Buy Protonix through the unique service that maximize your savings

Philadelphia Inquirer, The - Wyeth quarterly profit up 17%, yearly 10%

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:16:03 +0000

Wyeth's earnings jumped 17 percent in last year's fourth quarter and rose nearly 10 percent for all of 2007, the company said yesterday. But the Madison, N.J., firm projected an earnings drop of 1 percent to 5 percent in 2008, mostly from the impact of its heartburn medicine Protonix's facing generic competition.

Related Results

Protonix formulaProtonix approvalProtonix pushWyeth to sell generic ProtonixWyeth launches generic Protonix

Seven Wyeth products topped $1 billion in sales last year, including the antidepressant Effexor at $3.8 billion, and the children's vaccine Prevnar at $2.4 billion. Wyeth's half interest in the autoimmune-disease drug Enbrel brought in $2 billion, a 36 percent spike. But 2007 was also a year in which four new drugs were stalled by U.S. regulators. And the year saw the likely loss of patent exclusivity on Protonix, whose 2007 sales of $1.9 billion are expected to plummet. Wyeth this week launched its own generic version of Protonix, following a similar launch Dec. 21 by Teva Pharmaceuticals …

Read the full article with a Free Trial at MyWire.

Modern Healthcare - Other Voices.(Opinions)

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:21:02 +0000

“The marketplace Congress created for Medicare prescriptions is looking more like Neiman Marcus than Wal-Mart. Though the government has flooded the market with 43 million seniors, the group discount is, at best, pennies on the dollar. … Here’s one jarring example: The U.S. …

Related Results

Protonix formulaProtonix approvalProtonix pushWyeth to sell generic ProtonixWyeth launches generic Protonix

Read the rest of this article with a Free Trial at HighBeam Research.

Adverse Event Reporting News - Protonix I.V. for injection

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:56:03 +0000

PRECAUTIONS
Drug Interactions

Related Results

Protonix formulaProtonix approvalProtonix pushWyeth to sell generic ProtonixWyeth launches generic Protonix

Concomitant use of atazanavir and proton pump inhibitors is not recommended. Coadministration of atazanavir with proton pump inhibitors is expected to substantially decrease atazanavir plasma concentrations and thereby reduce its therapeutic effect.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Washington Information Source, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

Chain Drug Review - Wyeth to sell generic Protonix

admin — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:31:02 +0000

MADISON, N.J. — Wyeth and its business partner, Nycomed, have launched a generic version of the former’s Protonix tablets.
Wyeth says it took the action in response to the December 21 “at risk” launch of generic pantoprazole tablets in the United States by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA. Wyeth’s generic version of Protonix is being distributed by Prasco Laboratories.
“Compound patents, like that infringed upon by Teva, represent the foundation of pharmaceutical innovation, a critical underpinning in banging important new medicines to patients,” says Wyeth president and chief executive officer Bernard Poussot. “We believe the Protonix compound patent is strong, and we will vigorously pursue our litigation against Teva and other infringing generics.”

Related Results

Protonix formulaProtonix approvalProtonix pushWyeth launches generic ProtonixWyeth launches generic version of Protonix

Wyeth and Altana Pharma AG (recently acquired by Nycomed) sued Teva and Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd. for patent infringement based on Teva’s and Sun’s filing of abbreviated new drug applications seeking Food and Drug Administration approval to market generic versions of Protonix before the patent expires on July 19, 2010.
On September 6, 2007, a federal district court in New Jersey denied Wyeth’s and Nycomed’s motion for a preliminary injunction. According to Wyeth, the court did not rule on the validity of the patent, but rather concluded that, based on the record before it, Wyeth and Nycomed were not entitled to the extraordinary relief of a preliminary injunction. Trial is expected in the second half of 2008.
“We are pleased to have established this agreement with Wyeth,” comments Prasco CEO E. Thomas Arington, noting that the company is distributing 20-and 40-mg versions of the product, used to treat heartburn.
Teva responds that it has not relaunched and does not intend to ship additional units of its generic “at this time.”
COPYRIGHT 2008 Racher Press, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

NJBIZ - Pharma Fight over Heartburn Drug

admin — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:46:02 +0000

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals last week filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. for launching a generic version of Wyeths acid-reflux drug Protonix. But Teva says it won 180 days of marketing exclusivity from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for 20-milligram and 40-milligram doses of pantoprazole sodium delayed release-or generic Protonix DR-tablets.

