Monday, November 15, 2004

UK Government Tells Drug Firms to Disclose Clinical Data
Reuters Health story at Medscape - "The British government demanded on Thursday that all drug makers publish clinical trial data on marketed medicines and set new guidelines to ensure its regulators were not influenced by corporations. 'We want to see faster progress,' Health Minister Lord Warner told reporters. 'If we don't see it, I will be inviting senior members of the companies concerned to come and have a friendly discussion.' UK regulators are concerned that only a few companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline Plc, have started publishing their clinical trial results." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Bipolar Depression: Long-term Challenges for the Clinician
A new Medscape CME unit - "Of the 2 poles of bipolar disorder, mania is the more dramatic, and indeed the defining, characteristic. Not surprisingly, it has been the major focus of clinical and research attention, while bipolar depression has been relatively neglected. But a growing body of evidence suggests that depression accounts for the greater burden of morbidity and mortality in bipolar disorder and is an underrecognized clinical challenge. Bipolar depression is often misdiagnosed, inappropriately treated in the acute phase, and undertreated in the maintenance phase. Fortunately, increasing interest in bipolar depression has led to an expanding pharmacopoeia, the establishment of international consensus treatment guidelines, and an improved understanding of bipolar disorder as a severe, recurrent illness requiring long-term pharmacotherapy and psychosocial support..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].