Category Archives: Drugs

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/qtjwft/ophthalmology_drug) has announced the addition of the "Ophthalmology Drugs And Devices (Diagnostic & Surgical) Market - Current Trends, Global Forecasts & Pipeline Analysis to 2017" report to their offering. The global ophthalmology market witnessed a dip during the economic downturn in 2008 and 2009; however, it is poised to grow at a stable rate mainly due to an increasing aging population, large pool of patients with eye diseases, changing demographics and geographical trends, and increased focus on combination therapies of drugs. Moreover, incidences of glaucoma and cataract are increasing every year. Cataract is responsible for 48% of the population becoming totally blind. In addition, more than 60 million people suffer from glaucoma and this number is expected to reach 80 million by 2020. An increasing aging population is also resulting in more people suffering from refractive errors. It is estimated that in the U.S. and Europe, refractive errors affect more than 30% of the population aged 40 or older. However, the economic slowdown and drying pipeline of ophthalmology drugs is restricting the market. The ophthalmology drugs and devices market is divided into four major segments, namely, surgical devices, diagnostic and monitoring devices, vision care, and … Continue reading →

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- No alcohol or illegal drugs were found in Junior Seau's system when he shot and killed himself at his home in May, authorities said Monday. The full autopsy results were released by the San Diego County medical examiner's office in a 16-page report for the former NFL linebacker who was found by his girlfriend with a single gunshot wound to his chest. Seau did have Zolpidem, often found in the sleeping aid Ambien, and traces of the anti-inflammatory drug naproxen in his system when he died that were "consistent with therapeutic use," wrote Deputy Medical Examiner Craig Nelson. The autopsy showed no underlying hemorrhaging or contusions on Seau's brain, which appeared to be normal. His family has donated some of his brain tissue for research amid questions about whether any damage from his 20-year football career played some factor in his suicide. Questions remain about why Seau, 43, decided to kill himself on May 2 at his suburban Oceanside home. No suicide note was found, according to the autopsy report, and family and friends said Seau didn't appear distraught or depressed. Investigators said the gun Seau used to kill himself was an unregistered .357-caliber revolver that … Continue reading →

On Wednesday, the Indian Supreme Court will hear a landmark case that could limit Indian companies right to make inexpensive generic drugs. Indias rising global presenceis often associated with its booming tech sector.But in many poor countries, Indias role is that of a low-cost pharmacy. The country has become a leading supplier of affordable HIV/AIDS andTuberculosismedications and is the second leading provider of medicines distributed by UNICEF in the developing world.This, however, may change. On Wednesday, the Indian Supreme Court is set to hear a landmark patent case that could limit Indian companies right to make inexpensive copies of pricey drugs developed and patented in the U.S. and Europe.The high-profile case the first of its kind to reach Indias highest court has created a sharp divide between defenders of intellectual property rights, who demand that India do more to protect patented drugs developed in the West, and international aid groups who say excessive pharmaceutical patenting stifles generic competition that makes life-saving medication accessible to patients around the world. This case is key because the scaling up AIDS treatment around the world has come from Indian made medicines, says Leena Menghaney, manager of Doctors without Borders access to medicines campaign in … Continue reading →

DALLAS, Texas, August 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- RnRMarketResearch.com adds a new market research report "Global Markets for Asthma & COPD Drugs" to its store. This report projects a five-year CAGR of 4.4% for the Global Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Drugs market. The global market for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prescription drugs was valued at $34.9 billion in 2011. This figure is projected to reach $38 billion in 2012 and $47.1 billion in 2017, increasing at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. Other highlights in this report on Asthma and COPD drugs market include: STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES This study is intended to provide readers with an understanding of the global market for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prescription drugs. The study outlines the industry structure, competitive aspects, current developments, and future trends in the market, to assist in identifying areas of commercial interest and potential in the asthma and COPD indications. The objectives of the study include the assessment of current market status, the analysis of marketed drugs, market revenues, company shares, unmet market needs, market challenges, and future trends. Future market revenues are forecast for the global market, major … Continue reading →

Published: Aug. 20, 2012 at 8:55 PM SAN DIEGO, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau had no illicit drugs or alcohol in his system before his May 2 suicide, officials said Monday. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office indicated in an autopsy report that a toxicology screening revealed only traces of commonly prescribed medications for sleeping disorders and arthritic pain, U-T San Diego reported. "No alcohol, common drugs of abuse or other medications (base and acid/neutral screens) were detected," the report said. "Based on the autopsy finding and the circumstances surrounding the death, as currently understood, the cause of death is perforating gunshot wound of chest, and the manner of death is suicide," Deputy Medical Examiner Craig Nelson said in the report. Seau, 43, played 17 years in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl a dozen times. He was drafted by the Chargers in 1990 out of the University of Southern California and played in San Diego through 2003. Some have speculated repeated blows to his head during his 20-year NFL career could have been a contributing factor, and his brain tissue was sent to the National Institutes of Health at the request … Continue reading →