Related Results

Protonix formulaProtonix approvalProtonix pushWyeth to sell generic ProtonixWyeth launches generic Protonix

Wyeth says its Protonix patent does not expire until July 2010 and may be extended until January 2011. Wyeth is suing Teva for lost profits and other damages and seeks to permanently stop future sales of generic Protonix until the patent expires.
Copyright Journal Publications Inc. Dec 31, 2007
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Medical Marketing and Media - Expert panel rates GERD drugs

admin — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:46:02 +0000

A panel of experts appointed by the Amerian Gastroenterological Association reached a consensus that there is some, but not much, difference in efficacy among OTC drugs and Rx drugs for the treatment of GERD.
Among prescription drugs, standard doses of proton pump inhibitors Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, and Aciphex produce comparable rates of healing and remission in patients with erosive esophagitis, the panel states. Nexium may require a shorter time and is slightly more effective in relieving heartburn and healing erosive esophagitis, though clinical significance has not been substantiated.

Related Results

AciphexAciphexAciphex approvalAciphex approvedEisai, Janssen Revamp Aciphex Packaging

Patients with mild to moderate heartburn not exceeding four weeks in duration can achieve rapid, effective, and safe relief with OTC agents, according to expert opinion. They can choose between antacids such as Turns or Rolaids, and among H2 receptor antagonists such as Tagamet HB, Pepcid AC, Axid AR, and Zantac 75. All have been effective in relieving mild to moderate GERD, according to the consensus statement.
Pepcid Complete, a combination of an H2 receptor antagonist and an antacid, was found to be better at symptom relief than the components used separately. Panelists recommend that consumers consult a physician only if they experience severe, frequent, or prolonged symptoms for more than four weeks, thereby emphasizing the use of OTC drugs.
Copyright CPS Communications Dec 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Acid Reflux/Heartburn - Simple Steps to Relief

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:56:07 +0000

ACID REFLUX/HEARTBURN - Effective Strategies to Stop the Burning. by Andrew KellyYou’ve seen the advertisements: Acid reflux is a horrible disease that can cause damage to the
oesophagus and lead to cancer. Are these claims realistic, or simply exaggerated to sell over
the counter medications? The fact is that doctors don’t even agree on the causes, treatments,
and long-term risks related to heartburn, so you can believe what you want about the ads.Heartburn is the uncomfortable feeling resulting from acid reflux, or GERD, gastroesophageal
reflux disease (try saying that out loud a few times). It can feel like a burning sensation
(hence, the name), but can also feel like pressure in the chest, which is why it is sometimes
confused with feelings associated with heart attacks.Acid reflux occurs when the muscle between the stomach and the oesophagus gets weak or relaxes
at the wrong time. The result is that the stomach contents, including the acid, move up into
the oesophagus. Because the oesophagus doesn’t have the protective lining that the stomach
does, the acid literally burns the oesophagus.What Works? Several non-prescription drugs may be effective for mild to moderate acid reflux,
such as antacids, which neutralize stomach acids. These include well-known over the counter
medications such as Tums and Rolaids. Another option is H2 receptor antagonists, which reduce
the production of stomach acids. These include Axid AR, Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, and Zantac 75.
Pepcid complete is the only of these that combines an antacid with an H2 receptor antagonist.
Which is the best treatment? One study found that Pepcid complete performed better than either
an antacid alone or an H2 receptor antagonist alone.Prescription drugs prescribed to treat acid reflux are called proton-pump inhibitors. These
include Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix. While these are equally effective,
one study did find that Nexium may heal esophageal sores faster.Homeopathic Remedies Combined with homeopathic remedies, heartburn may be treated effectively
with less reliance on over the counter or prescription medications. Together, these solutions
may provide the answers where just one solution fails to deliver on the promise.Natural options that may help reduce GERD include deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), which may
bring fast relief and help heal damaged lining. Aloe Vera juice may also act quickly to bring
relief. For those with chronic problems, Gamma-oryzanol (rice bran oil) may be useful, as could
choline, pantothenic acid, and thiamin. These natural solutions may provide more effective
short-term relief as well as provide long-term dietary benefits.Why Try a Homeopathic Remedy? The benefits of natural solutions is that they are often less
costly and reduce the chances of becoming reliant on a particular solution. Natural solutions
include treating the cause as much as the affect, and experimenting with diet and alternative
treatments may help lessen the cause of the problem. Additionally, all of the homeopathic
remedies mentioned above can be used along with over the counter or prescription medications.Does Acid Reflux Cause Cancer? Studies on acid reflux and cancer vary. One study showed that
chronic acid reflux increased the chances of oesophageal cancer by as much as eight times.
Another study determined that the risk of cancer is not nearly as much as was once thought.
Chronic acid reflux can lead to Barrett’s oesophagus, or BE, which has been thought to lead to
an increase in cancer. A study conducted by a group of medical doctors found that the risk of
cancer from BE is not as much as previously thought, stating that BE will not cause cancer for
most people.What is not questioned is whether or not acid reflux is uncomfortable. Chronic GERD is
difficult to live with, and experimenting with both traditional medications and natural
remedies may be the best solution. As research continues on the causes and affects of GERD,
additional options are likely to come along.____________________________________________________________Andrew Kelly keeps you up to date on the latest Information & Strategies to help you control
your Acid Reflux/Heartburn. Visit this link for more Answers: http://www.acidrefluxfree.com

