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Cannabis promising for certain pain-related medical conditions, CMCR presents findings to California legislature

Researchers from the University of California's Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) have found "reasonable evidence that cannabis is a promising treatment" for some specific, pain-related medical conditions. Their findings, presented today to the California legislature and public, are included in a report available on the CMCR web site at http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu

18 Feb 2010

FDA issues Complete Response Letter for Horizant in treatment of RLS

GlaxoSmithKline and XenoPort, Inc. Wednesday received a Complete Response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for Horizant™ (gabapentin enacarbil) Extended-Release Tablets, an investigational non-dopaminergic treatment for moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

18 Feb 2010

Taking zinc supplements reduces otitis media in healthy children: No clear evidence

A new Cochrane review did not find clear evidence that taking zinc supplements reduces the occurrence of middle ear infections or otitis media in healthy children.

18 Feb 2010

FDA warns about drug mix-ups; drug maker agrees to name change to avoid confusion

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers about the potential for serious side effects from mistakenly using Maalox Total Relief instead of other Maalox products. The two products are intended for the relief of different symptoms and contain different active ingredients.

18 Feb 2010

Ibuprofen may reduce risk of Parkinson's disease, says study

New research shows people who regularly take ibuprofen may reduce their risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto April 10 to April 17, 2010.

18 Feb 2010

Media examine fight against counterfeit drugs

The Wall Street Journal reports on the recent shutdown of a counterfeit drug ring in Syria, while highlighting a broader problem with counterfeit medicines in the Middle East. Authorities intercepted "millions of dollars worth of breast cancer, leukemia and other medicines … At least 65 people were detained; it couldn't be learned if they were charged. A trial date hasn't yet been set," according to the newspaper, which notes that the drug ring distributor's activities had also penetrated into some public health systems, "particularly in Iraq."

18 Feb 2010

Javelin Pharmaceuticals’ Dyloject NDA receives FDA PDUFA date

Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading developer and marketer of specialty pharmaceutical products for pain management, today announced that its New Drug Application (NDA) submitted on December 2, 2009 to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its investigational product candidate, Dyloject™ (diclofenac sodium) Injection, has received an FDA PDUFA date of October 3, 2010. This NDA review is in support of US marketing approval and registration of Dyloject for the management of acute moderate-to-severe pain in adults.

18 Feb 2010

Sorafenib drug therapy can reduce the size of primary kidney tumors before surgery

More than 57,000 Americans face a diagnosis of kidney cancer each year. Now patients with advanced disease may soon have another treatment option. Physicians who conducted a pilot study at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that therapy before surgery with the drug sorafenib can reduce the size of large tumors and could be safely undertaken administered without adding significantly to the risks of surgery.

17 Feb 2010

Top health groups increased political spending in 2009

USA Today: "Pharmacists, optometrists and groups representing an array of medical specialists boosted their political giving in 2009, as Congress worked on health care legislation that would dramatically reshape their industry. ... Donations by the top 15 health care political action committees rose to $11.7 million in 2009, a nearly 14% increase from 2007, the most recent non-election year, according to a USA TODAY analysis of data compiled by CQ MoneyLine."

17 Feb 2010

Health Canada approves Talecris Biotherapeutics' PROLASTIN-C for AAT deficiency

Talecris Biotherapeutics announced today that it has received approval from Health Canada for PROLASTIN®-C (Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor [Human]), a more purified and concentrated version of PROLASTIN® produced using advances in manufacturing technology. A similar approval for PROLASTIN-C was granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on October 17, 2009.

17 Feb 2010

IH Systems selects Robotic IV Automation Systems for cytotoxic drug preparation

Following the successful integration of RIVA (Robotic IV Automation System) - a self-contained unit for filling IV syringes and bags - into three healthcare institutions in 2009, and the announcements of several more sales for installation in 2010, medical device company Intelligent Hospital Systems has confirmed the sale of three additional RIVA systems for cytotoxic drug preparation in 2010.

17 Feb 2010

Pharmatek Laboratories meets DEA requirements for developing and manufacturing controlled substances

Pharmatek Laboratories, Inc., a premier contract development and manufacturing organization supporting the pharmaceutical industry, announced that it has successfully met Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requirements to be registered for the development and manufacture of Schedule IV and V controlled substances.

17 Feb 2010

Menopause supplement to bring body back into balance

Whitemark Homes, Inc., is pleased to announce a satisfaction guaranteed top selling product line by Ribbon Naturals Corp., complete system Menopause Solutions. A solution for women who are dissatisfied with the results they receive from common, everyday menopause supplements. Now there is a supplement for menopause that brings the body back into balance.

17 Feb 2010

FDA approved cannabis medicines needed for veterans to relieve symptoms of PTSD

Cannabis Science Inc., an emerging pharmaceutical cannabis company, is reviewing interim results of its survey from over 1400 people, US military veterans and others who responded to our PTSD survey. The survey is still available for a limited time online on the www.cannabisscience.com website for all those who still wish to participate.

17 Feb 2010

Soligenix' LPM oral drug delivery technology receives Hong Kong patent

Soligenix, Inc., a late-stage biotechnology company, announced today that it has received a Hong Kong patent which addresses its Lipid Polymer Micelle (LPM™) technology for the improved oral delivery of drugs. The issued Hong Kong patent, HK 1071054, entitled "Stabilized Reverse Micelle Compositions and Uses Thereof" covers lipid structures (reverse micelles) that promote the intestinal absorption of peptides and other sensitive drugs that cannot otherwise be given orally.

17 Feb 2010

Cipher Pharmaceuticals announces fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2009 results

Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced its financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

17 Feb 2010

UKONS publishes position statement on safe, effective use of oral anticancer medicines

A position statement from the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) on the safe, effective use of oral anticancer medicines was published online on 5 February 2010 by ecancermedicalscience.

17 Feb 2010

AHF to protest Merck’s Isentress pricing and policies at CROI

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will host a protest Wednesday morning, February 17 at 8:00am targeting Merck and Co. Pharmaceuticals over the pricing and policies for its key HIV/AIDS drug, Isentress, the most expensive first-line AIDS treatment in the US, during the 17th Conference of Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco.

17 Feb 2010

AMAG's Feraheme use on the rise

BioTrends Research Group, Inc. released Wave 3 of its LaunchTrends®: Feraheme report, the third in a multi-phase syndicated market research project tracking the launch of AMAG's new IV iron product, Feraheme, through the first six months of product availability. Each wave of the report provides quantitative information from 50 unique Nephrologists and qualitative information from a subset of 15. The reports assess trial and use of Feraheme, obstacles to use, reasons to use, typical patient types, product perceptions, promotional efforts/messages, and product satisfaction.

17 Feb 2010

New book by 12 world-leading scientists calls for renewed approach to drug policy

Drug policy - or really, the way our society controls and provides interventions for both legal and illegal psychoactive substances - is one of those things that seems inherently controversial.

17 Feb 2010