Counterfeit drugs appear to be all the rage. For some time there have been problems with counterfeit antimalarials, as I learned when I studied in Bangkok at the Asian Tropical Medicine Course in 2006. The practice was common in Asia, causing serious problems with increasing resistance to antimalarials there, as well as in Africa, where counterfeit medications are rife. Malaria killed 781,000 in 2010. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 216 million cases of malaria in 2010; 81% of these were in the WHO African Region, with 91% of malaria deaths occurring there, primarily in children under 5 years of age (who comprise 86% of the victims) and pregnant women. Because of increasing resistance to the standard antimalarial, chloroquine, WHO had recommended use of artesunate containing products. These are made from Artemisia annua and are far more expensive, as the plant is relatively scarce. While efforts by both governmental and private sector institutions to eliminate counterfeiting have had some success, the problem is ongoing, and perhaps increasing. News of counterfeiting appears regularly. Last week about $182,000 worth of fake medicines for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer were seized in China, and almost 2,000 people were arrested. … Continue reading →

20 August 2012 Last updated at 03:33 ET Some councillors in Llanelli claim Carmartheshire council is turning parts of the town into a "dumping ground" for ex-offenders and drug addicts. Local residents in Tyisha and Glanymor wards live in fear of anti-social behaviour and community spirit is at an all time low, they add. Dyfed Powys Police say steps are being taken to tackle the drug problems. The council says it has never intentionally housed drug addicts in either ward. Councillors spoke of their concerns to the BBC Radio Cymru's Post Cyntaf programme. "Things have got worse over the years, because of the effects of drugs on things like crime, and anti-social behaviour," said councillor Roger Price. It's the main subject of conversation amongst local people - things like needles being found, gangs on the streets "It's the main subject of conversation amongst local people - things like needles being found, gangs on the streets." Mr Price said the feeling was that the south of the town had become a "dumping ground". Continued here: Town drugs 'dumping ground' claim … Continue reading →

A Philadelphia man arrested for allegedly carrying a disassembled assault rifle, loaded pistol, knife, and drugs aboard the northbound Broad Street Subway was held for trial Friday on weapons and drug charges. Jermal Ponds, 28, was ordered to stand trial during a brief preliminary hearing before Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Frank T. Brady after a police narcotics officer said the drugs, guns, packaging bags, and $712 in cash Ponds had with him on July 31 were consistent with someone who sells illegal drugs. Ponds, of Cedarbrook, remains in custody on $200,000 bail. Defense attorney Michael Coard argued that the drugs taken from Ponds - 22 pills of the narcotic painkiller Percocet and seven packets of marijuana - could easily be for personal use, not resale. Coard also told Brady that Ponds legally bought the AK-47 rifle and .38-caliber pistol, though he conceded Ponds did not have a permit to carry a concealed firearm. Coard said Ponds did not resist arrest and voluntarily made a statement. After the hearing, Coard called the charges "a lot less than it seems. This was not a situation of a dangerous gunman on the train." Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline McCauley argued that the evidence against … Continue reading →

17 August 2012 Last updated at 09:49 ET A Suffolk drugs treatment charity says it has received a donation of 106,000 as a result of a Russell Brand television documentary. Focus 12, which is based in Bury St Edmunds, was featured in Addiction To Recovery on BBC Three on Thursday. The charity said it was reliant donations to help meet the 500,000 a year cost of running its centre. Local firm Chevington Finance & Leasing said it was inspired by the programme to provide the new funding. Russell Brand credits the charity with helping him end his heroin addiction. The business is donating a one-off 10,000, followed by 2,000 every month for four years. Chief executive Chip Somers, who featured in the comedian's documentary, said: "We got an incredible phone call almost the moment we opened this morning. "Raising funds for a recovery charity has never been harder, every day is a struggle to keep afloat and we are very grateful to Chevington for their intervention. "Having that money coming in regularly over four years allows us to really balance the cash flow and plan ahead." Continued here: Brand inspires drugs rehab gift … Continue reading →

Michael J. Fox is planning a return to series TV, more than a decade after he left to concentrate on fighting Parkinson's disease. The actor, who first gained fame in the 1980s sitcom "Family Ties" and later headlined "Spin City," will star in a comedy that's in development at Sony Pictures Television for 2013, according to people with knowledge of the project. The people, who lacked authority to publicly discuss the matter, spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity. The project has drawn strong interest from the major networks, they said. The actor's publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sony declined comment. Fox, 51, who starred in the hit "Back to the Future" movie franchise, is working with Will Gluck, director of the film "Easy A," and writer Sam Laybourne, whose credits include "Cougar Town" and "Arrested Development," the people said. The actor, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, left "Spin City" in 2000 and said he intended to focus on helping find a cure for the disease. He started a foundation, which bears his name, to fund research toward that goal. Although he reduced his workload because of Parkinson's, Fox has made guest appearances … Continue reading →