Business Wire - Fitch: Wyeth’s Increased Share Repurchase Program Supported within Current Rating

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:16:02 +0000

CHICAGO — Fitch Ratings does not expect Wyeth’s $5 billion share repurchase program to have a material impact on the company’s credit profile. Today, Wyeth announced that its Board of Directors approved an increase to the company’s prior share repurchase program which now authorizes Wyeth to repurchase up to $5 billion share of common stock, inclusive of $1.2 billion already repurchased in 2007. The share repurchase program has no time limit and may be suspended or discontinued at any period. Additionally, the Board approved a 7.7% increase to the dividend to $1.12 per share annually from $1.04 per share. The shareholder-friendly actions are offset by solid liquidity and strong operational performance.

Most Popular
3 Questions No Job Seeker Ever Wants To Be Asked?
10 Jobs That Pay $30 An Hour
Public Speaking: 7 Secrets Of Great Public Speakers
5 Regular Mistakes In Public Speaking
Five Questions for Michael Eisner

Wyeth maintains solid liquidity provided by its large cash and marketable securities balances, credit facilities and improving free cash flow generation. On June 30, 2007, the company had cash and short-term investments totaling $12.19 billion. Additionally, Wyeth entered into a new $3 billion 5-year credit facility on Aug. 2, 2007, which matures in August 2012. Free cash flow for the latest 12-month (LTM) period ending June 30, 2007 was $1.63 billion (cash flow from operations of $4.28 billion less capital spending of $1.26 billion and dividends of $1.39 billion) increasing from $605.8 million at the end of 2006. Fitch anticipates substantial improvement in free cash flow as the diet drug litigation payments wind down.
Wyeth’s rating reflects the company’s strong operational performance led by revenue growth of its human pharmaceutical business that exceeds the market average. Steady sales growth of the animal health and consumer health businesses provide a stable source of cash flow generation. Total revenue growth was 9.8% for the LTM period at the end of the second quarter of 2007 driven by above-industry sales growth of the human pharmaceutical business, which represents approximately 83% of total revenues. Successful commercialization of the late-stage R&D portfolio and a solid intellectual property position (excluding a possible near-term generic Protonix launch) offer assurance that strong revenue growth may be sustained into the long-term. Additionally, Wyeth’s EBITDA margin has consistently improved since 2004 and was 32% for the LTM period ending June 30, 2007. Restructuring actions, undertaken since 2005, may support further EBITDA margin expansion in the intermediate-term.
Leverage (total debt to EBITDA) increased to 1.7 times (x) for the LTM period ending June 30, 2007 from 1.5x at the end of 2006 in conjunction with an issuance of $2.5 billion of debt in the first quarter. Total debt rose to $11.61 billion at the end of the second quarter from $9.22 at the end of 2006. The company has a light long-term debt maturity schedule without a significant maturity until March of 2011 ($1.5 billion).
Fitch’s rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available on the agency’s public site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are available from this site, at all times. Fitch’s code of conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, affiliate firewall, compliance and other relevant policies and procedures are also available from the ‘Code of Conduct’ section of this site.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

Medical Marketing and Media - WALL STREET CHOICE: SALES OF KEY PRODUCTS BOOST WYETH'S TOP LINE

admin — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:51:04 +0000

In a study sure to cause indigestion among those who can least abide it, Dutch researchers have found that acid-blocking drugs might boost a person’s chance of getting pneumonia. For millions of people who have come to rely on the popular drugs, the news is a bitter pill to swallow.
Acid blockers come in two forms. Socalled [histamine.sub.2]-receptor antagonists include ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), and famotidine (Pepcid AC). More-potent drugs called proton-pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and rabeprozole (Aciphex).

