In a piece for Forbes, writer John LaMattina takes issue with Merck’s attempts to get the LDL cholesterol lowering drug, Liptruzet, approved and on the market. He also finds fault with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approving it in the first place.
LaMattina writes that Liptruzet is really a combination of two drugs that are already on the market – Merck’s own Zetia and Pzizer’s Lipitor.
Despite the U.S. Food ...
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An analysis of for-profit kidney dialysis centers published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that they used more of an expensive and dangerous class of drugs known as erythropoiesis-stimulation agents (ESAs) than non-profit facilities.
This isn’t the first time that commercial dialysis centers have been accused of engaging in unsafe practices.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating allegations that Fresenius, a German company that is the largest operator ...
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A study published in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, measured the success of a surgery called abdominal sacrocolpopexy, which is the standard treatment for a condition called pelvic organ prolapse.
The study analyzed the results of 200 women who underwent the surgery, according to the Wall Street Journal. Many of them reported short-term relief from symptoms and didn’t need repeat surgery.
But about 25 percent experienced a recurrence of ...
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In a video posted on investing Website Motley Fool, contributing writer Max Chatsko says there are a couple of “red flags” investors should be aware of regarding Merck’s bestselling Januvia/Janumet franchise for treating type 2 diabetes.
Revenue from that franchise fell 2 percent in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. And while that may not seem like much, the same franchise had double-digit growth almost ...
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A number of the world’s top diabetes experts agree with Dr. Peter C. Butler, an internationally renowned physician who raised alarms about the diabetes drugs Januvia and Byetta.
A story on MedPage Today quotes Andrew Boulton, MD, president of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), as saying that he has the “highest respect for Peter Butler as a colleague, clinician and scientist.”
The New York Times recently ran a ...
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Japanese researchers are optimistic about the results of a study suggesting that a new blood test designed to detect pancreatic cancer early may improve patients’ odds for survival.
A HealthDay News story says the improved odds are relatively small. But given the nature of pancreatic cancer, any potential improvement is good news.
The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is currently less than 5 percent, in large part because it has usually ...
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