Category Archives: Medical Products

The shape of things to come

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Medical Device Diversity- Irelands New Growth IndustryThe shape of things to come for 2010 may be higher unemployment and lower economic activity for some sectors of the economy. But as far as medical and science sectors are concerned, we are still seeing considerable opportunities for growth; in particular the medical devices manufacturing sector which has recently seen major investment in R&D with such diverse companies as Teleflex, Baxter Healthcare, KCI Medical and Merit Medical.

All have seen further expansion this year and have increased growth in the development of their production and manufacturing facilities and directed extensive FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in new product developments which will see Ireland placed at the fore front of global Medical Device R&D.

So what opportunities do exist for  those looking to retrain or re-skill? Considerable and varied opportunities exist for those with Research and Product Development, Regulatory, Quality,  Technical and supporting skills in Sales and customer support-particularly those candidates with European and Asian language skills.

Jackie Brown is keen to talk with those seeking career moves or those with existing medical device manufacturing industry experience as we move into another year of anticpated high growth in recruitment within the medical and life science industries.

In the mean time, to all those looking for a career move or seeking new opportunities we wish you a Happy and prosperous New Year in 2010.

Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI’s)

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Right now there are 1.4 million people worldwide suffering from Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI’s).

What is a HAI?  Healtcare Associated Infections are infections that are picked up while receiving treatment for some other condition.  This is usually in a hospital setting, but is not confined to hospitals alone.  Doctors Surgeries, Nursing and Care homes and Clinics are all prone to spreading infectious diseases.

You will be familiar with the names of Healthcare Associated Infections.

  • MRSA
  • VRSA
  • C.Diff
  • Pneumonia (VAP – Ventilator Associated Pneumonia)

What they all have in common is that they can be picked up in Healthcare settings and are difficult to treat.

They are also relatively easy to prevent.  It all comes down to Hygiene.  Top of the Hygiene list is Hand Washing.  It is such a simple thing, but a lack of proper hand washing by patients, relatives and healthcare professionals is attributed to a high percentage of HAI cases.

The above handwashing demo is aimed at kids.  What it pointed out to me is that there really is no excuse for us growed ups to be spreading HAI’s as a result of improper hand washing.

Are Healthcare Associated Infections really that serious?  Well in 2002 98,987 people died from them in the United States.  Here in Ireland we do not have good or accurate figures.  So yes, it is an extremely serious.

Kimberly-Clark have started a campaign called “Not on My Watch“, which is a prevention and education campaign.  Follow the link and I will update this post when I have more details about the campaign in Ireland.

Fail to Prepare-Prepare to Fail

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Prepare to win the interview and thejob

Prepare to win the interview and the job

A maxim oft quoted in management texts and tutorials which is as succinct as it is true to life.  It is a consideration that all those attending an interview must keep at the forefront of their mind whether they are applying for a technician or senior manager’s role. The applicant must at all times be aware that the purpose of the interview is not an opportunity for a chat- it’s to get the job!

Preparation then involves at the very least consideration of your appearance followed swiftly by transport, communication and research; – all of which will boost your confidence and improve your state of mind when the big day comes.

Ensure you are dressed for the interview; another maxim well known and often forgotten is dress to impress. Today as time is short and applicants are plenty, always be aware that you will have one chance to make a good impression and you must appear to be at least as professional as your appearance.

Dressing casually will signal to the interviewer you are neither serious about the role on offer, or the interviewer who has decided to give you valuable time out of their day to meet and interview you.  A poor first impression immediately drops you down the competition ladder. Take time over your appearance and if possible have a dry run the night before, check shoes are polished, shirts, blouses and suits are clean and pressed, ready for immediate use in the morning. You’ll be grateful you did when you see the opposition sitting across from you in reception in a crumpled suit or at worse, a T- Shirt.

Getting to the interview is as important as the interview and its worth checking your car is fuelled and at reduced risk of failing on the motorway twenty minutes from your interviewer.

Phone numbers are vital; always make sure you have your recruiter and interviewer’s telephone contact numbers- main switch and mobile. In deference to the interviewee, your interviewer may have their phone switched off and may not know you are frantically trying to tell them you cant reach them.

Research should similarly not be underestimated or undervalued as part of your preparation. Read the company website, call for extra information, flyers, and magazines, and ask to speak to the press officer if they have one. The better informed you are, the keener you will appear and the more informed your questions will be. Employers want keen employees- lack of knowledge in the age of the internet can only be interpreted as lack of interest.

For further information, please visit our advice center.

The GP-Pharma Rep Relationship is changing…

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pharma-companiesIn a recent survey conducted by MSD Ireland, it was found that many GP’s would like to see a change in how pharmaceutical companies deliver information to doctors. Some doctors also mentioned their increasing workload and their difficulty in finding time to meet a Pharma Rep.

Some GP’s felt that there was a lot of information coming at them from the pharmaceutical industry but the consensus was that in general the information is valuable.

The not so positive side  was perhaps, that many GP”s felt that there were an awful lot of people delivering the same information. They want information in a format that is more meaningful for each person rather than a lot of people crowding around giving the same information. They want certain information given from a patient perspective.