Most Popular
10 Jobs That Pay $30 An Hour
Today’s Best Part-Time Jobs
Five Ways To Successfully Negotiate A Salary
5 Regular Mistakes In Public Speaking
Eight Major Job Trends For 2008

The researchers consulted medical records logged between 1995 and 2002 for more than 360,000 people and found that those using acid blockers experienced pneumonia at the rate of about 0.024 case per person each year. That made them 4.5 times as likely to develop pneumonia as were people of a similar age and the same gender who never used the drugs.
Next, the scientists assessed pneumonia rates among 475 people who used acid blockers during the study years and matched each of these individuals with 10 people of the same age, gender, and general health characteristics who had stopped taking the drugs at some earlier date.
From these records, the researchers calculated that a person taking a proton-pump inhibitor has nearly twice the risk of getting pneumonia as does someone who has stopped taking the drug. A [histamine.sub.2]-receptor antagonist boosted the risk of pneumonia by about two-thirds over the risk in past users, the researchers report in the Oct. 27 Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers didn’t analyze the use of chewable antacids.
The acid in a person’s stomach not only aids digestion but also kills pathogens coming from the mouth via the esophagus. “There’s lots of data showing that if you take away acid, it increases bacteria in the stomach,” says James C. Gregor of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. Some of these microbes might move up the esophagus and then down into the lungs, causing pneumonia, he says.
The new study indicates that there’s only a small chance of contracting pneumonia that way, even among people taking acid-blocking drugs, says coauthor Robert J.F. Laheij, an epidemiologist at the University Medical Center St. Radboud in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. It’s unclear whether the added risk outweighs the benefits that acid blockers provide, he says.
Acid suppression does more than relieve indigestion and heartburn. It limits damage to the esophagus, which can undergo scarring and even develop cancer after pro longed acid exposure.
“These drugs are an incredible advance in terms of quality of life and healing disease,’ says Gregor.
Nevertheless, the data suggest that the heightened pneumonia risk could be particularly worrisome for immune-suppressed individuals, the elderly, or those with chronic lung problems, Laheij says.
“This makes us think twice about leaving people on these drugs forever,” Gregor says.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Science Service, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

Hypnosis Treats Unexplained Chest Pain

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:31:02 +0000

April 20, 2006 - Severe chest pain is a serious symptom of heart diseaseheart disease that should never be ignored, but not all chest pain has a cardiac cause.
In up to almost a third of cases when heart disease is suspected, no obvious coronary artery disease of the heart can be found to explain frequent chest pain. Noncardiac chest pain is poorly understood and difficult to treat, but new research shows that an unconventional therapy can help patients feel better.
In the small study, patients with unexplained chest pain improved significantly when treated with hypnosis. All of the patients had been evaluated for their chest pain with coronary angiograms and were found to have no evidence of coronary artery disease.
Fifteen patients received 12 sessions of hypnotherapy over 17 weeks, while 13 others got supportive therapy with no hypnosis. A total of 80% of the hypnosis patients reported significant pain relief following treatment, compared with 23% of the supportive-care patients.
The hypnotherapy patients had the same number of chest pain episodes as they did before treatment, but they reported being bothered less by the pain and having an improved overall sense of well-being. They also took less medication to control their pain.
The findings appear today in an online issue of the journal Gut.
“Hypnotherapy didn’t abolish the pain, it just reduced it and made it less of an issue in these people’s daily lives,” researcher Peter J. Whorwell, MD, tells WebMD.
Few Treatment Options
Whorwell and colleagues from Wythenshawe Hospital in the U.K. were the first to use hypnosis to treat another poorly understood and hard-to-treat condition — irritable bowel syndrome — more than two decades ago.
The researchers decided to try the therapy for noncardiac chest pain because patients with the condition have few treatment options.
Chest pain symptoms among patients with acid refluxacid reflux disease often improve when they are treated with acid-reducing medications (such as Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, and Nexium), but no obvious cause can be found for most patients with noncardiac chest pain.
“These patients often fall through the cracks in terms of treatment,” he says. “Once a cardiac cause has been ruled out the cardiologist loses interest. Patients are told there is nothing to worry about, but the chest pain can be severely incapacitating.”
Are Heart Symptoms Missed in Women?
But cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, warns that ruling out a cardiac cause, especially among women, is easier said than done.
Women are more likely than men to have noncardiac chest pain. But they are also more likely to have heart diseaseheart disease-related chest pain that is not picked up by conventional diagnostic tests.
A coronary angiogram can miss a potentially life-threatening disorder called microvascular disease. In that disorder smaller arteries that supply blood to the heart may have plaque deposits that are spread out rather than form a major blockage.