Byetta :FDA OKs Lizard-Derived Shot for Diabetes

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/29/AR2005042900787_pf.html

Congrats to Amylin Pharma and their team for achieving approval from FDA.
only 9-10 months after the trial results were released.
A drug which is a brand new class mimics incretin and slows gastric emptying and absorption of blood sugar. A tribute to private enterprise to develop a novel new compound with unique properties. You can use this instead of Insulin in Type 2 diabetics. Only problem is if you dont want to inject Insulin, why would you want to inject something with 44 % chance of causing nausea. I expect this to be more expensive than atleast older Insulins and Lantus.
I doubt this is going to be a hit. Its going down like STARLIX and PRANDIN !!!
Lets just applaud the success of mankind against Diabetes.

What is Lunesta?

"LunestaTM (eszopiclone) is a new prescription sleep aid that can give you and your restless mind the sleep you need. Lunesta is the first and only prescription sleep aid approved for long-term use" Its availabe in 3 doses. 1,2,3 mg http://www.lunesta.com/

drugstore.com http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/drugindex/rxsearch.asp?search=lunesta has all 3 doses priced at $98.99 for 30 days.
$ 3.30 for a good night sleep !!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like a good safe drug. If clinical experience is good and turns out to be a safe drug.
It should go OTC like PRILOSEC n CLARITIN in next few years !!!!!!!!!

Herceptin Shows Benefits in Early Stage Breast Cancer

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Herceptin_Shows_Benefits_in_Early_Stage_Breast_Cancer.asp

"Genentech said it would approach the US Food and Drug Administration about approving Herceptin for use in early stage breast cancer patients"

A truly great results for this drug and Breast Cancer patients. FDA would take its sweet time to review the findings and go through bureaucratic motions. Since drug is already being marketed for late stage cancer, I am sure Oncologist would start prescribing Herceptin for patients with Early Stage cancer. Call your Oncologist !!!

Patients Who Ask Doc for Drugs Get Them

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,154697,00.html

This is a really deceptive study.
Biggest flaw with study is that Diagnosis of Depression is based on subjective symptoms. There is no objectivity to diagnosis . If you tell a doctor that you are depressed and its affecting your sleeping and eating and you are tired and lack motivation for anything in life, you get the diagnosis of DEPRESSION. any of SSRIs are essentially standard of care. If a patient wants to take PAXIL one of 7-8 SSRIs, what the problem ? Its as simple as choosing any other consumer item.
Studies like these in media are bad for us and not Drug Industry advertising.

Welcome to Capitalist Doc Blog

I am a doctor who wants to practice medicine without interference from state and practice medicine in free world. This blog supports principles of free market capitalism in Health Care. Health care decisions and choices in hands of Individual and not groups like Congress , Employers and Insurers. I will be post comments on events in field of Health Care and explain that free market capitalism is only way to Quality Healthcare for all.
Please feel free to email your questions and comments.

Thanks for dropping by !