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New study finds drug's side effect labeling have ballooned in size

The lists of potential side effects that accompany prescription drugs have ballooned in size, averaging 70 reactions per drug, a number that can overwhelm physicians trying to select suitable treatments for their patients, according to a new study of drug labels.

24 May 2011

Scientific evidence supports benefits of sunscreen usage to prevent skin cancer

The American Academy of Dermatology today reiterated the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens to protect against the damaging effects from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. As one component of a daily sun-protection strategy, sunscreen is an important tool in the fight against skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

24 May 2011

Fluorinated glucosamine blocks synthesis of key sugar linked to skin inflammation, cancer progression

Charles J. Dimitroff, MS, PhD and colleagues in the Dimitroff Lab at Brigham and Women's Hospital, have developed a fluorinated analog of glucosamine, which, in a recent study, has been shown to block the synthesis of key carbohydrate structures linked to skin inflammation and cancer progression. These findings appear in the April 14, 2011, issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

24 May 2011

Exosome Diagnostics announces expansion of scientific advisory board

Exosome Diagnostics, a leading developer of biofluid based molecular diagnostic tests for use in personalised medicine, today announced the appointments of Bob Carter MD, Carlos Cordon-Cardo MD, PhD, Keith Flaherty MD, John Quackenbush, PhD; to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

24 May 2011

IPS examines subsidized malaria drugs in Kenya

Inter Press Service looks at the roll out of the Affordable Medicines Facility-malaria in Kenya. The program, which is managed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, makes subsidized malaria medications available through private pharmacies in seven other pilot countries - Cambodia, Ghana, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.

24 May 2011

Long-term, regular acetaminophen use may be associated with lower prostate cancer risk

A new study from American Cancer Society researchers finds use of 30 tablets a month or more of acetaminophen for five or more years was associated with an estimated 38% lower risk of prostate cancer. The study appears in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention and is one of only two studies of prostate cancer to date that have examined the association with acetaminophen use that was both long-term and regular.

24 May 2011

Vertex Incivek receives FDA approval for treatment of chronic hepatitis C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Incivek treat certain adults with chronic hepatitis C infection. Incivek is used for patients who have either not received interferon-based drug therapy for their infection or who have not responded adequately to prior therapies. Incivek is approved for use with interferon therapy made up of peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.

24 May 2011

FDA approves Taro's ANDA for Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. reported today that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, 1 mg/mL.

24 May 2011

Key U.S. patents increase commercial rights and clinical indications

Australian regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast Limited (ASX:MSB; OTC ADR: MBLTY), today announced that the company’s product development strategy has been significantly strengthened by novel composition of matter claims granted by the United States Patent and Trade Mark Office (USPTO) in two distinct patent families to which Mesoblast has exclusive worldwide commercial rights.

23 May 2011

FDA approves Amneal's generic Furadantin

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC is pleased to announce that it has received U.S. FDA approval to manufacture Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension in the 25 mg/5 ml strength effective May 13, 2011. Amneal's generic, the first on the market, is an AA-rated, therapeutically equivalent alternative to Furadantin.

23 May 2011

Vertex receives FDA approval for INCIVEK to treat hepatitis C

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved INCIVEK™ (telaprevir) tablets for a broad group of people with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C with compensated liver disease (some level of damage to the liver but the liver still functions), including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).

23 May 2011

Nano-complex pre-meal dietary supplement can reduce fat and sugar absorption in the body

A little bitter with a little sweet, in the form of a nano-complex dietary supplement taken before meals, can result in a substantial reduction of fat and sugar absorption in the body, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Harvard University researchers have found.

23 May 2011

Mylan introduces Divalproex Sodium Capsules for treatment of seizures

Mylan Inc. today announced that its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. has launched Divalproex Sodium Capsules USP, 125 mg, the generic version of Abbott's Depakote® Sprinkle Capsules, a treatment for certain types of seizures.

23 May 2011

Novel compound could become an effective alternative to common narcotic analgesics

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have for the first time accomplished a laboratory synthesis of a rare natural product isolated from the bark of a plant widely employed in traditional medicine.

23 May 2011

Sosei to introduce NorLevo oral emergency contraceptive in Japan

Sosei Group Corporation, the biopharmaceutical company, today announced that Sosei Co., Ltd., its wholly owned Japanese subsidiary, will launch its emergency contraceptive pill, NorLevo(R) TABLETS 0.75mg, tomorrow 24 May, through the distribution network of its commercialization partner, ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

23 May 2011

Verizon Wireless and Medco unveil mobile medication app with real-time patient-specific drug safety

Verizon Wireless and Medco Health Solutions, Inc. have announced a mobile application that can instantly guide patients and their doctors to the lowest-cost prescription drug to meet their health needs and help them identify potentially harmful drug interactions. Available now on Verizon Wireless Android handsets and BlackBerry devices, the new Medco Pharmacy mobile app delivers critical information to help Medco members manage their prescription medications.

22 May 2011

Avandia withdrawal from shelves by November: FDA

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has announced that in the beginning of November, the diabetes drug Avandia will no longer be sold in pharmacy shelves, due to the cardiovascular risks it’s causing its patients.

22 May 2011

FDA approves SUTENT for treatment of pancreatic NET

Pfizer Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved SUTENT® (sunitinib malate) as the first anti-VEGF therapy to treat progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET) in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease. Pancreatic NET is a rare cancer reported in two to four people per million annually worldwide.

21 May 2011

Many 'legal high' drugs sold on the internet do not contain ingredients they claim

Many drugs sold as 'legal highs' on the internet do not contain the ingredients they claim. Some instead contain controlled substances and are illegal to sell over the internet. These are findings of Dr. Mark Baron, who bought a range of tablets from different websites to see what each contained. The study is published today in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis.

21 May 2011

Some cancer patients go without drugs because of high cost

New targeted pills can have dramatic effects on cancer, not only driving the disease into remission but also freeing patients from hours of uncomfortable and boring chemotherapy treatments. Up to 10 percent of patients, however, are not filling their prescriptions for the pills--and cost appears to be a factor, according to a new report.

21 May 2011