Drugs.com - Pharma News

Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness Names Russell as Managing Director

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:15:52 GMT

SAATCHI & SAATCHI WELLNESS NAMES RUSSELL AS MANAGING DIRECTOR NEW YORK, NY, November 20, 2009-Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness (SSW), a division of the Publicis Healthcare Communications Group, announced today that Ned Russell has been named EVP,...

Antitrust Lawyer Files Suit to Stop Pfizer Merger

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:39:52 GMT

Antitrust Lawyer Files Suit to Stop Pfizer Merger [The Day, New London, Conn.] From Day, The (New London, CT) (November 20, 2009) Nov. 20--A prominent San Francisco antitrust attorney said Thursday he has filed a request in federal court for a...

The Botax? Nip/Tuck Levy to Help Health Care Plan

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:47:35 GMT

From Associated Press (November 20, 2009) WASHINGTON--They call it the "Botax." The White House and Senate Democrats have turned to a proposal to tax breast implants, tummy tucks, wrinkle-smoothing injections and other procedures as they search for...

Moody's Gives Negative View on Pharma Credit

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:47:32 GMT

From Associated Press (November 19, 2009) NEW YORK--Moody's Investors Service issued a negative opinion on the pharmaceutical industry Thursday, saying drugmaker credit ratings will be under pressure until early 2012 because they won't be able to...

Retiring Lilly Research Exec Steven Paul Gets $2 Million in Severance [The Indianapolis Star]

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:41:58 GMT

From Indianapolis Star (IN) (November 20, 2009) Nov. 20--The top research executive at Eli Lilly and Co. will receive a $2 million cash severance payment and be credited with extra years of service when he retires in February -- a move...

FDA Panel Backs Safety, Benefits of Spiriva

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:47:42 GMT

From Associated Press (November 19, 2009) WASHINGTON-Federal health experts on Thursday brushed off lingering safety questions about a popular inhaler drug and suggested it carry bolder benefit claims. The Food and Drug Administration's panel of...

WHO: Swine Flu Shot Not Causing Deaths

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:45:49 GMT

From Associated Press (November 19, 2009) GENEVA--The World Health Organization on Thursday ruled out swine flu vaccine as the cause of death in 41 people who had received the flu shot. WHO vaccines chief Marie-Paule Kieny said deaths...

FDA Issues 22 Warning Letters to Web Site Operators

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:31:28 GMT

Part of International Internet Week of Action SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today completed a coordinated, weeklong, international effort, called the International Internet Week of...

PhRMA Statement on Misleading Reports About Price Growth

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:10:45 GMT

Washington, November 18, 2009 — Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America(PhRMA) Senior Vice President Ken Johnson issued the following statement today: “It’s pretty obvious that the calls to hold...

Time to Blow Up the Pharmaceutical Sales Model? New Deloitte Debate

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:45:49 GMT

What: "New Commercial Model: Science or Swag?" Who: W. Scott Evangelista, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP When: Available immediately Where: www.deloitte.com/us/debates/scienceorswag NEW YORK, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Details:...

Committee Leaders Call for GAO Analysis of Recent Prescription Drug Price Increases

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:40:10 GMT

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2009--Leaders of the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) last night requesting an expedited report on recent trends in prescription drug...

FDA Panel Backs Pfizer's Enhanced Vaccine for Kids

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:15:21 GMT

From Associated Press (November 19, 2009) BETHESDA, Md.--Federal health experts said Wednesday an updated version of Pfizer's best-selling anti-infection vaccine is safe and effective for infants and toddlers, despite company studies that failed to...

AstraZeneca Seeks Brilinta Approval in US

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:11:10 GMT

From Associated Press (November 19, 2009) LONDON–AstraZeneca PLC said Thursday it has applied to U.S. regulators to market its blood clot preventer Brilinta, a potential new big seller for the company. AstraZeneca submitted a new drug...

Genentech, Biogen Get FDA Request on Rituxan

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:22:40 GMT

From Associated Press (November 18, 2009) NEW YORK--Genentech Inc. and partner Biogen Idec Inc. said Wednesday the Food and Drug Administration is withholding a decision to expand approval of Rituxan as a leukemia treatment, pending further...

