Looking to the future

Two innovative developments were honoured recently at the Medical Futures Innovation Awards, which aim to recognise and encourage innovation in all parts of the healthcare industry. The scheme is a not-for-profit enterprise with all proceeds from the 2003 Awards being donated to the Genetic Interest Group and Cancer Research UK.

A new type of asthma inhaler designed to combat incorrect use of conventional inhalers won the BUPA-sponsored 'Best Innovation to Improve Patient Care' award. Pharmacist John Bell and clinical scientist Dr Ray Bacon developed the K-Haler as a simple, effective and low-cost alternative to existing pressurised metered dose inhalers (PMDIs), which are the preferred treatment for asthma sufferers, yet are often used incorrectly.

All inhalers are fitted with a canister that contains a mixture of the drug and propellant. This canister is attached to a valve that measures and releases one dose of the drug each time the canister is depressed.

While it looks very similar to conventional inhalers, the K-Haler differs in that it holds the drug in the first kink of the innovative K-valve. The drug is released only when the K-valve is straightened, similar to the straightening of a bent straw. This straightening happens only when the patient inhales, co-ordinating drug release with inhalation. By injecting the drug into the early part of the inhaled air, the drug penetrates deep into the airways to treat the asthma.

Meanwhile, an Open University research team led by Professor Steven Rose has identified a peptide, codenamed RER, that both reverses memory loss and strengthens weak memories in animals. This pioneering work into the biochemical basis for memory loss in Alzheimer's Disease won this year's award for the Best Innovation in Mental Health, jointly sponsored by Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim.