Dr. Peter Bornstein MD

GLG News by Dr. Peter Bornstein MD, Epidemiologist

GLG News is now G+ Insights

G+ is a community for professionals, academics and entrepreneurs to connect through online discussions and in-person meetings. You will continue to see G+ Insights (formerly GLG News) here as well as on the G+ website, where you can share and discuss the G+ Insights you read.

Documenting What We Knew All Along

July 13, 2011

Analysis of:A Little Placebo Effect For the Common Cold | online.wsj.com

This article from the Wall Street Journal discusses a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial on the effectiveness of echinacea and placebo for the common cold. Unsurprisingly, it demonstrated that taking a pill--any pill, including a placebo--reduces symptom severity and duration, compared to "doing nothing."

Exodus to where?

May 28, 2010

For physicians to exodus from government programs, they must have someplace to go to. The practice style and location of physicians will dictate whether they stay or leave government programs. Some physicians will find they cannot leave government programs, so will either have to accept lower payment; close, sell or merge their practice; or leave medical practice altogether.

The good news is that these drugs are already approved

October 28, 2009

Analysis of:Triple-combo Drug Shows Promise Against Antiviral Resistant H1N1 | www.medicalnewstoday.com

Adamas has a proprietary mixture of three drugs: amantadine, oseltamivir and ribavirin to treat antiviral resistant strains of novel H1N1 Influenza A.

Potential game changer for patients and hospitals regarding C. difficile colitis

July 18, 2009

Analysis of:Rapid DNA Test to Detect Clostridium difficile Infection Approved by FDA Today | www.medscape.com

Clostridium difficile-associated colitis is a disabling, and potentially life-threatening infection.  Moreover, hospitals spend great resources in isolating patients with this disease to prevent infection within the hospital. This new technology from Cepheid offers faster, and more accurate diagnosis, leading to potentially quicker treatment for patients, but potentially huge savings for hospitals, that can shorten isolation periods for these patients. 

18 months too late for this outbreak, but may be the way toward the future.

July 8, 2009

Analysis of:Cadila Pharma-Novavax JV to produce swine flu vaccine | www.business-standard.com

The referenced article states that the joint venture would begin producing swine flu vaccine in two years, possibly based on viral-like particle (VLP) technology.  While this is too late to have significant impact in the current pandemic, it points to possible future technologies for vaccine development.

Better Tuberculosis vaccine is desperately needed, but will a vaccinia-based vaccine be safe and embraced?

April 23, 2009

Analysis of:TB vaccine enters advanced clinical trials at Oxford | timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The decades old BCG vaccine needs to be replaced.  It offers at best 50% efficacy, can at times cause severe reaction, and renders subsequent tracking of active TB difficult to impossible. This article describes a trial in South Africa to assess the effectiveness of a new candidate vaccine in infants already immunized with BCG. There is a significant reason why there are so few specifics in the press release.

Safety profile similar to placebo! Can't do better than that.

April 6, 2009

Analysis of:Intercell announces European approval of new vaccine, IXIARO®, to prevent Japanese Encephalitis | www.pipelinereview.com

Intercell vaccine is as effective as current JE-VAX, with side-effects similar to placebo. The current JE-VAX is used parsimoniously because of the risk of hypersensitivity reactions. This new vaccine will likely supplant and replace the current vaccine. However, until it has US approval, there may not be recommendations from CDC regarding its use.

Trial set to fail?

March 5, 2009

Analysis of:Novexel's NXL104/ceftazidime Combination Commences Second Phase II Clinical Trial in Hospital Patients With Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections (cIAIs) | www.pipelinereview.com

Novexel's trial of their novel beta-lactamase NXL104 combined with ceftazidime and metronidazole vs meropenem is an interesting choice.  While the Novexel arm looks to have very good activity against gram negative organisms and anaerobes, it almost completely lacks coverage against gram positive agents.  This appears to be a trial set to fail.

Can Google set the standard for EMRs?

February 28, 2008

Analysis of:Google to store patients' health records | news.yahoo.com

With a plethora of expensive Electronic Medical Record (EMR) programs on the market, the lack of a standard or interoperability has kept many practices on the sidelines.  Moreover, systems that do use EMRs, often cannot exchange that information with other EMRs. Google could leverage its technology, and brand, to entice the myriad small groups and practices to use their service.  If the price is low enough, even some large users could switch to the Google platform.

The bar is raised for starting antibiotics or steroids

December 17, 2007

Analysis of:Antibiotics and Topical Nasal Steroid for Treatment of Acute Maxillary Sinusitis | jama.ama-assn.org

The lack of improvement with use of antibiotics or steroids will make primary care providers less likely to prescribe these agents.  However, they will have to spend significant time explaining to patients why they have changed their practice.

Is once a day amoxicillin worth the price?

December 18, 2006

Analysis of:Advancis Pharmaceutical Reports Positive Results for Amoxicillin PULSYS Phase III Trial | www.advancispharm.com

A randomized and blinded study shows a once-a-day formulation of amoxicillin is non-inferior to four times a day penicillin in the treatment of pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by Group A Beta-hemolytic streptococci. While once-a-day treatment is generally preferred over multidose treatments, will this be enough to justify the cost over generic amoxicillin, which is just pennies a dose?

Abbot can bring muscle power to Enanta's brain power.

December 18, 2006

Analysis of:Abbott and Enanta Form Worldwide Alliance to Develop and Commercialize HCV Protease Inhibitors | www.pipelinereview.com

Abbott Laboratories, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, enters into an agreement with a privately-held biotech firm, Enanta, to develop and commercialize Hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors (PIs). HCV PIs would be a new drug class in the treatment of HCV.

Uncertainty, not familiarity, breeds contempt

November 17, 2006

Analysis of:Tamiflu to carry warning about abnormal behaviour | www.news-medical.net

Reports from Japan reveal episodes of psychiatric illness in patients taking Tamiflu (oseltamivir).  As a result, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending patients be closely monitored for these side effects.

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