Genentech Withdraws Psoriasis Drug Linked to Brain Infections - Bloomberg.com

Genentech Withdraws Psoriasis Drug Linked to Brain Infections - Bloomberg.com: "Genentech Inc. began pulling its psoriasis treatment Raptiva from the U.S. market because of the drug’s link to a rare, fatal brain disorder that has troubled at least four other medicines." [Bloomberg.com]

Psoriasis Drug Raptiva Pulled From U.S. Market - Forbes.com

Psoriasis Drug Raptiva Pulled From U.S. Market - Forbes.com: "The troubled psoriasis drug Raptiva is being withdrawn from the U.S. market, California-based drug maker Genentech ( DNA - news - people ) announced Wednesday.

The move comes almost two months after U.S. health officials issued a public health advisory on the drug after confirming a link to a rare, sometimes fatal brain infection." [Forbes]

Raptiva is withdrawn from the U.S. market - UPI.com

Raptiva is withdrawn from the U.S. market - UPI.com: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Genentech Inc. (NYSE:DNA) is withdrawing the psoriasis drug Raptiva and it will no longer be available in the United States.

The FDA said the company is taking the action because of a potential risk of patients developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy -- a rare, serious, progressive neurologic disease caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system." [UPI]

Genentech Starts Pulling Back Psoriasis Drug - NYTimes.com

Genentech Starts Pulling Back Psoriasis Drug - NYTimes.com: "Genentech announced on Wednesday a phased voluntary withdrawal of the psoriasis drug Raptiva from the United States because of a link to a brain infection.

Raptiva has been associated with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare and usually fatal disease of the central nervous system." [NYT]

Supreme Court Backs Amputee In Drug Suit - CBS News

Supreme Court Backs Amputee In Drug Suit - CBS News: "The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a $6.7 million jury award to a musician who lost her arm because of a botched injection of an anti-nausea medication. The court brushed away a plea that it limit lawsuits against drug makers." [CBS News]

When Good Medicines Become Bad Drugs

When Good Medicines Become Bad Drugs: "Pain can cause low self-esteem, depression and anger, and it can interfere with daily activities.
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For the millions of Americans who live with pain that is moderate-to-severe in intensity, prescription opioid pain medicines may be an important treatment option. However, when these medicines get into the hands of those without a prescription, they can be as dangerous as street drugs."

A dangerous monopoly - Las Vegas Sun

A dangerous monopoly - Las Vegas Sun: "It is estimated one of every two Americans takes a prescription drug every day. This means half the country’s population is dependent on Asian workers for their medications.

This is because the manufacture of active ingredients for everything from allergy pills to antibiotics, once a thriving industry in the United States, has been almost totally outsourced to Asia — mostly to China — for the usual reasons."

Be wary of Internet prescription drug sites | NewsChief.com | News Chief | Winter Haven, FL

Be wary of Internet prescription drug sites | NewsChief.com | News Chief | Winter Haven, FL: "It has been said that anything can be bought over the Internet. The Internet has truly changed the way people not only shop in the United States but how they work and live. The Internet has made it possible to compare prices without even leaving your home. Unfortunately, not everything sold on the Internet is what it seems to be.

Anyone who is even considering buying medications over the Internet should re-consider the simple fact that Web sites that sell medications may not be U.S.-or state-licensed pharmacies. In fact, some are not pharmacies at all." [NewsChief]

VOA News - Study: Elderly at Risk for Dangerous Drug Interactions

VOA News - Study: Elderly at Risk for Dangerous Drug Interactions: "A recent study has highlighted the danger of combining prescription medicines with over-the-counter drugs and vitamins. The study was based on a survey of 3,000 middle aged and elderly patients in the U.S. Researchers found one in 25 people were at risk for dangerous complications." [VOA]