Organon, the human healthcare business unit of Akzo Nobel, announced recently that two out of three Phase III clinical trials with corifollitropin alfa (Org 36286), a new long-acting fertility hormone, have reached their randomization target. Corifollitropin alfa is a new recombinant fertility hormone. [click link for full article]
UCB (Euronext Brussels: UCB) and Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) yesterday announced the initiation of a Phase II study of CDP323 - an oral VLA-4 antagonist - under development for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The double-blind, randomized Phase II study commenced this week with dosing of the first patient. The study is designed to enroll over 200 patients with relapsing-remitting MS who have failed earlier treatment with a beta-interferon. [click link for full article]
The Kansas City Star on Tuesday examined how “offering a flexible, well-designed health insurance program is a primary focus for most” U.S. businesses to help workers manage costs. According to a 2005 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and [click link for full article]
As a July 1 deadline to purchase health care coverage in Massachusetts approaches, a poll released on Wednesday finds that a majority of the state’s residents support the law, including the individual mandate, the Boston Globe reports. For the poll — conducted by the [click link for full article]
The Kentucky Medicaid program will be able to fund the $5.7 billion annual cost of the program, avoiding a deficit that in 2005 was projected to range from $125 million to $675 million, Health and Family Services Secretary Mark Birdwhistell said on Monday, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports. [click link for full article]
The House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee on Tuesday held a hearing to consider proposals to revise the Medicare reimbursement system for anemia medications administered to kidney dialysis patients, Dow Jones reports. [click link for full article]
Newspapers on Wednesday examined issues related to the relationship between pharmaceutical companies and physicians. Summaries of the articles appear below. Gifts: Psychiatrists in Vermont earn more money from pharmaceutical companies than other medical specialists, according to a report released on Tuesday by the state, the [click link for full article]
Michael Moore said it took two years to make, and now “Sicko” is out in theatres across the USA. According to the L.A. Times the movie is likely to be Michael Moore’s most important, most impressive, and most provocative film. According to Moore’s web site, one does not often find the word ‘comedy’ linked with ‘health care’ - he claims they go together hand in glove in the movie ‘Sicko’. [click link for full article]
AstraZeneca has announced that SYMBICORT® (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) is now available in the United States for the long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 12 years of age and older.Administered twice daily, SYMBICORT is a combination of two proven asthma medications - budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and formoterol, a rapid and long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA). [click link for full article]
McClatchy/Charlotte Observer on Monday featured two opinion pieces that address individual mandates to purchase health insurance. Summaries appear below.Merrill Matthews, [click link for full article]