Seroquel in the US…Seroquel in the EU…

October 9th, 2009. By AbiK

I was reading Jane’s post on drug companies’ unethical marketing tactics and thinking about Seroquel. As Jane pointed out (and as is reported over at bloomberg.com yesterday), Seroquel’s manufacturer, Astra Zeneca,

“advised its sales force to promote the antipsychotic drug Seroquel as “weight neutral” four years after company research found “clinically significant” weight gains in users, internal documents show.”

Now, given this revelation, and given Seroquel’s reported link to increased risk of diabetes, one might question what’s going on over in the EU where a panel recently gave AstraZeneca the green light for the prevention of major depression recurrence.

In a quote from the company (businessweek.com, 9/29/09),

“Following this new indication, Seroquel and Seroquel XR are the only agents approved in the European Union to treat all phases of bipolar disorder acute depressive episodes, acute manic episodes and maintenance treatment to prevent recurrence of any mood event in bipolar disorder.”

Oh, and in case you forgot, an application for the same (ie, to treat major depressive disorder) has been pending in the US since being filed in February, 2008.

Makes you wonder if the two continents across the pond from one another ever speak to one another…

16 Days to File for Bextra, Celebrex Settlement

October 7th, 2009. By AbiK

I can’t get that Tai-Chi woman out of my head from the initial Celebrex ads way back when–remember those ads? Regardless, if you were buying Celebrex (or Bextra) back then, just a reminder…the deadline to file a claim (or opposition) for the Pfizer Bextra and Celebrex Settlement is October 23, 2009…16 days from now.

What’s the Bextra & Celebrex Settlement about?

The lawsuit claimed that Pfizer marketed Bextra and Celebrex as having more benefit than non-selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen (that you can find on drugstore and grocery store shelves), when such benefits had not been established. Additionally, the lawsuit claimed that Pfizer’s marketing of Bextra and Celebrex was inconsistent with their FDA-approved labels, and that these false marketing tactics made consumers pay more for Bextra and Celebrex than they might have been able to pay for OTC NSAIDs, or no medication at all.

The Bextra/Celebrex Settlement is $89 million, and will be paid out in the following manner: 70% to Third-Party Payors, and 30% to consumers.

Does the Bextra & Celebrex Settlement affect you?

If you paid for a Bextra or Celebrex prescription on or before July 29, 2005, you may be part of the class and eligible to file a claim. Read the rest of this entry »

CIGNA LINA disability screw-up nets $600k Settlement in California

October 7th, 2009. By AbiK

I may not agree with Steve Poizner on his views of California labor law, but when he gets it right on other things, I give him his due. The recent bad faith insurance settlement that the California Insurance Commissioner announced with Life Insurance Company of North America (aka LINA, and part of CIGNA) is one such time when he got it right. Here’s the general play by play…(click to end of post to find out if you qualify)

1. LINA Denies Disability Insurance Claims

During the period January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, LINA improperly handled disability insurance claims in violation of California state laws. Translation: folks filing for disability insurance during that time were denied benefits that they may have actually been eligible for…they got screwed.

2. California Department of Insurance Investigates LINA

This is where Poizner’s team comes into play. The CDI conducted an on-site examination of how LINA processed claims. That’s when the “gotcha!” moment occurred. Seems in some instances Read the rest of this entry »

10 High-Risk Foods…most right in your Produce Aisle

October 6th, 2009. By AbiK

Say it isn’t so! But alas, there’s a new study that’s been released by the Center for Science in the Public Interest—a nutrition advocacy group. According to the study, which reviewed data of foodborne illness outbreaks going back to 1990, the top 10 riskiest foods were responsible for more than 1,500 outbreaks, resulting in close to 50,000 reported illnesses. As CNNMoney.com reports today, the study lists these 10 foods as the riskiest in terms of foodborne illness outbreaks:

1. Leafy Greens
2. Eggs
3. Tuna
4. Oysters
5. Potatoes
6. Cheese
7. Ice Cream**
8. Tomatoes
9. Sprouts
10. Berries

The top culprits for foodborne illness are pathogens such as E.coli, Norovirus and Salmonella—resulting from food being either improperly washed, undercooked or not refrigerated properly.

**A bit surprised by this one? The culprit’s the eggs that are used—they may be undercooked, resulting in Salmonella contamination.

Drug Firms Continue to Practice Unethical Marketing

October 6th, 2009. By janem

What’s it going to take to make unscrupulous drug companies come clean? Now we have another drug scandal—this time it’s Seroquel. In 1997 Seroquel was approved by the FDA and at the same time, Study 15 showed that weight gain and diabetes were seen in study patients. But in its infinite wisdom, the FDA said it does not have the authority to place such studies in the public domain; instead the agency deemed the drug “safe and effective”. It’s mind-boggling how a drug company can manipulate a government agency and control publicly available research about their products.

Pharmaceutical companies are supposed to announce publicly when a clinical trial is underway and its goals, but according to a study by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, many tests are conducted without this disclosure and selective results—hiding the results of negative trials and only publishing studies that show their products in a positive light—is widespread. Read the rest of this entry »