Biopharmaceutical Company-Herborium Group Reports-Phase 2 Clinical Trial-Mycobacteria

Med Centro Becomes First SuccessEHS Client to Go Live in Puerto Rico

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 5, 2012, Med Centro became the first SuccessEHS client in Puerto Rico to go live with the SuccessEHS solution, expanding the vendor's existing coverage in 48 states and the Virgin Islands.The go-live on June 5 took place... read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

Insmed Announces First Patient Dosed in TARGET-NTM Phase 2 Clinical Trial of ARIKACE® in Patients with Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Lung Disease

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J., June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Insmed Incorporated (Nasdaq CM: INSM), a biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Company's U.S. phase 2 clinical study of ARIKACE® (liposomal amikacin for inhalation) in... read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

Herborium Group Reports Record 6 Month Revenues

FORT LEE, N.J., June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Herborium Group, Inc., ( HBRM) www.herborium.com, a Botanical Therapeutics® Company announces today that its revenues   from AcnEase®, all botanical, proprietary acne treatment, grew over 25 percent in  the first ... read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Triwest Healthcare Alliance-Reimbursement Revenue

Kick Off Summer Vacation With Five Simple Tips to Safely Store Medicines While Traveling

Kick Off Summer Vacation With Five Simple Tips to Safely Store Medicines While Traveling
As Americans Pack Their Bags, CDC and CHPA Educational Foundation Remind Families to Pack Medicines Safely, Too WASHINGTON, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With summer here and... read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

TriWest Healthcare Alliance Stands With Military Partners In Recognizing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day

PHOENIX, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- While today marks Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day,  TriWest Healthcare Alliance remains firm in its commitment to stand alongside its U.S. military and TRICARE partners in the mission to prevent PTSD and the effects it has on... read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

California Pathology Practice Increases Reimbursement by 40%

ATLANTA, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's pathology practices face increasing billing complexities. Coding regulations are complicated, and penalties can be stiff if errors are made. Some physician groups miss valuable reimbursement revenue for certain services because they... read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

Paula Deen Does Not Know Her Blood Sugar-Blood Glucose Levels-Prevention Magazine

Paula Deen Does Not Know Her Blood Sugar Numbers

Paula Deen, the TV celebrity southern-style chef and spokesperson for Novo Nordisk's diabetes treatment Victoza (see "Novo Nordisk Defends Choice of Paula Deen Over Anthony Bourdain (for example) as Celebrity Chef Spokesperson"), recounted for Prevention Magazine how she learned she had type 2 diabetes. Deen is featured on the cover of the May 2012 issue of Prevention (see cover on left).
When asked "How high was that blood sugar reading?" during a routine doctor visit more than 3 years ago, Deen said "I don't know. They just said it was high." Then her doctor said, "I'm going to start you on some medicine," and wham, bam, thank y'all ma'am, Deen started her secret life as a diabetic.
Furthermore, Deen does not remember her doctor saying anything about lifestyle changes. "Now, she might have," said Deen diplomatically, "but I don't recall coming out of that visit with a lot of literature. She just started me on the drug."
It's hard to believe any doctor worthy of treating a wealthy celebrity would not have given her a bit more education regarding living with diabetes. One important bit of education is "Know Your Blood Sugar Levels." That's the title of a National Institutes of Health National Diabetes Education Program pamphlet (see here). "If you have diabetes," says NIH, "keeping your blood glucose (sugar) numbers in your target range can help you feel good today and stay healthy in the future."
After Novo Nordisk approached her to be a spokesperson, Deen "asked the doctor if I could switch over from the [combo drug]" to Victoza. Of course, her doctor complied because Deen knows best, although she doesn't know her numbers (or choses not to say what they are). Or perhaps the doctor was also "approached" by Novo Nordisk.
Whatever! Deen is now taking not only Victoza but also metformin and "a small dose of Actos." I'm not an expert on diabetes treatments, but because Deen is on multiple drugs and because she hasn't revealed her initial high blood glucose reading, we will never know if Victoza is really helping her control her diabetes.
Deen has the right to keep her blood glucose levels and other medical information confidential. She also has the right not to reveal how much money Novo Nordisk is paying her. "I am being compensated for my time and work," said Deen.
But should pharmaceutical companies be required to reveal how much they pay celebrity spokespeople just as they are now required to reveal how much they pay physicians (celebrities or otherwise)? If Nike reveals that it paid Tiger Woods $105 million, why shouldn't pharma companies reveal how much they pay celebrities (including Phil Mickelson who is a paid ENBREL spokesperson; see here)? What are they hiding?
BTW, there seems to be a pattern of pharmaceutical celebrity spokespeople defending themselves in consumer magazines like Prevention. Mickelson, for example, "opened up" in an interview published in Arthritis Today (see "Phil Mickelson 'Opens Up" to Arthritis Today Magazine"). Of course, these magazines also make a lot of money from drug advertising. In fact, there is a nice 2-page ad spread for Victoza featuring Paula Deen in the same issue of Prevention as her less than "tell all" interview. In the ad, Deen is NOT depicted creating her famous bacon, cheeseburger, Krsipy Creme donut sandwich! (See the video of THAT here).
In a recent survey, I asked respondents to say whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: "Each pharmaceutical company should be required by law to publicly disclose how much money it pays every celebrity for being a spokesperson." 38% (N=112) said they "strongly agreed, " another 21% said the "somewhat agreed," and 36% said they strongly or somewhat disagreed.
One pharmaceutical company employee respondent made this comment: "What is the point of all this pharma reporting? If I tell you that Paula Deen is making $10M or $1M, what difference does it make? I'm sure she's ma read more..

Lung Cancer Deaths-Breast Cancer Risk-Moderate Exercise-Recurrent Strokes

Even Moderate Exercise Might Cut Breast Cancer Risk: Study

MONDAY, June 25 -- Women who exercise may cut their risk of breast cancer by as much as 30 percent, a new study suggests.Weight gain, however, may undermine the benefit of exercise, the researchers noted."Our study showed that moderate... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Are Statins Less Helpful for Women?

MONDAY, June 25 -- The cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may be less effective for preventing death and recurrent strokes in women than in men, a new study suggests.A review of 11 trials found that statins such as Lipitor and Crestor... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Lung Cancer Deaths Rise Among 'Boomer' Women in South

TUESDAY, June 26 -- Although the overall lung cancer rate in the United States has been declining in recent years, new research shows a troubling increase in lung cancer deaths among baby boomer women living in some southern and Midwestern... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Low Vitamin D Levels-Bacterial Vaginosis-Harmful Bacteria-Hiv Transmission-Heart Problems

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Weight Gain in Older Women

TUESDAY, June 26 -- Older women with low levels of vitamin D, also known as the "sunshine vitamin," may be more likely to gain weight, a new study indicates.Researchers from the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, Ore., said... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Bacterial Vaginosis Increases Female-to-Male HIV Transmission Risk

TUESDAY, June 26 -- HIV-positive women with bacterial vaginosis, a disruption in the normal balance between healthy and harmful bacteria in the vagina, are three times more likely to pass HIV on to male sexual partners, according to a new... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

'Atkins'-Type Diets May Raise Risk of Heart Problems: Study

TUESDAY, June 26 -- Women who regularly eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet may be raising their risk of heart disease and stroke by as much as 28 percent, a new study suggests.Although the absolute increase in risk is small -- four or five... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Pharmaceutical Industry-Advisory Comments-Dissemination-Storyboards-Shire

