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New advice on prescribing anti-depressants

New Zealands's Medsafe has sent a letter to all prescribers informing them about new advice relating to the known risks and benefits associated with prescribing medications to treat depression in young people and in adults.

22 Oct 2004

MedImmune initiates clinical trial comparing intranasal influenza vaccine with injectable flu vaccine

MedImmune announced that it has initiated a pivotal head-to-head Phase 3 clinical trial designed to compare its next-generation, refrigerator- stable intranasal influenza vaccine (CAIV-T: cold adapted intranasal influenza vaccine, trivalent) with the injectable flu shot (TIV: trivalent influenza vaccine).

22 Oct 2004

New law will help stop litigation abuse against vaccines

U.S. Senator Larry Craig announced that legislation will be signed into law in a few days by President Bush which will help avert future flu vaccine shortages.

21 Oct 2004

FDA grants traditional approval for Fuzeon (enfuvirtide), to treat HIV

Roche and Trimeris today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted traditional approval to Fuzeon (enfuvirtide), the first and only fusion inhibitor for the treatment of HIV.

18 Oct 2004

Campaign gives Florida residents 30,000 flu shots for free

Phones at Get Healthy Florida are ringing non-stop with people in search of the influenza vaccine. Calls are from mothers who have just received word that their children's pediatrician couldn't obtain the vaccine, and seniors who have gone from clinic to clinic only to find most shots are gone.

18 Oct 2004

Chiron responds to FDA announcement

Chiron Corporation last Friday provided the following statement in response to an announcement by U.S. health officials on the current influenza vaccine situation.

18 Oct 2004

Pfizer provides information about its COX-2 product Bextra (valdecoxib)

In view of the increased focus on alternative treatment options for people with arthritis, Pfizer is providing information to healthcare professionals about its COX-2 product Bextra® (valdecoxib).

18 Oct 2004

FDA finds Chiron influenza vaccine unsafe for use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found that none of the influenza vaccine manufactured by the Chiron Corporation for the US market is safe for use.

16 Oct 2004

Teva Pharmaceutical granted FDA approval for Flumazenil injection

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted final approval for the Company’s ANDA for Flumazenil Injection, 0.1 mg/mL. Commercial marketing of this product will begin immediately.

13 Oct 2004

MedImmune progresses development of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Parainfluenza Virus Type-3 vaccines

MedImmune has announced that data from a preclinical study for its lead vaccine candidate to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus type-3 (PIV-3) has shown a protective immune response against both viruses in animals.

13 Oct 2004

California issues alert and warning about flu vaccine price gouging

California State Attorney General Bill Lockyer has urged consumers and pharmacists to provide his office information about price gouging by flu vaccine suppliers and warned he will take enforcement action against those who exploit the supply shortage by charging unconscionable prices.

13 Oct 2004

FDA and MHRA to cooperate efforts to address manufacturing concerns related Chiron's influenza vaccine

The FDA and the U.K's MHRA have announced their intent to continue in a cooperative effort to address the manufacturing quality concerns related to the production of Chiron's influenza vaccine, Fluvirin, at the company's Liverpool facility.

13 Oct 2004

CDC and Aventis Pasteur plan to allocate influenza vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Aventis Pasteur announced today the first phase of the plan to allocate influenza vaccine in response to the recently announced loss of half of the nation’s expected flu vaccine supply for the 2004-2005 season.

12 Oct 2004

New survey reveals continued drug price disparities across the New York State

New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has announced that his office's drug price website has been expanded to include pharmacies within every county in New York State.

11 Oct 2004

Pharmacists respond to unprecedented demand for the flu vaccine in the wake of the current shortage

Pharmacists are responding to unprecedented demand for the flu vaccine in the wake of the current shortage. The pharmacist is on the front line in addressing consumers’ questions and concerns about the availability of the vaccine and in helping Americans understand the CDC’s priorities for administration of the immunization.

10 Oct 2004

HHS awards contracts totaling more than $232 million to fund development of new vaccines against smallpox, plague and tularemia

United States Department of Health and Human Services has announced four new contracts totaling more than $232 million to fund development of new vaccines against three potential agents of bioterrorism: smallpox, plague and tularemia. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), will administer the contracts.

8 Oct 2004

Flu vaccine shortage highlights need to accelerate the approval of affordable generic biopharmaceuticals and vaccines

Following the announcement that the nation is facing a flu vaccine shortage this year, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) renewed its call for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Congress to move forward to accelerate the approval of affordable generic biopharmaceuticals and vaccines.

8 Oct 2004

Aspirin might well be considered the top utility player in the medicine cabinet

This cheap over-the-counter drug can be used not only for fever, pain and arthritis, but to prevent heart attack, stroke or angina. It also may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Yet aspirin also has side effects worth considering, and its very accessibility may hamper its use.

8 Oct 2004

Vioxx: an unequal partnership between safety and efficacy

Last week’s dramatic withdrawal of the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib (Vioxx) is discussed in this week’s lead editorial in THE LANCET, which comments that more vigilant drug licensing is vital to prevent the endangering of patients’ health.

7 Oct 2004

Canadian Rheumatology Association issues statement on Vioxx alternatives

The Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) has issued a statement to its 350 members and other interested parties, recommending alternative treatment considerations in the wake of the worldwide recall of Merck's rofecoxib, (Vioxx(R)) last week.

7 Oct 2004