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DMS Pharmaceutical Group, Inc.
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Many Ways to Assist Vets
Distributor Sponsors Fisher Houses for Illinois Benefit
Raising $500,000 to Provide Free Lodging for Families
of Wounded Soldiers, Ailing Veterans in Medical Crises
Launch Benefit chaired by DMS Pharmaceutical Group is the first of four 2007 events to achieve the $1.75 million goal for a first Illinois ‘home away from home’ so vets treated at Hines VA Hospital can have family support nearby
Chicago, IL — Fisher Houses for Illinois Co-Chairs Sam Lazich, President, and Bill Anderson, Executive Vice President, of DMS Pharmaceutical Group explain, “The first 21-suite, $3.5-million Fisher House in Illinois will be built on Hines VA Hospital grounds officially designated as government property. Once local fundraising reaches a $1.75 goal, the national Fisher House Foundation will match these funds, build the home to provide temporary lodging for military patients’ families and present it as a gift to Hines VA.
“Fisher Houses for Illinois has committed to raising the $1.75 million to be matched by the national Fisher House Foundation by the end of 2007. We are delighted we have continuing assistance from fellow Illinois volunteer organizations to keep the momentum going for the rest of this year on the mission to support of our military and their families. We encourage everyone to support these events so the Fisher House for Hines can open its doors as soon as possible to military families from 16 states facing medical crises,” according to Lazich.
“Family members are a critical part of the care needed to heal our Wounded Warriors. The lack of a Fisher House at Hines VA Hospital means that our service members are faced with either paying for their family members out of pocket at a time when they can least afford it or they must face the grueling work of rehabilitation without the love and comfort of family nearby. We have the opportunity to serve these brave men and women who have given so much. Let’s work together and build a Fisher House for our heroes and their families,” says Fisher House for Hines Honorary Chair Tammy Duckworth, Illinois VA Director and a military veteran.
The Heroes of Freedom Memorial Celebrity Golf Classic 2007, July 9 – 10, hosted by past Chicago Bears Champions Jim McMahon and Steve McMichael and current Chicago Bear Robbie Gould has dedicated funds raised to the Fisher House for Hines. Location is the Glen Club, Glenview, Illinois. For details, visit www.HeroesOfFreedomMemorial.org
Operation Support Our Troops – Illinois has pledged a portion of ticket sales to the first Fisher House in Illinois from the July 21 Rockin’ for the Troops Concert Benefit featuring star of CSI: NY Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band plus comedian Dennis Miller. Location is Cantigny Park , Wheaton, Illinois. For details, visit www.OSOTIL.org.
The Illinois Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (S.A.M.E.) is conducting a Chicago River / Lakefront Cruise Benefit for the Fisher House for Hines 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., August 10. For information, contact Rob Foster at rofoster@ameritech.net
Hines VA Director Nathan L. Geraths states, “Hines VA Hospital, largest VA facility in Illinois where more that one million veterans live. We serve some 300,000 of these veterans. Hines is home to a number of specialized VA programs such as our state-of-the-art Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Blind Rehabilitation (BRC) Centers serving veterans from 16 surrounding states as well. The Spinal Cord Injury and Blind Rehabilitation Center programs have ministered to almost 2,260 Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom veterans with long stays after being severely injured on the battlefield.
“A Fisher House on Hines grounds would allow us to offer our patients’ families free accommodations only minutes away so they can be near their loved ones at the most stressful times — during hospitalization for injury, illness or disease.”
To learn more about, volunteer or donate to the Fisher Houses for Illinois’ humanitarian mission to express gratitude to and support for America’s military, visit www.FisherHousesforIllinois.org or www.fisherhouse.org
Effective October 1, 2006, all room fees for guest families at all Army, Navy and Air Force Fisher Houses are paid by Fisher House Foundation, Inc. There are no room fees at Fisher Houses operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Fisher Houses for Illinois will set aside a reserve fund to expand the the support program and enhance the lives of military family guests.