Shire Seeks to Maintain YouTube 'Loophole' in FDA's Draft Guidelines for TV Ads

FDA has received several comments from the pharmaceutical industry regarding the agency's "Draft Guidance for Industry Direct-to-Consumer Television Advertisements." In past posts I reviewed comments from PhRMA (the drug industry U.S. trade association) and Sanofi (see here and here). In this post, I report on comments made by Shire (find Shire's comments here).
Shire, like Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), believes that submission of a final recorded version of a TV ad for FDA approval prior to being aired would be "burdensome." Shire specifically cites the optional two-step process FDA suggested; i.e., first submit an annotated storyboard and then a final recorded version of the ad. "This sequential two-submission process would double the time and resource burden on sponsors as well as the Agency," says Shire.
Serial OPDP Review Blues
BI also mentioned the "burden" of a two-step process in its comments to the FDA (find them here). But BI was referring to the need to resubmit a new version of the ad after receiving critical comments from the FDA concerning the first version submitted for review. "BIPI is concerned with the incremental time and cost that would be incurred by sponsors to routinely produce and submit multiple broadcasts for the purpose of OPDP [FDA's Office of Prescription Drug Promotion] pre-dissemination review," says BI. "BIPI is similarly concerned that the repeated submissions of storyboards to capture serial sets of OPDP suggestions (i.e., the submission of modified storyboards for advisory comments following integration of initial advisory comments) would greatly increase the time, if not the cost, of producing DTC broadcast ads." BI says that it "behooves sponsors to ensure storyboards submitted for advisory comments are representative of the final ad and to ensure that the Agency's comments are incorporated into the filmed version." In other words, BI suggests FDA just look at storyboards and trust that the sponsor will create a final "filmed" ad that is revised according to FDA comments.Shire, however, was the only pharma company to point out a "loophole" that I revealed on Pharma Marketing Blog in March (see "A Loophole (?) in New FDA Guidance on Pre-Dissemination Review of TV Direct-to-Consumer Ads"). In that post, I said:
"FDA does not define what exactly it means by 'dissemination.' Perhaps it has defined this term elsewhere in it regulatory archives, but I assume in this case it means airing the ad on mass market TV. Does that include uploading the video to YouTube? A drug company could upload a video of a pre-approved ad to YouTube at the same time that it submits the video to FDA for 'pre-dissemination' review. The video can then be embedded in the drug.com website or promoted via Twitter."Shire pointed out the same lack of clarity in its comments. "...there has been increasing availability and use of vehicles other than broadcast TV to present video advertising, such as on-demand viewing via the Internet," says Shire. "Shire recommends that FDA affirm that the scope of the guidance includes only DTC advertisements disseminated through broadcast television."
FDA and the drug industry continue to see no need to issue any mandatory or even voluntary guidelines specifically for drug promotion via the Internet. Shire points out, for example, that there already is an "advisory review process" that applies to video advertisements disseminated through "other viewing platforms' (i.e., the Internet). That process (see here) says "a sponsor may voluntarily submit advertisements to FDA for comment prior to publication."
However, if "dissemination" is defined according to Shire's rules, then it is possible for a drug company to run a video ad on YouTube months before it airs the same ad on TV without having to submit anything to the FDA for review -- the current "advisory review process" that Shire refers to is voluntary.
As part of that process (e.g., su read more..

Inactive Ingredients-Active Ingredients-Rick Perry, Texas-Hamburger Meat-Social Media

Will Pharma Experience It's Own 'Pink Slime' Social Media Crisis?

No doubt you have heard about "pink slime," the beef additive made from leftover trimmings. According to an article in today's Wall Street Journal (here), "the additive, which has long been used as a cheap filler in hamburger meat without anyone knowing or caring, has become the latest example of a product to fall prey to a social-media feeding frenzy after celebrity chef Jamie Oliver detailed how it is made in a TV special. Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites took it from there. Supermarkets and school districts across the country have been shunning it after mounting public pressure."
To counteract that "public pressure," which Tyson Foods Chief Operating Officer Jim Lochner said is merely a "two-week event," USDA and governors from several "pink slime" producing states (eg, Rick Perry, Texas) are mounting a counterattack. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said "We're going to consume it. We'll do everything we can to set the record straight."
"This is so clearly a movement that's been driven by consumers," said Willy Ritch, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D., Maine), who is pushing for a ban of the filler in school lunches.
USDA chief Tom Vilsack pointed to the difficulty of getting ahead of opposition to a product -- even if it is deemed safe by the government -- in a world fueled by social media. He also highlighted a disconnect that continues to grow between people and where their food comes from.
It's possible that the drug industry will one day face it own "pink slime" crisis because there is also a "disconnect" between consumers and where their drugs come from and the ingredients they contain.
Recently, we have seen cases where active ingredients in medicines have been replaced by miscellaneous substances having no medical benefit and cases where manufacturing problems have led to contamination such as Johnson and Johnson's problems with children's medicines (see, for example, "Unsafe Drugs: Is It Counterfeiters or the Supply Chain That's the Problem?").
These problems may be glitches in an otherwise safe drug supply chain, but did you know that up to 80 percent of the active ingredients in drugs used in the United States are made overseas? Hopefully, those ingredients meet high standards. Yet up to 149 Americans died in 2007 and 2008 after taking heparin, a blood thinner, contaminated during the manufacturing process in China.
What's often not mentioned, however, are the "inactive" ingredients in the pills we take. Viagra, for example, contains the following inactive ingredients:

• microcrystalline cellulose
• anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate
• croscarmellose sodium
• magnesium stearate
• hypromellose
• titanium dioxide
• lactose
• triacetin
• FD & C Blue #2 aluminum lake

Patients are warned to discontinue taking medicines if they are allergic to any of the ingredients.
These ingredients are the "pink slime" of the drug industry. But whereas "pink slime" only constitutes a small percentage of ground beef, these "inactive" ingredients comprise the bulk of the pill's weight and volume.  AND they are probably made overseas with very little FDA supervision.
One of these ingredients may be as controversial to patients as "pink slime" is to hamburger eaters. In fact, this was the case with Johnson and Johnson's baby shampoo that consumers learned contained cancer-causing chemicals. That issue was big on social media for a while until J&J promised to phase out the product in the U.S. (it has been completely pulled from the shelves in other countries).
The food industry is blaming "misinformation" amplified via social media as the main cause of the consumer backlash against "pink slime." They have launched a two-pronged campaign to deal with the crisis: (1) issue "corrective" information, and (2) warn of higher prices if "pink slime" is no longer used in hamburger meat.
This sounds similar read more..

Breast Milk-Exercise-Baby

Exercise Won't Affect Breast Milk, Baby's Growth: Study

FRIDAY, June 22 -- Breast-feeding mothers sometimes worry that exercise may affect their breast milk -- and ultimately their baby's growth. Now, researchers who re-evaluated the few published research studies that exist say it does not appear that... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Unitedhealthcare-Racquetball

UnitedHealthcare to sponsor U.S. racquetball championships in Minneapolis

UnitedHealthcare has signed on as the title sponsor for the 2012 U.S. Open Racquetball Championships, which will be held in Minneapolis, the tournament organizers announced Thursday.The 2012 UnitedHealthcare U.S. Open Racquetball Championships — considered the sport's marquee event — will be held Oct. 3-7 at the Life Time Fitness (NYSE: LTM) facility at Target Center. It will feature professional and amateur matches for both men and women.The event is expected to draw more than 800 players… (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines) read more..

source:http://www.medworm.com

Drug Treatment-Hiv Infection-Bone Mass-Hiv Meds-Risk

Young Men Taking HIV Meds May Be at Risk for Bone Loss

FRIDAY, June 22 -- Young men receiving drug treatment for HIV infection are at increased risk for low bone mass, a new study suggests.The findings indicate that these patients should exercise, take vitamin D and be closely monitored in order to... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Birth Control-Women Over 50-Teenage Girls-Awareness

Eating Disorders Hitting Women Over 50, Study Finds

THURSDAY, June 21 -- Although eating disorders are typically thought of as a problem among teenage girls, many women over 50 practice unhealthy eating behaviors, a new study indicates.The researchers found that almost 4 percent report binge... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

International “I Plan On…” Survey from MSD Showed Gaps in Women’s Awareness of and Knowledge About the Range of Available Birth Control Options

International “I Plan On…” Survey from MSD Showed Gaps in Women’s Awareness of and Knowledge About the Range of Available Birth Control Option... read more..

