By foxnews.com
TRENTON, N.J. — The first pain patch using an anti-inflammatory drug to relieve acute sprains and strains is now available in the U.S. and is intended to produce fewer side effects than similar pills, maker Alpharma Inc. said Wednesday.
The Flector patch contains 180 milligrams of diclofenac, one of the world’s most widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. As a pill, diclofenac is sold under the brand name Voltaren.
The Flector patch, now available by prescription in drugstores across the United States, measures about 4 inches by 5 1/2 inches and is meant for short-term use.
The side effects of anti-inflammatory pills — upset stomach, nausea and potentially dangerous stomach bleeding and ulcers — are reduced with the patch because its puts less pain reliever into bloodstream, Bridgewater, N.J.-based Alpharma Inc. said.
5 Children Died From Wrong Use of Tussionex
March 9, 2008
From Reuters
The Belgian pharmaceutical group UCB SA has proposed a stronger warning for its prescription cough medicine Tussionex following reports that five young children died, a company spokesman said on Friday.
Five deaths have been reported among children under 6 who took the medicine since its approval in 1987, UCB spokesman Eric Miller said. The drug, known as Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension, is approved only for adults and children age six and older.
The prescribing information for doctors specifically says it should not be used in children younger than 6. Miller said the company felt that information should be strengthened and proposed new language to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
From the AP
Drug makers increased their prices last year by an average of 7.4 percent for brand-name medicines most commonly prescribed to the elderly, according to the advocacy group AARP.
The increase was about 2.5 times overall inflation, continuing a long-standing trend.
The advocacy group has tracked drug prices going back to 2002. Specifically, it looks at the prices charged to wholesalers. It noted that the price increases have been slightly greater since the Medicare drug benefit kicked in Jan. 1, 2006.
