Monthly Archives: January 2012

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire -01/31/12)- Biomerica, Inc. (OTC.BB: BMRA.OB - News) announced that it has launched a new patented Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) test to detect patients who are at risk of developing severe or fatal side effects if treated with the class of thiopurine drugs that includes azathioprine, mercaptopurine, and thioguanine. Thiopurine drugs suppress the immune system and are used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, leukemia and lymphoma, autoimmune diseases and skin disorders such as psoriasis and severe eczema. They are also used to treat organ transplant patients. The most commonly used thiopurine drug is called azathioprine. It is estimated that one in every 300 people lacks TPMT, which is an enzyme that helps remove thiopurine drugs from the body when they are present. Individuals who lack the TPMT enzyme can become severely or fatally ill if treated with normal doses of thiopurine drugs because toxic levels of the drug accumulate. "Currently the two main U.S. reference labs offering TMPT testing charge over $200 per sample. We expect that our test will allow any lab or hospital to lower what they charge for TPMT testing to less than $120 per sample, a 40% … Continue reading →

Posted by Shezad Malik MD JDJanuary 30, 2012 9:29 PM A product liability lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturers of the popular cardiac medication Plavix. The complaint filed against Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi Aventis, allege that the manufacturers of Plavix lied about the drug’s safety and effectiveness. The Plavix complaint was filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court in Illinois and alleges that Plavix caused the plaintiffs to suffer injuries, economic losses and medical costs because the companies provided inadequate warnings and falsely claimed that the popular blood thinner was more effective, and safer, than aspirin. Plavix (clopidogrel) is a blood thinner (anti platelet agent) that prevents blood platelets from sticking together to form clots. Plavix Injuries and Side Effects There is a growing number of Plavix lawsuits filed, in which plaintiffs allege that they suffered injuries as a result of their unnecessary use of Plavix, including gastrointestinal bleeding, severe ulcers, heart attacks, strokes and a blood disorder known as TTP, or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpora. Plavix cited by FDA for off label promotion Plaintiffs claim that the drug makers repeatedly overstated the safety and effectiveness of Plavix. Furthermore, they spotlight that the companies were repeatedly cited by the FDA … Continue reading →

Rooney Mara will replace Blake Lively in Steven Soderbergh's forthcoming prescription drugs drama 'Side Effects'. Rooney Mara has replaced Blake Lively in Steven Soderbergh's 'Side Effects'. The 26-year-old actress - who recently won an Oscar-nomination for her performance in 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' - will now play the leading role of Emily Hawkins in the movie about a woman with a prescription drug addiction, Deadline.com reports. Her problems increase when she is forced to come to terms with her husband being released from prison after three years, and she begins an affair with her doctor. Jude Law, Channing Tatum and Catherine Zeta-Jones are also set to star in the movie, which has been written by Scott Z. Burns. Greg Jacobs and Lorenzo di Bonaventura are producing the film, and shooting begins in April. The role will be Rooney's first major signing since appearing in the English language version of 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' alongside Daniel Craig. She was thought to be in line for a role in Kathryn Bigelow's movie about the death of Osama bin Laden, but could not sign on due to promotional work for 'Dragon Tattoo'. Read more: Rooney Mara - Rooney Mara Joins Side … Continue reading →