GLG News by Otolaryngologists (US)

Brian KaplanChairman, Department of OtolaryngologyGREATER BALTIMORE MEDICAL CENTER, INC.

Another chink in the branded PPI armor

June 23, 2009

Analysis of:Nycomed receives Marketing Authorization for Pantoprazole 20mg OTC from European Commission | www.pharmanews.eu

With the coming application for OTC status in the U.S. (after the EU) this will be another blow against the branded PPI market.  With efficacious OTC options, 3rd party payers will continue to put up obstacles to both branded and BID dosing.

Adam SchaffnerDirector of Plastic SurgeryJUVA SKIN LASER CENTER INC

Bold Contest for a Daunting Problem

October 27, 2008

Analysis of:WellPoint, X Prize launch $10M health care contest | news.yahoo.com

Most people agree that the healthcare system in the United States is in need of a complete overhaul.  Unfortunately, the many competing interests in the current system make such overhaul extremely challenging.  This contest certainly provides much incentive for the best and brightest to put forth their ideas on how to improve the system.  Overcoming the obstacles to implenting such ideas will potentially be the biggest challenge of all.  Therefore, I believe the answer to the question "Will it work?" will only come when the healthcare system reaches the same critical threshold that our financial markets recently met.

Adam SchaffnerDirector of Plastic SurgeryJUVA SKIN LASER CENTER INC

Evolence: Will this New "Advanced" Collagen Filler Take Hold?

July 8, 2008

Analysis of:FDA Approves EVOLENCE®, a New Generation Collagen-Based Facial Filler | www.investor.jnj.com

Evolence is an injectable filler material that is made by an "advanced collagen GLYMATRIX™ Technology."  Collagen has generally fallen out of favor amongst aesthetic physicians due to its short duration of action.  Evolence will have to demonstrate that it is superior to the plethora of other injectable filler materials currently available to gain market share.  To do so will not only require clinical efficacy, it will also require a tremendous marketing effort to penetrate a market where there is no shortage of injectable filler materials from which to choose.

Adam SchaffnerDirector of Plastic SurgeryJUVA SKIN LASER CENTER INC

Allergan and Aczone: Likely a Winning Combination

June 26, 2008

Analysis of:Allergan Aquisition of Aczone | agn360.client.shareholder.com

Allergan has a strong infrastructure to support dermatologic and aesthetic products.  Aczone, an aqueous topical gel containing 5% dapsone, will be a new product which will help treat patients with acne.  "The strength of topical dapsone gel appears to be its high efficacy against inflammatory acne lesions.  Both rapid onset of action and tolerability make this agent a potentially nice complement to traditional antimicrobial and comedolytic acne regimens." (Draelos ZD, Carter E, Maloney JM, et al, J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56:439.e1-e10.)  Based on the study results available, it appears Aczone will provide an additional treatment option which will benefit patients.  Given the number of patients afflicted with acne, I believe Allergan will ultimately view this as a favorable acquisition.

Adam SchaffnerDirector of Plastic SurgeryJUVA SKIN LASER CENTER INC

Obesity: Higher Healthcare Costs, Lower Productivity

June 26, 2008

Analysis of:Obesity costs employers $45 bil a year | www.nytimes.com

There is no revelation in stating that obese people move slower or have more health problems compared to skinny people.  High blood pressure and diabetes are commonly associated with obesity.  Morbidly obese people may have difficulty sitting in a single coach airplane seat, fitting through a doorway, or bending over to pick up an item.  Such obesity is associated with higher healthcare costs, more time away from work, and lower productivity when compared to people who are not obese.  In short, obese Americans need to lose weight to improve their waistline and the bottom line.

