I’ve been reading…
a book on history, which I love more than I do fiction. My last reading was on the liberation of Europe in 1944, in particular D-Day, prior to a recent visit to Normandy. I am fascinated by the enormous logistical and tactical preparations that preceded D-Day. I hope that there will never again be a need for such action. The tragical loss of life from all sides should never be forgotten and should be a lesson for the future.
I’ve been researching…
new drugs for osteoporosis in clinical trials. The Achilles’ heel of most new drugs is the onset of unexpected off-target effects. A major disappointment was the cathepsin-K inhibitor Odanocatib, that failed on grounds of cardiovascular effects. A recent highlight was the approval of the anabolic drug Romosozumab in the USA.
My team…
is a small team made up of 3 gynaecologists, a pharmacist, a study coordinator and 2 administrators.
An interesting case…
I diagnose many cases of primary hyperparathyroidism in patients referred for the management of osteoporosis, diagnosed by DXA or not responding to bone-drugs. They often also have lethargy, fatigue, depression or memory loss. Diagnosis is mostly easy in the presence of raised serum calcium and PTH levels. Surgical removal of the adenoma usually gives spectacular results.
I’m worried …
and puzzled about the ease with which the public is mislead about the efficacy and safety of non-registered medicine especially compounded “bioidentical hormones”.
I’ve been thinking…
about how the cost of new drugs, especially the biologics, can be lowered to allow still new development but also make them available to more people.
In my spare time…
which is not a lot, my family comes first, but I am also an experienced private pilot and aircraft owner; I love all aviation matters.
A thorn in my side…
are the anti “perverse incentive” rules made up by politicians and the pharmaceutical industry that determine the way in which we may conduct our own meetings and congresses.
What challenges me…
is finding the time to run a fulltime clinical practise, do research, publish, teach and participate in organisations related to my field.
