A federal panel voted Thursday to reccommend that girls between the ages of 11 and 26 receive Merck’s vaccine for HPV, human papillomavirus, which can lead to, among other diseases, cervical cancer.
For the vaccine to be effective, a patient must receive three injections over the course of six months. The entire course costs about $360, which is more than the cost of all other childhood vaccinations combined.
2006 will definitely be remembered for the sheer number of big-name generics that have come out or will soon do so.
We’ve already seen some heavyweights go generic this year, including Flonase (fluticasone propionate nasal spray) and Pravachol (pravastatin sodium tablets).
This week is no different. Yesterday, the FDA approved first-time generic equivalents for Zocor (simvastatin, made by Merck) in five strengths. Teva Pharmaceuticals will market the 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg tablets, and the 80mg tablets will be sold by Ranbaxy. Simvastatin joins lovastatin (Mevacor) and pravastatin (Pravachol) in the growing list of generic cholesterol medicatons.
Well, if you’ve looked at this blog before, you’ve probably noticed that I haven’t updated it in a while, mostly due to my long commute. (I leave home at 7:30 in the morning and get home at 10pm.)
Since the last time I posted here, I’ve been made the lead technician at the Target Pharmacy I work at (including the much-anticipated raise.) Now that I have the same routine every day, I’ll be more able to keep posting here.
I’m still going to keep the podcast on hold for now, until I can move closer into Washington (and get home before 10pm).
Until then, keep reading. There’s been some interesting news this week…
