Lipitor Ads raise questions
February 10, 2008
Dr. Robert Jarvik is best known for the artificial heart he pioneered more than a quarter-century ago. Since then he had toiled in relative obscurity — until he began appearing in television ads two years ago Lipitor.
The ads have depicted him, among other outdoorsy pursuits, rowing a one-man racing shell swiftly across a mountain lake. “When diet and exercise aren’t enough, adding Lipitor significantly lowers cholesterol,” Dr. Jarvik says in the ad.
A Congressional committee, concerned that the Lipitor ads could be misleading, has said it wants to interview Dr. Jarvik about his role as the drug’s pitchman.
Some of the questions may involve his credentials. Read more
Vaccinating Against HPV in Young Women
February 8, 2008
CE On Powerpak titled “Vaccinating Against the Human Papillomavirus in Young Women”
Counts for 2.0 credit hours for Pharmacists and Technicians.
CLICK HERE to take the exam.
Generic Nexium?
February 8, 2008
The FDA has granted tentative approval to Ranbaxy Laboratories’ ANDA for generic Nexium capsules, the first approval of any generic version of the blockbuster drug.
Ranbaxy has first-to-file status on the drug under the Hatch-Waxman Act of 1984, designed to promote generics, giving Ranbaxy a potential 180 days of exclusive marketing when the patent on Nexium expires. An automatic 30-month legal stay on generic versions of the drug will be lifted on April 14.
Stop Cough Medicine Abuse
February 7, 2008
Recent studies among middle and high school aged kids across the country demonstrate a trend in substance abuse among teens: the intentional abuse of otherwise beneficial medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) to get high. Now, it’s time to alert communities and educate parents about a growing problem: the intentional abuse of cough medicines among teens. To learn more about this problem and to find out what you can do to help stop cough medicine abuse, take a moment to check out these materials.
Generic Fosamax Approved
February 7, 2008
Teva Pharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted final approval for the ANDA to market its generic version of Merck’ s Fosamax in 5 mg, 10 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg and 70 mg strengths. Shipment of the product will begin immediately.As the first company to file an ANDA containing a paragraph IV certification for this product, Teva has been awarded a 180-day period of marketing exclusivity.
Fosamax had annual sales of approximately $1.9 billion in America.
Formulary at your Fingertips
February 7, 2008
A new website called “Fingertip Formulary” is providing a service that allows you to search the formulary of most major insurance plans (Including Medicare D). You begin by selecting the prescribed drug, then the patients state of residence, then a list of insruance companys covering the medication is displayed.
Check it out at FingertipFormulary.com
Public Health Advisory on Chantix
February 7, 2008
After sending out an Early Communication in November 2007 regarding reports of suicidality in patients taking varenicline, the agency now says there is reason to be concerned. Following review of the reports, it seems increasingly likely that the abnormal behavior, such as changes in mood, agitation, depression, and suicidal thoughts, is due to exposure to the drug and not to other causes. As a result of the findings, Read more
Testing 123
February 6, 2008
Working on yet another new look for CPhTLink. The best is yet to come! If you have any comments or suggesitons to make things better, please let me know. I am always looking for stories, Read more
Cough Syrup cited in death of rapper
February 6, 2008
The death of the influential Southern rapper Pimp C, below, has been ruled an accident attributable to an overdose of drugs celebrated by Three 6 Mafia and the Pimp C group Underground Kingz in the 2000 single “Sippin’ on Some Syrup,” The Associated Press reported. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified the drugs as codeine and promethazine, essential ingredients of “syrup.” The coroner’s office said Pimp C, whose real name was Chad Butler, had sleep apnea, an ailment that can cause breathing during sleep to stop for as long as 30 seconds. Capt. Ed Winter of the coroner’s office said that sleep apnea, combined with large amounts of prescription-strength cough syrup, killed Pimp C on Dec. 4 in West Hollywood, Calif. He was 33.
Article Via New York Times. News Thanks to Kevin in our forums.
