February 2016

AstraZeneca announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorisation for ZurampicTM (lesinurad) 200mg in combination with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) for the adjunctive treatment of hyperuricemia in adult gout patients (with or without tophi) who have not achieved target serum uric acid (sUA) levels with an adequate dose of an XOI alone.

Mylan announced that its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for fluticasone propionate 100, 250, 500 mcg and salmeterol 50 mcg inhalation powder has been accepted for filing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Novartis announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to PKC412 (midostaurin). PKC412 (midostaurin) is an investigational treatment for adults with newly-diagnosed AML who are FLT3 mutation-positive, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who are eligible to receive standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy.

Spectrum announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") has accepted the EOquin® (apaziquone for intravesical instillation) New Drug Application (NDA) for review.

Installation of air purifiers can be an easy way to prevent respiratory problems caused by indoor air pollution, doctors say.According to doctors, air purifiers are becoming more reliable for people in cities because pollutants released indoors were 1,000 times more likely to reach the lungs than pollutants released outdoors.

Mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy put their children at the risk of impairment in kidney blood flow in adulthood and heightened neurological problems caused by a stroke, warns a study.

Commonly used chemotherapy toxins can impair the childhood cancer survivors' eye motor skills  the eyes' ability to follow moving objects, new research has found.

A total of 16,744 people died as a result of infectious diseases in China in 2015, official data revealed.In 2015, there were more than 6.4 million cases of infectious diseases reported, said the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Saturday ruled out the possibility of any increase in drug prices due to a hike in import taxes, and said medicines would be made available at cheaper rates.