To date, DMS has been responsible for $500,000.00 in contributions to Fisher House Foundation via direct corporate donations and as Founding Sponsor of annual fundraising benefits:
2004 - 2007 Fisher House Foundation Benefit fundraiser……………………………….................500,000.00
Visit www.fisherhouse.org for the full story of this Foundation’s remarkable founders and programs.
Act Today!
To volunteer for the Fisher Houses for Illinois, become a sponsor or donor, visit the Fisher House for Hines web site at www.fisherhouseforhines.org
About America Supports You
Since the launch of America Supports You, a U.S. Dept. of Defense program, in November of 2004, more than 2.1 million Americans, including communities, citizens, business and organizations, have registered activities and projects that show their support for America’s Armed Forces, especially those serving in harm’s way. DMS is proud to be a part of this amazing demonstration of support for our military men and women. For more information, visit www.americasupportsyou.mil
About National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM) May
May is designated by Congress as National Military Appreciation Month -- providing a period when Americans recognize both the history and recognition of the men and owmen in our Armed Services. This month gives the nation the forum, time and place to focus attention on and express appreciation for our Armed Forces via multiple venues and to recall our valuable history
DMS is honored to participate in observance of National Military Appreciation Month. For more information, visit www.nmam.org
About Fisher House Foundation Programs;
Check www.fisherhouse.org
2007 Fisher House for Hines donations,
sponsorships will specifically be designated to support
a 21-suite "home away from home" for Illinois military, veterans and their families during medical crises
Humanitarian Assistance
The remarkable Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Fisher House Foundation Is 4-Star Charity
Charity Navigator, America’s leading charity evaluator, gives Fisher House Foundation an outstanding 4–star rating in recognition of its stellar performance and efficient management that ensures a high percentage of funds are devoted directly to its programs. There is at least one Fisher House™ at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment.
To date, there are 38 “homes away from home,” with construction begun on eight more new houses by the end of 2007.
- Fisher House Foundation continues to support existing Fisher Houses™ and help individual military families in need throughout the United States and in Germany.
- Fisher House sponsors the “Hero Miles” airline ticket-award program which has provided more than over 11,000 Hero Miles tickets tickets to the families of service members injured in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, saving families more than $14 million.
(Fisher House Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization
under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.
Donations are tax deductible to the maximum extent of the law.)
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DMS Plans Second Distributions Facility in Ohio
The Midwest pharmaceuticals supplier is scouting locations for a second warehouse/distributions center as part of its long-term expansion plan.
"With our client account base continuing to grow, DMS now serves customers from all corners of the U.S. Therefore, we are constantly exploring how we can provide them with the best possible turnaround and fill rates," states Sam Lazich, DMS president.
The proposed Ohio center will facilitate inventory buildup and deliveries for major contractual accounts, including government and hospital organizations.
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Avastin, Lucentis Boost
Genetech Drug Sales
Continuing strong cancer drug Avastin use
and the new eye-disorder treatment Lucentis get credit
Avastin is used increasingly in lung cancer patients. This drug is also prescribed for colorectal cancer.
Lucentis is a drug approved in 2006 for treatment of wet, age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.
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Caraco Announces Tentative
FDA Approval for Generic Provigil
Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. announced the FDA has granted tentative approval for the company's Abbreviated New Drug Application for Modafinil Tablets (modafinil), 100mg and 200mg.
Modafinil prescribed to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. This new product is the bioequivalent to Provigil, a registered trademark of Cephalon, Inc.
Caraco's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are extremely pleased to receive this tentative approval. Modafinil was filed with a paragraph IV certification that we do not infringe and or that the Cephalon patent is invalid. We were not sued by Cephalon. We looked forward to marketing this product subsequent to the expiration of the patent and exclusivity period."
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Abbott and Abbott Fund Increase
Commitment to Fight Pediatric HIV/AIDS
in Africa with $12 Million in New Support
Abbott and Abbott Fund announced several efforts to expand access to treatment and care for children living with HIV/AIDS. This new support includes additional investment of $12 million in grants and product donations this year.
