The FDA wants you!

The Food and Drug Administration, acting on a law signed by President Obama in 2012, has launched the third phase of an initiative to increase patient participation in the regulation of drugs and medical devices. On a Wednesday in April, the agency went live with a new website aimed at demystifying the regulatory process for consumers and patient advocates.

Diclegis: A new option for morning sickness management

When the FDA approved Duchesnay USA’s Diclegis for morning sickness a few weeks ago, the drug became the only product available that was developed specifically for the treatment of nausea and vomiting that occurs during pregnancy, or NVP, in decades.  Bendectin was on the market thirty years ago to treat NVP, but was taken off the market after the drug was linked to hundreds of lawsuits claiming that Bendectin caused birth defects, however, this turned out to be a false alarm. In 1983, the company voluntarily withdrew Bendectin.

Medscape Lifestyle Report explores physician burnout

Drug marketers seeking out physicians may want to consider how burned out doctors may
feel. Physicians are asked to see more patients on a limited schedule, which can lead to a hamster-on-the-wheel atmosphere. The 2013 Medscape Lifestyle Report identifies two in five of the nation’s doctors are burned out. The differences in burnout varied among specialties. In addition, health laws, private insurers, and employers will place greater demands on healthcare professionals to improve the quality of medical care and cutting costs.