Vaccines to Prevent Cervical Cancer
Preventing Cervical Cancer: Tens of millions of girls and young women have been vaccinated against the disease in the United States and Europe in the two years since two vaccines were given government approval in many countries.In the United States, Merck markets its HPV vaccine as Gardasil. Gardasil has been made Read Full Story
New warning added to fluroquinolone class of antibiotics
The FDA is notifying the makers of fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs for systemic use of the need to add a boxed warning to the prescribing information about the increased risk of developing tendinitis and tendon rupture in patients taking fluoroquinolones and to develop a Medication Guide for patients. This class of Read Full Story
Generic Avalide receives Approval
Mylan Inc. today announced that the company has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, 150 mg/12.5 mg and 300 mg/12.5 mg. This is the generic version of Avalide which is manufactured by Read Full Story
Glaxo receives Approval for Bird Flu Vaccine
The LONDON press reports that GlaxoSmithKline has received permission to market a human bird flu vaccine. This is significant because it is the first pharmaceutical to receive a license for pre-pandemic use in all 27-member European Union states. Noteworthy to those of us living in the USA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has ordered for 27.5 million doses. Glaxo has spent at Read Full Story
How should a business plan for a disaster such as pandemic flu?
How should a business plan for a disaster such as pandemic flu? An article published in the Washington Post last week pointed out that less than one-third of businesses have any type of plan. Former US Secretary of Health, Tommy Thompson points out why companies can't ignore this vital issue. I'm convinced, but as a small business owner, what resources are available to help start the planning Read Full Story
Anthrax Vaccine: New Developments
Anthrax... So you haven't heard about the vaccine for a while; is the threat of bioterrorism still real? VaxGen, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company, announced today it has completed the sale of all assets and rights related to its recombinant protective antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine product candidate and related technology to Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. Emergent BioSolutions paid VaxGen $2 million Read Full Story
More Dismal News as Merck Announces 1200 jobs cut
Pharmaceutical manufacturer giant Merck & Company Inc. announces more bad news with the elimination of 1,200 sales jobs in its US salesforce. This news comes after a decision last week from the FDA that issued a non-approvable letter for Cordaptive which was supposed to be Merck's newest cholesterol lowering drug. Also, Merck had been notified that immediate improvements must be made at one of Read Full Story
FDA issues Class 1 Recall FDA for Digitek (digoxin)
A very important nationwide Class I recall of all strengths of Digitek, a drug used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms was issued April 29,2008. Digitek(digoxin) products are distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., under a "Bertek" label and by UDL Laboratories, Inc. Digitek is being recalled due to the possibility that tablets with double the appropriate thickness may contain Read Full Story
New Study Proves Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease
In an important new study just published in the Neurobiology of Aging, investigators led by David R. Schubert, Ph.D.,have identified the probable molecular basis for the link between diabetes and Alzheimer's. interaction. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's and diabetes are increasing at an alarming rate. Alzheimer's affects one Read Full Story
National Institute of Aging Highlights Healthcare and Housing Costs
The National Institute of Health report released in March 2008 Highlights Healthcare and Housing Costs in Americans aged 65 and older. Health care costs, particularly for prescription drugs, have risen dramatically for older Americans. Between 1992 and 2004, average inflation-adjusted health care costs for older Read Full Story