Posts Tagged ‘skin’

Pharmac Te Ptaka Whaioranga has issued a request for proposals (RFP) asking suppliers to bid for the supply of oestradiol gel in New Zealand.

Pharmac is looking to fund a new type of oestradiol treatment without restrictions, says Dr David Hughes, Pharmacs Director Advice and Assessment/Chief Medical Officer.

In the past three years, the supply issues for oestradiol patches has caused stress and frustration for New Zealanders. Demand has more than doubled - growing from 1.2 million patches dispensed in 2020/21 to over 3 million patches in 2022/23.

Our clinical advisors have told us that funding another oestradiol product would be useful because demand is increasing, and we are continuing to experience global supply issues for oestradiol patches. We know that some people would use the gel if its funded, and this could relieve some of the stress on the supply of patches.

Oestradiol is used by 85,000 people each year for the treatment of a range of conditions including, menopause, osteoporosis, and gender affirming health care. It is most often used as a patch placed on the skin, but it is also available as a tablet.

We want to make sure people get the treatment they need, and which can be funded from Pharmacs fixed budget, so were keen to hear from suppliers about what they can offer, says Dr Hughes.

Dr Linda Dear, a menopause specialist says, Its wonderful to hear that another step is being taken towards giving perimenopausal and menopausal New Zealanders fully funded access to oestradiol (estrogen) gels.

This will provide a much-needed alternative, so people are no longer solely reliant on the patches as the only funded transdermal option available. Having gels as an alternative will ease the pressure of the supply issue which has had an impact on New Zealanders using the treatments, pharmacists, and prescribing doctors alike. My hope is that we dont have to wait too much longer to access this important therapy.

Pharmacs job is to assess and prioritise which treatments will deliver the best possible health outcomes for New Zealanders from the available budget, says Dr Hughes.

"Once this RFP closes, an evaluation committee will meet to consider the bids received. We will also seek advice from our clinical advisors. As this activity progresses, well share more information with the public.

Read the original here:
Pharmac seeking bids from suppliers to fund another type of hormone replacement therapy - New Zealand Doctor Online

Our skin is a story, told chapter by chapter as we age. But what if we could rewrite it? That seemingly sci-fi future is already here thanks to cutting-edge technologies like exosomes, stem cells and bio-identical hormones. Changing the approach from preservation to regeneration, these new treatments and technologies are changing the narrative around aging.

Thats how New York dermatologistJulie Russak, MDdescribes the shift in her practice since employing these tools. The aging process leaves its mark on our skin, but advancements in regenerative medicine are rewriting the narrative, she says. Exosomes and stem cells, previously confined to the realm of science fiction, are now emerging as powerful tools in my dermatology arsenal.

The next big thing in dermatology, the exosome, is essentially a delivery system. Imagine microscopic envelopes meticulously created by stem cells, packed with genetic

instructions and protein packages, Dr. Russak explains. These are exosomes.

Just like envelopes, whats contained inside is whats really interesting.

Exosomes deliver key signaling molecules, instructing fibroblasts, or skin cells, to ramp up collagen production, Dr. Russak says. This translates to thicker, firmer skin with visibly reduced wrinkles and fine lines.

They offer an answer to sun damage as well.

Sun damage wreaks havoc on our skin, but exosomes offer a cellular-level repair kit, Dr. Russak explains. They promote the regeneration of UV-damaged structures, mitigating the appearance of sunspots and uneven tone. Unlike broad-spectrum approaches, exosomes excel at precision. They hone in on specific skin cells, ensuring their restorative cargo reaches the areas that need it most, maximizing effectiveness and minimizing potential side effects.

Stem cells are the master cells of regeneration, says Dr. Russak. These unique cells possess the remarkable ability to self-renew and differentiate into various specialized cell types, including those crucial for healthy skin.

In dermatology, stem cells are utilized to regenerate tissue and promote collagen production, which makes them perfect for tackling things like age spots, skin firmness and even hair loss. Theyre also employed during in-office treatments like microneedling and laser treatments to expedite recovery and maximize rejuvenation. Because they can be directed to become different kinds of skin cells, stem cells are especially versatile to dermatologists.

We use this versatility in dermatological treatments to replace damaged or aging cells with new, healthy cells, Dr. Russak explains. Both exosomes and stem cell treatments represent a shift towards a more regenerative and holistic approach in dermatology. Rather than merely masking the symptoms of aging skin, these treatments aim to restore the skins natural ability to heal and renew itself.

In the world of anti-aging, the name Dr. David Sinclair is a big one. Australian-American biologist and professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Sinclair has published pivotal work on the science of aging and longevity.

These innovative methods are partly inspired by groundbreaking research in cellular health and aging, including the work of Dr. David Sinclair, Dr. Russak explains. In the field of dermatology, theres a growing trend toward using regenerative medicine to slow aging, with a focus on treatments like exosomes, stem cell therapies and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

Using exosomes in procedures like microneedling is just the beginning.

We are incorporating topical treatments with peptides and growth factors, as well as injectable therapies like PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and biostimultary molecules like PLLC and CaHa to stimulate the skins natural repair processes, Dr. Russak explains.

Alongside things like diet, lifestyle change and nutraceuticals like NAD+ boosters, dermatologists aim to improve skin, slow down aging and potentially even reverse hair loss.

Unlike many traditional methods of anti-aging, exosomes and stem cells are a natural path to rejuvenation. Rather than masking signs of damage, these treatments are encouraging your body to do the work itself.

Its important to have realistic expectations and understand that multiple treatments may be necessary, Dr. Russak says. Rigorous clinical research is ongoing and long-term data is still needed to definitively establish the safety and efficacy of these treatments. While the future holds immense promise, I remain grounded in evidence-based practice, incorporating these innovations only when robust scientific data supports their benefit.

Due to the newness of these treatments, more long-term studies are needed to fully understand their safety and efficacy. Because the regulatory side of things havent caught up to the technology, practitioners also must consider how to ethically source stem cells and exosomes.

Patients should ensure treatments are performed by qualified professionals and that the products used are compliant with regulatory standards, Dr. Russak explains. As we are just at the very beginning of this exciting field, practitioners and patients need to exercise due diligence when considering these treatments.

Read the rest here:
Exosomes and Stem Cells Are the Future of Anti-Aging - NewBeauty Magazine