These programs will work to close some of the gaps in pediatric HIV care by increasing the number of trained, experienced pediatric HIV doctors and health care workers; establishing critical linkages between prevention, testing and treatment services for pregnant women and children within health care facilities; and working to overcome some of the cultural issues and stigma associated with HIV.
The need for programs to fight pediatric HIV/AIDS has never been greater, with more than one child becoming infected with HIV every minute of every day. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2.3 million children under the age of 15 are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Without care and treatment, it is estimated that three out of every ten children with HIV will die before they reach their first birthday, 50 percent by 2 years and 60 percent before they reach 3 years old.
"Abbott Fund began providing support for the care and treatment of HIV-infected children in resource-poor settings even before it was widely accepted by many experts," said Mark Kline, M.D., president of the Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative at Texas Children's Hospital. "Thanks to their continuous support, we find ourselves at the dawn of a new era of hope for hundreds of thousands of children across Africa and around the world."
New Programs Make Pediatric HIV Care More Accessible
Abbott Fund is providing new grants to Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB), the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) and Family Health International (FHI) to explore new approaches to identify and enable women and children to better access HIV testing and treatment services in Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania. In 2007, these initiatives are anticipated to help nearly 40,000 pregnant women receive HIV testing and more than 5,000 children receive HIV treatment through the following outreach efforts:
-- Abbott Fund will work with EGPAF in Tanzania to better identify and
provide care and treatment for children and families affected by HIV;
this program also will focus on working to stop the spread of HIV from
pregnant mothers to their unborn children (known as prevention of
mother-to-child transmission, or PMTCT).
-- Abbott Fund's support will enable CMMB, through its work at
71 faith-affiliated health centers throughout Kenya, to provide HIV
counseling, testing, treatment and PMTCT services to pregnant women in
rural Kenyan villages, as well as provide infant care.
-- Abbott Fund is partnering with FHI in Malawi and Tanzania to reach
thousands of children with comprehensive HIV prevention, care and
treatment services. FHI is integrating these services into its
existing, large-scale HIV prevention and treatment programs in both countries.
With these new grants, Abbott and Abbott Fund have now invested more than $70 million over the past seven years on pediatric HIV prevention, testing and treatment programs.
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AstraZeneca Launches New Asthma Inhaler;
Challenges GlaxoSmithKline’s Dominance
Symbicort, AstraZeneca’s new asthma inhaler is set to challenge Advair, GlaxoSmithKline’s top-selling drug, even though they are similar. Both are used for long-term maintenance treatment of asthma as the 21 million Americans suffering from the disease is climbing.
Both Advair and Symbicort contain a corticosteroid and long-acting beta antagonist. Also, they both carry black-box label warnings stating that long-acting beta antagonists may increase the risk of asthma-related death.
One major difference between these medications: Advair is approved to treat a wide range of patients, including children, adults and COPD in adults. Symbicort is approved only for use in adult asthmatics.
AstraZeneca plans to apply for U.S. FDA approval in 2008 to market Symbicort for pediatric asthma and COPD.
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Barr Confirms Aggrenox Patent Challenge;
Boehringer Ingelheim Responds with Suit
Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. confirmed its subsidiary, Barr Laboratories, Inc., has initiated a challenge of the patent listed by Boehringer Ingelheim in connection with its Aggrenox (Aspirin/Extended- Release Dipyridamole) 25 mg/200 mg capsules. The company believes that it is the first to file an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) containing a paragraph IV certification for Aggrenox.
Barr filed its ANDA containing a paragraph IV certification for a generic Aggrenox product with the FDA in January 2007, and received notification of the application's acceptance for filing in May 2007. Following receipt of the FDA notice, Barr notified the New Drug Application (NDA) holder and patent owner.
In July 2007, Boehringer Ingelheim, et al., filed suit in the U.S. District Court of Delaware to prevent Barr from proceeding with the commercialization of its product. This action formally initiates the patent challenge process under the Hatch-Waxman Act.
Aggrenox (aspirin/extended-release dipyridamole) capsules is prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have had transient ischemia of the brain or completed ischemic stroke due to thrombosis. The product had sales of approximately $258 million in the U.S. in 2007.
