Content about Pulmonology

May 31, 2011

Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have discovered the reason why influenza may induce asthma attacks among children.

BOSTON — Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have discovered the reason why influenza may induce asthma attacks among children.

A team led by senior investigator Dale Umets found that the flu can activate a newly recognized group of immune cells called natural helper cells, which prompts asthma attacks to occur. An infection, the team found, stimulates production of a compound called IL-33, which activates natural helper cells, which in turn secrete asthma-inducing compounds.

May 25, 2011

Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that patients with diabetes are at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, a deadly bacterial disease, than nondiabetics.

NEW YORK — Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that patients with diabetes are at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, a deadly bacterial disease, than nondiabetics.

The study investigators discovered among 233 patients that were diagnosed with TB between March 2006 and March 2008 — which included 61 patients in southern Texas and 172 in northeastern Mexico — 25% of TB cases were attributed to the presence of diabetes, while 6% of TB cases were caused by HIV.

May 17, 2011

An investigational drug made by InterMune improved breathing in patients with a rare and fatal lung disease, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial published online in The Lancet last week.

BRISBANE, Calif. — An investigational drug made by InterMune improved breathing in patients with a rare and fatal lung disease, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial published online in The Lancet last week.

InterMune is investigating the drug pirfenidone as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which affects more than 200,000 patients in the European Union and the United States combined. Only 20% of patients with IPF survive after five years.

May 11, 2011

Drug maker Perrigo has reached a licensing agreement with Nycomed US that will allow it to launch a generic treatment for dermatitis in 2012, the company said.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Drug maker Perrigo has reached a licensing agreement with Nycomed US that will allow it to launch a generic treatment for dermatitis in 2012, the company said.

Perrigo said it agreed to settle all Hatch-Waxman litigation relating to its generic version of Cutivate (fluticasone) lotion with Nycomed, allowing it to launch under a licensing agreement in September 2012.

Cutivate is used to treat dermatitis in patients ages 1 year and older and had sales of about $50 million during the 12-month period ended in February, according to Wolters Kluwer.

May 10, 2011

Patients with seasonal allergies are more likely to experience difficulty sleeping, according to results of a new survey conducted by Teva Respiratory.

HORSHAM, Pa. — Patients with seasonal allergies are more likely to experience difficulty sleeping, according to results of a new survey conducted by Teva Respiratory.

April 22, 2011

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday announced its CDC Flu App Challenge to identify innovative and creative uses of technology that would help raise awareness of influenza and/or educate consumers on ways to prevent and treat the flu. All told, the challenge will award up to $42,500 in prizes.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday announced its CDC Flu App Challenge to identify innovative and creative uses of technology that would help raise awareness of influenza and/or educate consumers on ways to prevent and treat the flu. All told, the challenge will award up to $42,500 in prizes.

The submission period runs through May 27; winners will be announced June 8.

April 20, 2011

Lysol, a Reckitt Benckiser brand, is looking to help allergy sufferers this spring.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Lysol, a Reckitt Benckiser brand, is looking to help allergy sufferers this spring.

The brand announced that it has tapped pediatrician and author Laura Jana, as well as Lysol microbiologist Joe Rubino, to help identify allergen triggers and ways to avoid them. The two star in Lysol's "Allergy-Proofing Your Home" video series, which can be viewed here.

April 18, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a drug made by Eli Lilly for treating a disease of the pancreas that often occurs in patients with cystic fibrosis, Lilly said.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a drug made by Eli Lilly for treating a disease of the pancreas that often occurs in patients with cystic fibrosis, Lilly said.

April 15, 2011

Whoever named the genus to which ragweed plants belong “ambrosia” had a terrific sense of irony. The name, derived from Greek, refers to the food of the gods, but the plant is more like punishment from the gods, considering that it’s the main culprit in seasonal allergies.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Whoever named the genus to which ragweed plants belong “ambrosia” had a terrific sense of irony. The name, derived from Greek, refers to the food of the gods, but the plant is more like punishment from the gods, considering that it’s the main culprit in seasonal allergies.

(THE NEWS: Allergy season to last longer this year. For the full story, click here)

April 12, 2011

The 2011 allergy season is expected to be 27 days longer in the northernmost parts of North America, adding almost a month of suffering to the typical pollen allergy season of February through October, a study published Tuesday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences determined.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 2011 allergy season is expected to be 27 days longer in the northernmost parts of North America, adding almost a month of suffering to the typical pollen allergy season of February through October, a study published Tuesday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences determined.

