Healthy Participants Needed in Penang for Research Studies!

Do you know why are there certain drugs available in the market which cost so much cheaper than other drugs containing exactly the same medicine?

These cheaper drugs are known as generic drugs. They are significantly cheaper than their proprietary or "original" counterparts as the manufacturers of these generic drugs do not need to pay huge amount of money on developing and marketing a new drug.

But, how confident are you that these drugs will actually behave like how they are supposed to in your body?

Here at Info Kinetics, we aim to provide affordable drugs to both you and I and at the same time ensuring the quality of them by conducting bioequivalence studies to compare the generic drugs to their proprietary counterparts in human body.

Therefore, we need you, as a healthy volunteer, to come be a part of us and take part in these studies!

Imagine if:

1. You will be paid for just chilling with us - our study ward has entertainment facilities like free WiFi, television, PlayStation, board and card games, etc..


2. You will receive free medical check-up which usually costs around RM300.


3. You will meet new friends and have fun!

All smiles! =) Some of our volunteers and staffs during an outdoor pillow fight event.

But of course, there are certain requirements that you need to fulfill before we can enroll you into our studies for safety purpose.

You need to be:

1. Healthy male or female (non-pregnant) aged between 18-55 years.


2. Average body weight between 45-80 kg.


3. No significant illnesses and not on regular medication.


4. Non-smoker or smoke less than 10 cigarettes per day.

Also, we currently have a new referral system which runs from the 13th of April until the end of May, 2010 to encourage more existing or even new volunteers to invite their friends to join our studies. For each person that refers a friend to be successfully screened and enrolled into a study, RM10 will be rewarded. If a person successfully refers 2 friends, RM30 will be rewarded; if a person successfully refers 5 friends, RM80 will be rewarded; and if a person successfully refers 10 friends, RM180 will be rewarded.

If you think you are eligible, you are invited to attend a free medical check-up (please call first for appointment) on the 20th and 24th of April at our office at 3rd Floor, Pantai Hospital Penang.

For further details or to confirm your eligibility, please contact Amanda at 04-6455760 or 016-4125760 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday). If you are shy to call, you are also welcome to drop us a message at our Facebook page or send us an e-mail at volunteer@info-kinetics.com.

Know your drugs, BE the same.

www.info-kinetics.com

BEetle Link Gifts Catalogue Dec'09

Hi Beetles! :)
Special item for this month: Hepatitis B Vaccine with only 15 nannakolas (valid until Feb 2010)!
Hurry up!!! ^_^
Please contact Jennifer (016-4125760) for redemption.

What I need to know about Hepatitis B

What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver disease. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the painful, red swelling that results when tissues of the body become injured or infected.

What is the liver?
The liver is an organ that does many important things. The liver:
* removes harmful chemicals from your blood
* fights infection
* helps digest food
* stores nutrients and vitamins
* stores energy
You cannot live without a liver.

What causes Hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis B. Viruses are germs that can cause sickness. For example, the flu is caused by a virus. People can pass viruses to each other.

Who gets Hepatitis B?
Anyone can get hepatitis B, but some people are at higher risk, including:
* people who were born to a mother with hepatitis B
* people who live with someone who has hepatitis B
* people who have lived in parts of the world where hepatitis B is common
* people who are exposed to blood or body fluids at work
* people on hemodialysis
* people who have had more than one sex partner in the last 6 months or have a history of sexually transmitted disease
* injection drug users
* men who have sex with men

How could I get Hepatitis B?
You could get hepatitis B through contact with an infected person's blood, semen or other body fluid. You could get hepatitis B from:
* being born to a mother with hepatitis B
* having sex with an infected person
* being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools that were used on an infected person
* getting an accidental needle stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
* using an infected person's razor or toothbrush
* sharing drug needles with an infected person

You cannot get hepatitis B from:
* shaking hands with an infected person
* hugging an infected person
* sitting next to an infected person

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B usually has no symptoms. Adults and children ages 5 and older sometimes have one or more of the following symptoms:
* yellowish eyes and skin, called jaundice
* a longer than usual amount of time for bleeding to stop
* swollen stomach or ankles
* easy bruising
* tiredness
* upset stomach
* fever
* loss of appetite
* diarrhea
* light-coloured stools
* dark yellow urine

