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Had a great time last week at the SPBT conference. Planning to get out a summary post later this week…
TODAY’S NEWS:
Big news for Novartis: FDA panel unanimously recommends approval for oral MS drug – A Food and Drug Administration panel has unanimously backed the safety and effectiveness of Novartis’ multiple sclerosis treatment fingolimod. The panel voted 25-0 in support of fingolimod’s “substantial evidence of effectiveness” in treating patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. That makes it likely the drug will be the first oral MS treatment to gain FDA approval, beating Merck, Sanofi and Teva – all of which are developing their own oral MS drugs – to the punch…more
Glaxo cuts 700 more sales/marketing positions – A Glaxo spokeswoman said 700 sales and marketing staffers (and related support staff) have taken buyout offers in recent months, while others’ jobs are being cut. She declined to give a total figure, but said the cuts are affecting “a variety of different positions in the U.S. pharma commercial staff.”…more
Uncomfortable links being investigated – ARB high blood pressure drugs/cancer; Daiichi‘s Benicar and heart disease; troubling new data on GSK‘s Avandia and heart disease.
A “pill mill” in Kansas and multiple fatalities from the “lollipop of death.”
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PLUS
Fresh from the tube this weekend: the first ever DTC commercial for medical devices?
JUST FOR FUN
This may just be the most hideous website “designed” by man. Do not click with any consumables in your mouth…
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