High-flow nasal cannula versus non-invasive ventilation for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Background: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) with bi-level positive pressure ventilation is a first-line intervention for selected patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Compared to conventional oxygen therapy, NIV may reduce endotracheal intubation, death, and intensive care unit length of stay (LOS), but its use is often limited by patient tolerance and treatment failure. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a potential alternative treatment in this patient population and may be better tolerated.

In hospitalized adults with fever, fever therapy does not reduce mortality or serious adverse events.

Holgersson J, Ceric A, Sethi N, et al. BMJ. 2022;378:e069620.

In critically ill adults, IV fluid bolus infused at slower vs. faster rates did not differ for 90-d mortality.

Zampieri FG, Machado FR, Biondi RS, et al. JAMA. 2021;326:830-8.

Testing for Occult Stress Urinary Incontinence in Patients With Pelvic Organ Prolapse? Results of a Pragmatic Approach.

Objective: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery may unmask occult stress urinary incontinence (OSUI) in otherwise asymptomatic patients. Preoperative urodynamic studies (UDSs) with prolapse reduction may, by potentially unmasking OSUI, assist surgical decision making. This study investigated the long-term objective postoperative rate of SUI, according to the presence of OSUI.

Interventions to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Indigenous or Remote Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Scoping Review.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) associates with a significant health care burden with a disproportionate impact on indigenous persons or people living in remote areas. Although screening programs have expanded in these communities, there remains a paucity of evidence-based interventions to enhance clinical renal outcomes in these populations.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify evidence-based interventions to enhance renal outcomes in these populations.

Corporate social responsibility to improve access to medicines: the case of Brazil.

Background: Access to medicines and the development of a strong national pharmaceutical industry are two longstanding pillars of health policy in Brazil. This is reflected in a clear emphasis by Brazil's Federal Government on improving access to medicine in national health plans and industrial policies aimed at promoting domestic pharmaceutical development. This research proposes that such policies may act as incentives for companies to pursue a strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda.

Why the MDGs need good governance in pharmaceutical systems to promote global health.

Background: Corruption in the health sector can hurt health outcomes. Improving good governance can in turn help prevent health-related corruption. We understand good governance as having the following characteristics: it is consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, equitable and inclusive, effective and efficient, follows the rule of law, is participatory and should in theory be less vulnerable to corruption.

An examination of pharmaceutical systems in severely disrupted countries.

This research assesses informal markets that dominate pharmaceutical systems in severely disrupted countries and identifies areas for further investigation. Findings are based on recent academic papers, policy and grey literature, and field studies in Somalia, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Haiti. The public sector in the studied countries is characterized in part by weak Ministries of Health and low donor coordination.

The make or buy debate: considering the limitations of domestic production in Tanzania.

Background: In order to ensure their population's regular access to essential medicines, many least developed countries and developing countries are faced with the policy question of whether to import or manufacture drugs locally, in particular for life-saving antiretroviral medicines for HIV/AIDS patients. In order for domestic manufacturing to be viable and cost-effective, the local industry must be able to compete with international suppliers of medicines by producing sufficiently low cost ARVs.

Methods: This paper considers the 'make-or-buy' dilemma by using Tanzania as a case study.