And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is exceedingly modest, however. We plan to hang with one of our short people, catch up on some reading, and check in on the Pharmalot ancestors. And what about you? Spring is now — finally — here, so you can start cleaning out your castle, manicuring the grounds, and, hopefully, enjoy some time in the great outdoors. Speaking of which, perhaps you want to check on the extent to which those of you situated near certain bodies of water may be affected by climate change, assuming you believe in that sort of thing. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …
President Trump’s ability to get his revised North American Free Trade Agreement through Congress may hinge on a little-noticed provision governing intellectual property protections for new medicines, the New York Times writes. Congressional Democrats have seized on measures in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that establishes protections for drug makers, saying they are a boon to the pharmaceutical industry and could undermine efforts to make American health care more affordable.
The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to physicians and patients about the increased mortality risk for multiple myeloma sufferers who may receive Venclexta, an AbbVie (ABBV) medicine, if they are participating in clinical studies. The move was prompted by data from a Phase 3 trial that on a preliminary basis showed an increased risk of death compared to the control group. The warning does not apply to patients taking the treatment for its approved indication, which is chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
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