Global health concerns generate new therapies for home and abroad
September 1st 2009Even before the emergence of the swine flu pandemic, biopharmaceutical companies were investing in vaccines and treatments for lethal diseases that plague much of the world. There is growing recognition that Americans and Europeans are vulnerable to infections from overseas, and that development of new medications is critical to ensuring public health.
Golimumab: A human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody for the treatment of autoimmune joint diseases
September 1st 2009Golimumab is a human anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha monoclonal antibody that was recently approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
IVIg treatment associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease
August 1st 2009In a retrospective analysis published in the journal Neurology, investigators demonstrated that previous treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was associated with a reduced risk of the development of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) in patients aged at least 65 years.
Emerging risk factors and risk markers for cardiovascular disease: Looking beyond NCEP ATP III
This review discusses emerging risk factors for CVD, including hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and coronary artery calcification.
Golimumab associated with risk of serious fungal infections
June 15th 2009Centocor Ortho Biotech has issued a Dear Healthcare Professionals letter to remind healthcare providers that golimumab (Simponi), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha blocker, is associated with a risk of serious fungal infections.
Serious ADRs associated with psychotropic use in children
May 15th 2009Prescribing psychotropic medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other disorders in children is common around the world, even though serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been reported with the use of these drugs, said speakers at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)/European Society for Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) International Congress on Clinical Pharmacy meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Rivaroxaban superior to enoxaparin in preventing VTE after knee arthroplasty
May 15th 2009Results from the Regulation of Coagulation in Orthopaedic Surgery to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism 4 (RECORD4) trial published in Lancet demonstrated that rivaroxaban 10 mg once daily is superior to subcutaneous (SC) enoxaparin in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total knee arthroplasty.
Comparative effectiveness research may shape treatment, coverage decisions
May 1st 2009The economic stimulus package approved by Congress in February provides more than $1 billion to support research on competing medical treatments. Although a fairly minor piece of the larger $789 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the provision set off widespread reaction to the possibility that comparative study results may be used to limit coverage of more expensive medicines.
Osteoarthritis: A review of treatment options
May 1st 2009Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and the leading cause of disability in the United States, especially among older adults. This article reviews nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches to management of OA of the knee and hip.