Trumm Drug

March 2008 Drug News

Study Results Disappointing For Vytorin
Vytorin, the Merck-Schering Plough medication which combines Merck’s Zocor with Schering’s Zetia, another cholesterol-reducing drug, was no better than Zocor alone in halting the progress of arterial plaque, according to a new study of 720 patients with very high levels of cholesterol. Bloomberg.com

Group Tells Patients Not To Panic
News that the cholesterol medication Vytorin works no better than the generic statin simvastatin in halting the progression of arterial plaque should not cause patients to panic, according to the American College of Pharmacy. “This is not an urgent situation and patients should never stop taking any prescribed medications without first discussing the issue with their healthcare professional,” the group stated. Reuters

Study: Statins benefit most diabetics
A team of British and Australian researchers analyzed data from nearly 19,000 diabetics and found that statin drugs, developed to reduce cholesterol, benefit almost every type of diabetic. They recommend considering the drugs as standard therapy for all diabetes patients, except children and pregnant women. Bloomberg (1/11), Yahoo!/Reuters (1/10)

Merck Approves Fosamax Generic
Merck & Co Inc. signed a deal for an authorized generic form of its blockbuster Fosamax osteoporosis drug to become available after the U.S. patent on the world’s top-selling osteoporosis drug lapses on Feb. 6. Analysts claim cheaper generics will not only batter sales of Merck’s branded Fosamax, but could hurt rival once-weekly bisphosphonate Actonel, which is sold by Procter & Gamble Co. and Sanofi-Aventis. Reuters

FDA approves Abbott’s Simcor
The FDA has cleared Abbott Laboratories’ Simcor, a combination of simvastatin and its Niaspan, developed to boost “good” cholesterol and reduce “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The Wall Street Journal (free content) (2/16)

FDA warns of psychiatric risks from Chantix
The FDA on Friday released a public health advisory on Pfizer’s anti-smoking drug Chantix, saying it is “increasingly likely” that the drug is linked to serious neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression, suicidal ideation and behavioral changes. The company, which recently added stronger warnings on the product’s label, has said there is no evidence directly connecting the drug to reported psychiatric problems, but it did not preclude the possibility. The Wall Street Journal (free content) (2/1) , The Boston Globe/Associated Press (2/2)

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