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Diabetes Drug’s Long Trial
Shows Good Results
The Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly & Co. study showed many patients treated with Byetta were able to maintain good blood-sugar control and lose weight after three years of the drug.
An injection taken before morning and evening meals, Byetta received FDA approval in 2005 for use with patients with Type 2 diabetes who were unable to experience effective lowering of their blood-sugar or blood glucose levels with other diabetes medications.
Byetta is a synthetic form of hormone taken from a lizard. It is similar to a human hormone in the digestive track known as GLP-1. This hormone boosts insulin production to regulate blood-sugar levels.
With Byetta added to their other drugs, diabetes patients. After three years, 46 percent were able to maintain blood-glucose levels of 7% and 30 percent had levels of 6.5
Patients also lost an average of 11 pounds over the three-year period.
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U.S. House Panel Backs
Stronger Post-Market System
For FDA Drug-Safety Regulation
This new clout would enable the FDA to better regulate drugs after they go to market. Overhaul of drug-safety laws experienced strong bi-partisan support in the House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee. The full House vote is likely in July 2007.
One bill gives the FDA authority to decide which drugs should enter into post-market risk-management programs. These would include three years of annual safety reviews.
Provisions also allow the FDA to fine drug companies for “false or misleading” advertisements
User-fee agreements which expire in September 2007 must be negotiated to fund part of the FDA’s budget. The renewed user-fees will last until 2012. In the past, these have been focused primarily on pre-market drug review. Now, provisions will aim at funds also being used to toughen drug-safety overview.
The FDA has proposed collecting $393 million from drug companies in 2008.
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FDA Gives Nod
To Computerized Pillbox
Available in 2008
Approval for the Electronic Medication Management Assistant (EMMA) is for patient home use under supervision of a health-care provider
EMMA can be programmed to dispense individual doses of up to one month’s worth of 10 different drugs. Being Web-connected allows the box’s dosing schedules loaded into it to be tweaked by pharmacists, doctors and nurses.
It is hoped the breadbox-sized device will reduce drug identification and dosing errors, according to the FDA. Expected users include aging and forgetful patients, plus those with HIV with complex treatment regimens.
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LAB International Announces
Name Change to Akela Pharma Inc.
LAB International Inc., a drug development company focused on developing therapies for the inhalation and pain markets, announced it has formally changed its corporate name to Akela Pharma Inc. The Corporation's website and email domain name has been changed to www.akelapharma.com. .
"As part of the LAB Research spin-off and IPO conducted last year, it was contractually agreed they would keep the LAB name. Our new corporate name, Akela Pharma, marks an exciting new chapter in the history of our fast progressing company. It also better reflects our intent to strictly focus on developing therapies for the vast inhalation, pain and CNS markets." said Dr. Halvor Jaeger, Chief Executive Officer of Akela Pharma Inc.
About Akela Pharma Inc.
Akela Pharma is an integrated drug development company focused on developing therapies for the growing multi-billion dollar inhalation and pain markets. Its lead product, for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain, is a fast-acting Fentanyl formulation delivered using the Company's TAIFUNdry powder inhaler platform. Its pipeline also includes therapeutics for asthma, COPD, and growth hormone deficiencies.
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Pros, Cons of Alli:
New Fat-Blocking Drug
GlaxoSmithKline’s’ Alli is the first over-the-counter
diet drug to win FDA approval
Alli prevents the body from breaking down and absorbing about 25% of the fat eaten.
For those who consume about 2,000 calories a day and eat about 30% fat, the fat-blocking benefit of Alli translates into about 150 calories a day.
The diet drug’s side effects which can be embarrassing include: flatulence with oily discharge and frequent or loss stools. Users are advised to wear dark pants and bring a change of clothes to work.
A Glaxo consultant said: “It’s (Alli) not for the average person who wants to take it and doesn’t want to change their diet. It’s for someone who is committed to making a change in diets and lifestyle.”
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Novartis Clears EU Hurdle
For Generic Biotech Drug
U.S. industry closely follows European developments
European regulators this week moved one step closer to approving Novartis AG's version of the blockbuster drug Eprex, known in the United States as Epogen. This action underscored how much further the E.U. is than the U.S. in establishing a formal system for the approval of generic biotech drugs.
