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Chicken pox vaccine also reduces risk of herpes zoster in children

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is very rare among children who have been vaccinated against chicken pox, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in the December issue of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal.

5 Dec 2009

97 new drugs and vaccines in development for HIV/AIDS treatment, finds report

Chemistry World recently highlighted a new report published by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) that identifies 97 new drugs and vaccines in development for HIV/AIDS and related conditions.

5 Dec 2009

RetireSafe calls for the Senate to oppose the Dorgan Importation plan

Today, the senior advocacy group RetireSafe urged the Senate to defeat the Dorgan Importation plan encompassed in SA 2793. RetireSafe President Thair Phillips said, "Senator Dorgan's importation amendment is poised to open our borders, allowing our safe, closed drug system to be breached, and our health to be endangered. We could soon be getting drugs that were stored in tin containers and car trunks. This could literally be a 'killer' amendment, it puts all Americans and especially seniors at risk, and it should be soundly defeated."

5 Dec 2009

Patients new to chronic disease medication face risk of medication discontinuation, finds study

In a new study published online today by Clinical Therapeutics, researchers from Adheris, Inc., an inVentiv Health company, found that patients new to chronic disease medication face the greatest risk of medication discontinuation during the first 30 days of treatment—with rates of discontinuation ranging from 29.6% to 78.1%.

5 Dec 2009

Statins may protect against GVHD complications

Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins are among the most prescribed medicines in the U.S. Now a new study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center indicates that statins may protect stem cell transplant patients from one of the most serious complications of the life-saving cancer therapy: graft-versus-host disease, or GVHD.

5 Dec 2009

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries' non-sedating barbiturate compound study granted FDA IND exemption

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that it has been granted an Investigational New Drug (“IND”) exemption by the United States Food and Drug Administration, (“FDA”), to permit clinical studies on T2000 (1,3-dimethoxymethyl-5,5-diphenyl-barbituric acid), one of a class of non-sedating barbiturate compounds currently in development by the Company.

5 Dec 2009

FDA approves Santarus’ NDA for immediate-release prescription tablet product

Santarus, Inc., a specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for immediate-release omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate/ magnesium hydroxide tablets in 40 mg and 20 mg dosage strengths of omeprazole.

5 Dec 2009

Scientists report cervarix vaccine offers protection against cervical cancer

The Cervarix vaccine provides protection against two types of human papillomavirus (HPV) for more than six years, US scientists have reported.

5 Dec 2009

New data from PharmAthene's anthrax vaccine program presented

PharmAthene, Inc., a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, announced today the presentation of new data from the Company's anthrax vaccine program showing that its lyophilized recombinant Protective Antigen (rPA) based anthrax vaccine is structurally stable and potent after 16 months at various temperatures up to and including 55 degrees C.

5 Dec 2009

Janssen-Cilag submits MAA to the European Medicines Agency for paliperidone palmitate

Elan Drug Technologies, a business unit of Elan Corporation, plc announced that Janssen-Cilag has submitted a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency for paliperidone palmitate for the treatment of Schizophrenia.

4 Dec 2009

FDA approves Zyprexa in tablet form for schizophrenia and manic treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Zyprexa® (olanzapine) in tablet form as an option for the treatment of schizophrenia and manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adolescents aged 13-17 years old.

4 Dec 2009

Rituximab drug may reduce long-term complications of type 1 diabetes

New findings by UT Southwestern researchers suggest that a drug already used to treat autoimmune disorders might also help slow the destruction of insulin-producing cells in patients recently diagnosed with insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes.

4 Dec 2009

Application for regulatory approval of apixaban in Europe to be submitted

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer today announced that the companies are planning to submit an application for regulatory approval of apixaban in Europe for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after orthopedic surgery in the first half of 2010.

4 Dec 2009

Amber Pharmacy receives ACHC accreditation

Amber Pharmacy announced today that it received accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) for specialized pharmacy services.

4 Dec 2009

Watson Laboratories files an ANDA for generic version of Rozerem

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc.-Florida, filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval to market its 8mg ramelteon tablets prior to the expiration of a patent owned by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

4 Dec 2009

IMF to stage presentation on multiple myeloma at ASH annual meeting

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)—supporting research and providing education, advocacy and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers and physicians—today said presentations at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) will cover all stages of multiple myeloma, a major milestone in treating this and related cancers.

4 Dec 2009

DCVax therapeutic cancer vaccine manufacturing process receives patent approval

Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc. ("NWBT" or the "Company") announced today that the US Patent and Trademark Office has allowed its patent application on a system for automation of the initial stages of the manufacture of the Company's DCVax® therapeutic cancer vaccines.

4 Dec 2009

FDA approves once-daily SEROQUEL XR Extended Release Tablets

AstraZeneca today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved once-daily SEROQUEL XR® (quetiapine fumarate) Extended Release Tablets as adjunctive (add-on) treatment to antidepressants in adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

4 Dec 2009

New study shows seasonal flu vaccine awareness is high among Hispanics, but vaccination rates are lower

Although there is high awareness of the need for seasonal influenza vaccines, a new study of Hispanics in one California county shows low rates of actual vaccination, especially among men.

4 Dec 2009

GSK places a batch of AS03 adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine on hold

Following reports from Canada's Public Health Agency that six patients had suffered allergic reactions after receiving the shot, GlaxoSmithKline plc has voluntarily placed a hold on a single batch of the AS03 adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine Arepanrix in Canada as a precautionary measure.

4 Dec 2009