Monday, April 30, 2012

Janumet, Byetta, and Januvia May Cause Pancreatitis & Pancreas Cancer


Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death for both men and women and is one of the most deadly of all types of cancer. This year approximately 45,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 38,000 will die from it.  Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose, and the diagnosis is often made late in the course of the disease.  Early detection of pancreatic cancer is essential and will greatly improve a person's chances of surviving the disease. 

The diabetes drugs, Januvia, Byetta, and Janumet may cause an increased risk of pancreatic cancer that have taken the diabetes drugs. As such, people that have taken Januvia, Byetta, and Janumet should be aware of the potential danger and be especially aware of the following symptoms: stomach pain, weight loss, dark urine and clay-colored stools, back pain, and jaundice.  Those taking Januvia, Byetta, and Janumet should seek advice from a qualified medical professional as to if they have any signs of pancreatic cancer, if these diabetes drugs are safe for them, and what symptoms they should be aware of to detect any early onset of pancreatic cancer.

The Diabetes Drug Market is Over $40 Billion Each Year and Growing Rapidly Januvia and Janumet had Annual Sales of $4.7 Billion in 2011

More than 300 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, including about 30 million Americans.  In 2010, the global prevalence of diabetes was estimated to have reached 285 million and predicted to reach 438 million in 2030. The corresponding figures for North America were 37.4 million in 2010 and 53.2 million by 2030 and in Europe 55.2 million in 2010 and 66.2 million in 2030.  The global market for products in the management of diabetes currently stands at $41 billion and is on pace to grow to over $114 billion by 2018. 
 
In 2011, Januvia annual sales rose 39%, to $3.3 billion, from $2.4 billion the year before and $1.9 in 2009. Januvia along with its sister drug Janumet (a combination of Januvia and metformin) has combined for sales of $4.7 billion for 2011.  Sales of Januvia and Merck’s Januvia (sitagliptin) is approved in all major markets and have outdone initial estimates for the drugs.  

Merck’s Januvia (sitagliptin) is approved in all major markets and is the first in a new class of diabetic drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.  It is approved by the FDA as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Pharmas to Feel Lure of Deals in China

Pharmas to feel lure of deals BEIJING - China's drug market is primed for "explosive growth," making companies there attractive targets for drugmakers that will soon lose patents on their most popular treatments, according to KPMG LLP. Products worth more than $30 billion will lose patent cover this year, leading more drugmakers to look into buying or joining with companies in China, the world's third-biggest drug market, according to a KPMG report released on Wednesday.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Chinese Authorities are Suspending Sales of 13 Types of Capsules

Probe Launched into Pill Makers' Practices 

"Authorities are suspending sales of 13 types of capsules with reported chromium contamination and are checking the factories accused of producing them.The State Food and Drug Administration issued an urgent notice on Sunday to suspend sales until safety is tested.Police in Xinchang county, Zhejiang province, where China's largest capsule-manufacturing base in Ru'ao township is located, detained 22 people from four capsule factories on Monday, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Meanwhile, the administration and local authorities conducted inspections on 43 capsule factories in the county, closing those exposed by a China Central Television investigation to have made empty capsules using gelatin containing excessive chromium and selling them to pharmaceutical companies."