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FDA approves CSL's seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines for children

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the CSL Limited's seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines to include children ages 6 months and older. These vaccine were previously approved for use in adults, ages 18 years and older

17 Nov 2009

Researchers attempt to slow the pace of infectious organisms' evolution to keep today's drugs effective

Infectious organisms that become resistant to antibiotics are a serious threat to human society. They are also a natural part of evolution. In a new project, researchers at the University of Gothenburg are attempting to find substances that can slow the pace of evolution, in order to ensure that the drugs of today remain effective into the future.

17 Nov 2009

GSK-3alpha protein: A potent, positive regulator of cardiac hypertrophy

A protein long thought to be a secondary regulator in the heart's response to stressors like hypertension actually appears to be a primary regulator according to researchers from the Center for Translational Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.

17 Nov 2009

Reorganizing the FDA could save Americans trillions of dollars over the next decade, says legal expert

While Congress and the rest of the nation turn the battle over healthcare reform into a pro-wrestling-style steel cage death match with enough rhetoric to choke an English professor, at least one expert is looking beyond the bills on the table for a different solution.

17 Nov 2009

Sterile Insect Technique can play a vital role in malaria elimination

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), the release of sexually sterile male insects to wipe out a pest population, is one suggested solution to the problem of malaria in Africa. A new supplement, published in BioMed Central's open access Malaria Journal, reviews the history of the technique, and features details about aspects of its application in the elimination of malaria.

16 Nov 2009

Strong support from AARP members for Affordable Health Care for America Act

A new poll of AARP members released today finds strong support across party and ideological lines for elements of health care reform included in the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which recently passed the House of Representatives. The AARP-backed bill limits how much more insurance companies can charge based on age and will close the Medicare prescription drug doughnut hole.

16 Nov 2009

Results of Phase III clinical trials of flibanserin for treatment of HSDD in pre-menopausal women released

Data from pivotal Phase III clinical trials demonstrate that flibanserin 100mg increased the number of satisfying sexual events (SSE) and sexual desire (the co-primary endpoints) while decreasing the distress associated with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD).

16 Nov 2009

Scientists develop new technique to measure brain volume loss for monitoring of Alzheimer's disease

In a study that promises to improve diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease, scientists at the University of California, San Diego have developed a fast and accurate method for quantifying subtle, sub-regional brain volume loss using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study will be published the week of November 16 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

16 Nov 2009

Migraine headaches linked with increased risk of common kind of stroke

Pooling results from 21 studies, involving 622,381 men and women, researchers at Johns Hopkins have affirmed that migraine headaches are associated with more than twofold higher chances of the most common kind of stroke: those occurring when blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off by the buildup of plaque or a blood clot.

16 Nov 2009

Addrenex Pharmaceuticals to be acquired by Sciele Pharma

Sciele Pharma, Inc., a U.S.-based group company of Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and Addrenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held U.S. pharmaceutical company specializing in developing drugs that regulate the adrenergic system, today announced that Sciele has agreed to acquire Addrenex.

16 Nov 2009

Drug makers hike prices, lobby hard as reform efforts progress

Drug makers are bracing for reform by raising their prices - by 9 percent in the last year, perhaps the fastest rate since 1992, The New York Times reports. This happened "even as drug makers promise to support Washington's health care overhaul by shaving $8 billion a year off the nation's drug costs after the legislation takes effect." The increases "will add more than $10 billion to the nation's drug bill, which is on track to exceed $300 billion this year."

16 Nov 2009

Lotus Pharmaceuticals reports $5.4 million net earnings for third-quarter 2009

Lotus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a growing developer and producer of prescriptions drugs and licensed national seller of pharmaceutical products in the People's Republic of China, today reported third-quarter 2009 net earnings were $5.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with $3.2 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in 2008. Net revenues were $14.5 million during the third quarter of 2009, compared with $16.7 million in the third quarter of 2008.

16 Nov 2009

China Medicine reports total revenues of $19.2M for the third quarter of 2009

China Medicine Corporation, a developer and a leading distributor of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), nutritional and dietary supplements, and medical devices and medical formulations, today announced its third quarter 2009 results.

16 Nov 2009

Myeloma UK launches innovative clinical trial network

Yorkshire myeloma patients are set to be among the first to benefit from an innovative Myeloma Clinical Trial Network launched by Myeloma UK.

16 Nov 2009

Sinobiopharma's 23 generic drugs on China's National Essential Drugs List

Sinobiopharma, Inc. is pleased to announce that 23 generic drugs for which the Company has production rights are listed in China's National Essential Drugs List, which covers pharmaceuticals used to treat up to 80 percent of the most common diseases in China.

16 Nov 2009

Mayo Clinic Health Letter provides treatment options for people with heart disorders

Fewer than one-third of patients with heart failure are taking the three types of medications that are most effective in prolonging life and improving quality of life. The November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter provides an overview of treatments recommended by national guidelines.

16 Nov 2009

FDA issues a Complete Response Letter for Human Genome Sciences' raxibacumab BLA

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. today announced that it has received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relating to the Company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) requesting the approval of raxibacumab for use in the treatment of inhalational anthrax. The FDA issues Complete Response Letters to request additional information needed to complete the review of a BLA.

16 Nov 2009

Self-care tips for hemorrhoids from Mayo Clinic

By about age 50, more than half of adults have dealt with hemorrhoids. The November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers home treatments that can relieve symptoms of this common and embarrassing problem.

16 Nov 2009

Lack of hemophilia treatment in the developing world costing lives

When modern medicine finds a way to treat a medical condition, people often think that the problem is solved. But we also have to find ways to get that treatment into the hands of those who need it. For example, new research from North Carolina State University shows that much more needs to be done to help get existing treatment to hemophilia patients in the developing world, and that the current lack of treatment there is costing lives.

16 Nov 2009