Because of their complexity, regulators have been hesitant to approve generic versions of biologics, even though many are facing patent expirations. In the case of the E.U. and U.S., the current systems for approving generics were designed for chemically-based drugs, allowing for generic versions to be approved with only limited testing in order to keep down costs.
European regulators, on the other hand, are considered to be further along in the process of developing a framework for approving generic biologics. As a result, American industry experts have increasingly been looking towards Europe for ideas on how to build a similar framework for the FDA.
This announcement is the latest victory for Novartis and its Sandoz unit -- one of the world's largest manufacturers of generic drug -- in the company's on-going battle to put out generic versions of biologic therapies. These drugs that are made out of living proteins rather than chemicals. In 2006, the company also was granted approval to market a generic version of the biologic Omnitrope.
Novartis announced that a panel of the E.U.'s Committee of Medicinal Products for Human Use has recommended that the generic version of epoetin alfa made by the company's Sandoz division be approved for use in the European Union. A final decision on the generic, to be made the European Commission, is expected to make a final decision in 60 to 70 days.
Epoetin alfa is marketed in Europe by Johnson & Johnson under the brand name Eprex, which lost its patent protection in Europe in 2006. Its U.S. patents, however, are good until around 2013, unless they are challenged in court successfully. J&J markets the product in the U.S. under the name Procrit, while Amgen Inc. markets it under the name Epogen.
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FDA Places Breast Cancer Drug
On Priority Review Fast Track
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s breast cancer drug candidate ixabepilone has been granted “priority review” status by the Food and Drug Administration, meaning the agency will decide whether to approve it by late October 2007.
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FDA Approves Ranbaxy
for Manufacture, Sale of Generic Norvasc
Ranbaxy Laboratories announced that the company has received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manufacture and market affordable generic alternatives for amlodipine besylate tablets, 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg.
The FDA has determined the Ranbaxy formulations to be bioequivalent and have the same therapeutic effect as that of the reference listed drug Norvasc tablets of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Total annual market sales for Norvasc were $2.79 billion.
Amlodipine besylate tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension and may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. Amlodipine besylate is also indicated for the symptomatic treatment of chronic stable angina and may be used alone or in combination with other antianginal agents.
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Diabetes Drug’s Long Trial
Shows Good Results
The Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly & Co. study showed many patients treated with Byetta were able to maintain good blood-sugar control and lose weight after three years of the drug.
An injection taken before morning and evening meals, Byetta received FDA approval in 2005 for use with patients with Type 2 diabetes who were unable to experience effective lowering of their blood-sugar or blood glucose levels with other diabetes medications.
Byetta is a synthetic form of hormone taken from a lizard. It is similar to a human hormone in the digestive track known as GLP-1. This hormone boosts insulin production to regulate blood-sugar levels.
With Byetta added to their other drugs, diabetes patients. After three years, 46 percent were able to maintain blood-glucose levels of 7% and 30 percent had levels of 6.5
Patients also lost an average of 11 pounds over the three-year period.
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Court Upholds Patent, Blocks Sale
Of Blood Thinner Generic Version
Of Bristol-Myers, Sanofi's Plavix
A federal court has ruled that a key patent held by Sanofi-Aventis on the blockbuster drug Plavix is valid -- a move that should hold off generic competition for the popular blood-clot medication until 2011. Plavix is jointly marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and the French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis.
Before Apotex's generic launch in the summer of 2006, Plavix had pulled 2005 sales of $5.9 billion. Plavix, used to prevent blood clots, ranked second in 2005 among the best-selling drugs in the world, after Pfizer Inc.'s cholesterol drug Lipitor.
A New York district court ruled that Canadian generic drugmaker Apotex Inc. failed to prove that the Plavix patent in question was invalid or unenforceable, according to court documents. Apotex has been seeking to have the Plavix patent thrown out in order to be allowed to market a less costly generic version.
