Scottish cost regulators have rejected National Health Service funding for Alimera Science’s eye implant Iluvien in patients with diabetic macular oedema, on grounds that it is too expensive.
News
US biopharma: “215 heart disease/stroke drugs now in R&D”
US biopharmaceutical companies are currently developing 215 new medicines for heart disease and stroke, according to new industry data.
Amgen’s Xgeva gets US nod for bone tumour
US regulators have given the green light for Amgen’s Xgeva in patients with a type of rare but not usually cancerous bone tumour.
ABPI demands more data from NHS
The ABPI is calling for the NHS to give it more data on the uptake and access to new medicines.
Amgen’s trebananib succeeds in PhIII for ovarian cancer
Amgen has reported positive top-line results from a late-stage study of its investigational ovarian cancer drug trebananib.
B-MS’ Orencia equal to Humira in head-to-head RA trial
Bristol-Myers Squibb has presented two-year data from a head-to-head study which show that its rheumatoid arthritis drug Orencia has comparable safety and efficacy to AbbVie’s blockbuster Humira.
Brand-name drugs pushing up US Medicare costs: survey
People with diabetes who are enrolled in the US federal Medicare health programme are two to three times more likely to use “expensive” brand-name drugs than diabetes patients who are treated within the Veterans Administration (VA) Healthcare System, new research shows.
GSK sacks China R&D chief over data fraud
Following an investigation, GlaxoSmithKline has dismissed Jingwu Zang, head of its R&D operations in China, and placed others on leave concerning allegations of misrepresentation of data in a research paper.
NICE yes for Novartis eye drug Jetrea
NICE has published new draft guidance recommending Novartis’ Jetrea for some patients with a rare eye condition.
RA patients need better education and disease management
As the European League Against Rheumatism congress kicks off in Madrid, a new survey highlights knowledge gaps between what patients know about rheumatoid arthritis and how they are managing their disease and paints a worrying picture of the situation in the UK.
Turkish pharma “needs inspection deal with EU”
A leading Turkish drug maker has called on the European Union (EU) to agree mutual inspection standards for Turkish-made pharmaceuticals destined for export to the EU, claiming that the currently lengthy inspection process for these products is undermining the development of the Turkish industry.
Less than 3% of UK Type I diabetics in clinical trials
A report is claiming that patients with type I diabetes living in the UK are being denied the opportunity to take part in clinical research.
NHS must avoid electoral tyranny, says outgoing chief Nicholson
Sir David Nicholson, outgoing chief executive of the NHS England, has called for a new strategy for the future of the NHS that will help it side-step electoral tyranny, instil a positive culture, and better weather media storms.
Questcor stock swells on Novartis drug buy
Questcor’s stock leapt nearly 40% during trading yesterday as investors welcomed its $135m-plus purchase of Novartis’ rival immune drug Synacthen.
Sanofi gets US thumbs-up for four-in-one flu vaccine
The US Food and Drug Association has approved Sanofi’s supplemental biologics license application for Fluzone Quadrivalent, which the company says is the first-and-only four-strain influenza vaccine for patients as young as six months of age.
