Drug Topics - November 24, 2008 - (Page 4) Issues & Trends said. It adds an enzyme, uricase, which is present in most mammals. But humans lack the uricase gene. Without uricase, uric acid can accumulate in tissues and deposit as needle-like crystals to cause gout. A single infusion of Puricase reduced uric acid levels to normal, 6.8 mg/dL, in all patients in a phase III trial, Sundy reported. That one infusion kept uric acid levels down for at least six months in 40 percent of patients. “We are seeing dramatic responses,” he said. Many of the patients were confined to a wheelchair when the study began but regained their ability to walk after one infusion. Another study reported advances in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. A new monoclonal antibody, tanezumab, which inhibits nerve growth factor (NGF), showed significant pain relief in a phase II study. NGF modulates peripheral pain sensations, explained Dr. Nancy Lane, director of the University of California Davis Aging Center. “Effective pain relief is a significant unmet medical need in osteoarthritis,” Lane said. “NGF is synthesized at sites of inflammation and accentuate pain. Blocking NGF was very effective in reducing knee pain and improving physical functioning in patients with severe knee OA.” ASSOCIATIONS Alaina Scott, Senior Editor APhA taps new VP, CEO The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has named Thomas Menighan as its new executive vice president and CEO. The decision was made on the heels of the announcement earlier in 2008 that John Gans, PharmD, the current CEO, would resign after 20 years of service to the organization. “The board of trustees is pleased to apexperiences include management of the point a seasoned leader like Tom MePharMark Corporation, creator of Rationighan as executive vice-president nalMed., Menighan also founded and and CEO,” APhA President Timothy L. was a 20-year Medicine Shoppe owner Tucker said. “Given Tom’s experience in Huntington, W. Va., and is a partner in and diverse knowledge of the pharmacy Pharmacy Associates, Inc., a multi-state profession, we are confident he will conspecialty pharmacy that today serves patinue to lead the association toward more tients in much of the United States. fulfilling and relationship-based roles for “Tom is an excellent choice to assume pharmacists in providing optimal medithe mantle of leadership of APhA," said cation therapy outcomes.” John A. Gans, APhA’s current execuMenighan received his Bachelor of tive vice president and CEO. “His broad Science in Pharmacy in 1974 from West knowledge of the profession and his Virginia University School of Pharmacy breadth of experience coupled with his and a Masters in Business Administration commitment to pharmacy position him in 1990 from Averett College. Menighan Thomas Menighan is the new APhA VP, CEO well to lead APhA as the profession is is president of SynTegra Solutions Inc., in facing many challenges in our fractured Germantown, Md. healthcare system. In addition, he has Menighan has volunteered in his field, including becomparticipated in the association’s leadership from both the ing president of APhA from 2001 to 2002 and a member staff and volunteer perspectives which strengthens his unof the APhA Board of Trustees between 1995 and 2003. derstanding of the operations of and opportunities for the He was a senior staff member of APhA from 1987 to 1992. Association.” While on staff as senior director of external affairs, he manMenighan will begin his transition into the role of APhA aged state affairs, public relations, and new business develCEO-designate in the first quarter of 2009 and will assume opment and practice management issues. Other professional the position of CEO on July 1. 4 DRUG TOPICS N OV. 24, 2008 W W W.D R U GTO P I C S .C O M COURTESY OF APHA http://WWW.DRUGTOPICS.COM
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Drug Topics - November 24, 2008 Drug Topics - November 24, 2008 Contents Advances in Bone Disease Treatment Reported at ACR Gathering APHA Taps New VP, CEO FDA Deaths from Prescription Drugs on the Rise Drug Topics - November 24, 2008 Drug Topics - November 24, 2008 - Contents (Page 1) Drug Topics - November 24, 2008 - Contents (Page 2) Drug Topics - November 24, 2008 - Advances in Bone Disease Treatment Reported at ACR Gathering (Page 3) Drug Topics - November 24, 2008 - APHA Taps New VP, CEO (Page 4) Drug Topics - November 24, 2008 - Deaths from Prescription Drugs on the Rise (Page 5)
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