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Prescription Drug Use Dropped In 2008, Though Spending Increased, Medco Research Indicates
Use of prescription drugs in the U.S. declined in 2008 -- the first such decrease in a decade -- but total spending on such treatments increased by 3.3%, according to a report released on Wednesday by Medco Health Solutions, the AP/Washington Post reports. The report attributed the decline in sales to fewer new drugs being introduced in 2008, popular medications becoming available as non-prescriptions and concerns about certain drugs" safety. Total spending increased largely because of increased use of "specialty" medications for chronic and complicated illnesses, which often are more costly and sometimes require special considerations for storage or delivery to patients, according to the AP/Post. Profits on specialty drugs in 2008 increased by about 16%. The average costs for other brand-name drugs increased by more than 8% in 2008, the largest increase in five years. According to the report, spending on prescription drugs would have been higher but less costly generic medications accounted for 64% of all prescriptions in 2008.The report predicted that prescription drug use in the U.S. will increase by no more than 1% in 2009 and 2010. However, price increases are expected to contribute to an increase in total spending of 3% to 5% in 2009 and 4% to 6% in 2010 (Seaman, AP/Washington Post, 5/13).
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In Patients With Heart Attacks, CYPHER(R) Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent Results Sustained Out To Four Years Compared To Bare Metal Stents
Four-year results of a large, multi-center clinical trial show that earlier results favoring the CYPHER® Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent over bare metal stents (BMS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) were maintained in long-term follow-up. In addition, there were no differences in key safety measures between the CYPHER® Stent and BMS.
Oncology

Memgen Reports Positive Results For ISF35 In High-Risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Memgen announced that the ongoing Phase Ib study of its cancer immune therapy, ISF35, has produced positive results, including a complete remission in the trial"s first patient who had 17p deleted chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The study, which is co-sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, assesses the ability of ISF35 to re-sensitize refractory and/or 17p deleted CLL to chemotherapy. The trial, which is actively recruiting patients, is being conducted by Januario Castro, M.D., of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The course of treatment evaluated in this trial - three infusions of ISF35-transduced cells followed by three courses of FCR - has been well-tolerated. Results from the study show that pretreatment with autologous ISF35-transduced cells re-sensitized refractory and/or 17p deleted CLL to fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and Rituxan® (FCR). The first patient in the ongoing trial achieved a complete remission that tested negative for minimal residual disease, indicating that the patient"s bone marrow was cancer-free. The second patient in the trial has already experienced a complete resolution of lymphocytosis and lymphadenopathy after ISF35 and only one cycle of FCR and is scheduled to receive the remaining two cycles of FCR. Correlative analysis and preclinical studies have suggested that ISF35, combined with chemotherapy, may result in greater anti-leukemic activity and potentially extend survival in refractory CLL, where, according to numerous studies, patients are documented to live only 9-24 months on average. To position ISF35 for the possibility of rapid FDA approval for this urgent unmet medical need, Memgen is now working with academic institutions and pharmaceutical firms to initiate a multi-center Phase II trial of ISF35 in combination with chemotherapeutic agents for refractory CLL patients. Memgen


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