Ex-Pharma Executive Runs as Dem for Kansas Governor

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:51:02 GMT

From Associated Press (November 18, 2009) TOPEKA, Kan.--A former pharmaceutical company executive who returned to Kansas this year announced Tuesday that he's running for governor, giving Democrats a declared candidate. Tom Wiggans, 57, appointed a...

InterMune Shares Fall on Change in Hepatitis Study

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:46:13 GMT

From Associated Press (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK--Shares of InterMune Inc. fell Tuesday after the biotechnology company said it would discontinue a high-dose of its experimental Hepatitis C treatment in a study because of potential liver...

Pfizer Enters Tropical Disease Drug Partnership

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:20:49 GMT

From Associated Press (November 18, 2009) NEW YORK--Scientists from a not-for-profit foundation will test 150,000 Pfizer Inc. drug candidates as part of a search for treatments for three tropical diseases that are spread by insects. Pfizer and the...

FDA Approves New Post-Shingles Attack Drug

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:59:04 GMT

From UPI Science News (November 18, 2009) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has approved a medicated skin patch that relieves the pain associated with shingles. The FDA said the Qutenza (capsaicin) 8 percent patch treats pain that occurs...

Pfizer Inc Submits New Pediatric Data for Lipitor to EMEA

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:09:32 GMT

From EquityBites (November 18, 2009) Health care company Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) declared on Wednesday the submission of paediatric data for Lipitor (atorvastatin) to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). This follows the EMEA's conclusion that...

Vaccines on Horizon for AIDS, Alzheimer's, Herpes

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:58 GMT

From Associated Press (November 18, 2009) MARIETTA, Pa._Malaria. Tuberculosis. Alzheimer's disease. AIDS. Pandemic flu. Genital herpes. Urinary tract infections. Grass allergies. Traveler's diarrhea. You name it, the pharmaceutical industry is...

FDA Says Heartburn Drugs Can Interfere with Plavix

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:38 GMT

From Associated Press (November 17, 2009) WASHINGTON_Federal health officials said Tuesday a popular variety of heartburn medications can interfere with the blood thinner Plavix, a drug taken by millions of Americans to reduce risks of heart...

FDA and Everyday Health Collaborate to Expand Reach of Consumer Health Information

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:05:25 GMT

WASHINGTON & BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 17, 2009 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Everyday Health today announced a collaboration that will expand the delivery of the agency's vital consumer health information to the...

Common Cold Virus May Have Foiled HIV Vaccine Test

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:38:25 GMT

Associated Press - Nov. 16, 2009 WASHINGTON-The failure of an experimental AIDS vaccine trial two years ago may have been caused by the common cold virus. The vaccine was intended to block the spread of HIV, which causes AIDS. But the test was...

Drug Therapy More Cost-Effective Than Angioplasty for Diabetic Patients with Heart Disease, Stanford Researcher Finds

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:11:21 GMT

STANFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 17, 2009 - Many patients with diabetes should forego angioplasties for heart disease and just take medicine instead, according to a new National Institutes of Health study led by Stanford University School of...

Genzyme Flops at FDA: Allston Plant Problems Delay Drug Review [Boston Herald]

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:10:44 GMT

Boston Herald (MA) - Nov. 17, 2009 Nov. 17--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is holding off on its review of Lumizyme, a treatment for the rare muscular disorder Pompe disease, until drug maker Genzyme Corp. resolves manufacturing problems at...

FDA Reviews Update to Pfizer Vaccine for Kids

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:10:37 GMT

Associated Press - Nov. 16, 2009 WASHINGTON-Federal health officials on Monday questioned whether to approve an updated version of Pfizer 's best-selling anti-infection vaccine for children, despite company studies that failed to meet certain...

Novartis: Lower Dose of Flu Vaccine Sufficient

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:04:53 GMT

Associated Press - Nov. 17, 2009 BASEL, Switzerland–Pharmaceutical maker Novartis AG said Tuesday a U.S. clinical study suggests that half a dose of its swine flu vaccine may be sufficient to protect people from the virus and could...