source:http://www.pharmiweb.com

League Of Women Voters Of Illinois-Health Insurance Exchange-Exchanges

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Thursday, June 7

In today's health insurance exchange news, we see that many of the struggles that come with creating the exchanges are what should be covered and how the states are going to create the right platform for their exchanges.
In Illinois, a few organizations are banding together to encourage Governor Pat Quinn to give executive orders to begin the creation of the health insurance exchange. The organizations include Illinois State AFL-CIO, League of Women Voters of Illinois and Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce and others according to the Journal Star. These organizations believe that the only way for the state to get its own exchange is to start the process now so they won't be forced to use the federal exchange in 2014.
Washington University in Saint Louis believes that pricing in counties for the exchanges where there is no competition could be inflated.  They believe that policy makers need to monitor the counties where few insurances are competing to ensure the best price for their residents, the reason the health insurance exchanges were created.
What is required to be covered in the healthcare insurance exchanges is still up in the air. Health and Human Services has tasked three insurance companies with reporting data including covered benefits, treatment limitations, a list of covered drugs, along with information on whether each drug is subject to prior authorization and/or step therapy and plan enrollment data for their highest-enrollment plans in addition to bench mark plans and administrative data.  Information Week also notes that the HHS has also named National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and URAC as accreditors to make sure the exchanges meet government standards.
This November, the Health Insurance Exchange Congress will be held November 13-14, 2012 in Chicago, IL.  Here, state officials and health plans with the only opportunity to come together to discuss PPACA and strategize on how to make this a successful opportunity for all.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate! read more..

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia-Human Papillomavirus-Prophylactic Vaccine-Dendritic Cells

HPV DNA vax should enter the clinic in 2013

Vaccibody's lead therapeutic DNA vaccine, developed for the treatment of precancerous changes in the cervix caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, is expected to move into the clinic in late 2013 once funding is in place, the company CEO Ole Henrik Brekke told FierceVaccines  at BIO 2012. The trial will recruit women who are infected with HPV-16 and have cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) at grade 1 or 2.The Norwegian vaccine company has designed the vaccine to trigger a T cell response in a single shot by targeting the dendritic cells (also known as antigen-presenting cells). The HPV vaccine is administered just under the skin or into the muscle using electroporation technology, where a small charge allows the plasmid (a small circle of coding DNA) into the cell. The genetic information then harnesses the cell's manufacturing capabilities to create the three-component protein vaccine."We see a higher immune response than other DNA vaccines in animal studies, and it doesn't need an adjuvant," says Brekke. "We think that this is because the vaccine molecules adhere to the dendritic cells."Future formulations of the vaccine could use needle-free administration techniques. The technology also has potential for infectious disease and in veterinary use, as a prophylactic vaccine, and the company is in discussion with a number of potential partners, according to Brekke.- read the company overview at BIO 2012Related Articles:
GeoVax: Meeting the HIV vaccine challenge
DNA vaccine swats TB and HIV
Army uses ducks and DNA vax to make antivirals
Scancell's DNA melanoma vaccine poised for Phase II
DNA vaccine for prostate cancer moves into Phase III read more..

source:http://www.fiercevaccines.com

Government Of India-Cervical Cancer-Clinical Trial-Andhra Pradesh-Hpv Vaccine

Controversy halts HPV vax trial in India

Human papillomavirus infection is the cause of nearly all cases of cervical cancer, and so immunizing young women before they are exposed to the virus could save a great many lives. So, the idea of a large scale clinical trial of an HPV vaccine in India seems like a valid idea, based on the country's supposed huge cervical cancer healthcare burden. Not so--according to a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, the epidemiology behind the study is flawed and the trial is currently the subject of an investigation by the Indian government.The trial was under the auspices of PATH, an international health charity, and included over 23,000 girls in the Indian states of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The charity had claimed that "in raw numbers, India has the largest burden of cancer of the cervix of any country worldwide." However, according to the study, led by Allyson Pollock of Barts and The London Medical School, the cancer surveillance, registration and monitoring in India in general, particularly in the Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh regions, were incomplete, so that it would be impossible to tell whether the vaccine would be successful in preventing the disease.The figures that do exist for India show that there were only 22 cases of cervical cancer per 100,000 in 2004/2005 in india, falling from 43 cases per 100,000 in 1982/1983--this is around half the rate in countries like Brazil and Zimbabwe."This trial has clearly raised serious concerns for the people and government of India," says Pollock. "We found that current data on cervical cancer incidence do not support PATH's claim that India has a large burden of cervical cancer or its decision to roll out the vaccine program."India does have major health burdens, for example in malaria and other infectious diseases, maternal anemia and malnutrition, and so the use of an expensive HPV vaccine, which is one of the more expensive vaccines on the market, for a health issue with a lower impact would seem to be a flawed use of limited financial resources.- read the press release
- see the paperRelated Articles:
GAVI Alliance could be closer to HPV vax deal
Gardasil could cut cancer in women already infected with HPV
Study: Most girls who get HPV vax say they see need to practice safe sex read more..

source:http://www.fiercevaccines.com

Kv Pharmaceuticals-Compounders-Makena-FDA

FDA keeps door open to cheap versions of KV's Makena

The battle over KV Pharmaceuticals' ($KV.A) pricey preterm-labor drug, Makena, with pharmacy compounders who can make it for next to nothing has hit a new phase. The FDA this week announced it found no major safety problems with compounded versions of Makena. Then KV released a statement emphasizing another part of the FDA's announcement--that agency-approved drugs provide greater assurance of safety and efficacy. After getting approval for its drug, KV began charging $1,500 a dose, while previously women were able to buy it for about $20 a dose from compounders. In the outcry, KV lowered the price to $690 but the FDA allowed the compounded versions to remain on the market. Then KV asked the FDA to investigate whether they were safe and consistent. The FDA this week said it found that all of the APIs met standards for potency and total purity. When compared with Makena's NDA standards, a few of the samples fell short on some measures. And so the fight continues. Story | More read more..

source:http://www.fiercepharmamanufacturing.com/

Ranbaxy Laboratories-Consent Decree-Indian Plants-Regulators

Ranbaxy reportedly hits bump with Indian regulator

Ranbaxy Laboratories, which is operating under an extensive consent decree with U.S. regulators, has now run afoul of authorities in India, which reportedly slapped it with a four-day suspension for "flouting" rules on product storage.The suspension, issued by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, was prompted by a complaint by the Maharashtra Chemists & Distributors Federation (MCDF), reports Pharmabiz. Narendra Jain, general secretary of the MCDF, tells the publication he thinks Ranbaxy is getting off too easy for practices that expose products to potential contamination. A Ranbaxy spokesman told Pharmalot that the company was checking into the accuracy of the report.While this appears to be a local fight, even the hint of a suggestion of any manufacturing or handling shortcomings is sensitive for the drugmaker. It has only recently gotten FDA approval to ship products from three of its Indian plants and is under unprecedented scrutiny as part of a 5-year, 55-page consent decree announced earlier this year. In 2008, regulators uncovered a list of issues, including faked drug quality data, and banned 30 products from the U.S. Among other provisions, the decree requires the company to set up an independent oversight group that can take in complaints from employees and elsewhere. The auditors are to report all of their findings and recommendations to the FDA as well as the company. Ranbaxy has taken full advantage of its ability to ship products from its upgraded plants to the North American market. As a result of the FDA approval for Ranbaxy's generic of Pfizer's ($PFE) Lipitor, the company has seen its sales here surge. In its first full quarter selling copycat Lipitor, the Indian genericsmaker reported sales in North America doubled to $375 million.- check out the Pharmabiz story
- get more from PharmalotRelated Articles:
Ranbaxy hires U.S. consultants under consent decree
Ranbaxy manufactures a colossal first quarter
Company whistleblower program part of Ranbaxy consent decree read more..

source:http://www.fiercepharmamanufacturing.com/

American Council On Exercise-Core Body Temperature-Health Benefits-Health Tip

Health Tip: Warm Up Before You Exercise

-- Taking a few extra minutes to warm up before your workout can offer many health benefits.The American Council on Exercise mentions these examples:Increased core body temperature, which leads to more efficient calorie burning.Muscles are able... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Skin Lightening Products-Gastric Bypass Surgery-Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Skin Pigmentation