March 29, 2011

In a sneeze heard around the world, allergy season is afoot, but the country’s retail pharmacies are on call to help the estimated 60 million Americans whose sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and congestion will drive them to wit’s end this year.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — In a sneeze heard around the world, allergy season is afoot, but the country’s retail pharmacies are on call to help the estimated 60 million Americans whose sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and congestion will drive them to wit’s end this year.

March 24, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has extended its regulatory review period for Novartis' new drug application for its once-daily, long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, the drug maker said.

BASEL, Switzerland — The Food and Drug Administration has extended its regulatory review period for Novartis' new drug application for its once-daily, long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, the drug maker said.

March 22, 2011

Less than 20% of surveyed patients with nasal allergies find their symptoms are completely controlled over a one-week period of treatment, according to a survey performed by drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

SAN FRANCISCO — Less than 20% of surveyed patients with nasal allergies find their symptoms are completely controlled over a one-week period of treatment, according to a survey performed by drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

March 4, 2011

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — Pollen.com and Weather Trends International last month teamed together on a new forecast tool for allergy sufferers: a 28-day weather forecast by zip code to help people with allergies better plan when pollen levels are likely to be high in their area.

February 9, 2011

An investigational drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for treating allergies is safe and effective, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Wednesday.

JERUSALEM — An investigational drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for treating allergies is safe and effective, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Wednesday.

Teva said the phase-3 trial of the nasally inhaled drug Qnaze (beclomethasone dipropionate) showed that it significantly relieved symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis compared with placebo while demonstrating a similar safety profile.

January 27, 2011

Seniors of Hispanic descent are far less likely to become immunized against the flu or pneumonia, compared with white seniors, according to a new RAND study released earlier this week.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Seniors of Hispanic descent are far less likely to become immunized against the flu or pneumonia, compared with white seniors, according to a new RAND study released earlier this week.

Researchers found that Hispanic seniors who prefer speaking Spanish and live in such linguistically isolated communities as the Southeast are least likely to be immunized.

January 24, 2011

As many as 71% of cough-cold sufferers in search of decongestant relief oppose a prescription requirement for pseudoephedrine, according to a survey commissioned by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released Monday.

WASHINGTON — As many as 71% of cough-cold sufferers in search of decongestant relief oppose a prescription requirement for pseudoephedrine, according to a survey commissioned by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released Monday.

January 20, 2011

Mylan subsidiary Dey Pharma has launched a mobile application for patients at risk of severe allergic reactions, which is tied to its EpiPen product.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Mylan subsidiary Dey Pharma has launched a mobile application for patients at risk of severe allergic reactions, which is tied to its EpiPen product.

The MyEpiPen app is available for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, and allows individuals, parents, guardians and others to create and share profiles of severe allergies with friends, family, teachers, school nurses, babysitters and others. Other features include an instructional video, user guide and others.

November 15, 2010

An investigative treatment for allergies made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries appears to work, according to...

JERUSALEM — An investigative treatment for allergies made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries appears to work, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Monday.

 

Teva said phase-3 data from a study of Qnaze HFA (beclomethasone dipropionate), designed to be inhaled through the nose, was effective in treating patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, while safety results were similar to those for placebo. Data from the study were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in Phoenix.

November 14, 2010

Most patients with mild persistent asthma overuse a drug combination despite an apparent lack of...

PHOENIX — Most patients with mild persistent asthma overuse a drug combination despite an apparent lack of added medical benefit, according to a new study by pharmacy benefit manager Medco.

November 7, 2010

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced on Monday that it will partner with CVS/pharmacy and Warner...

October 31, 2010

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for bacterial infections made by...

NEW YORK The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for bacterial infections made by Forest Labs, Forest said.

The drug maker announced the approval of Teflaro (ceftaroline fosamil) for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection, also known as ABSSSI, caused by bacteria that include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureaus.

October 26, 2010

Drug maker Pharmaxis got promising results from an investigative treatment for cystic fibrosis, the company...

BALTIMORE Drug maker Pharmaxis got promising results from an investigative treatment for cystic fibrosis, the company said.

 

Pharmaxis announced results of two six-month phase-3 trials of 643 patients receiving Bronchitol (mannitol), which the company presented last week at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Baltimore.

 

 

October 3, 2010

The Food and Drug Administration has awarded almost $3 million for tuberculosis research, the agency...

August 31, 2010

Bausch & Lomb on Wednesday launched its advertising campaign for Alaway, the 12-hour eye itch...