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One-third of parents do not expect to get H1N1 vaccine for kids; concerns about safety remains major factor

A new poll by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) shows the shortage of H1N1 vaccine for children is easing. As of late last week, three-quarters of parents who tried to get the vaccine for their children were able to do so.

23 Dec 2009

Beta blockers may increase risk of anemia-induced adverse cardiovascular events

Routinely used to treat patients for heart attack or high blood pressure, beta blockers are known for their role in helping to protect the heart. A new study in the January issue of the journal Anesthesiology looks at the effects of beta blockers on surgical outcomes, revealing that the cardioprotective effects of the medication could be compromised by acute surgical anemia.

23 Dec 2009

Marijuana lyrics linked to marijuana use

Teens who frequently listen to music that contains references to marijuana are more likely to use the drug than their counterparts with less exposure to such lyrics, according to a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study online now in the journal Addiction.

23 Dec 2009

Researchers mix active drug and placebo to maximize drug benefits for efficient treatment

Researchers used the placebo effect to successfully treat psoriasis patients with one quarter to one half of their usual dose of a widely used steroid medication, according to an early study published online today in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

23 Dec 2009

CVS/pharmacy to provide H1N1 flu vaccinations at select store locations in Rhode Island

CVS/pharmacy announced today that it will provide H1N1 flu vaccinations at select store locations in Rhode Island by the end of this week. The vaccine will be available to all Rhode Islanders who wish to be vaccinated while supplies last.

23 Dec 2009

Combination of ropivacaine and fibrin sealant is effective in reducing pain after LC procedure

Fibrin sealant has been an extremely effective and widely used adjunct to surgical procedures to control diffuse slow bleeding over large surfaces. In addition, fibrin sealant has been used as a carrier for other compounds. Thus, it has been used to release medicines slowly at a fixed site and is therefore effective for a long time.

23 Dec 2009

New community-associated strain of MRSA more apt to cause serious problems

The often feared and sometimes deadly infections caused by MRSA - methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus - are now moving out of hospitals and emerging as an even more virulent strain in community settings and on athletic teams, and raising new concerns about antibiotic resistance.

23 Dec 2009

Researchers recommend progesterone as viable treatment for traumatic brain injuries

Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, recommend that progesterone (PROG), a naturally occurring hormone found in both males and females that can protect damaged cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems, be considered a viable treatment option for traumatic brain injuries, according to a clinical perspective published in the January issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

23 Dec 2009

Trabectedin now available for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma

Patients with a rare form of cancer called advanced soft tissue sarcoma could now benefit from a new drug called trabectedin, after the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) approved the drug for NHS use.

23 Dec 2009

New drug to stop cancer cells from growing and to stimulate immune system to destroy cancer cells found

A study conducted at Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, Texas, found that a new drug stopped the growth of breast tumors in mice. This drug is unique in that it works both by stopping the cancer cells from growing and metastasizing to other organs, and by stimulating the immune system to destroy breast cancer cells and keeps them from coming back.

23 Dec 2009

Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections, an effective treatment method for gluteus medius tendinopathy

Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections may be an effective treatment method for gluteus medius tendinopathy, a common, painful condition caused by an injury to the tendons in the buttocks that typically affects middle-aged to elderly women and young active individuals, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

23 Dec 2009

Viron Therapeutics' three drug candidates granted U.S. patents

Viron Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering the development of virally-derived protein therapeutics, today announced that it has been granted U.S. patents related to three of its drug candidates, VT-111, VT-346 and VT-384.

23 Dec 2009

Macomb County Health Department announces 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination program

The last large H1N1 influenza vaccination clinic for the 2009 flu season has been scheduled by the Macomb County Health Department. It is free of charge and will take place next Monday, Dec. 28, at Bethesda Christian Church in Sterling Heights from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone over 6 months of age can receive the vaccine at this clinic.

23 Dec 2009

Niacin may not be beneficial for type 2 diabetic patients

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as "good" cholesterol, isn't as protective for people with type 2 diabetes, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

22 Dec 2009

H1N1 flu vaccination clinics to be offered at 33 locations across Pennsylvania

The Department of Health will offer H1N1 flu vaccination clinics at 33 locations across Pennsylvania on Jan. 8 and 9, and anyone wishing to receive the vaccine is urged to make an appointment to attend.

22 Dec 2009

Darbepoetin alfa does not reduce cardiovascular problem in anemic patients on dialysis

An international study authored by a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher has concluded that the anemia drug darbepoetin alfa works no better than a placebo in several other applications previously thought to be promising.

22 Dec 2009

Former CDC head to lead Merck's vaccine division

The pharmaceutical company Merck on Monday named former CDC head Julie Gerberding as president of the company's vaccine division, Reuters reports. "Gerberding, who led the CDC from 2002 to 2009 and stepped down when President Barack Obama took office, will head up the company's $5 billion global vaccine business that includes shots to prevent chickenpox, cervical cancer and pneumonia," the news service reports.

22 Dec 2009

Prasco Laboratories to market Stiefel Laboratories' Clobetasol Propionate Foam

Prasco Laboratories announced today that they have signed a distribution and supply agreement with Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., a GlaxoSmithKline company, for Clobetasol Propionate Foam 0.05%, the latest product in Prasco's line of authorized generics. Under the terms of the agreement, Prasco will market and distribute Clobetasol Propionate Foam 0.05% in 50g and 100g canisters in the U.S. under the Prasco label.

22 Dec 2009

Declining use of Advair for COPD, Spiriva patient share increasing

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that since the 2008 retrospective analysis of patient-level claims data, Boehringer Ingelheim/Pfizer's Spiriva has closed the gap in patient share between itself and GlaxoSmithKline's Advair in newly diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Although Advair's patient share in the first line is still greater than Spiriva's, Spiriva has surpassed Advair in the second line and will continue to overcome and widen the gap between itself and Advair over the next two years.

22 Dec 2009

Arena Pharmaceuticals submits lorcaserin NDA to the FDA

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for lorcaserin, Arena's internally discovered and developed drug candidate for weight management, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss. The submission is based on an extensive data package from lorcaserin's clinical development program that includes 18 clinical trials totaling 8,576 patients.

22 Dec 2009

Pharmaceutical News

One-third of parents do not expect to get H1N1 vaccine for kids; concerns about safety remains major factor

Beta blockers may increase risk of anemia-induced adverse cardiovascular events

Marijuana lyrics linked to marijuana use

Researchers mix active drug and placebo to maximize drug benefits for efficient treatment

CVS/pharmacy to provide H1N1 flu vaccinations at select store locations in Rhode Island

Combination of ropivacaine and fibrin sealant is effective in reducing pain after LC procedure

New community-associated strain of MRSA more apt to cause serious problems

Researchers recommend progesterone as viable treatment for traumatic brain injuries

Trabectedin now available for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma

New drug to stop cancer cells from growing and to stimulate immune system to destroy cancer cells found

Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections, an effective treatment method for gluteus medius tendinopathy

Viron Therapeutics' three drug candidates granted U.S. patents

Macomb County Health Department announces 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination program

Niacin may not be beneficial for type 2 diabetic patients

H1N1 flu vaccination clinics to be offered at 33 locations across Pennsylvania

Darbepoetin alfa does not reduce cardiovascular problem in anemic patients on dialysis

Former CDC head to lead Merck's vaccine division

Prasco Laboratories to market Stiefel Laboratories' Clobetasol Propionate Foam

Declining use of Advair for COPD, Spiriva patient share increasing

Arena Pharmaceuticals submits lorcaserin NDA to the FDA

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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