Drugmakers fighting a stimulus provision

February 10th, 2009

The provision they’re against would spend $1.1 billion on research comparing medical treatments.

Will drug companies soon be banned from advertising directly to consumers?

February 5th, 2009

Obama’s administration looks to be more open to changing the rules on direct-to-consumer advertising by drug companies.

Study reveals best antidepressants

January 29th, 2009

The study’s research team reviewed 117 studies from 1991 to 2007 that compared the response and drop-out rates of the drugs among more than 25,000 men and women with major depression, reports Reuters.

NYT: Drug making’s move abroad stirs concerns

January 21st, 2009

The fact that more and more pharmaceutical companies are making their products outside of the U.S. makes for concern about terrorism and shoddy manufacturing.

Study finds heart risks with newer antipsychotic drugs

January 16th, 2009

The implication of the study is that physicians need to do a very careful cardiovascular evaluation prior to prescribing the drugs, especially if there are alternative treatments, says one of the report’s authors.

Federal reg now lets drugmakers advise doctors on their drugs’ unapproved uses

January 13th, 2009

Reuters reports on a recently finalized federal regulation that will allow drug companies to let doctors know about alternative uses for medicines already approved for another condition.

Grocery store chain giving away some antibiotics for free

January 9th, 2009

After slashing prices, Wegmans is trying to attract more customers during the tough economy with another approach: free antibiotics, reports the Times-Tribune.

“In November, we lowered prices on hundreds of items in our stores and we got such a tremendous response from that from customers and employees that we were encouraged to find other ways to help people save money in ways that are meaningful,” Ms. Natale said. “Since this time of year is the peak season for antibiotic usage, this made sense. That’s why we made the decision to go forward.”

Wegmans, which has grocery stores in Dickson City and Wilkes-Barre Twp., estimates the program has the potential to save its customers in its 72 stores about $1 million.

Free generic oral antibiotics include:
Amoxicillin
Cephalexin
Sulfamethoxazole or trimethoprim
Ciprofloxacin excluding Ciprofloxacin XR
Penicillin VK
Ampicillin
Tetracycline
Erythromycin Stearate and Ethylsuccinate
Doxycycline Hyclate capsules
Read more about Wegmans’ antibiotic program at the Times-Tribune.

Posted on Jan 09 2009 under HealthPointPA News
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Medicare rule change aims to cut drug prices

January 7th, 2009

The federal agency that manages Medicare says it has finalized a rule meant to curb an industry practice that has inflated drug costs for some patients with Medicare drug coverage, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Disappointment abounds with Bush admin’s last-minute regulation limiting patient care

January 6th, 2009

Healthcare organizations,rulemakers, and citizens across the country are voicing their opposition to the Bush administration’s new healthcare regulation.

Obama looking for new head of the FDA

January 5th, 2009

President-elect Barack Obama is prowling for a new head for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which, in the eyes of some outraged Americans, is like hunting for someone to put tainted toothpaste back in its tube; reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.