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This strategy is running out of steam.

November 24, 2008

Analysis of:How a Drug Maker Tries to Outwit Generics | online.wsj.com

These strategies are running out of steam as insurers, and even the general public, are catching on.  Most insurers will only pay for generic modafanil, and these new versions will not sell as much as they would have even 5 years ago.  The abuse potential of the drug may help, as brand-name drugs of abuse have specific characteristics which make them easier to sell on the street. 

Minimal Impact on Stent Market

August 21, 2008

Analysis of:Heart Stents No Better Than Drugs for Chest Pain Over Time | www.bloomberg.com

Because equivalent results were shown, there will be no change in stent placement volumes.

Healthcare industry NOT immune to economic illness

July 21, 2008

Analysis of:Patients Curb Prescription Spending | online.wsj.com

The idea that people will always buy prescription and OTC drugs and will go to the physician and dentist, no matter what the economic conditions in the country, is, in my opinion, erroneous.  People's first priorities are getting to work (requiring gas), food, and shelter.  The most money those take, then less left for optional things like going to the doctor. 

Yes - please stop the cycle of 70 deaths then pull the drug!

July 3, 2008

Analysis of:Drug Makers Say FDA Safety Focus Is Slowing New-Medicine Pipeline | online.wsj.com

Drugs are released to the market without adequate study, then, after around 70 to 100 patient deaths due to the drug are reported, the drug is pulled from the market.  Getting in front of this "problem" would improve the safety of our drug supply.

Looks like the Britons don't care anyway...

June 30, 2008

Analysis of:Roche decision denies cancer drug to Britons | www.ft.com

Drug company (Roche) retaliates against an agency that speaks the truth about their chemical - that it's cost is not worth the minimal benefit.  This will become more common as time goes on, even here in the bastion of capitalism.

Best acne care product I've seen.

June 25, 2008

Analysis of:What Skin Care Routines and Treatments Are Effective for Adolescent Acne? | www.medscape.com

Keep the stuff refrigerated.

Antipsychotics are not just "overused" - they increase mortality and morbidity.

June 25, 2008

Analysis of:Doctors Say Medication Is Overused in Dementia | www.nytimes.com

Antipsychotic drugs have been shown to increase morbidity and mortality in demented patients.  These agents are used to keep patients calm and easy to manipulate because there is not enough nursing home staff to adequately care for patients mental and physical needs.  "Chemical straight-jackets", although outlawed by Medicare nursing home regulations, are still commonly used - the latest research shows use in up to 30% of nursing home patients.

Choose your patient wisely.

June 24, 2008

Analysis of:New Study Probes Safety of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents | www.medscape.com

For the right patient, epoietin products can make a world of difference in quality of life.  For the wrong patient, the drugs can cause clotting and can be fatal.  (I was involved with a patient's care once who died from a PE due to epoietin.  She had a hematocrit of 55% when she died.)  Use in ICU and for most cancer patients is dangerous.  For renal failure, in the right hands - good stuff.

So What?

June 19, 2008

Analysis of:Clinical study shows liraglutide provides statistically significantly better blood glucose control than exenatide | www.pipelinereview.com

Another agent that lowers HBA1C by 0.02% is not a big deal.  There are already too many of these products on the market, none of which do much of anything to improve diabetes care. 

Evidence shaky to begin with.....

June 19, 2008

Analysis of:Anti-inflammatory Drugs Do Not Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults | pharmalive.com

The evidence for this idea was shaky to begin with.  I'm not surprised that it  was finally debunked.

Greed wins again!

June 16, 2008

Analysis of:Researchers Fail to Reveal Full Drug Pay | www.nytimes.com

This article reveals the things we all know to be inherent parts of human nature and the human experience: 1.  People are greedy and will take money or goods when offered, unless the risk of taking exceeds the benefit of the money or goods received. 2.  In large universities or small hospital, people with "MD" behind their names are less scrutinized and thus have less chance of being detected if they are duplicitious. 3.  People are not going to "spill the beans" if they have a good thing going.

You can freeze "leftover" TPA and save money. No need to by CathFlo or Actilyse.

June 2, 2008

Analysis of:Boehringer Ingelheim gets first approval within EU for Actilyse(R) 2mg to treat catheter dysfunction caused by thrombotic occlusion | www.pipelinereview.com

This is just a "me too" product purchased from Genetech - was call Cathflo when sold by Genentech.   We draw up the same chemical called alteplase (TPA) in 2 mg increments in order not to waste same when we use the drug for emergent treatment of strokes, then freeze the 2 mg syringes (which would have been wasted) and keep for 6 months.  This saves money and avoids having to buy these crazy "me too" items.  Genentech was selling Cathflow for about $34.00 for 2 mg; not sure how much this will cost.  Probably around that. 

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