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Influenza vaccine does provide protection against influenza in most asthma patients taking inhaled steroids

The influenza vaccine protected asthma patients who use inhaled steroids against type A flu, although its protection against type B flu was significantly reduced in those taking high doses of inhaled steroids, said a researcher from Baylor College of Medicine in a recent publication.

15 May 2004

FDA approval of topical anti-inflammatory cream

Atrix Laboratories, Inc. has announced the company received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market fluticasone propionate cream.

15 May 2004

The number of antibody-based medicines will climb dramatically

The number of antibodies in clinical development has leapt over the past six years and in 2004 hundreds are currently making their way through trials in what surely will be a spate of new product introductions beginning in 2004 and continuing over the next 10 years.

15 May 2004

Medicare drug discount cards continue to drop prices

After the first full week of making information on assured drug price discounts available to beneficiaries, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' review of the savings offered by drug card sponsors shows that more cards will be offering lower prices to beneficiaries, compared with prices posted last week.

15 May 2004

People with malaria who are too ill to take oral medication can benefit from rectal artesunate as initial treatment

People with moderate to severe malaria who are too ill to take oral medication can benefit from a single dose of rectal artesunate as initial treatment, conclude authors of a study in this week's issue of THE LANCET.

14 May 2004

FDA approves software that determines drug dosages of insulin

The FDA has approved a software suite developed by Dimensional Dosing Systems, Inc. for determining optimum drug dosages of insulin and many other drugs as well as combinations of drugs.

14 May 2004

Britannia Pharmaceuticals’ partner receives FDA approval for Parkinson’s disease treatment

Britannia Pharmaceuticals Limited announced today that U.S.-based Bertek Pharmaceuticals Inc., the branded subsidiary of Mylan Laboratories Inc has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for APOKYN (apomorphine hydrochloride injection).

13 May 2004

Genomed treatment helps bald eagles with West Nile virus encephalitis

GenoMed, Inc. a Next Generation Disease Management company that uses its expertise in genomics to improve clinical outcomes in as many species as possible, announced today that two non-profit groups which care for wild birds with West Nile virus encephalitis, including American bald eagles, will be using the Company's patent-pending treatment this season.

13 May 2004

New Canadian drug submission for cannabis-based medicine

GW Pharmaceuticals and Bayer HealthCare, Pharmaceuticals Division - Canada have announced that GW has submitted a New Drug Submission for Sativex®, a cannabis-based medicinal extract product, to Health Canada.

13 May 2004

Biochip technology to revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry

Advancements in biotechnology have culminated in its integration with semiconductor technologies such as micro-electromechanical systems, resulting in the evolution of biochips. Biochips provide pharma companies with sophisticated tools for speedy development of drugs and accurate diagnosis and understanding of biological mechanisms.

13 May 2004

FDA knocks back King Pharmaceuticals self-injectible epilepsy product

King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has reported the receipt by its Meridian Technologies subsidiary of a letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

13 May 2004

Heart drug simvastatin will be available without a prescription

People will be able to get a drug that can reduce the risk of heart attacks without a prescription from this summer, the government announced today.

12 May 2004

Phase 3 trial of Ceplene in acute myeloid leukemia meets primary trial endpoint

Maxim Pharmaceuticals has announced the results of an international Phase 3 clinical trial testing the combination of Ceplene (TM) plus interleukin-2 (IL-2) in 320 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in complete remission.

12 May 2004

Cardiovascular marketing budgets hit $200 Million

Pharmaceutical companies spend more to support a cardiovascular compound's development and commercialization than other therapeutic products

12 May 2004

Restrictions by health insurers and government to control expenses may hurt the malignant melanoma drug market

Decision Resources, Inc., a research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and health care issues, finds that restrictions by health insurers and government health authorities to control expenses may hurt the malignant melanoma drug market.

12 May 2004

Bentley Pharmaceuticals lists on NYSE

The Company anticipates that its common stock will begin trading on the NYSE on Wednesday, May 12, 2004, under its current ticker symbol, “BNT.” Bentley’s common stock will continue to trade on the American Stock Exchange until that date

12 May 2004

Zocor Heart Pro to be available over the counter

Ministers have accepted the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) that simvastatin 10mg (Zocor Heart Pro) could be safely sold through pharmacies to reduce the risk of a first major coronary event in people likely to be at a moderate risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

12 May 2004

$Trial of a drug derived from the puffer fish for treatment of refractory cancer pain$

Trial of a drug derived from the puffer fish for treatment of refractory cancer pain

Investigators involved in the pivotal clinical trial of TectinTM enrolled and dosed the first of up to 150 patients that will participate in the study. It is one of the largest Canadian clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a drug for treatment of medically refractory cancer pain, and will take place in up to 25 treatment centres across Canada.

11 May 2004

Strategy to treat obesity through molecular liposuction

Researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have designed a strategy to treat obesity through “molecular liposuction.” The therapy destroys blood vessels supporting fat accumulation — causing the fat to rapidly break down and disappear.

10 May 2004

More UK health professionals will be able to prescribe medicines

The proposals recommend that physiotherapists, radiographers, chiropodists and optometrists should be able to prescribe medicines, in partnership with a doctor, to help treat and manage conditions such as glaucoma, chronic back pain and the effects of multiple sclerosis, as well as providing pain relief for patients attending radiography sessions.

10 May 2004