NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Statin treatment is associated with an attenuation of the increases in serum lipids experienced by rheumatoid arthritis patients on tocilizumab, according to a post-hoc analysis of clinical trials. Treatment with the interleukin-6 receptor-alpha inhibitor tocilizumab is known to raise total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. To explore the possible effect of…
A recent study found that although patients with giant cell arteritis respond positively to long-term tocilizumab treatment, relapse may occur after discontinuing the medication…
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used therapeutically since the 1960s.1 Evidence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes led to the withdrawal of the selective COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib in September 2004, when the question of cardiovascular safety of NSAIDs first came into the limelight.2 Valdecoxib (Bextra) was subsequently withdrawn from the market in April 2005 due to…
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case over whether companies that make copycat versions of biologic drugs must wait six months after winning federal approval before bringing them to the market. The justices opted not to take up Apotex Inc.’s appeal of a July federal appeals court ruling that could…
TOKYO (Reuters)—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic advisers, hoping to curb Japan’s ballooning healthcare costs, proposed on Wednesday reforms to the way drug prices are set, a step opposed by foreign and domestic drug makers who say the changes will stifle investment. The proposals follow a decision to halve the price of Bristol Myers Squibb Co’s…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Low-molecular-weight heparin failed to prevent symptomatic venous thromboemboli in people receiving knee arthroscopy or a lower leg cast, according to a pair of studies conducted in the Netherlands. The treatment is controversial because there is little clear evidence that heparin wards off clots in such instances. The research team, led by Dr. Raymond…
The FDA is considering an application for subcutaneous rituximab and has approved an application for etanercept to treat pediatric patients with plaque psoriasis…
JERUSALEM (Reuters)—Israel’s Teva Pharmaceuticals has partnered with Tel Aviv-based Syqe Medical to market in Israel medical cannabis for pain management that is administered with an inhaler. The companies said in a statement on Monday that this is the first time the medical cannabis sector has complied with pharmaceutical standards for inhalation, which is the most…