Novartis

SPOTLIGHT: Pharmas focusing on pet psych meds

Anne Zieger — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:18:55 -0400

Did you ever think your dog could suffer from dementia, OCD or an anxiety disorder? Apparently, pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Novartis do. The drugmakers are dishing out human psychiatric drugs to dogs whose behavior mimics human mental illnesses. What's more, this may be just the start of the pet psych meds business. Sounds like a golden (retriever) opportunity! FiercePharma

ALSO NOTED: FDA sending fewer warning letters;IL law would limit what hospitals can charge uninsured patients; and much more...

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> It looks like the FDA is sending out a lot fewer warning letters to potential violators of late. Officials say they're just changing emphasis, but critics suggest that th agency is slacking off. Blog

> Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would set limits on what hospitals would be allowed to charge and collect from eligible uninsured patients. FierceHealthFinance

> Novartis has gotten FDA approval for its bone-building drug Reclast, which used to help patients avoid additional breaks following a hip fracture. FiercePharma

> It looks like there may be another AIDS vaccine trial underway soon, though some skeptics say it may be too soon after a failed Merck program. FierceVaccines

And Finally... Sometimes the power of suggestion is all it takes. Article

ALSO NOTED: Wireless "white spaces" could disrupt care; MA hopes "medical homes" catch on; and much more...

Mon, 19 May 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> With telecommunications industry pressure mounting to put them to use, technology vendors and engineering groups are fighting what they say is a critical battle to protect so-called "white spaces" in the wireless spectrum. FierceHealthIT

> The FDA is warning doctors again that organ-transplant drugs CellCept (from Roche) and Myfortic (Novartis) have been linked to miscarriages and birth defects when taken by pregnant women. FiercePharma

> In Somerville, MA, Union Square hopes that its "medical home" model of efficient care will catch on. The plan aims to make it easier for patients to get access to care when and where they need it. Article

> Several medical centers are taking a different approach to dealing with their mistakes--apologizing. Article

And Finally... Video games aren't just for couch potatoes anymore. Article

ALSO NOTED: FDA may require side-effects hotline number in DTC ads; Many uninsured could be eligible for gov't insurance; and m

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> An FDA panel is considering whether it should require direct-to-consumer advertisers to include a side-effects hotline in every commercial. FiercePharma

> A new study suggests that if every patient who was eligible was enrolled in government insurance programs, uninsured rolls in the U.S. would be much lower. FierceHealthFinance

> Novartis may be getting closer to a vaccine that could protect infants from meningococcal B infections. FierceVaccines

> Chinese citizens are facing long waits for medical care after surviving the catastrophic earthquake which recently took place there. Article

And Finally... Boy, this chiropractor has a tough collections policy. Article

ALSO NOTED: FDA investigates Roche, Novartis transplant drugs; Maryland hospital fined for radiation errors; and much more...

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> The FDA has started to investigate whether Roche's CellCept and Novartis' Myfortic, similar drugs used in transplants to prevent organ rejection, cause an often-fatal neurological disease. FiercePharma

> A Maryland hospital has been fined by the state after two separate incidents in which cancer patients got the wrong doses of radiation. Article

> A Wisconsin village is asking a local hospital to pay more than $1.6 million in sewer connection fees, continuing to fight a legal battle that has raged for years. Article

> With mumps becoming an issue despite existing vaccinations, some physicians are calling for the industry to create a new vaccine--and calling for people to get a third dose of the current vaccine in the meantime. FierceBioresearcher

And Finally... Yes, you're reading this right; it breathes, but it has no lungs. Article