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Possible treatment for the fatal lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

They found that the anti-cancer drug imatinib mesylate — commercially known as Gleevec and produced by Novartis Pharmaceuticals — can target a gene critical to controlling the disease process. Previously, there had been no treatment and patients usually did not survive beyond three years of diagnosis. Now the treatment is undergoing clinical trials at Mayo Clinic.

2 Nov 2004

Study results suggest that metronidazole and clindamycin differ in their effects on microbes in women with bacterial vaginosis

In the first study to directly compare the emergence of antibiotic resistance following topical treatment between two antibiotics routinely prescribed for a common vaginal infection, researchers from the Magee-Womens Research Institute have found antibiotic-resistant bacteria more likely to develop with the drug clindamycin than metronidazole.

1 Nov 2004

Tentative approval of testosterone gel product

Par Pharmaceutical Companies today announced that its partner, Paddock Laboratories, has been granted tentative approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for testosterone gel 1%.

1 Nov 2004

No evidence that Glatiramer acetate slows multiple sclerosis progression

In this week's issue of the Lancet Neurology, glatiramer acetate, known as Copaxone(R), was subjected to an independent review. The systematic review, called a Cochrane Review, performed by Dr. Luca Munari and colleagues, challenges the claims of benefit from previous industry- based publications.

1 Nov 2004

New treatment option for patients who have moderately active ulcerative colitis

Results of a study presented today by a Mayo Clinic physician at the 69th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) in Orlando, Fla., offer a new treatment option for patients who have moderately active ulcerative colitis.

1 Nov 2004

Hormone therapy findings suggest a complex relationship between marketing, scientific evidence and prescribing patterns

Pharmaceutical companies slashed their promotional spending for hormone therapies by more than a third following reports in July 2002 of health risks associated with the drugs, but within the year they beefed up their marketing efforts to promote lower-dose forms of the medications

1 Nov 2004

First home-testing device for phenylketonuria (PKU) patients

Home-testing kits have made it easier for diabetics and hypertension patients to track their conditions, but such self-monitoring hasn’t been possible for people with phenylketonuria (PKU).

1 Nov 2004

FDA approves Nastech vitamin B-12 deficiency nasal spray

Nastech Pharmaceutical Company has announced receipt of an approvable letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Nascobal (Cyanocobalamin, USP) Nasal Spray for the treatment of vitamin B-12 deficiency.

1 Nov 2004

Gel significantly increases sexual activity in surgically menopausal women

BioSante Pharmaceuticals today announced the presentation of new Phase II clinical data on LibiGel™ (transdermal testosterone gel) at the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

1 Nov 2004

New therapy under development for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

A new therapy under development for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea predominance appears to provide significant improvements in measures of quality of life, according to a study presented at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.

1 Nov 2004

Uterine fibroid treatment option 'safe and effective'

Boston Scientific Corporation today welcomed an announcement by the Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee (IPAC) of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), confirming the safety and efficacy of uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), an innovative treatment for fibroids.

1 Nov 2004

Scientists decode the genome sequence of Cryptosporidium hominis, one of the most common causes of waterborne diseases in humans

A team of scientists at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine has helped decode the genome sequence of Cryptosporidium hominis, an insidious parasite identified as one of the most common causes of waterborne diseases in humans and classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a potential bioterrorist agent.

29 Oct 2004

Trojan horse technique offers potential new therapeutic approach to Alzheimer's disease

A potential new therapeutic approach to Alzheimer's disease protects brain cells in culture by drastically reducing the neurotoxic amyloid protein aggregates that are critical to the development of the disease.

29 Oct 2004

New insights into hormone therapy show when estrogen best aids brain

New hormone therapy studies demonstrate estrogen's ability to directly stimulate neurons, repair damaged neurons, and stimulate support cells—most of which can alleviate some of the cognitive decline associated with menopause.

28 Oct 2004

Human Genome Sciences announces agreement with GSK for development of drug to treat diabetes

Human Genome Sciences today announced an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline under which GlaxoSmithKline has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Albugon (albumin-glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1), a drug currently in late-stage preclinical development by Human Genome Sciences for potential use in the treatment of diabetes.

26 Oct 2004

Call for a Senate Inquiry into the pharmacy industry in Australia

With the current Pharmacy Agreement expiring on 30 June 2005 and the current Senate configuration in place until the same date, Dr Glasson said the timing is perfect for a comprehensive review of the protected environment in which the pharmacies operate.

26 Oct 2004

New Drug Application for Velac accepted for filing by the FDA

Connetics Corporation, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing the Company's New Drug Application for Velac

25 Oct 2004

Agreement reached on new community pharmacy contract

Patients in the UK will gain a better service from their local pharmacist as Government plans for a more flexible, modernised service moved a step further towards implementation, Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today.

25 Oct 2004

Infectious diseases physicians call for financial incentives for industry

In the midst of the current national shortage of influenza vaccine, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has renewed its call for Congress and the Administration to implement innovative public policy geared toward removing financial disincentives that have caused pharmaceutical companies to leave the vaccine market.

25 Oct 2004

Boehringer Ingelheim - New Drug Application (NDA) for tipranavir

The Company is seeking accelerated approval of tipranavir and has requested a priority, six-month review of the NDA. Priority review designation is based upon whether a drug provides a significant improvement in the treatment of a serious or life-threatening disease.

25 Oct 2004