FDA Says Prilosec Can Block Benefits of Plavix

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:57:21 GMT

From Associated Press (November 17, 2009) WASHINGTON–Federal health officials say a popular heartburn medication can block the blood thinning effect of Plavix, which is taken by millions of Americans to reduce risks of heart attack and...

Novartis: Lower Dose of Flu Vaccine Sufficient (AP)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:57:25 GMT

Novartis: Lower Dose of Flu Vaccine Sufficient (AP) From Associated Press (November 17, 2009) BASEL, Switzerland_Pharmaceutical maker Novartis AG said Tuesday a U.S. clinical study suggests that half a dose of its swine flu vaccine may be...

Merck Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in Phase III TRA-2°P-TIMI 50 Trial of SCH 530348, a Novel, Oral Antiplatelet PAR-1 Inhibitor

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:54:09 GMT

More than 26,000 Patients Enrolled in Global Trial Evaluating Investigational Antiplatelet Agent in the Long-Term Prevention of Cardiovascular Events Whitehouse Station, NJ, Nov. 13, 2009- Merck announced today the completion of patient...

Drug Industry Raises Prices by 9%

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:07:44 GMT

From UPI Top Stories (November 16, 2009) U.S. drug manufacturers have been raising their prices at the fastest clip since 1992, industry analysts say. Wholesale prices for brand name prescription drugs have increased by about 9 percent in the last...

Lilly's Big Cancer Bet: Seeking New Blockbusters

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:03:38 GMT

- While the Risks are Huge, the Rewards Could Be Giant [The Indianapolis Star] From Indianapolis Star (IN) (November 15, 2009) Nov. 15--In a corner of an Eli Lilly and Co. cancer laboratory, biologist Julie Pomeroy squeezes drops of a fluorescent...

Boehringer Ingelheim Developing 'Female Viagra'

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:02:55 GMT

German firm developing 'female Viagra' [The Day, New London, Conn.] From Day, The (New London, CT) (November 14, 2009) Nov. 14--Perhaps pharmaceutical firms Pfizer Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim should go out on a date. New York-based Pfizer,...

GlaxoSmithKline, Nabi to Develop Smoking Vaccine

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:55:48 GMT

From Associated Press (November 16, 2009) NEW YORK–GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Nabi Biopharmaceuticals said Monday they will work together to develop vaccines to help smokers give up the habit, in a deal that could be worth more than $500...

Sanofi-Aventis Swine Flu Vaccine Cleared in France

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:55:34 GMT

From Associated Press (November 16, 2009) PARIS–French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis SA said Monday it has received regulatory approval in France for Panenza, its vaccine against the swine flu virus. Panenza, made by the company's vaccine division...

Study Raises New Questions About Merck Pill Zetia

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:50:53 GMT

From Associated Press (November 16, 2009) ORLANDO, Fla.–A new study raises fresh concerns about Zetia and its cousin, Vytorin – drugs still taken by millions of Americans to lower cholesterol, despite questions raised last year about how...

Particles Detected in Vials from Genzyme's Plant Not Expected to Impact Aldurazyme or Naglazyme

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:47:07 GMT

NOVATO, Calif., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:BMRN) announced today that Genzyme notified the company that, in rare circumstances, it has detected foreign particles in some products filled at the Allston...

Abbott Statement on ARBITER 6 - HALTS Results and Abbott's Niaspan (niacin extended-release)

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:52:50 GMT

Study results released today by the American Heart Association and the New England Journal of Medicine ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Results from the investigator-initiated ARBITER 6 - HALTS study showed patients at high...

FDA Sends Warning Letters for Dacogen and Fosrenol

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:42:53 GMT

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 16,2009--The FDA has posted on its website warning letters it sent to Eisai, Inc. for Dacogen and to Shire Development Inc. for Fosrenol. Both letters mention misleading information regarding the marketing of the two...

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Split-Off of Mead Johnson

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:01:18 GMT

Completes Major Phase in Company's BioPharma Transformation Provides Bristol-Myers Squibb Shareholders an Option for a Tax-Free Exchange Expected to be Accretive to EPS Beginning in 2010 Reflects Strength and Sustainability of BioPharma...