How can I avoid getting Hepatitis B?
You can avoid getting hepatitis B by getting the hepatitis B vaccine.
Vaccine are medicines that keep you from getting sick. Adults at higher risk of getting hepatitis B and all children should get the vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine is given through three shots over a period of several months. There is no minimum age for vaccination. The second shot should be given at least 1 month after the first, and the last shot should be given at least 2 months after the second shot but no sooner than 4 months after the first. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe for pregnant women.
You need all three shots to be fully protected. If you are travelling to a country where hepatitis B is common, try to get all the shots before you go. You can also protect yourself and others from hepatitis B if you:
* use a condom during sex
* do not share drug needles
* wear gloves if you have to touch another person's blood
* do not borrow another person's toothbrush, razor or anything else that could have blood on it
* make sure any tattoos or body piercings you get are done with sterile tools
* do not donate blood or blood products if you have hepatitis B

Health Ministry ready for second wave of H1N1

Kuala Lumpur: The Health Ministry is ready for the second wave of Influenza A (H1N1), Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.

He said the ministry was giving emphasis to three aspects -- stepping up monitoring of H1N1 in all states, enhancing treatment at all hospital and intensifying communication through the media as well as the campaign against H1N1.

All intensive care units (ICU) are equipped with equipment vital to treating H1N1 and we are raising the stockpile of medicine,' he told reporter at the lobby of Parliament House, here.

Liow said the H1N1 preventive measures should be ongoing and the people must be reminded to be on guard at all times.

"Do not be complacent that H1N1 is no more. Everyone must be alert at all times. The disease is prevalent in China."

Liow said that since the H1N1 awareness campaign was held jointly with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private clinics and the public, the incidence of H1N1 had dropped.

"Our campaign has been effective and the people have been responding positively to the ministry's advice on personal hygiene and the environment in checking the disease," he said.

Liow also said that the body temperature scanners were being retained at all entry points of the country.

BEetles FIGHT each others!!

Wow...what happened to them? Why they fighted?

Find out more from

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/11/23/north/5161507&sec=North

More photos at our facebook page!

Fight For A Good Cause - Pillow Fight

Date : 21st November 2009

Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm

Location: Penang Time Square

Organiser: Catcheye.com.my

Event Details:

Join in the fun of pillow fighting!!

Fight for a Good Cause is a fund-raising event while allowing participants to enjoy themselves.

Participation Ticket: (All net proceeds will be donated)

RM5 (self bring pillow)

RM15 (inclusive of 1 pillow)

Participants who bought ticket before the event day will receive a Certification of Participation. Those who register on the spot will be subjected to the availability of certificates.

If the event successfully breaks the current Guinness World of Record, Participants have the options to purchase the Special Certificate at a price to be announced at further notice.

Beneficiaries:

Children Protection's Society Penang, SPCA Penang & ST Nicholas Penang

Rules:

- Soft pillows only!

- Commercially available bed pillow (sofa cushion & etc not acceptable)

- Swing lightly, many people will be swinging at once

- Do not swing at people without pillows or with camera

- Remove glasses beforehand!

- The event is appropriate for all ages

- Wait until the signal to begin

- Own responsible to take care of ownself & valuables

Lots of exciting prizes to be given away via lucky draw on the spot!

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

JOIN the event for FREE now!!

....if you're BEetle Link member!

* Register now and get a FREE ticket (+ a BE T-shirt) sponsored by Info Kinetics!

* Hurry up!! Only for first 20 person!

* Please call/sms Jennifer (016-4125760) for registration and more info.

Green Lung: USM Freeze

Have you ever encountered someone smoking in front of you but you could do nothing?
Have you ever wished to tell the smokers "I dislike smoking" but still you couldn't?
Inspired by Improveverywhere.com and Randomalphabets.com, we are going to bring about "Freeze in Unison" live right here in USM, Penang!

Now turn your whispers into ROAR
Here's the details of USM Freeze:

Host: Green Lung
Date: 30 September 2009 (Wednesday)
Time: 12.30pm - 1:30pm
Location: Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM
Venue: From Foyer DK to Foyer Perpustakaan Hamzah Sendut 1
Exact Freezing time: 1.20pm to 1.24pm (4 minutes)

Pre-event briefing:
Venue: Bakti Permai Basketball Court
(If raining, gather at the foyer in front of DK U)
Time: 1pm

For those who are not from USM:
Please do gather at the Sungai Dua Entrance Guard House from 12.30pm to 1.00pm. There will be our friend there on Green Lung T-shirt.
Email: greenlung.usm@gmail.com

BEetle Link -- Gifts Catalogue.Sep'09

Please contact Jennifer to redeem your gift(s):)

Oseltamivir --- Tamiflu

Oseltamivir is indicated for the treatment and prevention of infections due to influenza A and B virus in adults and children (older than 1 year of age) who have had symptoms of flu no longer than 2 days.



