Ice cream to cure side effects

Ice cream to cure side effects

An innovative new medical ice cream used to combat some of the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy is one of the first trials underway at the new Bay of Plenty District Health Board Clinical Trials Unit.

The strawberry ice cream, known as ReCharge, is a phase 2 clinical trial with 10 patients nation-wide signed up for a daily regime of 100 grams.

Research manager, Rana Reuther says this is the first national trial to be carried out at the centre.

“The Tauranga-based unit will coordinate all the DHB’s research activities and undertake DHB-wide pharmaceutical trials, medical device trials and research projects,” she says.

The newly-opened unit is expected to attract doctors and researchers to the area which Rana says is just one of many benefits of having a research centre in the Bay.

“Research shows that people who take part in clinical trials often do better because treatment and follow up is very thorough,” she says.

Head of the BOPDHB Clinical School, Peter Gilling says the BOPDHB has a wide range of specialties for undertaking trials and research projects.

“We are the seventh largest district health board in New Zealand and the largest employer in the Bay of Plenty. Projects could range from small, local trials to multi-national, multi-site trials,” he says.

The Clinical Trials Unit operates through an independent charitable research trust and all funds raised through trials and research will be used to support clinical training and research initiatives throughout the region.

ENDS

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