Race Might Play Role in Success of Weight-Loss Surgery

WEDNESDAY, June 20 -- Black women without diabetes lost about 10 percent less weight than white women after having a weight-loss procedure called gastric bypass surgery, but having diabetes helped increase their weight loss, a new study finds.For... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

'Sling' Implant May Cut Risk of Incontinence After Prolapse Surgery

WEDNESDAY, June 20 -- Women who have surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse can reduce their risk of incontinence afterward by having a second procedure done simultaneously where surgeons implant a "sling" to support the urethra, new research... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

DR Secret Gives Hope to Women with Skin Pigmentation Woes

DR Secret Store expands on distribution of dermatologist grade skin lightening products in United States and Australia via online store after success in Southeast Asia.(PRWeb June 18, 2012)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/6/prweb9605141.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals) read more..

source:http://www.medworm.com

Federal Authorities-Prescription Drugs-Internet Pharmacy-Canadian Internet-Counterfeit Drugs

Canadian Internet pharmacy leader faces federal charges

The founder of a Canadian Internet pharmacy accused of selling counterfeit drugs will be arraigned this week in federal court, putting other operators around the world on notice that the U.S. is stepping up enforcement on that loose link in the supply chain in which thousands of Internet sites sell drugs of unknown origin to people without prescriptions.The 38-year-old Andrew Strempler, who was arrested last week, was a pioneer in this arena. In an indictment he and his former company RxNorth.com are accused of selling and shipping to U.S. consumers fake and misbranded drugs between early 2005 and the summer of 2006, The Wall Street Journal reports. Strempler sold his company to a competitor in 2006, and was believed to have hightailed it to the Caribbean after U.S. authorities accused him of selling counterfeit medications. Authorities globally have been trying to figure out how to attack the growing problem of counterfeit drugs making their way to consumers through this unregulated end-run around the legitimate supply chain.The arrest follows an FDA warning in May that fake versions of the ADHD drug Adderall, made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries ($TEVA) and other generics companies, is showing up on Internet pharmacy sites. At least some of the counterfeit Avastin discovered in the U.S. in February squeezed its way in through a Canadian pharmacy company that delivers discounted prescription drugs from overseas to U.S. citizens.The owner of one Canadian Internet pharmacy acknowledged shipping at least some of the fake injectables of the Roche ($RHHBY) drug into the U.S. but said he notified authorities when he learned they were counterfeit.In a report in March 2011, the Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Inter-Agency Working Group, made up of a host of federal agencies and authorities, acknowledged the growing threat and said it was looking for ways to be proactive to a threat that is global in nature and difficult to monitor.  In a recent interview, Connie Jung with the FDA explained that illegal Internet pharmacies presented a particular challenge to federal authorities because they may sell counterfeit or other unapproved drugs. Jung is the acting associate director for policy and communications within the Office of Drug Security, Integrity and Recalls. It was established last year to focus on such problems as drug counterfeiting in an industry that now relies on a global supply chain. Part of its work is to coordinate with other agencies like Customs and the FBI to find ways to be proactive in the face of a serious threat."Consumers and healthcare providers can be confident that consumers are receiving safe, effective, high quality drugs from their local pharmacies," Jung says. "It is when we have entities that choose to buy outside the legitimate drug supply chain that harmful products may be introduced." The U.S. is not alone in trying to figure out how to get on top of this new outlet for counterfeits. China Daily reports that after a 5-month investigation into counterfeiting there, the State Food and Drug Administration sent 670 cases to the police for investigation. "Many counterfeit drug cases featured online advertisements and sales, underground production workshops and transfers through postal express," Yin Li of the SFDA says.- read The Wall Street Journal story
- get the China Daily storyRelated Articles:
Fake of Roche's Avastin shipped from Canadian supplier
Adderall shortage spurs counterfeiters to step in, FDA says
FDA warns 56 more docs of fake Avastin supplies
FDA commish suggests putting more bite in laws for counterfeiting
Fake Adderall surfaces as Congress turns attention to track and trace read more..

source:http://www.fiercepharmamanufacturing.com/

Food Additive Petition-Neural Tube Defects-Corn Masa Flour-Hispanic Women-Ethnic Group

Food Additive Petition Seeks to Reduce Neural Tube Defects Among Hispanics

By Ricardo Carvajal –In a relatively rare example of a request for regulatory action intended to benefit a specific racial or ethnic group, a coalition of businesses and nonprofits submitted a food additive petition asking FDA to amend the food additive regulation for folic acid to permit its addition to corn masa flour – a staple among populations of Latin American descent.  Since the late 1990’s, standards of identity for several grain-based foods have required the addition of folic acid.  According to the petition, that requirement is credited with decreasing the prevalence of neural tube defects among Hispanics and non-Hispanics.  However, Hispanic women continue to have a higher rate of neural tube defects, and fewer of them consume folic acid from fortified foods.  The petition contends that “[f]ortification of corn masa flour presents a clear opportunity to improve intake in those who consume corn masa flour products as a significant portion of their diet,” and could potentially decrease neural tube defects among Hispanic women. The observation that diet-related risk factors for certain diseases may vary among racial and ethnic groups is not novel (see, e.g., CDC’s estimation of disparate rates of obesity for Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics).  Nonetheless, it is not clear that a systematic approach to these issues has emerged in relation to food, as it has for drugs.  A 1995 FDA guidance document geared to drug and biologics developers provides recommendations for the collection of race and ethnicity data in clinical trials, in recognition of the fact that numerous “[d]ifferences in response to medical products have already been observed in racially and ethnically distinct subgroups of the U.S. population.”  That same year, FDA approved the first drug to treat a disease in patients identified by race (BiDil, for heart failure in Black patients). Although perhaps difficult to estimate, the potential cost savings associated with dietary interventions that reduce the risk of disease could be significant, particularly in relation to the cost of the intervention.  The corn masa petition estimates that the addition of folic acid to corn masa could prevent 40 cases of neural tube defects annually, each of which could generate direct lifetime costs of a half-million dollars. read more..

source:http://www.fdalawblog.net

American Council On Exercise-Social Relationships-Emotional Benefits-Physical Activity

Health Tip: Make Exercise a Social Activity

-- Social relationships are important, especially for seniors. Incorporating social activity into physical activity offers physical and emotional benefits.The American Council on Exercise suggests how to make physical activity more social:Ask... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Pfizer Paid $896 Million in Prempro Settlements - Bloomberg

via bloomberg.com Pfizer Inc. (PFE) has paid $896 million to resolve about 60 percent of the cases alleging its menopause drugs caused cancer in women, the drugmaker said in a securities filing. Pfizer, the world’s largest drugmaker, has now settled about 6,000 lawsuits alleging Prempro and other hormone- replacement drugs caused breast cancer and has set aside an additional $330 million to resolve the remaining 4,000 suits, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Posted via email from Jack's posterous read more..

American Academy Of Pediatrics-The Backyard

Health Tip: Keep Kids Safe in the Backyard

-- Playing in the backyard is a great way for a child to get needed exercise, but you should make sure your backyard is safe.The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these safety suggestions:Make sure there aren't any dangerous or poisonous... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

The Natural Health Advisory Service-Advisory Service Specialising

Mayon Stewart

Maryon Stewart is well known in both the UK and Australia as a pioneer in the field of non drug medicine. In 1984 she set up an Advisory Service specialising in women’s health, which now helps both men and women as the Natural Health Advisory Service. To date she has written 25 popular self-help books, co-authored a series of medical papers, written regular columns for numerous daily newspapers and magazines, had her own radio show, made two films as well as contributing to many TV series, including being the Nutritionist for Channel Four’s Model Behaviour and now she presents The Really Useful Health Show. Her formal training has included preventive dentistry, nutrition, counselling and health promotion and she regularly lectures to both the public and the medical profession.
She helps individuals in her clinics and via her telephone consultation service and she is passionate about making a difference through her health promotion work in order to improve health prospe - 1 Reply read more..

