FDA Approves Expanded Uses for Gardasil to Include Preventing Certain Vulvar and Vaginal Cancers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of the vaccine Gardasil for the prevention of vaginal and vulvar cancer caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 in girls and women ages 9 to 26. These two HPV types cause 70 percent of cervical cancers, and are known to also cause some vulvar and vaginal cancers, but the percentages are not well defined.
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FDA Approves First Bone Marrow Stimulator to Treat Immune-Related Low Platelet Counts
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Nplate (romiplostim), the first product that directly stimulates the bone marrow to produce needed platelets in patients with a rare blood disorder that can lead to serious bleeding.
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European Medicines Agency recommends restricting the use of oral moxifloxacin-containing medicines
Finalising a review of the safety of moxifloxacin-containing medicines for oral use, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has concluded that these medicines should only be prescribed in the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia when other antibiotics cannot be used or have failed.
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EMEA recommendation on use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists during pregnancy
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended that the product information of all centrally authorised angiotensin II receptor antagonists be harmonised, regarding their use during pregnancy. Following a review of the safety of these medicines during pregnancy, the EMEA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), at its April 2008 meeting, recommended that the product information should state that the use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists should be avoided in the first three months of pregnancy.
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FDA Issues Alert on Tussionex, a Long-Acting Prescription Cough Medicine Containing Hydrocodone
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert today on the safe and correct use of Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension in response to numerous reports of adverse events - including death - associated with the misuse and inappropriate use of this potent cough medication.
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Wyeth Europa Ltd withdraws its marketing authorisation application for Pristiqs (desvenlafaxine)
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been formally notified by Wyeth Europa Ltd of its
decision to withdraw the application for a centralised marketing authorisation for the medicine Pristiqs
(desvenlafaxine) 50mg and 100mg prolonged release tablets.
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Actelion withdraws its application for an extension of indication for Zavesca
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been formally notified by Actelion of its decision to withdraw its application for an extension of indication for the centrally authorised medicine Zavesca (miglustat).
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