Drug Research and Technology update :

Here are some updates on drug research and technology from my reading-

FDA Approves Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Fluarix for Pediatric Use:

The USFDA has reportedly approved use of the seasonal influenza vaccine Fluarix for children ages 3 years to 17 years. Previously, this vaccine, which contains inactivated (killed) influenza A and B viruses, had been approved for use in adults, ages 18 years and older.

The safety and effectiveness of Fluarix for use in children ages 3 years and older has been documented in a U.S. study comparing 2,115 children who received Fluarix with 1,210 children who received Fluzone, a different influenza vaccine already licensed by the FDA for use in children ages 6 months and older.

Study results showed that children 3 years and older vaccinated with Fluarix and Fluzone produced similar amounts of antibodies in the blood at levels considered likely to be protective against seasonal influenza.

Fluarix is a seasonal influenza vaccine not intended to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

Further information is available at-

http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-seasonal-influenza-vaccine-fluarix-pediatric-use-1695.html

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Votrient (pazopanib), the sixth drug to be approved for kidney cancer since 2005 :

Votrient is an oral medication that interferes with angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels needed for solid tumors to grow and survive. Votrient is intended for people with advanced renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer in which the cancerous cells are found in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney. In 2009, approximately 49,000 people were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and 11,000 people died from the disease.

FDA approves expanded indication for Micardis:

The USFDA has expanded the indication for the antihypertension drug telmisartan (Micardis), making it the first angiotensin receptor blocker approved for primary prevention in high-risk patients unable to take an ACE inhibitor. The expanded indication follows the recommendations of the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee advisory panel that met earlier this summer to discuss the new indication. That panel voted unanimously against expanding the indication for all high-risk patients and instead focused on those intolerant to an ACE inhibitor, namely ramipril. The FDA also granted new approval for Twynsta, a drug product containing telmisartan and amlodipine in combination.

Disclaimer : The above information has been cited from literature in public domain. This is for research purpose/ dissemination of knowledge only and should not be construed as medical advise.