50% of Patients Seizure-Free After Trying First Anti-Seizure Drug By Salynn Boyles WebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD May 9, 2012 -- Half of all epilepsy patients who are initially started on one anti-seizure drug remain seizure-free for at least a year, a new study confirms. Among patients followed for as long as 26 years, initial response to drug treatments strongly predicted future seizure control. Yet less than 1% of patients who failed to respond to three anti-seizure drug regimens achieved adequate seizure control on subsequent drug treatments even though some were treated with as many as nine different drugs or drug combinations. The findings make it clear that epilepsy patients who are candidates for surgery or other non-drug treatments should be considered for these procedures earlier rather than later, says neurologist Patricia E. Penovich, MD, of the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Epilepsy Group in St. Paul. "These patients don't have to wait until they have failed five or six different drug regimens," she tells WebMD. "If their seizures are not controlled by the first few medications it is reasonable to consider surgery." Roughly 2.7 million Americans have epilepsy, and about 1 in 10 people … Continue reading →

NEW YORK, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: http://www.reportlinker.com/p0849622/Commercializing-Pancreatic-Cancer-Drugs-The-Faster-Route-to-Consider-Your-Options-and-Position-of-Others.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Drug_and_Medication This report will excel your competitive awareness and decrease your decision making time in managing pancreatic cancer drug development. Find out whether you are number one, two or further down the ladder in this highly competitive market. Locate the right drugs to benchmark against and see were others may have succeeded or failed before you. This report comprises defined and up to date development strategies for 247 pancreatic cancer drugs within the portfolio of 158 companies world-wide, from Ceased to Marketed. The report extensively analyses their 197 identified drug targets, organized into 163 drug target strategies, and assesses them in pancreatic cancer. BioSeeker has applied its unique drug assessment methodology to stratify the pancreatic cancer drug pipeline and discern the level of competition in fine detail. Major Findings from this report: * The identified competitive landscape of pancreatic cancer drugs is split between the half which have unique drug target strategies and the other half which have head-to-head target competing drugs in 37 different clusters. The latter has a competing ratio which is more than two times higher than … Continue reading →

11 May 2012 Last updated at 06:02 ET India has more than 10,500 drug makers with a domestic turnover of nearly $9bn. Yet, something is rotten with the way drugs are tested and sold in the country. A parliamentary panel investigation has found serious issues with the way approvals for foreign drugs are given and clinical trials are being carried out. Here are some of the startling findings: This is not all. The panel expresses concern over the continued sale of potentially harmful drugs in India years after such products were banned or withdrawn in developed countries and the prevalence of "sub-standard" - 7-8% of total sales - in the market. Is India condemned to becoming a dumping ground for drugs? PS: The government has now announced an investigation into the workings of India's main drug regulator, days after the panel's report. Three experts have been appointed to "look at the scientific basis of approving new drugs without clinical trials" and recommend ways of improving the way the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSO) works. One report says that global drug makers could also face new US scrutiny following this damning 78-page report. The rest is here: Is India a … Continue reading →

By Aruna Viswanatha WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Global drugmakers could face new U.S. scrutiny after a report from lawmakers in India alleged abuses in that country's drug approval process, lawyers familiar with such investigations said. A parliamentary panel on Wednesday said officials of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) had been colluding with pharmaceutical companies to speed up approval procedures, allowing some drugs that are not permitted in other countries to go on sale. The U.S. Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission are conducting extensive inquiries into nearly every major drug and medical device manufacturer for potential violations of a U.S. law that bars bribes to officials of foreign governments, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Many of those probes focus on accusations of bribery in emerging markets, such as China and Latin America, but dealings in India have yet to come under major scrutiny. "If the Indian parliament issued a report condemning practices, then I'm sure my clients will be getting calls from the DOJ pretty soon," said one lawyer who works with pharmaceutical companies on such investigations. The lawyer spoke on condition of anonymity, as did others who represent drugmakers in FCPA cases. Other experts familiar with … Continue reading →

Large dogs with police trainers walked through hallways and locker rooms at two Elgin middle schools Thursday, checking for drugs as part of School District U-46's random search program, which officials say serves as a deterrent to teenagers. As they sniffed along the lockers and floors at Abbott and Kimball middle schools, neither of the dogs indicated they smelled marijuana or other illegal drugs. About a year and a half ago, the Elgin-based district started random dog searches in its high schools after an increase in suspensions because of drugs, Safety Coordinator John Heiderscheidt said. This school year, middle schools were added to the rotation after officials noticed the same trend. Although actually finding drugs is rare, many times dogs indicate they smell drugs, which usually means the scent is on clothing inside a locker, Heiderscheidt said. If drugs are found, the student is disciplined and parents are called. Parents are also called if a dog just detects a smell, he said. "We know drug use is on the rise," Heiderscheidt said, adding that the district's data show most out-of-school suspensions are associated with drug use. If students know drugs could be detected in lockers or in the parking lot … Continue reading →

10 May 2012 Last updated at 08:53 ET By Jane Bradley and Rita Monjardino BBC News, London Evidence of illegal drugs being used by children as young as 14 attending supposedly "safe" all-night raves has been uncovered by a BBC London investigation. Let's Go Crazy (LGC) is a popular clubbing event which markets itself as a safe night out for over 16s where drugs will not be tolerated. It hires out venues across London for its all-night events. On its website Lets Go Crazy promises "unforgettable nights out for young people" and claims the "safety of our guests is our most important priority". It adds: "Under no circumstances will the possession or consumption of drugs be tolerated." The last LGC event was in April at The Coronet in Elephant and Castle, which finished at 05:30 BST. It was a sell out with about 2,400 teenagers attending. But secret filming by BBC London journalists who attended the night reveals apparent drug use among clubbers, many younger than 16, and evidence of teenagers offering to supply drugs. Two days before the event was due to take place, LGC announced there would be tighter security than at previous LGC events there. One of … Continue reading →