Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle for 03-28-2005

 Good morning !

Colored Eggs

This last weekend I colored eggs with the family for Easter. They all started out bright white. If there was a bad egg in the bunch, I surely couldn't pick it out. Blue, purple, yellow, pink, green, red, and all the combinations were tried. Not one egg told me what color it wanted to be or would have had any say in the matter. None of the white eggs refused to associate with the colored eggs or vice versa. Each egg still consisted of a shell, egg white, and yoke. When placed together in one basket, they made quite a cheery display.

We are a lot like the eggs in that basket. No choice over our color but together make for a cheery world. Don't pre-judge based upon appearances. It is only once the shell is broken and the "heart" examined that we can tell if the egg is "good" or "rotten", regardless of the color.

Postscript: All of the eggs were fine…. now on to those jelly beans and chocolate bunnies….(but my previous experience with PEEPS will make sure there are plenty for EVERYONE ELSE).

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ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Hoppy"  

1) Pharmacogenomics

A big word for the study of how genes affect the sensitivity to drug effects and side effects or how the drugs are eliminated. It is very useful to know that certain antihypertensives do not work well in blacks or that certain pain medications work differently and are eliminated slower in Asians. This field of study is not limited to race. Would you want to know that a potentially toxic treatment against breast cancer has a higher degree of success based upon your genes? This is just one present application. Expect more studies.

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh05738_2005-03-22_19-00-42_n22723128_newsml

 2) Anticonvulsant, lamotrigene, found safer in pregnancy

Approved over 10 years ago, the latest assessment of a registry shows that the drug is safer than older, conventional treatments for seizures during pregnancy. Good news for moms… great news for the kids.

http://articles.health.msn.com/id/100101327/

3) Once a month oral osteoporosis drug FDA approved.

Boniva is the name and bone preservation is the game. Women have been looking for something to replace estrogens (like Premarin) since the research of several years ago showed dangers. Present oral therapy has progressed to weekly. This will be monthly. Expect Boniva to take off while the other drugs lower their prices to stay in the game.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2005-03-26T010833Z_01_N25620350_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-HEALTH-BONES-DC.XML

4) India to honor patents?!!!

India has been abusing intellectual property for over 30 years. Do you think that maybe they have developed some novel chemicals and will seek protection under international law? Why else? (So many questions!) The new law applies to computers and other goods. Strong internal opposition is already developing.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2005/03/18/india_proposes_end_to_patent_drug_copying/

5) I'm from the FDA and I'm here to help you…

FDA offers advice to drug firms about making drugs safer in the wake of the "Vioxx" withdrawal.  While the FDA says that they do not intend to delay the approval of drugs, the additional "suggestions" may cause delays in submission by Pharmaceutical companies.  The chill will be as real.

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh51513_2005-03-24_22-33-33_n24730540_newsml

 6) Cylert cy-lent

Cylert pulled from the market due to declining sales. Less than $1 million last year. It appears that other drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are getting more attention.

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh52034_2005-03-24_23-21-13_n24593386_newsml

 7) Formidable form foretells future Federal failure

The form used to sign up for the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is being test driven by seniors. Preliminary results show that they might be more successful driving the Space Shuttle (in the left lane with the blinker on). Feds better hurry…. only about another 210 shopping days before it gets REAL!

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1111401123299471.xml

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