Study highlights need to treat female nursing-home patients for vitamin D deficiency
March 23rd 2012The majority of older women in nursing homes are likely to be deficient in vitamin D during winter months, and those with the lowest levels are at a significantly increased risk of death, according to a study published online February 8, in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology.
Study shows CNS drugs take longer than others to develop, receive approval
March 16th 2012The time from investigational new drug application filing to NDA/BLA approval by FDA of drugs for central nervous system disorders and the subsequent regulatory approval can take 35% longer than other therapeutic categories, according to a recent analysis published in the March/April Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development Impact Report.
Study: Adding prednisone to rheumatoid arthritis treatment improves symptoms
March 16th 2012Patients' rheumatoid arthritis symptoms improved after adding prednisone at the start of a methotrexate-based treatment strategy, according to research published in the March 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Soldiers with PTSD, other mental health issues, more likely to get high-risk opioids
March 16th 2012Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq with mental health issues, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were more likely to receive high-risk opioids for pain, and those with PTSD were more likely to suffer adverse clinical outcomes, according to a new study.
MALD model helps predict death versus recovery for APAP overdose
March 16th 2012A mathematical model that uses laboratory values commonly available on admission can help physicians estimate acetaminophen (APAP: N-acetyl-para-aminophenol) overdose amount, time elapsed since overdose, and potential outcome, according to a study published online February 13 in Hepatology.
Some antipsychotics more dangerous for elderly dementia patients
March 9th 2012Antipsychotic medication should be used on elderly dementia patients only in cases of clear need, authors of a recent study said, but they found that some antipsychotics are more dangerous than others after examining data from thousands of nursing-home residents aged 65 or older.
Bevacizumab improves vision for patients with AMD
March 9th 2012A treat-and-extend regimen of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) produced "significant visual improvements" for eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, according to an article published in the March issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
NAMS highlights benefit-risk ratio of hormone therapy for menopause
March 9th 2012The 2012 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) updates the evidence-based position statement published by NAMS in 2010 regarding recommendations for hormone therapy for postmenopausal women.
FDA panel recommends approval of aclidinium bromide for COPD
March 9th 2012An FDA advisory panel voted 12-2 to recommend approval of aclidinium bromide (Forest Laboratories and Almirall SA) 400 µg twice daily for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
First synthetic, peptide-containing surfactant for prevention of RDS approved
March 9th 2012FDA has approved lucinactant (Surfaxin, Discovery Labs) for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants at high risk for RDS. Surfaxin is the first synthetic, peptide-containing surfactant approved for use in neonatal medicine.
Immunotherapy shown to extend life expectancy in metastatic prostate cancer
March 1st 2012A new analysis of the phase 3 IMPACT study has found that sipuleucil-T (Provenge, Dendreon) increases survival times by an estimated median of 7.8 months in patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.
Racial/ethnic disparities exist in the diagnosis, treatment of depression
March 1st 2012Minorities are less likely to receive a depression diagnosis and be treated for it than non-Hispanic Whites, according to a new study published on-line and ahead-of-print on December 15, 2011, in the American Journal of Public Health.
Patients becoming more aware that drugs safe, effective for psychological, behavioral disorders
March 1st 2012The increase in utilization of medications for psychological and behavioral disorders can be attributed to greater awareness among patients that mental health disorders are treatable and that available drug therapies are safe and effective, according to David Muzina, MD, a national practice leader of the Medco Neuroscience Therapeutic Resource Center.
Benefit design continues to be influenced by rising medical, pharmacy costs
March 1st 2012Cost concerns continue to dominate benefit design, resulting in greater cost-sharing from employees, according to survey findings from managed care decision-makers, self-insured employers, and employee benefits consultants.
FDA user fee renewal addresses drug shortages, new drug development
March 1st 2012Every 5 years, Congress is called on to reauthorize a series of user fees that support FDA oversight of drugs and medical products. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) and similar measures authorizing fees to fund a number of FDA regulatory programs have become increasingly vital for maintaining the agency's ability to maintain an efficient approval process for new therapies.
2012 vaccination schedules published for children, adults
March 1st 2012The 2012 vaccination schedules for children, adolescents, and adults have been released, with changes to the recommendations for meningococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations in children and in hepatitis B vaccinations in adults.
Vorapaxar may reduce heart attack and stroke, but raises bleeding risk
March 1st 2012Vorapaxar added to standard of care reduced the risk of cardiovascular events and stroke compared to standard of care alone, according to Merck, who announced top-line results of its TRA-2P (Thrombin Receptor Antagonist in Secondary Prevention of atherothrombotic ischemic events) study earlier this month. However, results also demonstrated that the drug was associated with a significant increase in bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).