They want to see how the industry could package their offerings in a way that is both patient and user centric. The old model of rep based meetings while valuable, may not be as valuable as also supporting them with other support materials that can be accessed at any stage.

This includes webbased education tools and more focused information given on each condition. Receiving medical education information through the web is becoming more and more popular for GP’s as their time becomes more and more restricted for Pharma Rep meetings.

The Pharma Rep will do well in considering these research findings when making the next appointment with a GP.

Quitting Smoking with Champix update

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Since our last post on the subject there are now two of us in the office using Champix to stop smoking.  Our experiences have been very different.

I don't smell of smoke anymore

I don't smell of smoke anymore

I have not smoked in 8 days.  I cannot say that it has been entirely painless though.  I started my course of Champix 22 days ago.  For the first few days I felt that I may as well be taking a cube of sugar.  Then, shortly before I stopped smoking I started experiencing side effects.  I was incredibly tired.  One memorable weekend I fell asleep every time I sat down.  My muscles felt weak – much like when you have the flu.  I can best describe how my body felt as “a feeling of needing to stretch every muscle in my body that was not relieved by actually stretching”.

I did not feel like I wanted to stop smoking on my final day (day 14 of taking the tablets is the last quit day).  I had however discovered that I was not getting as much satisfaction from the cigarrettes that I did smoke in the last few days before I quit.

My conclusion of Champix 8 days off cigarettes is that they work, but don’t expect it to be easy.  I have tried NRT (patch, gum, inhaler) previously and this is definitely much easier.  The hardest part so far has been the side effects of Champix, although it looks like I am in a minority with mine.  The list of side effects is long and often contradictory (diarrhoea/constipation for example), but none of the side effects are compulsory.  You may have none of them or some of them.  Sleep disturbance happens with NRT too.  I have had times when I have wanted a smoke in the last week, but not enough to actually have a smoke.  I have yet to experience the full euporia of feeling like a non-smoker but 8 days is early days.

My side effects are in stark contrast to the other person in our office on Champix.  She has been off cigarettes for weeks now.  The only side effect she has reported is nausea, which while it has been unpleasant, has resulted in her feeling repulsed by smoking.  Shortly before her quit date she actually vomited while smoking.  The taste of cigarettes became objectionable and the more she smoked the sicker she felt.

I had hoped that this would be the case for me but alas it was not to be.  That said, so far Champix is scoring 2 out of 2.  I cannot say that I had any great resolve to stop smoking either.  I asked my doctor about it on a whim while on a visit for something else.  I have smoked for 21 years and never stopped for longer than 3 months (10 years ago).  So far we are very happy to report that Champix works!  We will keep you posted

Healthy alternatives to Drugs

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Healthy alernative to Drugs

Healthy alernative to Drugs

According to a friend of mine who is a Distributor of Aloe Vera products, there seems to be a growing trend away from traditional drugs to the natural curative properties of the Aloe Vera plant and nectar from the flowers of the Manuka bush in New Zealand.

My friend told me a story of a man who is 86 years old and who has been diagnosed with cancer. He was given only a few months to live and went home to die. She happened to be selling Aloe Vera to customers in Dalkey who run a Pharmacy and they asked for an extra bottle for their father. Their father is this 86 year old man. He was given a bottle of Aloe Vera to try out and has fully regained his energy and health and is now the best customer of my friend!!

I am not saying here that this is a ‘Miracle’ cure but sometimes Herbal remedies can re-act better in some patients than drugs. I do not know a lot about Manuka honey except that it is supposed to be superior to Royal Jelly. I do remember Royal Jelly being famous for keeping the skin young and that Cliff Richard was a big user!

From the recent press, I do know that Manuka Honey comes from New Zealand and is used by Sufferers of leg ulcer wounds and MRSA, and is considered to be a first line treatment in a number of serious skin applications.

People are looking for alternative methods of healing their ailments and Aloe Vera and Manuka Honey are just some of the alternatives on offer.

Champix conquers smoking addiction

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Healthy option

Healthy option

For all you smokers out there, there is help after all in the shape of a tiny white pill called Champix manufactured by Pfizer.

Champix offers:

Reduced craving and withdrawal symptoms

Significantly greater quit success vs. NRT patch, bupropion or placebo at 12 weeks

Over 8.9 million patients’ experience worldwide

Champix works primarily in two ways. Firstly, it reduces the smoker’s craving for nicotine by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain and reduces the symptoms of withdrawal. Secondly, it reduces the satisfaction a smoker receives when smoking a cigarette.

The European Commission approved Champix on September 29th, 2006 as a “stop smoking” aid for adults, based on the results from clinical trials.

It should be noted that continued abstinence from cigarettes is higher (70% compared with 50%) when patients take the drug for 24 weeks as opposed to 12, so it may be appropriate for patients who have succeeded in quitting smoking at the 12 week point to take the drug for a further 12 weeks.

For all you smokers struggling to quit, this could be another option for you. Good luck and do let us know in Jackie Brown Medical how you get on.

One of our staff members is trying it out.  Click on the comment tab below to tell us about methods you found successful/unsuccessful.