Drug Watch
New National Drug Control Policy Includes More Prescription Monitoring
05/13/2010
Date:
05/13/2010 By Allison Gandey
The federal government is expanding prescription drug monitoring programs and will link state systems, the White House announced Tuesday. The plan is part of a national strategy to tackle America's drug problem, and clinicians can expect increased monitoring of opioid prescriptions and other medications.
The new prescription monitoring program is not yet designed, but the Obama administration says it would like to develop a single system linking states to electronic health records.
Johnson & Johnson's Recalls Infant, children's Tylenol, Motrin
05/02/2010
Date:
05/02/2010 By Andrea Shalal-Esa
Editing by Eric Beech
The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday urged consumers to stop using liquid Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and Zyrtec medicines for children and infants after a broad recall announced by the manufacturer, although it said the chance of serious problems was remote.
Johnson & Johnson's consumer division announced a broad recall of products, including certain liquid infant's and children's Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl products late on Friday.
Isis Pockets $35M Up Front in Deal with GSK Related to Rare Diseases
03/31/2010
Date:
03/31/2010 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is paying Isis Pharmaceuticals $35 million up front to discover new antisense drugs against serious rare disorders including infectious diseases and specific conditions causing blindness.
The agreement will exploit Isis’ antisense drug discovery platform and covers up to six program. The firm could receive $20 million in additional milestones per program that successfully negotiates Phase II trials.
Resistance can Develop Fast with Swine Flu: Report
03/26/2010
Date:
03/26/2010 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The H1N1 swine flu virus can develop resistance quickly to antivirals used to treat it, U.S. doctors reported on Friday.
Government researchers reported on the cases of two people with compromised immune systems who developed drug-resistant strains of virus after less than two weeks on therapy.
Bacteria quickly develop resistance to antibiotics, which must be used carefully. Viruses can do the same and doctors worried about resistance had recommended against using antivirals for flu except in patients who really needed them.
FDA Approves Botox to Treat Spasticity in Flexor Muscles of the Elbow, Wrist and Fingers
03/09/2010
Date:
03/09/2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) to treat spasticity in the flexor muscles of the elbow, wrist, and fingers in adults. Spasticity is common after stroke, traumatic brain injury, or the progression of multiple sclerosis.
