Review of the biotechnology research and development (R and D) in OECD countries concerning biological drugs

The pharmaceutical industry is among high technology industries that needs considerable attention in research and development. Overall, the processes that a drug must go through from its production in the laboratory, to clinical trials on certain groups, to the drug being licensed and finally planning for its marketing makes it different to any other product. Boosting research and development capability in this industry as well as saving patients’ lives is also essential in controlling the costs of importing drugs. According to this point of view, having suitable R and D strategies in the pharmaceutical sector becomes very important for every country. In this study, we aimed to review several studies concerning biological drugs R and D in selected countries. Since the discussions in relation to the R and D within the pharmaceutical sector about biological drugs come under the umbrella of innovation system of each country. By reviewing the pharmaceutical innovation system studies of selected OECD countries including Norway, Germany and Japan, we aimed to look at the main factors in national R and D system, the trading system conditions, R and D co-operations, human resources, financial matters, entrepreneurship, the market, R and D policy making and coordination of different organizations and main support policies within the biological drugs system.Key words: R and D, biotechnology, biological drugs

What the policy and stewardship landscape of a national health research system looks like in a developing country like Iran: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: The health research system (HRS) is an important national priority that requires a systematic and functional approach. Evaluating the HRS of Iran as a developing country and identifying its challenges reveals the stewardship-related role in how the whole system is operating well. This study aims to assess the HRS in terms of stewardship functions and highlight the enhancement points. METHODS: This study was carried out between March 2020 and April 2021 using a systematic review and meta-synthesis of evidence to examine the Iranian HRS stewardship challenges and interview 32 stakeholders, using a critical case sampling and snowballing approach which included both semi-structured and in-depth interviews. The interviewees were selected based on criteria covering policy-makers, managers, research bodies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in health research-related fields like higher education, research, technology, innovation and science. All data were analysed using content analysis to determine eight main groups of findings under three levels: macro, meso, and micro. RESULTS: Analysis of the findings identified eight main themes. The most critical challenges were the lack of an integrated leadership model and a shared vision among different HRS stakeholders. Their scope and activities were often contradictory, and their role was not clarified in a predetermined big picture. The other challenges were legislation, priority-setting, monitoring and evaluation, networking, and using evidence as a decision support base. CONCLUSIONS: Stewardship functions are not appropriately performed and are considered the root causes of many other HRS challenges in Iran. Formulating a clear shared vision and a work scope for HRS actors is critical, along with integrating all efforts towards a unified strategy that assists in addressing many challenges of HRS, including developing strategic plans and future-oriented and systematic research, and evaluating performance. Policy-makers and senior managers need to embrace and use evidence, and effective networking and communication mechanisms among stakeholders need to be enhanced. An effective HRS can be achieved by redesigning the processes, regulations and rules to promote transparency and accountability within a well-organized and systematic framework

Spatio-temporal patterns of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in relation to drinking water salinity at the district level in Bangladesh from 2016 to 2018

This analysis examines whether salinity in drinking water is associated with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E), a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Bangladesh’s national health information system data were extracted at the district level (n = 64) to assess PE/E rates, and these were overlaid with three environmental measures approximating drinking water salinity, remotely sensed low-elevation coastal zone (LECZ), monthly rainfall data, and electrical conductivity of groundwater (i.e., water salinity). Results from a negative binomial fixed effects model suggest PE/E rates are higher with less rainfall (dry season), lower population density, and that district level rates of PE/E increase with higher groundwater salinity and in the high risk LECZ category closest to the coast. Results suggest that drinking water salinity may be associated with PE/E and that using national health surveillance data can improve understanding of this association. This approach can potentially be leveraged in the future to inform targeted interventions to high risk regions and times

Building networks for students in Iranian Medical Science Olympiad: An experience report

نامه به سردبیر چکیده ندار

The challenges and achievements in the implementation of the natural childbirth instruction program: A qualitative study

Background: The natural childbirth instruction program, which aims to reduce the cesarean section (C-section) rates in the country and pay attention to demographic policies, has achieved significant accomplishments in the short time span since it was implemented throughout the country. In the present study, the advantages and challenges of the implementation of this program have been analyzed. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study carried out with the participation of 32 knowledgeable individuals who were selected using purposeful sampling and snowball sampling methods among the personnel of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, and it�s affiliated educational (university) hospital. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews based on the research objectives, review of texts, and experts� experiences. Data analysis was performed using content analysis method in MaxQDA software. Results: Data analysis provided the 5 main categories of implementation instructions� strengths, implementation instructions� defects, implementation instructions� achievements, implementation instructions� challenges and threats, and suggestions. Conclusions: Accountability in the system that provides health care services for pregnant mothers in public hospitals has been created through the implementation of the natural childbirth promotion package. If managerial barriers and executive and legal inefficiencies are followed up and suitable measures are taken for solving the intra-system conflicts, we can hope that the package, which has been one of the most serious efforts made by the Ministry of Health over the past decades to reduce cesarean delivery, will achieve significant accomplishments. © 2020 Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Researc