September 2015

GE Healthcare announced that the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has removed the compound ioflupane I 123 from the schedules of the Controlled Substance Act, which has resulted in the descheduling of DaTscan™ (Ioflupane I 123 Injection). DaTscan is the FDA-approved imaging agent which provides an assessment of the integrity of the striatal dopaminergic system via the dopamine transporter to help physicians determine whether patients have essential tremor (ET) or a parkinsonian syndrome (PS) movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). The action may help ensure that more healthcare providers and patients with a suspected PS or ET across the United States will have access to imaging with this agent.

ERYTECH Pharma, the French biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative ‘tumor starvation’ treatments for acute leukemia and other oncology indications with unmet medical needs, received a new patent in the United States.

If  you want to remain fit and healthy, try to go for frequent breaks from prolonged sitting at workplace or home. Researchers from King's College London have shown that increasing the levels of physical activity is likely to be much less effective at reducing prolonged sitting than directly attempting to decrease sitting time. The paper appeared in the journal Health Psychology Review.

Pfizer, a Rs. 1,800 crore plus Indian subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. USA, has entered into a business transfer agreement for the transfer of the company’s business at the Thane plant to Vidhi Research and Development LLP for Rs. 178 crore. Upon the conclusion of the BTA, all current workmen at the plant shall be transferred to the buyer so as to facilitate manufacturing operations.

GE Healthcare, the $18 billion healthcare technology division of GE, created a new business unit, Sustainable Healthcare Solutions (SHS), that will develop high-value, low-cost technologies and healthcare delivery solutions across multiple care settings.

New study revealed that  there is a clear link between kidney stones in children and thickened or hardened arteries. The study is published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Akorn, Inc., a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, has launched doxercalciferol injection solution, 4 mcg/2 ml in 2ml single-use vials. Akorn's product is therapeutically equivalent to Hectorol injection, marketed by Genzyme Corporation.

A panel of experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Medical Devices Advisory Committee discussed considerations to help ensure the continued safe and appropriate use of Essure® permanent birth control. While there was agreement among the Panel members that Essure is an important contraceptive option, the Panel provided input and guidance for the FDA and Bayer to consider. Based on information presented during this meeting, the Advisory Panel discussed a number of considerations including clinical research, patient education and counseling. The Panel also discussed training and certification of physicians; and post-procedural patient management including removal of the device.