Regional Wholesaler Dik Drug-Letter Of Intent-Cardinal Health

BREAKING NEWS: Cardinal Health to Acquire DIK Drug

In today's sorta surprising (but not really) M&A news, Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) has signed a letter of intent to acquire regional wholesaler Dik Drug. No press release yet, so consider this post to be another Drug Channels exclusive. (The news was confirmed to me by Cardinal's SVP of Public Relations.)This deal is one more step in the long-running consolidation of the U.S. pharmaceutical distribution business. It also helps further boost Cardinal's business with smaller pharmacies. Dik is a closely-held and fairly secretive private company, so there's no official data on revenues, but most likely less than $2 billion. [UPDATE: I have learned that revenues are actually below $500 million.]Industries do not consolidate forever (even drug wholesaling). Given the limited number of possible buyers and the pharmacy industry's pace of change, I expect that the remaining regional wholesalers will be looking for a reasonable exit strategy over the next few years, too. Read on for some additional background.Read more »Copyright © 2006-2012 Pembroke Consulting, Inc. and Copyright © 2006-2012 Drug Channels. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. read more..

source:http://www.drugchannels.net

American Society Of Clinical Oncology-Gastrointestinal Cancer-Commerce Secretary

'Uncertainty' Remains Over Supply of Key Cancer Drugs

MONDAY, June 4 -- John Mahan, a 58-year-old Nashville firefighter battling a gastrointestinal cancer, couldn't believe what he was hearing last July.His doctor had just told him that his clinic had run out of injectable fluorouracil (5-FU), the... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Aggregating the 2012 ASCO tweets

It’s that time of the year – the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference in Chicago begins in earnest with Friday being the main travel day for many people before they hit the ground running for the poster … Continue reading ? read more..

source:http://pharmastrategyblog.com

Seizure Behind Commerce Secretary Bryson's Crashes: Report

MONDAY, June 11 -- A seizure may be to blame for U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson's two hit-and-run crashes that occurred Saturday in California's San Gabriel Valley, according to a Commerce Department spokeswoman."Secretary Bryson was involved... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Motivational Interviewing-Telephone Calls-Pharmacists-Adherence-Medicine

Pharma, adherence and motivational interviewing

Précis:  Andrew Tolve explores how the technique of motivational interviewing can improve adherence rates Every day, patients around the globe receive telephone calls from pharmacists and nurses informing them that they’re late refilling their medicine. And every day, those pharmacists hear a litany of explanations, complaints, or excuses as to why patients have lapsed: pain, forgetfulness, discomfort, or lack of pain and discomfort, suggesting that the medicine has already run its course. Whatever the reason, pharmacists suddenly find themselves on the frontline of the health system’s adherence problem. Related Content:  Special report: Patient's Week 2011 Pharma and the patient-centered medical home Image:  Primary Event:  SFE USA Premium`:  No read more..

source:http://social.eyeforpharma.com

Valeant Pharmaceuticals-Resolute Forest-Cancer Drug-Price Cuts-Snapshot

Mens or spotting ulit? Side Effects Of Trust Pills

mm ung gf ko po first time niya magtake ng trust pills, kahapon(june 16, 2012), pang 5th pill niya tapos nagsex kami (with condom) tapos ngayon (june 17, 2012), sumakit ung right side ng tiyan niya tapos feeling niya meron ulit siya, eh last 4 days nagkaspotting siya anu po ba ibigsabihin nito?? - Post a Reply read more..

India firm shakes up cancer drug market with price cuts

India firm shakes up cancer drug market with price cuts
New Straits Times - 9 minutes ago
NEW DELHI: Indian pharmaceutical tycoon Yusuf Hamied revolutionised AIDS treatment more than a decade ago by supplying cut-price drugs to the world's ... read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

TSX SNAPSHOT: Fibrek, Resolute Forest, Valeant Pharmaceuticals ...

TSX SNAPSHOT: Fibrek, Resolute Forest, Valeant Pharmaceuticals ...
MENAFN.COM - 41 minutes ago
(MENAFN - ProactiveInvestors - Australia) From North America: Department store chain Sears Canada (TSE:SCC) announced Friday the grand opening of its. read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

Dow Jones Industrial Average-Strategy Consulting-Difficult Period-Bear Market

Bear Market Advice and Perspectives

Our management and strategy consulting firm was founded in November 2008, which was clearly a difficult period for the U.S. economy and a year that many investors would like to forget. The Dow Jones Industrial average recorded its worst annual performance since 1931 and the NASDAQ Composite had its worst year since inception in 1971.  [...] read more..

source:http://lifesciencedigest.com

Prescription Drug User Fee Act-Drug Approval Process-Medical Device-Congress-FDA

Bipartisanship in Congress, in Support of Pharma and Device Industries

It's often said today that Congress is totally dysfunctional and cannot agree on anything due to the huge partisan culture war. Well, the good news is that there's bipartisan cooperation on at least one issue. The bad news is that it's all in favor of handing the foxes at the pharmaceutical and medical device industries the key to the FDA henhouse. 
The estimable Merrill Goozner: http://gooznews.com/?p=3914--has blogged about the latest renewal round of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, where drug firms agree to pay a lot of the freight for running the FDA's drug approval process, and almost always manage to wring out favorable concessions in exchange for their largesse. Among the Christmas list the industry wants this time, and that Congress, well primed by the lobbyists, is apparently ready to hand them, are:

• More use of surrogate markers to approve new drugs, without demanding proof that the actual diseases that affect people get any better (e.g., a drug that lowers blood sugar but does nothing to prevent heart attacks or strokes or blindness from diabetes)
• Complete gutting of the reforms called for in the recent Institute of Medicine report to toughen requirements for testing new devices for safety

Gooz reports that consumer advocacy groups are incensed over these concessions but are getting nowhere with Congress.
The solution, as we have known for a good while, is to stop depending on the drug industry to fund the FDA--though replacing drug bucks with taxpayer bucks won't make that army of lobbyists go away (meaning that at some point or other, campaign finance reform is desperately needed as well). read more..

Successful Pregnancies-Liver Transplantation-Embryo Implantation-Miscarriage Rate

Research Solves How Fetus Is Shielded From Immune System

THURSDAY, June 14 -- Pregnant women's immune systems do not attack their developing babies because embryo implantation in the uterus triggers a process that affects the ability of immune cells to reject foreign bodies, new research shows.The... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Liposuction Might Have 'Boomerang' Effect

THURSDAY, June 14 -- Women who have the popular plastic surgery procedure known as liposuction may be trading one form of fat for another, as a new study reveals that the sudden removal of abdominal fat seems to trigger a buildup of fat around the... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Liver Transplantation No Bar to Successful Pregancy

THURSDAY, June 14 -- Women who have had a liver transplant typically have successful pregnancies, according to a new study.Researchers found that liver-transplant recipients had a lower miscarriage rate and a higher live-birth rate than women in... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Fda Mobile Regulatory Fear Mongering-Phrma-FDA

