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Genentech submits sBLAs to the FDA for Avastin

Genentech, Inc., a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group, today announced that the company submitted two supplemental Biologics License Applications (sBLAs) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Avastin® (bevacizumab) for the treatment of women who have not received chemotherapy for advanced (metastatic) HER2-negative breast cancer (first-line treatment). One sBLA is based on the Phase III study AVADO that investigated Avastin in combination with docetaxel chemotherapy.

17 Nov 2009

Also in Global Health News: HIV/AIDS in Uganda; medical equipment in Tanzania; birth control in Afghanistan; Ethiopia malaria fight

"The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) is revamping its national HIV information campaign after HIV prevention messages were less successful than hoped," PlusNews reports. "Campaigns aimed at ending cross-generational sex will be abandoned in favour of generic warnings about engaging in risky sex because of fears that young people may believe that sex within their own generation is risk-free. Officials have also said factors such as alcohol abuse, which predispose people to risky sexual behaviour, must be tackled alongside HIV prevention" (11/16).

16 Nov 2009

Tips for treating age-related dermatologic concerns

Everyone expects their bodies to change as they get older. From wrinkles and sagging skin to brittle bones and aches and pains, the aging process is inevitable. In addition, there are a number of medical dermatologic conditions that surface with age that can cause people even more stress. Fortunately, dermatologists can help diagnose and treat these conditions no matter when they strike.

11 Nov 2009

Court denies preliminary injunction against Hologic, Conceptus to continue patent infringement suit

Conceptus, Inc., developer of the Essure® procedure, the first proven non-incisional permanent birth control method available, today announced that the United Stated District Court, Northern District of California has denied Conceptus’ motion for a preliminary injunction prohibiting Hologic, Inc. from importing, using, selling or offering to sell the Adiana system in the United States.

From Hologic, Inc. 10 Nov 2009

Cardinal Rigali to support health care bill if an amendment preserving the status quo for abortion is voted upon

American Life League president Judie Brown released the following statement on the news that Cardinal Justin Rigali will support Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), provided an amendment preserving the status quo for abortion is voted upon.

9 Nov 2009

Conceptus reports clinical success of its Essure non-incisional permanent birth control procedure

Conceptus, Inc., developer of the Essure® procedure, the first proven non-incisional permanent birth control method available, today announced that the clinical success of the Essure® procedure will be highlighted at the 18th Annual Congress of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) in Florence, Italy from October 28-31, 2009.

29 Oct 2009

Also in Global Health news: U.S. grant to Uganda; reproductive health in Philippines; counterfeit drugs

The U.S. Embassy in Uganda announced a grant of $246 million in new aid for improving the Uganda's agricultural and health systems, Reuters reports. "More than $170 million will be spent on health and education to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic, fight tuberculosis, eradicate malaria, improve maternal and child health and increase access to family planning and reproductive health services," the news service writes (Biryabarema, 10/27).

27 Oct 2009

Oral contraceptives increase stroke risk but benefits still outweigh risks for most users

Nearly 100 million women worldwide use birth control pills. Pills now in use contain much lower concentrations of estrogens than older preparations. The relationship between oral contraceptives and stroke has been studied and debated for decades, and studies have yielded conflicting results.

27 Oct 2009

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals receives NDA approval from FDA for its Micardis Tablets 80 mg

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for its angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) Micardis® (telmisartan) Tablets 80 mg for reduction of the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes in patients 55 years of age or older at high risk of developing major cardiovascular events who are unable to take angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.(1) MICARDIS is the most studied ARB in this high-risk patient population and has been commercially available to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) since its approval in 1998.

19 Oct 2009

Also in Global Health News: Ban addresses women's health; Afghanistan's health services; PMI Africa grants; Q&As

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Monday called for countries around the world to "renew their commitment to educate girls, end sexual violence, and provide access to modern birth control," the Associated Press/Washington Post reports.

14 Oct 2009

Birth control pills may have an impact on choice of partners

There is no doubt that modern contraception has enabled women to have unprecedented control over their own fertility. However, is it possible that the use of oral contraceptives is interfering with a woman's ability to choose, compete for and retain her preferred mate?

8 Oct 2009

Conceptus obtains Ovion intellectual property rights from American Medical Systems

Conceptus, Inc., developer of the Essure® procedure, the first proven non-incisional permanent birth control method available, today announced that it has acquired Ovion intellectual property rights from American Medical Systems Holdings, Inc. for a cash purchase price of $23.6 million.

6 Oct 2009

CSPI sues Bayer for false claims on Men's One A Day multivitamins

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has sued the German drug company Bayer for falsely claiming that the selenium in Men's One A Day multivitamins might reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The lawsuit is filed in the Superior Court of California in San Francisco.

3 Oct 2009

The Adiana permanent contraception system supported by UK's NICE

Hologic, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, today announced the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), in its updated guidance for hysteroscopic sterilization, supports the use of Hologic's Adiana((R)) permanent contraception system.

25 Sep 2009

NICE updates its guidance on hysteroscopic sterilization

Conceptus, Inc., developer of the Essure procedure, the first proven non-incisional permanent birth control method available, today announced that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom has updated its guidance on hysteroscopic sterilization to support the use of the Essure permanent birth control procedure.

24 Sep 2009

Study reveals that patients with NSCLC who received maintenance therapy with ALIMTA showed survival benefit

Data published today in The Lancet showed a survival benefit in nonsquamous patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received maintenance therapy with ALIMTA(R) (pemetrexed for injection) plus best supportive care as compared to placebo plus best supportive care.

21 Sep 2009

Teva announces availability of its Plan B One-Step emergency contraceptive over-the-counter

Teva Women’s Health, Inc. announced today that its Plan B® One-Step (levonorgestrel) tablet, 1.5 mg emergency contraceptive is now available at licensed U.S. retail pharmacies. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 10, Plan B® One-Step can help prevent an unintended pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure with just one pill in one dose.

16 Sep 2009

World should contribute $23B to increase women's access to contraception, UNFPA says

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday "appealed for the world to contribute more to improve women's health and access to contraception," Agence France-Presse reports.

4 Sep 2009

Green to Grow calls for support of the California Toxics-Free Babies and Toddlers Act

Green to Grow (www.greentogrow.com), a leading Los Angeles-based manufacturer of BPA-free baby bottles that provide a safe alternative to polycarbonate products containing Bisphenol A (BPA) - a chemical currently banned in Canada, Minnesota, Connecticut and under scrutiny in several European nations - is urging the public and California Assembly members to support the Toxics-Free Babies and Toddlers Act (SB 797).

3 Sep 2009

LTS LOHMANN Therapie-Systeme celebrates 25th anniversary

LTS LOHMANN Therapie-Systeme AG, the leading developer and manufacturer of transdermal, topical and oral systems with facilities in Andernach, Germany and West Caldwell, New Jersey, celebrates its 25th anniversary.

1 Sep 2009