Pharmacology
June 18, 2012 · Leave a Comment
New Discoveries: Alzheimer’s Disease
With the help of mice, researchers have now found that mitochondria in the brain are dysfunctional early on in Alzheimer’s disease, even before memory loss. The team examined mitochondria in three mouse models, each using a different gene shown to cause familial, or early-onset, Alzheimer’s disease…”One of the most significant findings of this study is […]
June 12, 2012 · Leave a Comment
J&J Diabetes Drug Seen Challenging Merck’s Market Leader
The spotlight is now on J&J’s canagliflozin, which is designed to expel excess sugar from the body, something that doesn’t normally occur until after glucose rises to critical levels. The pill may reach pharmacies next year, competing with Merck & Co.’s $3.3 billion market leader Januvia…“Using a side effect of uncontrolled diabetes as a primary […]
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Tags: Bloomberg, canagliflozin, Dr. Adrian Vella, Januvia, Merck & Co.
June 12, 2012 · Leave a Comment
J&J Diabetes Drug Seen Challenging Merck’s Market Leader
The spotlight is now on J&J’s canagliflozin, which is designed to expel excess sugar from the body, something that doesn’t normally occur until after glucose rises to critical levels. The pill may reach pharmacies next year, competing with Merck & Co.’s $3.3 billion market leader Januvia…“Using a side effect of uncontrolled diabetes as a primary […]
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Tags: Bloomberg, canagliflozin, Dr. Adrian Vella, glucose medication, Januvia
May 21, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Drugmakers Pledge Transparency to Tackle Credibility Problem in Journal
Eight leading pharmaceutical companies have approved 10 recommendations aimed at improving transparency to address what they call a “credibility gap” that faces industry-funded clinical research. “Some observers, including some journal editors and academic reviewers, maintain a persistent negative view of industry-sponsored studies,” said an article in May’s Mayo Clinic Proceedings, co-written by 11 drug industry […]
May 15, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Sam Brownback has signed into law a bill that will allow pharmacists to refuse to provide drugs they believe might cause an abortion. Called the Health Care Rights of Conscience Act, the new law will bar anyone from being required to prescribe or administer a drug they “reasonably believe” might result in the termination of […]
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Tags: abortion, Health Care Rights of Conscience Act, Kansas City Star, Sam Brownback
May 3, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Threshold Pharmaceuticals’ TH-302
Before AACR, the company announced top-line results from a Phase IIb trial of Lilly’s Gemzar (gemcitabine) TH-302, a hypoxia-activated prodrug, in front-line pancreatic cancer showing a statistically significant 2.0 month improvement in PFS with the combination (5.6 months vs. 3.6 months for Gemzar alone, p=0.005, HR 061). TheMitesh Borad, MD, an oncologist from the […]
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Tags: AACR Newsletter, Dr. Mitesh Borad, Gemzar, pancreatic cancer
May 3, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Cancer Math That Doesn’t Add Up
Combining existing drug therapies has long been an area of interest for cancer researchers. If one therapy works well, could adding another drug work even better?…Dr. Alberts said the other study involving bevacizumab had similar results. “This is important as it means that patients with resected stage 3 colon cancer should only receive FOLFOX. It […]
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Tags: Daily RX, FOLFOX, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
April 29, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Prescription Drug Collection Quadruples at Mayo Clinic Site
With 741 cars in less than four hours, it might have been the busiest drive-through in Rochester on Saturday. But customers weren’t at the Mayo Clinic drop-off location to order burgers and fries; they were there to dispose of what eventually totaled 2,270 pounds of expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications. “This is amazing,” said […]
April 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Kansas House Advances ‘Conscience’ Protection for Drugs That Might Cause Abortion
Kansas House is moving into the birth control debate with a bill that would allow pharmacists to bow out of providing drugs they believe might cause an abortion… They believe the law would open the door for a pharmacist to refuse a request for something like the “morning-after” pill, which the Mayo Clinic says can […]
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Tags: abortion, Kansas House
March 26, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Benefits of Osteopenia Medication Remain Even After Discontinuing Use
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: If I’ve taken a bisphosphonate for five years, what will happen if I stop? My physician said a two-year sabbatical was all right, but I’m wondering if my bones will return to their original osteopenia state. ANSWER: Taking a bisphosphonate medication (Fosamax, Boniva, others) to treat bones that are thinner than normal […]
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Tags: bisphosphonates, osteopenia