Adam SchaffnerDirector of Plastic SurgeryJUVA SKIN LASER CENTER INC

Hair Removal: An Expanding Market

June 23, 2008

Analysis of:Zapping Teenage Torment | www.nytimes.com

Hair used to be something we all accepted.  Now, unwanted hair is viewed as unacceptable.  The market for hair removal is almost endless.  Men want hair removed from the nostrils, neck, back, and chest.  Women want hair removed from the upper lip, chin, sideburns, arms, legs, and bikini area.  Treatment options are as varied as the types and colors of hair that exist.  Patients will subject themselves to many different treatments, including shaving, plucking, bleaching, waxing, threading, lasers, intense pulsed light, electrolysis, and medications.  Recently, lasers have become more popular due to their effectiveness in achieving the goal of permanent hair removal.  However, their use is not without risk.  Patients can get burned or lose skin pigment.  Therefore, such treatments should only be administered by licensed healthcare professionals with proper training and experience. 

Adam SchaffnerDirector of Plastic SurgeryJUVA SKIN LASER CENTER INC

Improving the "Tired Look" - How to Treat Dark Circles Under Eyes

June 23, 2008

Analysis of:Putting ‘You Look Tired’ to Rest | www.nytimes.com

Looking rested and refreshed is big business.  Dark circles can make one appear tired and old - even at the young age of 25.  Therefore, some people will stop at nothing to conceal these circles.  53% of 13,000 Clinique users cited dark under-eye circles and puffiness as their number one beauty concern.  Consequently, it is not surprising that sales of anti-aging skin care treatments, which includes products designed to get rid of dark circles under the eyes, increased from $588 million in 2001 to $1.08 billion in 2006.   The causes of such circles are multi-factorial, including heredity, genetics, skin pigmentation, and skin thickness.  As there is no single cause for this problem, there is no single cure.  Hence, it is not surprising that Sephora sells more than 50 products "designed to specifically treat under-eye circles."  With time, the demand and number of products to treat this problem will only continue to grow. 

Adam SchaffnerDirector of Plastic SurgeryJUVA SKIN LASER CENTER INC

Saying "I'm Sorry" Will Decrease Medical Malpractice Premiums and Increase the Quality of Care

June 23, 2008

Analysis of:Doctors Say ‘I’m Sorry’ Before ‘See You in Court’ | www.nytimes.com

For years, doctors have been taught to deny medical errors and defend themselves to the end.  Such denial is contrary to the honesty doctors and patients desire in a patient-physician relationship.  However, the risk of medical malpractice has led physicians to pursue this practice.  With medical malpractice insurance premiums escalating at an alarming rate, physicians at prominent institutions like Johns Hopkins and Stanford are trying a new, "disarming" approach:  promptly disclosing errors, then offering an earnest apology and fair compensation for such errors.  The hope is to restore integrity in the patient-physician relationship, learn from such mistakes, and decrease the likelihood of other healthcare professionals making the same mistake in the future. 

Adam SchaffnerDirector of Plastic SurgeryJUVA SKIN LASER CENTER INC

Adolescent Acne - Many Treatments, Few Cures

June 23, 2008

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

Adolescent acne is a challenging problem to treat.  This is a medical problem that has social and psychological consequences.  Acne can affect one's self-esteem, psychological growth, and adversely impact one's educational and career development.  Therefore, it is of paramount importance that adolescent acne be treated effectively.  Unfortunately, there is no cure - only a plethora of treatments.  Determining which one is most effective in a given patient requires patience and perseverance. 

Adam SchaffnerDirector of Plastic SurgeryJUVA SKIN LASER CENTER INC

Patients Should Only Seek Care from Licensed Healthcare Professionals

June 23, 2008

Analysis of:Renal Failure Linked to Cosmetic Soft-Tissue Filler Injections | www.medscape.com

On December 27, 2007, the North Carolina Division of Public Health (NCDPH) was notified of three cases of renal failure occurring among women who had received cosmetic soft-tissue filler injections at a facility in North Carolina.  All injections were administered by a practitioner with no medical training or supervision.  The practioner was apparently trained as a radiology technician but had no other medical training or supervision.  Investigators were not able to identify the injected substances.  Although records indicated that the injections contained liquid silicone, this substance has not previously been associated with renal failure.  These findings underscore the risks posed by cosmetic injections administered by unlicensed practitioners.  Patients should only seek care from licensed healthcare professionals.  Such publicity will hopefully result in more patients doing their due diligence rather than avoiding such injections altogether.

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