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Latest Pharmaceutical News and Research

• Review of study presented at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions
  Adding the cholesterol drug niacin to a statin improved HDL ("good") cholesterol levels and significantly reduced carotid arterial plaque buildup measured with ultrasound within 8 months, with further improvement seen at the end of the study (14 months).
• Multi-state electronic tracking program to prevent diversion of common medicines for methamphetamine production
  The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) today announced a new initiative in the war on methamphetamine. The National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) is a multi-state electronic tracking program that enforces purchase limitations on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines containing pseudoephedrine in real-time at the point of sale.
• Pennsylvania Department of Health commences H1N1 vaccination to members of priority groups
  The Department of Health today began providing free H1N1 flu shots to members of priority groups that did not have previous access to the vaccine.
• Carvedilol in combination with ACE inhibitors may benefit cardiac patients
  In a new study, researchers report that a class of heart medications called beta-blockers can have a helpful, or harmful, effect on the heart, depending on their molecular activity.
• Chemical-based tooth whitening or bleaching agents may be harmful, ADA warns
  The American Dental Association (ADA) today asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish appropriate classifications for tooth-whitening chemicals.
• Zoladex consumers entitled to treble damages, Court rules
  The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit upheld an earlier District Court ruling yesterday, approving a settlement in the long-running Average Wholesale Price (AWP) pharmaceutical litigation against AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals ( AZN).
• FDA approves Pfizer's Geodon Capsules for the adjunctive maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder
  Pfizer today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Geodon® (ziprasidone HCI) Capsules for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder as an adjunct to lithium or valproate in adults. The approval is based on clinical data demonstrating that Geodon is an effective and generally well-tolerated adjunctive treatment for long-term symptom control in patients with bipolar disorder.
• Employers take action to improve medication adherence
  More employers are taking steps to improve their employees' health by making sure they take their medicines as prescribed, a move that could stave off more serious and costly health consequences, according to a new report sponsored by the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC).
• FDA approves sNDA for pediatric autism drug ABILIFY
  Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years, including symptoms of aggression towards others, deliberate self-injuriousness, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods.
• FDA Warning Letter for Deconsal: Cornerstone Therapeutics preparing a response
  Cornerstone Therapeutics Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing significant products primarily for the respiratory and related markets, today reported that it had received a Warning Letter from the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") alleging that its Deconsal CT chewable tablets (Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg, Pyrilamine Maleate 16 mg) and Deconsal DM chewable tablets (Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg, Pyrilamine Maleate 16 mg, Dextromothorphan HBr 15 mg) are new drugs lacking an approved application and as such should not be introduced into interstate commerce.