Improving Decisions About The Funding Of High Cost Cancer Medicines In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,303.00
Summary
In this project, we will address the pressing policy question: How can those funding cancer medicines manage the intensifying economic and ethical challenges that they face? Specifically, we will explore ways of making funding decisions fairer and more legitimate in the eyes of different stakeholders, including patients, the general public, governments and pharmaceutical companies. We will also consider ways in which these guidelines might be generalised to the funding of other medicines.
Exploring The Efficacy And Biobehavioural Basis Of Baclofen In The Treatment Of Alcoholic Liver Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,197.00
Summary
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the main cause of death from alcohol consumption. Early detection of the disease and subsequent abstinence from alcohol can prevent death and disability. Current medications to help control alcohol consumption are not suitable for use in this patient population owing to the risk of liver side-effects. This study investigates the novel use of an existing medication, baclofen, to safely help maintain abstinence from alcohol in patients suffering from ALD.
Modafinil For Neurobehavioural Dysfunction In Sleep Apnea Patients Who Cannot Use Standard Device-based Treatments.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,830.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often caused by obesity and can result in fall-asleep car crashes. It is often treated by mechanical devices that keep the sleeping airway open. Unfortunately, around half of all patients cannot tolerate these treatments. We propose to help patients reduce obesity with a lifestyle intervention program whilst testing whether their daytime symptoms of sleepiness and poor driving ability can be treated with a wake-promoting drug called modafinil.
The N-ICE Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Safety And Efficacy Of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) As A Pharmacotherapy For Methamphetamine (“ice”) Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,551,368.00
Summary
Crystalline methamphetamine (aka ‘ice’) is a significant public health concern in Australia and globally. Currently there are no approved medications to treat methamphetamine dependence. We will trial tN-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) as a medications for methamphetamine dependence.
Defining The Clinical Role Of Topiramate In The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependence In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$718,836.00
Summary
We urgently require new strategies for the treatment of alcohol dependence. The effectiveness of currently approved alcohol medications is limited. Emerging data suggests that topiramate has robust effectiveness and that better medicine selection is possible for patients based on their genotype. We propose to conduct a double-blind randomised controlled trial to examine the clinical and cost effectiveness of topiramate using a genetically based personalised approach.
Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study Of Lisdexamfetamine For The Treatment Of Methamphetamine Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,303,735.00
Summary
Addiction to methamphetamines (‘ice’) is a growing community problem linked to serious disease and death. Current counselling approaches have limited success on their own, and more effective treatments linked to medications are needed. Lisdexamfetamine is a newly licenced stimulant medication with great promise in treating these patients. This trial will examine whether lisdexamfetamine (with counselling) safely reduces methamphetamine use and improves health and wellbeing among heavy users.