Analysis of:
Phosphagenics Initiates US Clinical Trials For Its Topical Retinoic Acid (www.pipelinereview.com)
Novel delivery systems will generally be the next wave, whether for topical medications such as retinoic acid or systemic compounds, where the delivery system can target specific receptors or organs.
Analysis of:
Memphis Chosen by HHS as One Community to Help Create "Travelocity of Health Care" (www.memphis.bizjournals.com)
Rating physicians is not like rating hotels, airlines or restaurants. Unfortunately, the comments of lay people can only go so far in assessing a physician's performance.
Analysis of:
FDA Approves ASMANEX (R) TWISTHALER(R) (Mometasone Furoate Inhalation Powder) for the Once Daily Maintenance Treatment of Asthma in Children Ages 4-11 (www.pipelinereview.com)
-Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) for kids are big news as traditional MDIs can be hard to use -If the device is easy to use, other meds (like albuterol) might be made available to use this way as well
Analysis of:
AIM Therapeutics Advances Asthma Therapeutics Program (www.pipelinereview.com)
It would be great to be able to treat asthma and get steroid-like efficacy without the side effects. But there is not much to say without additional details.
Analysis of:
CDC: Too few adults get their vaccines (news.yahoo.com)
Vaccines have been shown again and again to be cost-effective tools. Fortunately, pediatric vaccines are generally given, since the schools enforce the requirements. But adults would benefit as well.
Analysis of:
FDA Approves ASMANEX (R) TWISTHALER(R) (Mometasone Furoate Inhalation Powder) for the Once Daily Maintenance Treatment of Asthma in Children Ages 4-11 (www.pipelinereview.com)
Dry powder inhalers are easier for many young children to use than metered dose inhalers. This approval makes it possible to use a popular drug in younger patients who might not be able to use the MDI format.
Analysis of:
Great Drug, but Does It Prolong Life? (www.nytimes.com)
As is so often the case, the long-term benefits or risks of a particular therapy can only be evaluated by equally long-term studies. And the marketing and patent facts of life mean that drugs are released and pushed before all the data (or even sufficient data) is in, often with disastrous effects.
Analysis of:
New Study Reports Enbrel (Etanercept) Significantly Improved Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis in Children and Adolescents (www.wyeth.com)
Pediatric psoriasis has always been difficult to treat without toxicity. Enbrel appears to have both efficacy and safety in this condition.
Analysis of:
New therapy for old woes, Blue Cross measure aims to slow runaway costs, improve quality of healthcare (www.boston.com)
Just a new name for capitation. Blue Cross will fix their costs in advance and insure themselves a profit; any losses will be borne by the already stressed providers.
Analysis of:
Upbeat diagnosis for clinics, Specialists in other states reject qualms about CVS units (www.boston.com)
Who do you think the patient will call at 2 am when having a reaction to the prescribed medication? The CVS? Not likely.