FDA Mobile Regulatory Fear Mongering by PhRMA

In a blog post provocatively titled "An App for That, But For How Much Longer?" (here), PhRMA's Kate Connors agreed with a Washington Times op-ed piece that suggested the FDA will soon require apps such as medication prescription renewal reminders and blood glucose level tracking functions to be regulated as medical devices. You can read the op-ed in this threaded archive: "How safe is that app? Should pharma apps be registered as medical devices?".
The op-ed author, Joel White, executive director of the Health IT Now Coalition, "suggests that this effort would lead to increased costs as well as constraints on user access to these apps, which 'may cause developers to move on to other, less burdensome endeavors.' In the end, this could hinder the way that patients can actively improve their own care," said Conners.
Before I get to destroying the case made by Connors and White, I should point out how these two people are related. White is the president of JC White Consulting, a registered lobbying firm (see here) retained by the Health IT Now Coalition and PhRMA, among others (see here). In her blog post, Connors said "A few days ago, I missed an op-ed in the Washington Times that I just came across today – and I’m glad I did." Joel, you should have DM'd Kate! Whatever! It's nice that White gets paid to write this "independent" op-ed piece that PhRMA can cite as if it were independent! Guys! Wake up! It's the era of transparency! Unfortunately, you can fool some -- maybe even most -- of the people all of the time and that is what keeps PhRMA in business.
Anyway, back to "FDA Mobile Regulatory Fear Mongering." I say "fear mongering" because it can't be true that White and Connors failed to read FDA's July guidance in which it stated that the agency does NOT consider the following types of apps to be mobile medical apps for purposes of the guidance:
"Mobile apps that are solely used to log, record, track, evaluate, or make decisions or suggestions related to developing or maintaining general health and wellness. Such decisions, suggestions, or recommendations are not intended for curing, treating, seeking treatment for mitigating, or diagnosing a specific disease, disorder, patient state, or any specific, identifiable health condition. Examples of these apps include dietary tracking logs, appointment reminders, dietary suggestions based on a calorie counter, posture suggestions, exercise suggestions, or similar decision tools that generally relate to a healthy lifestyle and wellness."PhRMA/White do not quote FDA because to do so -- as I just did -- would kill the argument that FDA mobile guideline/regulations will stymie pharma from developing apps and will "hinder the way that patients can actively improve their own care." You should also read "No, the FDA is not assaulting mobile technology, Washington Times editorial misguided" published by iMedicalApps.
Meanwhile, there are medical apps being created by pharma that SHOULD be regulated by the FDA, IMHO. These are "calculator" apps designed to be used by physicians during diagnoses. One such app had to be "recalled" because of a bug that generated incorrect results. Unfortunately, thousands of physicians may not have heard of the "recall," which merely removed the app from app stores, not from the phones of physicians who downloaded the app. These physicians may still be using the buggy app. See "The Problem with Unregulated 'Calculator' Apps for Physicians: Buggy Software!"
P.S. Connors pointed out that PhRMA has its own medication reminder app for patients: "In fact, we at PhRMA have helped support the Script Your Future campaign, which itself includes medication reminders as a tool."
Just for fun, I signed up to receive reminders. I was, however, somewhat put off by the long legal disclaimer, which said, in part:
"You acknowledge and agree that we provide the reminder service and access to the reminder service as an "as is" and an "as read more..

Fertility Treatment-Multiple Sclerosis-Relapse Rate-Women

Pregnancy-Related Deaths Fall Worldwide: Report

WEDNESDAY, June 13 -- The number of women worldwide who died from pregnancy-related complications each year fell from 12 million in 1990 to 7.6 million in 2010, according to a new report.It also found that child death rates in many African... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Fertility Treatment Tied to Higher Relapse Rate in Women With MS

WEDNESDAY, June 13 -- Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who undergo in vitro fertilization therapy are more likely to suffer a relapse of their MS condition, according to the results of a small new study.The use of synthetic hormonal chemicals,... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Postmenopausal Women-Bone Fractures-Calcium

Older Women Should Not Take Calcium, Vitamin D: Task Force

TUESDAY, June 12 -- A leading U.S. government advisory panel has proposed that postmenopausal women not take low-dose calcium and vitamin D supplements daily to ward off bone fractures.But the jury is still out on higher doses of these... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Rush University Medical Center-Female Genital Mutilation-Reconstructive Surgery

Procedure Might Ease Pain of Female Genital Mutilation

TUESDAY, June 12 -- Reconstructive surgery may help ease the pain of women who have suffered female genital mutilation, a new study finds.Female genital mutilation, or FGM, "includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Health Highlights: June 12, 2012

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:Bioethics Council Backs Use of Eggs from Two Women to Create EmbryoCouples at risk of having a baby with certain genetic diseases should be... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Early Menopause May Raise Risk for Brain Aneurysm

TUESDAY, June 12 -- Early menopause may be associated with an increased risk of brain aneurysm, new research suggests.The study by researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago included 76 postmenopausal women who had a brain... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Invasive Breast Cancer-Postmenopausal Women-Breast Cancer Risk-Diabetes Drug-Metformin

Diabetes Drug Metformin May Cut Breast Cancer Risk in Older Women

MONDAY, June 11 -- A widely prescribed drug, metformin, may lower the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with diabetes, a new study indicates.The research, published online June 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, echoes... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Whistleblower Lawsuit

1-800-WBLOWER

California Lap-Band Clinic Named In Whistleblower Lawsuit
A California Lap-Band clinic has just been named in a whistleblower lawsuit. The controversial Lap-Band is a silicone ring implanted around the stomach to curb an obese person’s appetite. The device, manufactured by Allergan Inc., is designed to promote rapid weight loss, but has been linked to a growing number of unexpected complications and side effects blamed on the device and the surgeons’ implanting the Lap-Band.
Now, said UT San Diego, two former employees of a San Diego Lap-Band clinic are suing the clinic and the once ubiquitous 1-800-GET-THIN marketing campaign. The two allege that the device and the campaign put patients at risk. Jessica Meyle, a dietitian, and Amy Demonbreun, a surgical technologist, allege that several factors exposed patients at the San Diego Ambulatory Surgery Center to unsafe care, such as inappropriately sterilized equipment and a questionable business model in which quotas were required for patient referrals, said UT San Diego.
The women, according to court documents, complained to their employers, but to no avail. The case was filed last week in Los Angels County Superior court. The San Diego Ambulatory Surgery Center denies the allegations, saying that the claims about unsterilized equipment are “a total fabrication,” said UT San Diego. The women contend that some patients who received procedures at the clinic’s San Diego location on December 30th and the Beverly Hills Surgery Center in January, could have been exposed to hepatitis C, according to court papers, said UT San Diego. The women also allege that they are not aware of any steps their employer or any other defendants took to contact potentially impacted patients, said UT San Diego. Both women resigned in 2012 and, an attorney for the women explained that, “They quit because they were being ordered to do things that were not legal,” according to UT San Diego.
http://www.newsinferno.com/defective-medical-devices/california-lap-band-clinic-named-in-whistleblower-lawsuit/38499? read more..

Pharmaceutical Marketing-Pharma Marketing-Medication

The Fundamental DTC Question: Why Do People Do What They Do?

I've been thinking a lot lately about the psychology behind why people behave the way they do when it comes to healthcare, and how that intersects with what pharmaceutical marketers are trying to achieve.
Rich Meyer wrote a blog recently titled It’s not your imagination; marketing really has gotten harder. He has some good points about the social shift, how customer expectations have changed and how the drug industry is (or isn't) evolving with the times.
Pharma Marketing Has Always Had It's Challenges
The idea that "marketing has gotten harder" is an interesting one to me. And I would go further to say that effective pharmaceutical marketing has always been harder. (Here's a blog I wrote on the topic of What's So Different About Consumer Pharma Marketing? Let Me Count the Ways ...)
But the difficulty of pharma marketing goes beyond the tough regulations we face every day. To me, it goes deeper into the psychology of healthcare. One would think one's HEALTH would be the ultimate motivator to take action. Get a diagnosis, get a prescription, be compliant with that medication, and hopefully things will be better, right?
But the challenge is, pharmas are faced with marketing products that patients DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO USE. Being put on a long-term treatment for high cholesterol or diabetes is considered by many to be a failure. Getting a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis and then having to give yourself a self-injection isn't good news. It's devastating. People don't think "oh goodie I get to pop this little pill every morning" or "Yay, I get to take this injection every week." They tie the disease to the drug. Very few people ever think "thank goodness the pharma company spent years in research and millions of dollars to develop this product that helps me live my life better every day." (One exception may be cosmetics. Perhaps because those treatments are elective?)
And depending on the disease category, sometimes the goal is to work to get OFF the medication. If your doctor told you that you should have a goal to quit using Tide detergent, would you think favorably of Tide?
Admit it - even those of us in the industry can be resistant to getting on treatment for whatever ails us, and we often don't follow our prescribed regimen (I know I don't).
Why Don't We Look at Medications Like We Do Consumer Packaged Goods?
There's a lot wrapped up into the answer to that question. And amazingly, in 15+ years of pharma marketing, I've never seen good research that gets to the root of it. To complicate matters, it's different for every disease category, and every person within those disease categories.
Recently I met with a health psychologist (follow her on Twitter at @drhealthpsych) to learn more about her discipline. Her job is to integrate the science of behavior change with marketing intelligence. She's looking to help companies increase brand retention, create brand advocates, and strengthen loyalty among patients, caregivers, and providers ... all while promoting positive health outcomes. In her words, "You win. Patients win."
To me, it's fascinating.
As an industry, we need to work harder to better understand the motivators behind patient behavior. Why are they resistant to committing to a medication proven to help improve symptoms? Why won't they go to the doctor, why won't they fill the prescription, why won't they take the med that will enhance quality of life, and may even save their life or, at least, add years to it?  Why don't they take their medication as prescribed?
As an industry, we need to work towards a better understanding of patients (i.e. people), their needs and wants, and their motivators.
Not to be better able to "sell" them something.
But to improve health outcomes overall. read more..