Oseltamivir is in a class of medications called neuraminidase inhibitors. It works by stopping the spread of the flu virus in the body. Oseltamivir helps shorten the time you have flu symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, muscle or joint arches, tiredness, headache, fever and chills. Oseltamivir will not prevent bacterial infections, which may occur as a complication of the flu.


Oseltamivir comes as a capsule and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. When oseltamivir is used to treat flu symptoms, it is usually taken 2 times/day (morning and evening) for 5 days. When oseltamivir is used to prevent flu, it is usually taken once a day for at least 10 days, or for up to 6 weeks during a community flu outbreak. Oseltamivir may be taken with or without food, but you may lessen the chance of getting an upset stomach by taking oseltamivir with food or milk. Common adverse drug reactions associated with oseltamivir therapy include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and headache.

Oseltamivir may be used to treat and prevent infections from avian (bird) influenza (a virus that usually infect birds but can also cause serious illness in humans). Oseltamivir also may be used to treat and prevent infections from influenza A (H1N1). H1N1 influenza also has been called swine flu because the virus that is infecting humans is related to one that usually infects pigs. However, there is no danger of getting this flu from eating pork or pork products.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency approval for the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for the treatment or prevention of influenza A(H1N1).

What is A H1N1?

Influenza A(H1N1)

• New strain - never reported before
• Contains gene segments from 4 different influenza types:
– North American swine
– North American avian
– North American human and
– Europe/Asian swine

Where we are now

Confirmed Cases Reported Worldwide
Distribution by Age

How dangerous is it?
• Deaths reported in Mexico
– Very little information on who are the most vulnerable
• Most cases diagnosed outside Mexico have had a mild disease
– Hospitalisations occur only in patients with underlying disease (Not sure why)

Case definition
source : Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre , Ministry of Health Malaysia , 29 April 2009

Symptoms
Diarrhoea and vomiting uncommon
Children
• Young children are less likely to have the usual influenza signs and symptoms, such as fever and cough
• Infants may present with fever and lethargy, and may not have cough or have other respiratory symptoms.
• Symptoms of severe disease in infants and young children may include apnea, tachypnea, dyspnea, cyanosis, dehydration, altered mental status, and extreme irritability

High Risk Groups for Complications if Infected
• all children aged 6 months--4 years (59 months)
• all persons aged >65 years
• children and adolescents (aged 6 months--18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
• adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
• adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
• adults and children who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration
• residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
• pregnant ladies

Transmission
• Coughing or sneezing
• Touching contaminated surfaces/objects and then touching mouth or nose

Survival of the Virus
• Hard non-porous surfaces 24-48 hours
– Plastic, stainless steel
• Recoverable for > 24 hours
• Transferable to hands up to 24 hours
• Cloth, paper & tissue
– Recoverable for 8-12 hours
– Transferable to hands 15 minutes
• Viable on hands <5> • 1 day prior to the illness onset to 7 days after onset
• Day before onset = Day -1
• Day of onset = Day 0
• Days after onset = Days 1-7

Treatment
• Zanamivir (or) Oseltamivir
• Initiated as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms
• Duration of treatment = 5 days
• Duration of prophylaxis = 10 days from last exposure Is the human seasonal influenza vaccine effective against influenza virus A(H1N1)?
• There are certain similarities between the usual H1N1 human influenza viruses (covered by the seasonal vaccine) and the novel influenza virus A(H1N1) so one cannot rule out some level of cross-protection, but this is likely to be only partial.
• In any case, investigations need to be undertaken to determine whether this is the case.
• Those investigations are under way, but will take quite some time.

Prevention
• Covering nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose the tissue in the trash immediately after use
• Handwashing with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing
• Cleaning hands with alcohol-based hand cleaners
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands (This is especially vital when you are in the open public)
• If you are sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them, wear a surgical mask if necessary.

For more current update, please visit http://www.moh.gov.my/

Prepared by Dr Tan Wan Lin (information courtesy of Dr Chow Ting Soo, Head of Department, Infectious Disease Unit, Penang Hospital)