction in Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer PainFacing rising opioid risks for chronic non-cancer pain, this study explores if open-label placebos (OLP) can effectively reduce opioid dosage and withdrawal.→
- Conflict and instability make pregnancy more dangerousMaternal deaths are concentrated in fragile settings.→
- Connected or Disconnected? Is Your Digital Strategy a 'Side Project' or a 'Strategic Pillar'?Is digital truly driving pharma strategy or just adding more dashboards? Watch the recording as our expert panel reveals where digital engagement is really headed.→