Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, calls, and the like has, of course, returned. The world, after all, keeps spinning, yes? Not surprisingly, our response is to fire up the coffee kettle and prepare a few cups of stimulation. Feel free to join us. Remember, no prescription is required, so no mysterious rebates are involved. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to help you along. Hope your day is smashing and do stay in touch. …
The Japanese health ministry warned that the Lilly (LLY) breast cancer drug called Verzenio is suspected of adversely affecting the lungs after 14 patients developed a serious lung disease, The Japan Times reports. The drug is suspected of causing the side effects in at least four of the 14 cases, including one fatality. The drug received Japanese clearance last September and debuted in November. The number of patients in Japan who have used the oral drug since its release is estimated at around 2,000.
Numerous proposals for reducing drug costs are swirling around Congress, the White House, and the Department of Health and Human Services, but only a few merit attention outside the Beltway, BioCentury says. Eliminating ideas that are unlikely to be put into effect as well as those that will have minor impacts yields a list of 10 initiatives that could have substantial impacts on drug makers. And they are a mixed bag, with some having the potential to cut into drug sales and others boosting revenues.
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