Long-term effects of early Parkinson’s treatments similar

EurekAlert!, Public release date: 9-Mar-2009

A study published online today in the Archives of Neurology involving two common drugs used to treat early-stage Parkinson’s disease shows that, while the drugs each have advantages and disadvantages, the overall impact tends to even out over a long period of treatment. “Clinicians and patients often struggle with what is the right initial approach to treating Parkinson’s disease,” said University of Rochester Medical Center neurologist Kevin Biglan, M.D., M.P.H., the lead author of the paper and a member of the Parkinson’s Study Group, an international network of researchers that oversaw the clinical trial.

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UPDATE 1-US senators propose bill to stop generic drug delays

Reuters, Tue Feb 3, 2009 3:54pm EST

WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) – Two senior senators have introduced a bill that would make it illegal for pharmaceutical companies to pay generic drugmakers to keep lower priced alternatives off the market.  “It’s time to stop these drug company pay-for-delay deals that only serve the profits of the companies involved and deny consumers access to affordable generic drugs,” said Sen. Herb Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat, who unveiled the legislation along with Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican.

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