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Biologic therapies do not increase risk of cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Biologic therapies developed in the last decade for rheumatoid arthritis are not associated with an increased risk of cancer when compared with traditional treatments for the condition, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

6 Sep 2012

Pfizer receives FDA approval for BOSULIF to treat Ph+ chronic myelogenous leukemia

Pfizer Inc. announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BOSULIF (bosutinib), an Abl and Src kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of adult patients with chronic, accelerated, or blast phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with resistance, or intolerance to prior therapy.

6 Sep 2012

Medicare beneficiaries who were overcharged for drugs because of CVS' incorrect prices will receive refunds

The Federal Trade Commission said that it is mailing refund checks to 13,000 Medicare Part D beneficiaries who were overcharged for drugs because a CVS Caremark Corp. business understated the price of the medications.

6 Sep 2012

DuraSite 2 ophthalmic drug delivery system from InSite Vision

InSite Vision Incorporated today introduced DuraSite 2, its next-generation enhanced drug delivery system which provides a broad platform for developing superior ophthalmic therapeutics.

6 Sep 2012

Janssen receives FDA Priority Review for bedaquiline NDA to treat MDR-TB

Janssen Research & Development, LLC (Janssen) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Priority Review to the New Drug Application (NDA) for bedaquiline (TMC207) to treat pulmonary, multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in adults as part of combination therapy.

6 Sep 2012

Roundup: Cancer drug cost equity bill sitting on Calif. Gov's desk; Mass. cost-containment law could harm provider credit ratings

Out-of-pocket costs for cancer drugs can vary dramatically depending on whether the medications are administered through pill form or intravenous infusion. Newer oral drugs, which can be taken at home and often have fewer side effects than older drugs, can cost patients thousands of dollars a month, while receiving chemotherapy through an IV in an infusion center typically amounts to a standard co-payment for an office visit.

6 Sep 2012

Real-time prescription system reduces inappropriate prescribing of medications

A centralized prescription network providing real-time information to pharmacists in British Columbia, Canada, resulted in dramatic reductions in inappropriate prescriptions for opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines, widely used and potentially addictive drugs. The findings are reported in a study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

5 Sep 2012

Study questions use of vitamin D supplements to improve cholesterol

Vitamin D has been touted for its beneficial effects on a range of human systems, from enhancing bone health to reducing the risk of developing certain cancers. But it does not improve cholesterol levels, according to a new study conducted at The Rockefeller University Hospital.

From Quest Diagnostics 5 Sep 2012

Strong antiviral antibody response observed in oral administration of Flucide

NanoViricides, Inc. announced today that anti-influenza drug candidates under its FluCide program, when given orally, led to strong antiviral antibody response. The antibody response with Oral administration was stronger than that with IV administration and was substantially greater than that observed with oseltamivir.

5 Sep 2012

Baxter seeks FDA BLA approval for BAX 326 rFIX protein to treat hemophilia B

Baxter International Inc. today announced that the company has submitted a biologics license application to the United States Food and Drug Administration for approval of BAX 326, a recombinant factor IX (rFIX) protein being investigated for the treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding episodes for patients over 12 years of age with hemophilia B.

From Baxter International Inc. 5 Sep 2012

FDA approves Bosulif to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Bosulif (bosutinib) to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a blood and bone marrow disease that usually affects older adults.

5 Sep 2012

EC grants European market authorization for Revestive to treat short bowel syndrome

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., jointly announced today that the European Commission has granted European market authorization for the medicinal product teduglutide (trade name in Europe: Revestive) as a once-daily treatment for adult patients with short bowel syndrome.

5 Sep 2012

EC grants marketing authorization for Pfizer’s INLYTA to treat renal cell carcinoma

Pfizer Inc. announced today that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for INLYTA (axitinib) for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a type of kidney cancer, after failure of prior treatment with sunitinib or a cytokine.

4 Sep 2012