Chiasma, Inc., a U.S. privately–held biopharma company developing octreotide capsules for the orphan condition acromegaly, today announced two new studies presented at the 97th Endocrine Society (ENDO) Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif. The studies provide additional data from Chiasma’s Phase III trial and new findings on the patient burden of current injection therapies.
“We now have data to help clinicians determine whether octreotide capsules, if approved, are likely to help their patient with acromegaly maintain response,” said Shlomo Melmed, M.D., senior vice president and dean, Cedars–Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles and global study principal investigator. “Furthermore, the Phase III results show the safety and efficacy of octreotide capsules can be reliably determined within 12 weeks of initiating therapy.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7436451-endo-chiasma-clinical-data/
A new survey from the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society (GUAES) finds many Americans with gout may be placing too much emphasis on diet when it comes to managing the disease and controlling painful flares. Of all the steps taken to manage gout, respondents cited changing their diet by eliminating or reducing consumption of certain foods as their top step taken (50 percent)—even ahead of taking medications to lower their uric acid levels (40 percent) and maintaining an overall healthy fitness level (33 percent). Furthermore, nearly one in three with gout incorrectly believes that the disease can be completely avoided by eliminating certain foods; and more than one in four said they would not take medications if they were making dietary changes.
“Physicians all too often see patients who believe they can successfully manage their gout with diet alone,” said N. Lawrence Edwards, M.D., a rheumatologist and GUAES chairman. “But even with extremely rigid diet restrictions, most gout patients will only be able to lower their uric acid levels slightly—not nearly enough to achieve a healthy level to control flares and reduce risk for long-term damage.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7835451-guaes-diet-survey/
Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (“Newron”), a research and development company focused on novel CNS and pain therapies, and its partner Zambon S.p.A., an international pharmaceutical company strongly committed to the CNS therapeutic area, announced today that the EU Committee for Medicinal Pro-ducts for Human Use (CHMP) recommended that the European Commission approve the use of Xadago™ (safinamide) as add-on to L-dopa alone or in combination with dopamine agonists, entacapone, amantadine, and/or anticholinergics, for the treatment of patients with mid-late stage Parkinson’s disease experiencing motor fluctuations despite being stabilized on ‘Standard of Care’.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7406951-chmp-xadago-parkinsons/
On World Mental Health Day, Janssen has announced the results of a pan-European research project: ‘Talking About Treatment in Schizophrenia: A Patient and Carer Survey’. The survey of 166 adults living with schizophrenia and 468 carers was conducted by the independent market research agency, Fieldwork International (part of Ipsos MORI), and explored awareness, feelings and preferences regarding treatment.
The survey, conducted across 12 countries in Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK), highlighted key factors affecting the peace of mind for carers, such as the impact of the condition on day‑to-day life, potential relapse/hospitalisation and getting support beyond medication. 94% stated they reminded the person they care for to take their medication and for 49% this happens often.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7947151-janssen-survey-carers-adults-schizophrenia/
The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity today released a new report “Energy Cost Impacts on Families” that details the plight of American households who are significantly harmed by rising energy costs.
The study finds that on average nearly half of America’s households are bringing home $1,900 a month, less than $23,000 annually, and spending 17 percent of those hard-earned dollars on energy. Low and fixed income families, including minorities and senior citizens, are among the most vulnerable to energy price increases and frequently must make tough choices about what to do to meet energy costs.
“No one should go without food or medication to keep the lights on but that’s exactly what is taking place in millions of households across America,” said Mike Duncan, president and CEO of ACCCE. “Regulations like EPA’s calamitous Clean Power Plan will only exacerbate the economic struggles families face, making it all that much harder to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. This administration should put Americans ahead of its politically charged agenda and immediately take action to ensure vulnerable families are not harmed further by these reckless regulations.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7552751-accce-family-energy-impact-report/
More than 15 percent of reproductive-aged women have filled a prescription for an antidepressant medication during the years 2008–2013, according to a new analysis published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and the CDC is working with the March of Dimes to raise awareness about the use of antidepressant medications by women of reproductive age, and what women should know and do for their own health and that of their babies. There is conflicting evidence about the potential link between some antidepressants and certain birth defects. Some commonly used antidepressants are sertraline (Zoloft), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), and citalopram (Celexa).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7709851-march-of-dimes-antidepressant-pregnancy-study/
Don’t trust us, trust Science: Abbott is among the best science-based companies to work for in the world.
