GLG News in Healthcare

The article goes into the four major eye care markets that have a mix of reimbursed, and consumer driven areas. It describes the issues I face as a provider of these products. 

-A recent informal survey found that many docs and nurses (60% of healthcare workers overall) don't get an annual flu vaccine, despite proven efficacy, easy availability at their place of work, and risk of contagion to patients and colleagues.  -This puts some of the most vulnerable patients at risk of absolutely preventable illness and leaves hospitals liable to claims...

Sanofi's rapid acting insulin formulation got FDA approval for use in children 4 years and older with Type I insulin dependent diabetes. The drug has rapid action so it may replace lispro and older short acting  insulin preparations, if the price tag is not prohibitive.

FDA has approved lacosamide for add-on therapy of partial onset seizures.  It will be marketed by UCB under the brand name Vimpat.

-Parents in NJ are fighting a new state mandate requiring influenza vaccine in preschoolers -Allowing an override of this mandate would be dangerous but parents will have only themselves to blame if their unvaccinated kids get sick

Rotateq is a great vaccine - it protects both vaccinated patients and also gives some protection to their not-yet-vaccinated peers Although in the US it is rare to die from rotavirus illness, the economic savings on lost school/work days and decreased hospital admissions and ER visits is huge.

Most American families are not familiar with signs and symptoms of influenza.  Asking them to use (and not use) a home supply of antivirals would be insanity, stretching thin the amount of antivirals available and depriving them to those in true need.  To ask them to use these meds appropriately for their children would be even more insane - at the first viral URI of the season the...

     There will need to be some changes in the process by which the FDA evaluates drugs and devices. Quick vetting will require: 1. Safety: No signals of danger 2. Cost: No increase in cost, or actual savings 3. Benefits: When compared to current therapy, not placebo      

Although dealing with the financial crisis will still occupy much of the time and focus of the new Congress and President early in 2009, the need to control the costs of healthcare will not be far behind.  Both candidates for President are pushing for much more health IT as critical to achieving that goal.  A President Obama, in particular, has pledged to invest $10 billion per year to...

The identification of reliable biomarkers predicting EGFR- targeted therapy outcomes presents a major challenge in the treatment of colorectal cancer ( CRC). Determination of EGFR levels, currently used, are a poor predictor of response to cetuximab therapy.EGFR protein expression, gene amplification and mutation have little predictive value in colorectal cancer. KRAS mutations are present...