An experimental thyroid drug reduces cholesterol without the troublesome side effects experienced by some people on statins, according to a study published today in The New England Journal of Medicine. An international team of investigators at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, the Karolinska University Hospital and Institute, and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research tested a substance called Eprotirome in patients with high cholesterol. Continue Reading
Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently accepted for review the lurasidone New Drug Application (NDA) for the treatment of patients with acute schizophrenia. The NDA was submitted to FDA on December 30, 2009 and will receive a standard review. Continue Reading
People whose “bad” cholesterol and risk of future heart disease stay too high despite cholesterol-lowering statin therapy can safely lower it by adding a drug that mimics the action of thyroid hormone. In a report published in the Mar. 11, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Johns Hopkins and Swedish researchers say an experimental drug called eprotirome lowered cholesterol up to 32 percent in those already on statins, an effect equal to that expected from doubling the statin drug doses, without harmful side effects. Continue Reading
A research team from the Laval Centre de sant- et de services sociaux, Universit- de Montr-al and McGill University Health Centre has examined the benefits of greater collaboration between family physicians and community pharmacists for select patients. Continue Reading
It’s a silent epidemic that affects millions of Americans. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a life-threatening illness that can often be treated successfully if found early, and can be detected at an early stage using simple, inexpensive blood and urine tests. As part of its 2010 World Kidney Day awareness program, the physicians of Dallas Nephrology Associates urge everyone to know and track their “kidney number.” Continue Reading
Diabetes affects approximately 8 percent of the people in the United States and adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates two to four times higher than adults without diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. A new study shows that primary care physicians believe the barriers that put patients with uncontrolled diabetes at risk for cardiovascular disease as being patient-related or system-related. Continue Reading
POZEN Inc., today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. Continue Reading
Merck Co., Inc. today announced its updated, newly integrated, late-stage pipeline following its recent merger with Schering-Plough. The new pipeline features a broad and diversified portfolio of investigational medicines and vaccines, including more than 20 candidates in Phase III or under regulatory review, and more than 20 candidates in Phase II of development. Continue Reading
Heart failure is by far the most prevalent chronic cardiac condition. Around 30 million people in Europe have heart failure and its incidence is still increasing: more cases are being identified, more people are living to an old age, and more are surviving a heart attack but with damage to the heart muscle. Continue Reading
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of a therapeutic iron compound to treat iron deficiency anemia and novel imaging agents to aid in the diagnosis of cancer and cardiovascular disease, today reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. Continue Reading
