Hello, everyone. How are you today? Bracing for deadlines and meetings, no doubt. We understand. Our immediate challenge is rousting one of the short people from a deep slumber. To cope, we are brewing the ritual cup of stimulation and searching for interesting items. Here are a few, in fact, to help you along. Have a good day and stay in touch...
Dendreon's Provenge Boosts Survival 40 Percent (Reuters)
Sanofi Prostate Cancer Drug May Set New Standard (TheStreet)
Child Seizure Study Finds Older Drugs Work Best (Reuters)
Hospital Takes Huge Mark-Up On Roche's Avastin (Bloomberg)
7 Comments
Ed ....
Do you have any room under "Related" to squeeze in a headline that reads something like: Dendreon: Updated Data Show Prostate-Cancer Drug Extends Life (WSJ) Dendreon Follow-Up Confirms Survival Edge, Helping Fend off Sanofi Rival (Xconomy) Dendreon: Provenge boosts survival 40 pct (Reuters)
If you don't care for any of the above, I'm sure a quick search will turn up dozens more you could choose from ....
WSJ reports possible increased prosecution of drug company execs for criminal misdemeanors by FDA OCI. Although this would only be misdemeanor prosecution (< 1 yr jail and/or small fines) it would also mean that these individuals would be disbarred from ever working on (or I believe for anyone) involved in FDA submissions effectively ending their careers. It would also have implications for the companies themselves.
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703862704575099942109582112.html#articleTabs%3Darticle
Salmon
Hi Ed,
On the child seizure study:
"Ethosuximide, available since the 1950s, offered the best protection for the condition."
I Wikied that drug because I had never heard of it (not my type of seizure or that of anyone I know) and found this:
"Ethosuximide is marketed under the trade names Emeside and Zarontin. However, both capsule preparations were discontinued from production, leaving only generic preparations available. Emeside capsules were discontinued by their manufacturer, Laboratories for Applied Biology, in 2005.[1] Similarly, Zarontin capsules were discontinued by Pfizer in 2007.[2] Syrup preparations of both brands are still available."
Nah, really? Pfizer? Discontinued them in 2007? Like when they discontinued 100mg Dilantin Kapseals? Does Jeff have a problem with providing effective medications to epileptics?
I once heard that Pfizer was under some sort of obligation to continue production of 30mg Dilantin Kapseals for pediatric purposes- and they did. At least the "Look" of the 30s didn't change. I'd have to write an essay to explain- and it really isn't the point. Just know that several people did try the 30s to survive titration and that it didn't work out well for some.
Anyway, I wonder if the syrup preparation of Zarontin was part of the same pediatric dosing obligation.
Ed,
Thanks for the catch on Provenge. I've been looking into that medication and it's good to hear that the clinical trials are supporting its efficacy.
Actually, on looking a little further, are they talking about dosing spacey kids with ethosuximide, like they would for ADHD?
People, don't drug your kids like this unless you have a neuro that specializes in seizure disorders make a diagnosis. Maybe two neuros.
Be careful about use of older drugs for ADHD. When I was at Abbott in the 1980's we had a good drug called Cylert, which unfortunately was eventually withdrawn due to liver problems. Remember, the newer generation of psychotropic drugs has been accepted largely because of their supposed safety advantages over the older drugs. Thus proceed with caution.
How about we just dump the whole idea of ADHD and have doctors pinpoint a condition instead of using psychotropics to treat anyone that has 7 or more of any 50 possible symptoms- or whatever it is.