The ruling also prevents Apotex from marketing a generic version of Plavix in the U.S. until the patent expires in November 2011.
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FDA Sets Digital Procedure
For Drug-Label Submissions
Digital versions of drug labels will be used
to build a public online archive
The FDA is expected to announce a format that will completely change the layout and content of the labels. This is part of a plan to create a centralized source with up-to-date labels.
This digital requirement will force drug makers to submit all new or changed labels in a format that can be searched or used to build a database.
As they are submitted, the labels will be placed in a public online archive called Daily Med at http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
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AMA to Ask for Federal Scrutiny
Of In-Store Health Clinics
Near Pharmacies
Walgreen, Wal-Mart and CVS/Caremark plans
to bring several thousand retail health clinics
to U.S. consumers targeted
On the one side, the AMA action indicates that the organization and its affiliated state societies will push for increased regulation and try to slow down the proliferation of these clinics. An AMA spokesman said that its main focus is patient safety and care which is jeopardized by the retail clinics’ mission to sell products and prescriptions.
On the retail side, health clinic operators perceive the AMA move as a physicians’ protectionist measure. They also see this move as contrary to the people’s demand for accessible and affordable health care.
Health insurers have further aggravated the situation by creating what the AMA calls “an unfair playing field” by waiving patients’ co-payments at retail health clinics.
Retail clinics say they and the nurse practitioners who staff them know their limitations and have increasingly been establishing referral relationships with hospitals. MinuteClinic operators claim their studies show “99 percent satisfied” patients.
Although the health clinics do not treat patients less than 18 months, one AMA leader of pediatric care thinks this field is too complex for nurse practitioners and the retail clinics should increase the age limit to three years or even older.
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Biogen Idec, FDA Warn
About Cancer Drug Problem
Cancer drug, Zevalin, used to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
which has been non-responsive to other treatments
is causing severe skin reaction, “some with fatal outcome”
Zevalin’s black box label already warns of the possibility of fatal reactions within 24 hours of the drug being administered to patients. The label has been updated to discuss the skin reactions.
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Applied Biosystems Develops Test Kits
To Detect Avian-Flu Virus
Test to help researchers to better track
genetic changes in the virus requires
more testing before it can become
widely available
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Drug Makers Face Challenge:
As Golden Era for Heart Therapies Wanes
What Will Take up the Slack in Sales?
Cardiovascular medicines are so effective,
developing new, better drugs is a struggle
Blockbuster sales of treatments like Lipitor (Pfizer), Norvasc (Pfizer), Zocor (Merck) and Diovan (Novartis) fueled a golden era for these pharmaceutical companies. The drug industry has made remarkable headway in combating the world’s top killer — heart disease. As a result, the medications developed became bedrock business for these makers.
Now, many pills have lost their patent protection and gone generic and the patent lives of others are nearing expiration. Those developing drugs for diabetes which sharply increases cardiovascular risk are finding the effectiveness of current treatments is a major hurdle for their new product.
Takeda Pharmaceutical’s Actos diabetes drug is in a big study to prove the benefit against heart attacks in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. With patients coming into the tests very well taken care of with current medications, Takeda will have to “convincingly say what it is that we bring to the table that isn’t already there,” according top Takeda spokesman.
More new drugs will face this greater difficulty of trying to show incremental benefit against a standard of care instead of against a placebo. In order to have enough statistical power to prove the smaller improvement, companies will need larger and more expensive studies.
Many doctors feel that we should use the very effective current drugs for cardiovascular care combined with healthier living through diet, exercise and quitting smoking.
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FDA Panel Leaves 3 Asthma Drugs on U.S. Market;
Now All Will Carry Black Box Warnings
Concerns about causing rare sometimes fatal
severe asthma attacks linked to Serevent,
Advair and Foradil
All three drugs are approved for long-term, scheduled-maintenances treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A panel member and infectious diseases and allergy expert with the Natonal Institutes of Health states," These drugs are standard of care for all but the mildest of asthmatics."
Serevent and Advair are produced by GlaxoSmithKline; Foradil is produced by Schering-Plough.
Some 20 million Americans have asthma.
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