GLG News by Gardasil Prescribers (US)

Although just a press release, the itself study is interesting. The attempt to modify the symptoms of ADHD by affecting neurotransmitter release or reuptake is not new, but this is an attempt to do so via a novel receptor pathway.

Physician ranking systems will certainly be a part of medical practice. But the real utility is not going to be in allowing patients to choose the "best" doctors--that will perpetuate the fallacy of drawing conclusions about a specific case from the general data. And the ability of this information...

Menveo appears to have some statistical advantages over the currently available product, Menactra (sanofi aventis.) Whether the higher antibody levels translate into better or more lasting protection remains to be seen. Given recent FDA action approving meningococcal vaccine for younger pediatric age...

-Rotateq and Rotarix are the only two approved rotavirus vaccines in the US.  It's unclear how Rotarix will be priced, and since it is a 2-dose series vs. Rotateq's 3-dose series, the cost will be very important. -However, there are other factors as well, such as Merck being first to market...

Aclasta, an IV bisphosponate known generically as zoledronic acid, seems to do one thing consistently: it has an uncanny knack for showing an absolute risk reduction of about 1-2% in whatever endpoint is being measured, and against whatever control it faces head-to-head.  It has been shown to have...

The proposed PTO rules, while logical on the surface, suffer from the all too common defect of over-generalization. In patent applications, as in so many other fields, there is usually not a one size fits all approach.

The FDA is investigating Merck's Singulair for a possible link to suicidal thought and action.  With over 28 million prescriptions last year and a 12 year record of safety in children and adults, the evidence must be evaluated closely before coming to any conclusion. Of note antihistamines, including...

Yes, rotavirus disease is common, but overall, it is low on the worry scale for pediatricians in the US. Adoption of the Rotateq (Merck) product has been relatively slow, and I do not expect anything more for Rotarix.

Rotavirus vaccination is already widely accepted by pediatricians, and Merck's Rotateq has been a medical and commercial success, so ultimately this will not change the primary care strategy of infants.  The question is whether or not pediatricians will change from Merck's Rotateq to GSK's Rotarix,...

Clinical trials have shown very similar efficacy and safety with both GSK's Rotarix and Merck's Rotateq.  With only two doses needed for Rotarix, pediatricians may opt for a simpler schedule.  Financial consideration will likely play the largest role in adopting the new vaccine.