The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is consulting on a set of new indicators for GPs and commissioners designed to improve the management of atrial fibrillation and prevent thousands of case of stroke.
News
Six medicines line up for EU approval
Six medicines have taken a giant leap closer to European approval after being endorsed by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use.
Breakthrough status for Allergan’s antidepressant
Allergan’s experimental drug rapastinel has picked up a breakthrough therapy award in the US as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder.
US clears Merck’s hepatitis C combo pill Zepatier
Merck & Co’s once-daily, single pill, fixed-combination hepatitis C drug Zepatier has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration for patients with genotype 1 and 4 infections.
Novartis hits out at CDF closure
Novartis has criticised the current state of drug access in the UK after its melanoma combination of Tafinlar and Mekinist launched in the country, but is still unavailable to patients while the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) is closed to new medicines.
UK regulation of illegal drug marketing may need strengthening
Researchers are suggesting the introduction of tougher investigations into off-label marketing practices by pharma companies, as the current system seems to be largely picking up only those cases with the most visible promotional activities.
FDA OKs first drug to show survival benefit in liposarcoma
US regulators have approved Eisai’s chemotherapy Halaven as a treatment for liposarcoma, offering patients access to the first therapy shown to offer a survival benefit.
Europe widens scope of Lilly’s cancer drug Cyramza
The European Commission has green-lighted the use of Eli Lilly’s Cyramza as a treatment for patients with a certain type of lung cancer, as well as for some patients with colorectal cancer.
EU expands use of BMS’ hepatitis drug Daklinza
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Daklinza has been cleared in Europe for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in three new difficult-to-treat patient populations.
NHS failing on diabetes care provision, audit finds
The latest national diabetes audit has revealed that the number of people with the condition receiving the whole suite of recommended annual health checks has fallen to its lowest ever level.
MSD licenses experimental drug from CRT
Cancer Research Technology has sealed a deal with MSD to develop new treatments targeting blood disorders and cancer.
US breakthrough status for AstraZeneca, AbbVie drugs
AstraZeneca’s Lynparza has picked up a breakthrough designation in the US as a monotherapy for certain forms of prostate cancer.
US priority review for Merck’s C. difficile antitoxin
US regulators have agreed to review an experimental antitoxin being developed by Merck & Co to prevent recurrence of the superbug Clostridium difficile.
Novartis unveils Alcon revamp as sales decline
Novartis has announced plans to re-organise its eye unit Alcon in order to secure future growth and lift the company’s profit.
Johnson & Johnson 2015 sales miss the mark
Johnson & Johnson has reported Q4 and full year financial results for 2015 slightly below expectations.
