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Optimer receives FDA approval for Dificid tablets to treat C. difficile-associated diarrhea

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Dificid tablets for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

30 May 2011

Cholesterol drug Niaspan fails to protect heart: Study

According to researchers at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), increasing the dose of niacin to patients with heart disease who are already taking a cholesterol-lowering statin does nothing extra to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Approximately one out of seven Americans have high blood cholesterol, a main risk factor in heart disease, which kills some 800,000 people in the United States annually.

29 May 2011

Flu vaccines at the ready this season

Manufacturers of flu vaccines are nearly ready with the new supply of vaccinations for this upcoming flu season in the northern hemisphere. Two weeks ago, five vaccine manufacturers announced plans to make between 166 million and 173 million doses for the coming season. That's at least 6 million more than the maximum ever produced. However they add that many might not actually need the shots.

29 May 2011

Efficacy of Abbott cholesterol drug in question

A latest study has found that using medication to raise good cholesterol while lowering the bad does NOT translate into fewer adverse cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. The study was revealed Thursday by the National Institutes of Health and it found that high dosages of Abbott Laboratories' Niaspan failed to prevent heart attacks and boosted the likelihood of a stroke when combined with the popular generic cholesterol pill Simvastatin, also known under the brand name Zocor.

29 May 2011

Emergent in active discussions with U.S. government for multi-year supply of BioThrax to the SNS

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. today announced that the U.S. government has indicated its intention to award Emergent a sole source contract (RFP-2011-N-13414) for the purchase of 44.75 million doses of BioThrax (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) for inclusion in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) over a 5 year period.

27 May 2011

Blue Cross and Blue Shield FEP pharmacy benefit management program awarded to CVS Caremark

CVS Caremark Corporation today announced that it has been awarded a three-year contract to provide integrated pharmacy benefit services for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Government-wide Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program (FEP), based on the best overall value.

27 May 2011

Nature special issue focuses on vaccines

The May 26 issue of Nature explores vaccines, which the journal says "are responsible for some of the world's greatest public health triumphs." Though new vaccines for deadly diseases have been developed in the past 10 years, and more are in development, "funding is tight, and unfounded doubts about the safety of vaccines persist." The issue features stories on polio, measles, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as issues surrounding vaccine rejection and hysteria about risk.

27 May 2011

Study: Cardiovascular disease may be under treated in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Results of a study, involving 98,454 patients demonstrated that at 30 days following their first heart attack, RA patients were approximately 20% less likely to be prescribed standard MI treatments, such as statins and betablockers, compared to healthy patients.

27 May 2011

IDF applauds Representatives for Medicare IVIG Access Act

The Immune Deficiency Foundation applauds Representatives Kevin Brady and Doris Matsui and Senators John Kerry and Lamar Alexander for introducing H.R. 1845 and S. 960, both entitled the Medicare IVIG Access Act.

27 May 2011

Sanofi-Aventis, Medtronic under scrutiny in press reports

ProPublica details alleged activities by Sanofi-Aventis to influence regulators regarding its brand-name blood thinner, Lovenox, while other news outlets report on Medtronic's activities related to a biological agent used in back surgery.

27 May 2011

Two new hepatitis C drugs effectively improve cure rates of African Americans

Two new drugs just approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat hepatitis C genotype 1 significantly improved the cure rates of patients. One of the drugs was extremely effective in treating African Americans.

27 May 2011

Mylan plans to change name of Matrix Laboratories

Mylan Inc. today announced that it plans to rebrand its Hyderabad, India-based subsidiary Matrix Laboratories Limited as Mylan.

27 May 2011

Leukemia, psoriasis drugs may treat vascular diseases

A drug that has been on the market for decades to treat leukemia and skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis may be a possible therapy for vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and hypertension, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

27 May 2011

Research sheds light on how painkillers could prevent or slow down cancer growth

CANCER RESEARCH UK scientists have shed light on how a common class of painkillers - which includes ibuprofen - may interact with a key protein that fuels the growth of many different types of cancer, according to a study published in the journal Chemical Communications today.

27 May 2011

Abiraterone acetate effective for men with advanced prostate cancer

A drug recently approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of prostate cancer is proving to give some patients the gift of time. A new study shows abiraterone acetate extends the lives of men with the most advanced form of the disease by about four months.

27 May 2011

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce risk of heart attack in stent patients

Omega-3 fatty acids, combined with two blood-thinning drugs, significantly changed the blood-clotting process and may reduce the risk of heart attacks in patients with stents in their heart arteries, according to research reported in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association.

27 May 2011

Long-term exposure to estrogen increases high blood pressure in women

For many years doctors believed the estrogen women consumed in the form of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy pills was good for their patients' hearts. Recent studies however have shown that long-term exposure to estrogen can be a danger to women as it has been associated with high blood pressure, a key link to heart- and brain-attacks.

27 May 2011

Pro-Pharmaceuticals announces name change to Galectin Therapeutics

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has changed its name to Galectin Therapeutics Inc. to more accurately reflect the Company's core expertise in galectin science and its leading platform for the creation of galectin inhibitors to treat serious diseases including fibrosis and cancer.

27 May 2011

MAP Pharmaceuticals submits LEVADEX NDA to FDA for treatment of migraine in adults

MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has submitted a New Drug Application to the United States Food and Drug Administration for LEVADEX orally inhaled migraine drug for the potential acute treatment of migraine in adults.

27 May 2011

Invida announces launch of novel atopic dermatitis symptomatic treatment

Invida Group Private Limited reaffirmed its commitment to patients in Asia Pacific by announcing the launch of a novel atopic dermatitis symptomatic treatment, Atopiclair, which will be available to patients across Asia in second half of 2011.

26 May 2011