Medical News

RSS

Inter Press Service reports on counterfeit medicine challenges in central, Eastern Europe

Central and Eastern Europe is facing 'significant challenges' in combating a multi-billion euro, and often lethal, trade in fake medicines, security and pharmaceutical groups have warned, Inter Press Service reports in an article that examines the scope of the problem in a region now identified as a key smuggling route in an illicit trade which is growing every year.

30 Oct 2010

Medicare pilots deliver mixed savings results

The Fiscal Times explores whether the Medicare pilot programs in the new health law will end up saving money.

30 Oct 2010

Dysfunction of Grhl2 factor may affect epithelial barrier formation, contribute to congenital abnormalities

Scientists of the Max Delbr-ck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch and the Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of MDC and Charit- in Berlin-Buch have gained new insights into the development of epithelial cells and their molecular repertoire.

30 Oct 2010

AVEO to raise $61 million through private placement

AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics, today announced the execution of a securities purchase agreement with a select group of institutional and accredited investors providing for a private placement, or PIPE financing.

30 Oct 2010

APP receives FDA marketing approval for Metoprolol Tartrate Injection

APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc., announced today that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Metoprolol Tartrate Injection, USP, and expects to launch the medication soon.

30 Oct 2010

OHSU to lead next phase of HuCNS-SC trial for NCL in children

Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital will lead the next phase of a landmark clinical trial to further assess the safety and preliminary effectiveness of purified human neural stem cells (HuCNS-SC-) as a potential treatment for infantile or late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a rare and currently fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects infants and children.

30 Oct 2010

Enrollees in high-deductible plans may be forgoing care because of high costs

People enrolled in high-deductible plans may forgo care because of excessive out-of-pocket costs, according to a new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

30 Oct 2010

FDA approves NUEDEXTA capsules for pseudobulbar affect

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved NUEDEXTA (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate) capsules, as the first treatment for pseudobulbar affect.

30 Oct 2010

State Watch: R.I. group experiments with payment reform; Ariz. dispute over abortion; Vt. and Feds to end monitoring of caregivers

The Providence (R.I.) Journal: "The Lifespan hospital group and Blue Cross have reached an agreement intended to gradually overturn the way hospital care is financed, with the goal of promoting health, rather than episodes of treatment. The agreement is the first to meet unique-in-the-nation rules from state Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller, who has identified hospital costs as the main reason for increases in health-insurance premiums.

30 Oct 2010

Teflaro receives FDA approval for treatment of bacterial infections

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Teflaro (ceftaroline fosamil), an injectable antibiotic to treat adults with community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

30 Oct 2010

New shuttlte program helps probe spaceflight-induced immune-system impairment

When the space shuttle Discovery lifts off on its final flight Nov. 2, its six astronauts will be joined by 16 rodent passengers on a historic mission of their own. Riding in special self-contained modules that automatically supply them with food and water, the mice will be part of a long-term NASA effort aimed at understanding why spaceflight makes humans more vulnerable to infection by viruses and bacteria.

30 Oct 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

Global Fund Will Make 'Every Possible Effort' To Raise Additional Resources: Although pledges to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at its recent replenishment meeting did not meet "the lowest estimate of demand," the Fund "will make every possible effort to raise the additional resources that we expect countries to request in the years ahead" through new donor recruitment and "innovative financing approaches," writes Executive Director Michael Kazatchkine in a Lancet comment

30 Oct 2010

Idenix third quarter total revenue increases from $3.1 million to $3.8 million

Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of human viral diseases, today reported unaudited financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

30 Oct 2010

Study suggests curcumin may be an effective therapy for liver fibrosis

Curcumin, a chemical that gives curry its zing, holds promise in preventing or treating liver damage from an advanced form of a condition known as fatty liver disease, new Saint Louis University research suggests.

30 Oct 2010

Drug and device makers face new taxes, fees

A Fox Business report shows the health overhaul is cutting deeper into drug and device makers' profits than many expected. Research & development programs are already being drastically scaled back.

30 Oct 2010

Taro third quarter net sales increases 10.0% to $103.2 million

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today provided preliminary, unaudited and unreviewed financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

30 Oct 2010

Stryker acquires Porex Surgical

Stryker Corporation announced today the acquisition of privately-held Porex Surgical, a division of Porex Corporation. Porex Surgical is a developer, manufacturer and distributor of bioimplantable porous polyethylene products (PPE) for use primarily in reconstructive surgery of the head and face.

From Stryker 30 Oct 2010

Caraco third quarter net sales increases from $78.4 million to $97.8 million

Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. generated net sales of $97.8 million and $227.8 million during the second quarter ended September 30, 2010 and first six months of the Company's current fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, respectively, as compared to $78.4 million and $126.4 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods of the previous fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

30 Oct 2010

Today's Op-Eds: Competition among insurers; health reform and hospital cuts; Medicare reimbursement crisis

The effect of the regulation will be to drive many small insurers from the market and thus to reduce competition for health insurance. The question is whether a reduction in the number of insurers in a given market area invariably is to the disadvantage of the insured. On this point one's memories of Econ 101 can be quite misleading.

30 Oct 2010

CSL Behring creates Interlaken Leadership Awards to support innovative immunoglobulin research

To demonstrate its continued commitment to innovative immunoglobulin (Ig) research, CSL Behring announced today it has created the Interlaken Leadership Awards. This global awards program will provide monetary grants to advance medical research and knowledge about the potential role of immunoglobulin therapy in the treatment of neurologic disorders.

29 Oct 2010