source:http://intouchsol.com

Pharmaceutical Industry-Supply Chain Security-Purdue Pharma-Cargo Theft

Here are some tips on cargo theft that might save you $75M

As I was reading the FDA's new SOP on cargo theft this week, I was reminded  of a conversation with Charles Forsaith, director of supply chain security for Purdue Pharma Technologies. He also coordinates the Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition, which is dedicated to combating theft of pharmaceuticals in transit.Our talk centered on how U.S. manufacturers in the last couple of years have made a giant leap forward in protecting against cargo theft. He pointed out that last year there were only 5 stolen shipments valued over $500,000 and only three over $1 million, compared to 15 and 11 in 2009. That calculates to 33% and 25% decreases in just two years. Forsaith explained those results have been hard-won.Just a few years ago, the industry was losing loads that had values rivaling the numbers normally associated with the salaries of professional athletes.There was the dramatic burglary of and Eli Lilly warehouse where rope-rappelling thieves stole cancer, cardiovascular and depression medications. Loss: $75 million.There was a similar burglary at a GlaxoSmithKline warehouse. Loss: $6 million.And there was a 2009 heist of a rig from North Carolina, containing Novo Nordisk ($NVO) drugs, some of which later were tied to adverse reactions from patients who got them from a pharmacy chain. Loss: $10.9 million. It hasn't been that many years, Forsaith said, since drivers would arrive at a shipping dock and the only thing anyone was concerned about was whether they made it to where they were going by a particular point in time. "You didn't necessarily collect the name of the driver, get his cell number, make or a description of the truck, put a high-security cargo seal on the back door, tell the driver that he was not supposed to stop for so many miles. There were so many things that we took for granted."But with losses, and attendant publicity, growing changes were made. The coalition was formed, information was shared and companies were educated. The pharma industry learned from the practices, and the mistakes, of others such as manufacturers of high-end electronics and jewelry.Now companies vet their shippers to make sure they use two drivers and never leave a rig unoccupied. They paint trailers with large letters to make them easy for law enforcement to spot if they are taken. They use technology, like planting GPS devices in a load, or even use trailers with doors that close with a magnetic lock initiated by a cell phone and not even accessible by drivers. They constantly share information so danger spots for truck heists are quickly identified and can be avoided. This has all made loads harder to steal and easier to recover if they are taken.At the warehouse level, guards, lights and fencing can all make a difference, but Forsaith says he also urges warehouse operators to get to know their business neighbors and share contact numbers in case someone sees something unusual on a weekend, holiday or after hours. "It is just like a neighborhood watch, but just on a much grander scale."The world remains a dangerous place, Forsaith acknowledges. In other countries gangs often use weapons and violence to steal pharmaceuticals. But at least in the U.S., the situation is so much better.In fact, FreightWatch International reported last year was the first time on record in which the "pharmaceutical industry did not have the highest value per theft incident." That honor went to the electronics industry. -- Eric Palmer (Email | Twitter) read more..

source:http://www.fiercepharmamanufacturing.com/

Animal Health-Constipated-Pfizer Inc-Losar-Pfe.N

The Doctor Put Me On Losar 25mg For High Bp After 3 Months He Changed It To H 50mg When I Started Taking Getting A Feeling As

The Doctor put me on Losar 25mg for high BP, after 3 months he changed it to Losar H (50mg) when I started taking Losar H I started getting a feeling as if my head was going to burst. Even a good night's sleep did not help, I felt like this on awaking and it remains the whole day...
Please advise - Post a Reply read more..

Morning Stools

When ever I am constipated on and off I take Dulcolax 2 tabs before bed. My stomach is cleaned for that day but the next day am constipated again and the whole day it effects my mood. Can I take this laxative everyday will it becomes habit forming and always make me constipated
Please advise _ Thanks - Filed in Dulcolax - Post a Reply read more..

Pfizer plans animal health IPO

Pfizer plans animal health IPO
Reuters UK - Jun 7, 2012
(Reuters) - Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) plans to separate its animal health unit into a standalone company, a move Wall Street expected as the largest US drugmaker focuses more intently on its core pharmaceuticals business. read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation-The Government Of Botswana-Merck Company Foundation

Feature Story: Fighting HIV/AIDS

Merck joined with the Government of Botswana and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to form the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships. The Merck Company Foundation committed an initial 56.5 million USD to the partnership to provide treatment, care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS, as well as to help prevent its further spread. read more..

source:http://www.merck.com

Breast Cancer-Roche Holding

FDA Approves Roche Breast Cancer Drug

The FDA approved a new drug to treat women with advanced cases of a specific type of breast cancer. Perjeta, was developed by Roche Holding's Genentech unit to treat women whose breast cancer tests positive for protein called HER2 and has spread beyond the breast. (Source: WSJ.com: Health) read more..

source:http://www.medworm.com

Price Controls-Drug Shortages-The Government-Formal Price

Drug shortages deepen as Pakistan debates price controls

Shortages of some drugs in Pakistan are mounting as the government continues to dither over whether to keep price controls on a host of drugs.Both domestic and Western drug manufacturers have urged the government to act, saying shortages could become extensive and some foreign companies may just decide it is not worth doing business there, reports The Express Tribune. Citing sources, it says there has not been a formal price increase since 2001.There already have been shortages of some drugs, The Express Tribune reports, because margins got so thin that domestic drugmakers quit producing them. Last month, the American Business Council, which represents 65 American drug manufacturers in Pakistan, warned authorities that if matters are not sorted out soon, Pakistan could face shortages of more than 800 drugs. The ABC said its three largest clients--Pfizer Pakistan ($PFE), Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) and Abbott Laboratories ($ABT)--are already being affected by the supply chain disruptions. The organization played the economic development trump card, saying Western companies might reconsider their commitment to Pakistan if problems persist.Meanwhile, analysts are warning the government that a price control policy will not be healthy for the industry in the long run, reports The Economic Times. Analysts say experience elsewhere shows price controls will not improve health access but will limit drug innovation in the country at a time when rising life expectancy calls for new varieties of pharmaceuticals.David Taylor, a professor at the University of London, points to his experience in India, which is currently debating the expansion of price controls on drugs. "Price caps have the opposite effect, though, by disincentivising the sale of innovative drugs or drug research in India. Patients with incurable endemic diseases will continue to suffer in silence since cures for such diseases may no longer be actively researched," he said.- read The Economic Times story
- more from The Express TribuneRelated Articles:
Pfizer, J&J, Abbott facing shortages of crucial ingredients in Pakistan
Even some domestic firms rail at India's price control plan read more..

source:http://www.fiercepharmamanufacturing.com/

Rheumatoid Arthritis-Bariatric Surgery-Overweight Kids-Medical Advice-Obese Teens

Docs Aren't Coaching Overweight Kids on How to Slim Down: Study

FRIDAY, June 8 -- While U.S. doctors often urge obese teens to eat better and exercise more, overweight kids headed for obesity seldom get the same medical advice, a new study shows.That's important, experts say, because preventing obesity is much... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Menopausal Age May Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis Severity

