‘State health officials have added five widely used mental health drugs to the Medicaid preferred drug list, allowing doctors to begin prescribing them for Medicaid patients immediately without special permission from the state.
Lamictal, Lexapro, Paxil CR, Wellbutrin XL and Zoloft now appear on the preferred drug list for Medicaid patients, the Agency for Health Care […]
‘A medication used to ease symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, also is helpful in treating people with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), according to a pilot study at Yale School of Medicine.
Although the study included only 13 patients, the preliminary results are promising for persons who have found no relief using other […]
‘Scientists have revealed how gene mutations known to cause the formation of certain inherited migraines target a cellular process involved in brain cell communication, furthering the possibility of new treatment opportunities.
Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Canada have investigated a debilitating hereditary form of migraine which is accompanied by visual impairments known […]
‘DOR BioPharma is to collaborate with Dowpharma, to advance the development of DOR’s oral botulism vaccine. The vaccine, BT-VACC, is designed to protect against exposure to botulinum toxin, which is one of five “Category A” bioterrorism threats identified by the US government.
Under the agreement, Dowpharma will use its pfenex expression technology to speed the development […]
‘Merck & Co has initiated a phase I clinical trial of an orally administered drug candidate, being developed in partnership with Arena Pharmaceuticals, for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
The initiation of the early stage trial triggers a $2 million milestone payment to Arena under its cardiovascular disease collaboration with Merck to develop compounds targeted at a […]
‘Genentech has purchased rights to use anti-cancer compounds from ImmunoGen, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing targeted anti-cancer treatments.
Under the agreement Genentech will use the Immunogen compounds in combination with its own therapeutic antibodies, on particular undisclosed targets. Shares in ImmunoGen climbed almost 10% in the wake of the news.
ImmunoGen will receive a $1 million […]
‘The FDA has accepted for review a new drug application from Santarus Inc, for a chewable form of the company’s heartburn and reflux disease medicine, Zegerid.
Santarus, a pharmaceutical company focused on therapies for gastrointestinal diseases and disorders, expects the FDA will complete its review or give some response by March 26, 2006.
If the application is […]
‘New research has suggested that treatment with Fuzeon, a drug developed by Roche AG and US biotech Trimeris, gives HIV patients facing resistance their best chance of achieving undetectable viral load the optimal treatment goal for all people living with HIV.
Dr Mike Youle from the Royal Free Hospital, London said: “We are seeing a consistent […]
‘A group of patients who once took the antidepressant drug Prozac accuse the Food and Drug Administration of covering up the drug’s dangerous side effects for 14 years. As a result, they say hundreds of people have become victims of murder and suicide.
Bonnie Leitsch, founder of “Prozac Survivors Support Group,” and Dr. Ann Blake Tracy, […]
‘Novis is currently seeking young experts to develop as science journalists across several of its pharmaceutical and food industry news services.
Each recruit will receive early and complete training in story structure and style, and quickly be given the chance to initiate his or her own news stories and interviews.
Candidates will already show strong writing skills […]