The Restatement (Third) of Torts: Products Liability: the ALI's cure for prescription drug design liability.
"It has not been a well-kept secret. Anyone familiar with the law of products liability knows that [the Restatement (Second)] is out of date and requires revision." (1) "We conclude that [the Restatement (Third)] has no basis in the case law ... Accordingly, we do not adopt...

Epilepsy drugs draw industry defense.
Drug companies are scrambling to try to convince FDA not to add warnings for suicidal behavior risks to a large class of epilepsy drugs also used widely for a variety of other conditions, "The Wall Street Journal" reported June 4. On June 1, at a closed meeting...

Anemia drugs may speed growth of cancer.
According to new studies, drugs used widely to treat anemia in cancer patients may actually speed progression of the cancer in certain individuals, "The Washington Post" reported June 2. Recent controversy over erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) such as Procrit, Epogen and Aranesp has centered on whether the blood-boosting...

Bristol-Myers spins off device unit for $4.1 billion.
New York, NY-based drug company Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. is selling its wound therapy and surgical care unit for $4.1 billion to two private equity firms. The company will sell its ConvaTec division to Nordic Capital and Avista Capital Partners. Proceeds from the sale will help fund Bristol-Myers'...

Generic fluorouracil cream halted.
Spear Pharmaceuticals Inc. has agreed to at least temporarily cease sales, marketing, and shipment of a generic fluorouracil cream 5%. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, which makes the brand Efudex cream 5%, sued the FDA to challenge the agency's denial of Valeant's citizen's petition. The petition challenged the agency's approval of...

Angiotech's Q1 revenues rise as net loss grows.
Flat revenues and complications with the testing of an implantable device for hemodialysis patients led to a $3.9 million first-quarter loss at Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc., a drug and medical device manufacturer. The Vancouver, British Columbia-based company reported revenues of $76.6 million, an anemic 1.7% rise over the...

The virtual drugstore: how online and other digital media are transforming the pharmaceutical industry into a thriving DR marketing arena for both large and niche companies.
Pharmaceutical companies are projected to generate $10.6 billion in sales through direct marketing in 2008. That number is expected to reach as much as $15.2 billion by 2012, according to a study from the Direct Marketing Association (DMA). In recent years, DR marketing has become essential to...

Medicinal plants face extinction.
Many of the world's important medicinal plants are on the brink of extinction. A team representing botanic gardens across 120 countries identified 400 plants used for medicinal purposes that are at risk of extinction. Those most at risk include the yew tree (the bark of which forms the basis...

Joint FDA-EMEA effort seen yielding extra safety data for drug approval.
FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) will allow drug companies to submit a single application to each agency with the results of seven new tests that evaluate kidney damage during animal studies of new drugs. Announcing the details June 12, FDA said the tests measure the...

Sexual and emotional health in men.
A pilot study of 20 males was conducted with a sample of healthy males selected for normal characteristics. Each was administered an 8-week trial of a supplement using natural nutrients and pro-hormones. Success was measured along a number of scales of independent variables to determine an overall improvement in...