FRIDAY, June 8 -- Women who experience early menopause have a reduced risk of developing a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis, a new study suggests.Researchers looked at 134 women with rheumatoid arthritis and found that those who had early... read more..

source:http://drugs.com

Find Out Just How Life-Changing Bariatric Surgery Can Be

LOS ANGELES, June 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- You are struggling with obesity. You have tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, only to finally give up in frustration when they failed to deliver any tangible results. You know you're not alone with this problem, and yet you feel... read more..

source:http://www.pharmainfo.net

Health Care Reform-Political Support-Public Campaign-Administration-Internal Memos

Let's make a deal

Drugmakers Vowed to Campaign for Health Law, Memos Show
Drugmakers led by Pfizer (PFE) (PFE) Inc. agreed to run a “very significant public campaign” bankrolling political support for the 2010 health-care law, including TV ads, while the Obama administration promised to block provisions opposed by drugmakers, documents released by Republicans show.
The internal memos and e-mails for the first time unveil the industry's plan to finance positive TV ads and supportive groups, along with providing $80 billion in discounts and taxes that were included in the law. The administration has previously denied the existence of a deal involving political support.
The documents were released today by Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. They identify price controls under Medicare and drug importation as the key industry concerns, and show that former Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Kindler and his top aides were involved in drawing it up and getting support from other company executives.
“As part of our agreement, PhRMA needs to undertake a very significant public campaign in order to support policies of mutual interest to the industry and the Administration,” according to a July 14, 2009, memo from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. “We have included a significant amount for advertising to express appreciation for lawmakers’ positions on health care reform issues.”
The goal, the memo said, was to “create momentum for consensus health care reform, help it pass, and then acknowledge those senators and representatives who were instrumental in making it happen and who must remain vigilant during implementation.”
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-31/drugmakers-vowed-to-campaign-for-health-law-memos-show?r=discussed read more..

Contraceptive Pill-Women-Tax

Women on Contraceptive Pill Should Pay $1,500 a Year More Tax

I agree that this sounds entirely absurd, that women who take the contraceptive pill should pay £1,000 ($1,500) a year more in tax, but it is the inevitable outcome of the standard logic that the polluter should pay. We do have to make a couple of assumptions of course, the first being that the European Union has got its science right, the second that they have got their costs right. But if they have then yes, the end result really is that women should be charged a higher tax for using the contraceptive pill. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors read more..

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Magee-Womens Hospital-Intensive Care Unit-Expansion Project-Oakland Hospital-Beds

Magee-Womens' expansion completed

UPMC’s Magee-Womens Hospital is taking the wraps off a yearlong $30 million expansion project, which added two floors and 54 beds, bringing the total number of beds at the Oakland hospital to 360.The extra capacity includes 14 beds in the intensive care unit and 28 patient rooms for a women’s cancer unit and to expand accommodations for women who have just given birth, said Linda Antonelli, vice president of support services. Among the improvements were sound-absorbing wall panels, which were... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines) read more..

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Community Health Center-Deductible Insurance-Planned Parenthood-Exercise Regimen

Planned Parenthood And High Deductible Insurance - Could The Combo Be The Answer?

As a former heavy girl, I work hard to keep the svelte figure I acquired 22 years ago. Exercise is integral to this effort, especially as perimenopause looms. I turn to podcasts during my prolonged exercise regimen, and discovered an incredible resource – “Conversations on Health Care” from Wesleyan University and Community Health Center, Inc. Each week, they feature a notable in the health care arena discussing health reform and innovations in health care delivery. It is a fun listen that boosts my optimism. I am busy catching up with the last year of podcasts they have provided, and usually listen to two or three during a workout. This week, I listened to two in a row that, when combined, gave me a bright idea. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News) read more..

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Compounding Pharmacy-Business Community-Trailblazer Award-Exemplary Women-Accomplishments

La Vita Compounding Pharmacy Receives 2012 Trailblazer Award from The...

The NAWBO Annual Awards honors the accomplishments and contributions of exemplary women who have led the way in the women's business community and are building a legacy for the next generation of...(PRWeb June 07, 2012)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/LaVitaPharmacy/06/prweb9583126.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors read more..

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Linagliptin-Tradjenta-Eli Lilly

Tradjenta drug shows efficacy against type 2 diabetes

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly have announced the data from the Phase 3 study of once-daily Tradjenta (linagliptin) 5mg tablets, used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in black or African American adults with type 2 d… (Source: Drug Development Technology)MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please have a look at this new site driven by MedWorm: The Breast Cancer Daily read more..

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British Researchers-Neuropathic Pain-Teenage Girls-Nerve Damage-Exercise

Exercise Appears to Ease Nerve-Damage Pain in Rat Study

WEDNESDAY, June 6 -- Exercise helps reduce pain from nerve damage caused by injury, diabetes and other conditions, according to a study involving rats.Researchers found that exercise appears to ease this type of pain -- called neuropathic pain --... read more..

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Exercise Controls Weight in White Girls Better Than in Black Girls: Study

WEDNESDAY, June 6 -- Exercise appears less likely to prevent obesity among black teenage girls than their white peers, a new study shows.British researchers who gauged the effect of exercise on more than 1,100 girls, aged 12 to 14, surmised that... read more..

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Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-Recurrent Ovarian Cancer-Chemotherapy-Phase Iii

Roche study showed that adding Avastin to chemotherapy cut the risk of the disease getting worse in difficult-to-treat recurrent ovarian cancer by half

Roche today announced results from AURELIA, a phase III study that evaluated treatment with Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with standard chemotherapy (weekly paclitaxel, topotecan or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin) in women with ovarian cancer whose disease had worsened due to resistance to platinum-containing chemotherapy. (Source: Roche Media News) read more..

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Women Giving Birth-News Of The World-Bath Salts

'Bath Salts' - A Deadly New Drug With A Deceptively Innocent Name

Can the headlines really have it right?  Is there really a new drug that makes people so violent they bite each others' faces off? I wish this was a News of the World headline that we could all dismiss, along with the stories of alien babies and women giving birth at 95. But in this case, the headlines do have it right -- sort of. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News) read more..

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Cardiorespiratory Fitness-Fruits And Vegetables-Electronic Screens-American Children

Serious Exercise May Benefit Middle-Aged Arteries

THURSDAY, May 31 -- High levels of exercise help prevent stiffening of the arteries in middle-aged people, a small new study says.Arterial stiffening, which has been shown to occur with age and inactivity, is a risk factor for cardiovascular... read more..

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Healthy Diet, Exercise Extend Life for Women in Their 70s: Study

FRIDAY, June 1 -- Women in their 70s can gain more years by following advice they may be giving their grandkids: exercise and eat your fruits and vegetables.So finds a new study that helps confirm healthy living can extend life, even in the... read more..

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Too Much Screen Time May Harm Kids' Fitness

FRIDAY, June 1 -- Spending too much time in front of computers and other electronic screens may cause American children's heart and lung fitness levels, or "cardiorespiratory" fitness, to decline, a new study suggests.Cardiorespiratory fitness... read more..

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American Council On Exercise-Senator Bob Corker-Fiscal Problems-Hormone Therapy

Health Tip: Exercise Can Help Manage Menopause

-- After menopause, women are more likely than before to have heart disease or develop osteoporosis, the American Council on Exercise says.The council says aerobic and weight-bearing forms of exercise can decrease a person's risk of:Heart... read more..

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Nation’s fiscal problems translate to Memphis, Corker says

Recess doesn’t mean what it used to.According to U.S. Senator Bob Corker, neither does tax reform.In an address to a room full of local businessmen and women at Regions Bank this afternoon, Corker — who is swinging through Tennessee while on Senate recess — laid out the nuts and bolts of the fiscal problems facing the United States and detailed how they are affecting his constituency on a more local level.Among the topics he covered was U.S. exposure to the ongoing euro crisis and this... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines) read more..

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Hormone Therapy May Have Benefits for Younger Women

For women who are close to menopause, the benefits of hormone-replacement therapy may outweigh the risks. (Source: WSJ.com: Health) read more..

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