For the 13th consecutive year, the journal Science today recognized Abbott on its Top Employers list, evaluated on 23 characteristics including financial strength, easy adaptation to change and a having a research-driven environment.
”Abbott is unique in that we’ve been adding to our reservoir of scientific knowledge for 128 years,“ said John Frels, Ph.D., chair of Abbott’s Scientific Governing Board, which oversees the company’s senior scientific career track. ”We strive to bring in the best and brightest scientists and engineers to work on some of the biggest problems in healthcare today. This helps us to create new, breakthrough innovations that change people’s lives.“
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7962251-science-names-abbott-2016-top-employer/
The first comprehensive long-term study comparing different medications for type 2 diabetes is launching nationwide. The GRADE (Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness) Study will compare the long-term benefits and risks of four widely used diabetes drugs in combination with metformin, the most common first-line medication for treating type 2 diabetes.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/64578-grade-glycemia-reduction-approaches-in-diabetes-comparative-effectiveness
The following statement is being issued by Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC regarding In re Prograf Antitrust Litigation.
A lawsuit is currently pending claiming that Astellas Pharma US, Inc. (“Astellas” or “Defendant”) violated state antitrust, unfair competition, consumer protection, and unjust enrichment laws of certain states by delaying the availability of a less expensive generic version of the immunosuppressant prescription drug Prograf® (known as tacrolimus). Plaintiffs allege that Defendant’s conduct caused some consumers and third party payors to pay too much for Prograf in certain states from September 3, 2008 to December 31, 2010 (also referred to as the “Class Damage Period”). This lawsuit does not claim that Prograf is unsafe or ineffective. Astellas denies any wrongdoing.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7933851-prograf-antitrust-class-action-settlement/
CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), the nation’s largest pharmacy innovation company, today announced Be The First, a five-year $50 million initiative to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation. Through this initiative, which is funded through CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation, the company is extending its commitment to help people lead tobacco-free lives. Recognizing that tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States and that youth use of some tobacco products is on the rise, Be The First comprises comprehensive education, advocacy, tobacco control and healthy behavior programming in partnership with organizations uniquely positioned to tackle this public health challenge.
“We are at a critical moment in our nation’s efforts to end the epidemic of tobacco use that continues to kill more people than any other preventable cause of death, and threatens the health and well-being of our next generation,” said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H., and Chief Medical Officer for CVS Health. “Ensuring our youth stay tobacco-free requires increased education and awareness of healthy behaviors. We’re partnering with experts across the public health community who have established best practices to help prevent tobacco use. And, by establishing more public-private partnerships to implement these strategies more aggressively, we can help increase the number of people leading tobacco-free lives and move us one step closer to delivering the first tobacco-free generation.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7775151-cvs-health-be-the-first/
Express Scripts clinical innovations saved its clients $45 billion in 2018 and delivered a 25-year record low drug trend of just 0.4 percent across employer-sponsored plans, according to data released today in its annual Drug Trend Report, an authoritative analysis of drug spending in the U.S.
Express Scripts’ solutions for driving lower drug prices and fostering the use of lower-net-cost treatments are making medication more accessible for beneficiaries. Unit drug costs decreased in 2018 for employer-sponsored and Medicare plans, while utilization of medications rose.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8478051-express-scripts-2018-drug-trend-report/
Mark your calendars now – those leftover OTC and prescriptions in your medicine cabinet have got to go!
Chances are, if you open your medicine cabinet, you’ll find some some leftover medication that “might come in handy someday.” The reality is, those medications may have expired and are either ineffective or may cause more harm than you know. With cold and flu season upon us, it’s a great time to purge the medicine cabinet. Better to prepare now than scramble when you are sick. Clean out clutter and stock up on the staples!
